Home music studio teaching

Parents of school-age children, plus adults learning for fun or returning to an instrument.

Fees per lesson or per term, often billed monthly in advance. Extras can include recital fees, exam preparation and music books.

• Playing or singing well enough to teach beginners and intermediates
• Patience and clear explanation
• Reliable scheduling and communication with parents

• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence or has zoning limits on visiting clients
• Ask your home insurer how visiting students are covered, and consider commercial general liability insurance
• Many parents will ask for a police record check, especially for work with children, so check how to get one in your province
• Check the rules on registering for GST/HST if your income grows
• Check noise and parking with neighbours and, if you rent, your landlord
• Demand dips in summer and around holidays, so plan your cash flow

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $300 to $2,000, depending on how much you spend setting up a teaching room, instruments, music books and basic marketing. Many teachers start with what they already own.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $400 to $2,000, depending on how many students you teach each week and your lesson length and rates. Demand can dip in summer and around holidays.

Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence or limits visiting clients. Also ask your insurer how visiting students are covered, find out how to get a police record check in your province, and check GST/HST rules.