Looking for inspiration from WunderKeys teachers who have “been there and done that?”

Check out these inspiring stories from teachers who have built entire studios using the WunderKeys method books.

Cassia's Success Story

Why This Teacher Will Never Go Back To Any Other Method After Using WunderKeys

“It’s essentially vegetables that taste like cake!” Why this teacher will never go back to any other method after using WunderKeys.

Cassia started teaching piano when she was a teen, discovering that her knack for connecting with young children paired perfectly with her love of playing the piano.

“I started off as a fairly traditional teacher, using my favorite method book and seldom varying my approach until students were more advanced. But then I stumbled upon the Teach Piano Today blog and was astounded - all of the things that I absolutely adored about early childhood education were being used to teach piano skills in ways that were engaging and exciting.”

Cassia had always had a desire to teach children as young as 3 years old as she herself started at age 3 and her own early piano experiences were “life-changing”.

However, she struggled to find materials that truly suited this age group.

“Traditional method books simply didn’t work - they moved too fast, and there were too many things that were not realistic in terms of expectations.”

Knowing that the needs of her preschoolers were unique and were not being addressed by the method books she could find, Cassia resorted to teaching her young students using a “no book” approach. However, this was not the right fit for her either.

“Parents were generally confused by this, and often felt uncomfortable that their child was not progressing through a method book at a steady and predictable pace.”

Having recently moved to a new city and thus having lost the word-of-mouth advertising she had previously relied on, Cassia decided to separate herself from other teachers in the area by offering preschool piano lessons. She did a test-run of the books with her own son.

“Prior to trying WunderKeys with him, I had done just a few lessons with another method series, but he had grown frustrated quickly.”

After a long time away from the piano due to his frustrations, Cassia wasn’t sure how her son would respond to a “second try” on the piano.

“I did the first lesson from WunderKeys Preschool Book 1 with him. Oh my goodness, he LOVED it! The characters captured his imagination, the games kept his attention, and the duet had him beaming with pride!”

Not only was her son excited about this return to the piano using WunderKeys, but Cassia was also thrilled.

“I was blown away - the lesson had been so EASY to follow, even my first time through. Over the next few weeks we were doing a new lesson every few days, and as I watched my son’s confidence at the piano grow, it completely melted my heart.”

Cassia was quickly convinced that WunderKeys was her answer to providing age-appropriate and effective lessons to preschoolers in her area.

I almost feel like I’m cheating a little.

Like most piano teachers, Cassia was used to spending hours of out-of-studio time planning and prepping lessons. But WunderKeys quickly changed this for her.

“The lessons are so quick and easy to plan and follow. With students happily and consistently progressing with the program exactly as laid out, I almost feel like I”m cheating a little. More of my time outside of lessons is spent with my family instead of on prep work, and I don’t have to wonder how to keep things exciting while still staying focused on goals.”

And it wasn’t just planning time that was improved, Cassia began to notice exciting changes in her students as well.

“One thing I have noticed in my WunderKeys students is that their understanding of notation is stronger and more reliable compared to students using other method books.”

Like many other piano teachers, Cassia was used to the same old note reading difficulties that students struggle with when learning to play the piano but was thrilled to discover that WunderKeys was able to change that.

“I have had the opportunity to move two transfer students into the WunderKeys primer method book and was amazed to see them begin to read their music more confidently and with more fluidity. They are better prepared when they reach a new piece to know what steps they should go through to break it down and effectively practice.”

WunderKeys is becoming a way of teaching that is completely unique compared with anything else that I have ever tried.

After starting with WunderKeys Cassia says “there was no going back.” She was hooked on this new approach to teaching piano for so many reasons.

“I usually expect that any method book I find will either be fun “cake” or good-for-you “vegetables”. The best I expected was to find a book, however dry and boring, that covered skills well enough, and then to spend a lot of time and energy trying to make it appealing enough for children to continue with it until the intrinsic benefits of playing become the primary motivating factor. However, with WunderKeys I have at long last found a perfect blend of fun and engaging activities that keep kids coming back for more, but at the same time delivering an approach that is pedagogically sound and gently paced to help avoid frustration… essentially vegetables that taste like cake!”

