Fifty-two years ago, Linda began teaching piano, and it’s been her passion ever since. She prides herself on fostering an environment where students can always feel loved, accepted, and challenged.
Recently, Linda’s studio has experienced a great boom in business. She credits this to the WunderKeys program.
“At the time I had 33 students. All of a sudden I had 58 and a waiting list.”
“Parents would always ask me to teach three to four year olds,” she says. “[But] I honestly had not found a preschool curriculum that I appreciated . . . The students just had to wait until they were in kindergarten. It made me sad to turn them down. I always had to say no to requests for younger children.”
Linda wondered if there was a way to tap into that younger market. Three years ago, a stroke of luck led her to a solution: a student teacher had a WunderKeys printout on her desk.
“I asked if I could read it . . . and immediately thought, ‘Bingo! This is what I’ve been looking for!’ I was super excited. I loved it the minute I saw it.”
“The numbers in my studio exploded.”
Linda highlights the difference between WunderKeys and other programs.
“I had looked at several preschool books, but they didn’t offer what WunderKeys did: a story-based lesson book, duets, a wealth of games, and puppets. Perhaps most of all, Andrea is always available to answer any questions and offer help.”
Based on her immediate love of the program, Linda took a chance.
“I printed off the flyers offering a month’s worth of free lessons. Then I called the administrator of preschools in town and asked if I could put flyers in their cubbies.”
The results were staggering and instantaneous.
“Twelve kids soon signed up for the month of free lessons. Eleven of those stayed on as students after completing the month. I kind of lost count after that . . . Requests poured in.”
Linda couldn’t have been happier – her studio was flourishing.
“At that time I had thirty-three students. All of a sudden I had fifty-eight and a waiting list. I quit my choir assistant job because there weren’t enough hours in the day.”
“There were double the smiles in my studio, which were already in great supply.”
What surprised Linda was that WunderKeys was so fun to teach, and it left everyone smiling. She realized that both children and parents really gravitated towards the program.
“Moms and dads alike, they love it! They’re often taking videos or photos of lessons. And the little ones love singing the words to the duets. Parents often talk about how much their children adore the books and activities in WunderKeys, and say how happy they are to find a teacher who’s using the curriculum.”
She fondly recalls a recent recital at an assisted living community, how the residents and the students completely lit up.
“These little WunderKeys students couldn’t wait to perform, and the audience (as well as the other students) loved having them included!”
What’s more, Linda observed that older students were starting to take notice.
“Older siblings often say they wish they could have started lessons with WunderKeys, because it looks like so much fun.”
“The WunderKeys students definitely added a new dimension [to the studio]. They’re always so full of joy. Their enthusiasm spills over into other students’ lessons.”
When asked about the universal appeal of WunderKeys, Linda talks about the strength of the narrative.
“The best things are the stories that go along with each lessons, because my little ones are enthralled with the characters and the stories. The illustrations are fabulous. And there’s always a fun game to play at the end.”
She even says that, given how fun it is, “younger siblings beg for lessons.”
“WunderKeys makes me feel joyful and content.”
Thanks to the WunderKeys program, Linda has not only grown her studio substantially, but also has gained a greater sense of enjoyment from her work.
“I’m teaching little ones about music concepts that I never thought possible. The first time a student plays a duet with me, it’s so endearing to watch their face light up!” She adds, “I encourage other teachers to use WunderKeys.”
Linda recently asked one of her four-year-old WunderKeys’ students: “Do you know how happy I am to see you today?”
His reply was immediate: “Well, it must be a lot, because you always smile so much.”
Today, Linda’s still smiling – and her business continues to thrive.