“Student retention has been better than ever.”

Cassia recently added six new WunderKeys students in just one month after posting in local Facebook groups with a 50% off the first month offer.

“I started getting messages from interested parents within just a few hours of posting. This was the most growth I’ve ever had in such a short period! One parent contacted me looking for lessons for her 5-year-old, but when she saw the WunderKeys preschool books during our interview she was so excited that she signed up her 3-year-old daughter for lessons as well!”

This isn’t the kind of piano lessons that parents remember when they were growing up!

WunderKeys didn’t only change the way Cassia taught, it has also changed the way she advertises her studio.

“Learning to present my studio in a way that gets families on board is one of the most notable changes since I started advertising in my new city. WunderKeys is a really big part of that.”

Instead of a generic-looking website or predictable piano studio Facebook page, Cassia has been able to curate an online presence that is irresistible to local parents searching for piano lessons for their children.

“When a prospective piano parent visits my website or Facebook page, they see lots of pictures of students playing games and engaging in off-bench activities. This isn’t the kind of piano lessons that they remember when they were growing up!”

Cassia carries over this atmosphere of fun in her studio as well.

“With finger puppets up on the piano and character posters up on the wall, parents can see right away that my focus is on teaching children in a way that engages all of their senses.”

When asked what surprised her most about using WunderKeys, Cassia cites the support and free resources as some of her favorite “extras”.

“My biggest surprise is the overwhelming amount of extras and support that I have had all along the way. The free printables are so impressive - beautiful and always right on target in helping my student to practice their most important skills.”

Cassia enjoys sending these extras home and her piano parents love it.

“Families are so impressed when they see how many extras I provide for students to take home. Instead of flashcards and scale drills, their children are singing silly songs and playing theory board games at home and are eager and prepared to show off what they have been learning.”

“The Facebook community is second to none.”

As an active member of the WunderKeys Facebook community, Cassia has been able to take advantage of the extra free printables and other offerings.

“The social media graphics help to keep my page up to date and I’ve had a lot of parents tell me that these are what first caught their eye before they contacted me.”

In a profession that can be somewhat lonely, Cassia appreciates the chance to network with like-minded teachers online.

“The method book is absolutely right for me and I would have chosen it regardless, but knowing that I have a community instead of just figuring out everything on my own means that to me, WunderKeys is becoming a way of teaching that is completely unique compared with anything else that I have ever tried.”

Grow Your Studio with Wunderkeys

Amy C's Success Story

Discover How She Used WunderKeys To Grow Her Studio To 66 Students

When Amy moved to Florida, she longed for a change from her high-stress lifestyle.

“As a child,” she says, “I always wanted to play the piano all day long.”

So she took a leap and embraced teaching piano full time. Immediately, she was met with rewards – and also challenges. Although her goal was to reach all age groups, she found herself turning parents away.

“I would be asked to teach children aged two to six, and I hated to refuse that. But I was unable to find a curriculum that could meet the children where they were developmentally . . . I would usually suggest that the parents call me when the child turns seven.”

Frustrated, Amy searched for a way to cater to this younger age group – and she discovered WunderKeys.

“I’d tried so many other curriculums,” she says. “What would another one hurt?”

“The children were loving their time with me at the piano.”

From early on, Amy knew that this program was different. Especially compared to other curriculums, she was seeing tangible results. Adopting the WunderKeys method for her studio was an easy choice.

“The parents were happy, and I knew the children were learning . . . The best thing about WunderKeys is not only the child-friendly and colorful graphics, but also the sequencing of activities that build on the skills.”

Her students loved the program, and Amy noticed that they were developing positive routines from a young age, laying the groundwork for musical success.

As an instructor, she also found the program perfectly paced and easy to teach.

“It was so simple and step by step,” she says, “just like it should be: baby steps, conquering one thing at a time.”

“I began doing heavy promotion.”

After discovering WunderKeys, Amy began to build her business through advertising: promoting on her studio’s Facebook page and also on yard sale groups and Mom groups on Facebook.

She then focused on preschools in the area, especially those with academically exceptional students.

“I talked with their directors about my program and asked for them to display my cards.”

This strategy was a success – and Amy continues to pursue other marketing methods to keep up the momentum.

“I’ve linked into my local Mothers’ of Preschoolers (MOPS) group, and through them, I do a raffle every two to three months. I also did party favors for them with my business cards and little finger puppets attached. That was a big hit!”

Alongside this, Facebook videos have been extremely helpful for building Amy’s studio.

“Proud parents share them,” she says, “and curious parents watch and then sign up. I also livestream my recitals via Facebook, so far-away family and friends can watch.”

By discussing her advertising methods, Amy hopes that others will consider taking the leap of faith with WunderKeys.

“When the phone rings with a parent asking for lessons for a little one, sign them up, and watch how much fun you have!”

“My studio is way more fun since I began using WunderKeys.”

Even Amy’s most reluctant students find joy in the WunderKeys program.

“I use games now,” she says. “I have been able to win over a reluctant boy who can sight read very well, but hates to practice. Well, he can’t practice for a game! And he enjoys the challenge.”

The responses from parents are also overwhelmingly positive. Recently, on the Facebook page for Amy’s studio, one parent described her child’s journey.

“Ever wonder what the piano curriculum could be for a four-year-old? I did, too! [My child] is learning musical concepts through play. From rhythm and finger control to recognizing patterns and ear training, it’s all happening and she is having the best time.”

With testimonials like these, together with the success that Amy witnesses every day in her studio, Amy’s faith in the WunderKeys method is incredibly strong. She even recommended it to one of her piano teachers for teaching her grandchildren.

“I currently have ten students on my waiting list.”

Today, Amy has sixty-six students ranging from three years old to retirees. Fifteen are WunderKeys students—and she expects that number to rise.

Her studio is rapidly growing, with a ten-student waiting list. To accommodate this expansion, she even had to move her business to a storefront.

“Now, I am not only teaching private piano, I am also giving group classes, selling pianos, and considering hiring another teacher.”

Amy’s glad that she took a leap of faith with WunderKeys.

Grow Your Studio with Wunderkeys

Audrey's Success Story

How A Teacher Used WunderKeys To End Practice Wars And Grow Her Studio

Audrey had been teaching piano for 17 years before she discovered WunderKeys. Her experience in teaching special needs children and diverse populations in alternative schools had given her a deep understanding of how children learn and a passion for providing all children with the opportunity to enjoy a lifetime of music-making.

“My philosophy is that all children are musical and deserve the opportunity to enjoy a lifetime of music making if they wish.”

When Audrey found WunderKeys she knew it fit perfectly with what she hoped to provide to the children in her studio.

“The WunderKeys preschool books seemed to have all the components of a multi-sensory approach. The skills I wanted to teach first were already there in bright, beautiful colors with rhymes, meaningful iconic notation, teacher/student duets and stories and characters.”

Audrey was thrilled to have found a method that would allow her to reach preschool-aged children, but also a method that lent itself naturally to teaching children with different learning paces and styles. In fact, her very first WunderKeys student was a six-year old child with special needs. Soon after starting her first WunderKeys student she added four new preschool students and word-of mouth continued to spread.

Audrey’s other students wanted to know why they weren’t using WunderKeys.

Audrey quickly found she wasn’t alone in her enthusiasm for the WunderKeys books. Her students who weren’t yet using WunderKeys were taking notice.

“As soon as my existing students started to see other children walking around with WunderKeys books they immediately wanted to know what THAT book was and WHY they didn’t have it. LOL”

This love-at-first-sight connection with a method book was something Audrey didn’t ignore. “All but one have WunderKeys now and that’s the way they want it.”

“My WunderKeys families are my best advertisement.”

Audrey quickly noticed the difference that the WunderKeys approach made in her students.

The parents of Audrey’s students were also amazed to see that their children loved to practice the piano at home. This regular practice resulted in exciting progress. Parents shared their enthusiasm with their friends, and a buzz about Audrey’s studio began in her community.

“Just about everyone has referred someone else. My primer students have multiplied just by word-of-mouth. I started the first one a year ago, now I have 11 students in the WunderKeys primers!”

Audrey was thrilled to see that her students were thriving and her parents were happy. Knowing that her clients were enthusiastic about her lesson offerings was encouraging.

“WunderKeys students are better note readers. They are better sight readers and demonstrate more confidence overall.

“What my families seem to like best is that their children WILL practice without a fight. They are satisfied that they are getting a good value for their investment because their children are happy, engaged and progressing.”

With WunderKeys now a fixture in her studio, Audrey’s students continue to thrive and word-of-mouth continues.

“What I love about WunderKeys as a piano teacher is that my students WILL practice because they don’t feel overwhelmed by the way the material is presented. They look forward to lessons as a pleasurable experience. By breaking up the lesson into different activities, WunderKeys removes a lot of the pressure that many of our children feel when presented with new tasks making learning to play the piano accessible to a broader section of learners. As a result, a lifetime of music making is also possible for them.”

Happy Students = Happy Teacher

But it isn’t only happy students, good practice habits and exciting progress that Audrey is enjoying. She’s also found that WunderKeys has improved the lesson experience for her as a teacher.

“As a music educator I love that my students aren’t just learning how to play the piano with WunderKeys. They are truly getting a music education. There’s always something right at my fingertips that meets every standard in music education.”

Grow Your Studio with Wunderkeys

Judith's Success Story

Using The WunderKeys Preschool Program With Students With Disabilities

After 27 years of piano teaching, Judith is a well-seasoned instructor. “After teaching music in the education system, I found my true passion was teaching students one-on-one in my piano studio”.

She teaches full-time, opening her door to 60 students every week.

“I love to teach to the learning style of my student and many of my students are those who learn differently or have a disability.”

With such a variety of learning styles in her studio, Judith found she was spending lots of out-of-studio time attempting to find materials that would meet the needs of ALL her students; and while she loved teaching, it was becoming time-consuming.”

“WunderKeys materials changed all that… and I mean ALL."

Judith stumbled upon WunderKeys on social media. “I was literally glued to my computer screen for hours!”

Realizing that the WunderKeys Preschool Books laid out important early piano concepts in a way that would be helpful to many of her multi-aged learners with disabilities, Judith dove in.

“The preschool materials are fantastic. I use them with all ages depending on student need, and I love that I can progress through these books without my usual ‘I am to the end of teaching this book and the next level will not work with this student’ dilemma.”

Not only did Judith embrace the WunderKeys method books, but she also made good use of the free resources WunderKeys offers online, and found that they were not only effective at teaching important concepts but were also motivating even for students with a variety of learning needs.

“THE GAMES… oh how my kids love these games, so do their parents!

"I have one boy who never practiced, had a hard time sitting through the lesson and did not like the music… now he can’t wait to see what special new piece I have for him and he greets me every week with, “GAME ON, MISS JUDI!!’ My parents even ask for copies of the piano games to use with their children because the student loves playing them so much.”

After having taught for so many years, Judith was used to using the same materials that have been available for eons, but making the change was nothing but positive. “The biggest surprise to me is WunderKeys has not disappointed me with ANY of their materials… can’t say enough of the hours Andrea and Trevor have saved me.”

Judith is now enjoying more free time as she can rely on WunderKeys to supply her with the resources she needs for all of the students in her studio. “There is very little in the piano material world that I can use consistently with my students with disabilities. I no longer have that problem, WunderKeys has solved it for me!”

“If you are searching for teaching support, method books, and games for your piano studio, WunderKeys is it!

Students who are introduced to WunderKeys will develop a devotion to their lessons and instructor and continue lessons far into the future. WunderKeys provides teachers with first-class, cream-of-the-crop support in every way!”

Grow Your Studio with Wunderkeys

Sarah's Success Story

How She Used WunderKeys To Grow Her Studio And Quit Her Office Job

When most people go to work, their children go to school… unless you are a piano teacher. When piano teachers go to work, their children come home from school. And this can make life complicated.

Sarah Daltrey knows this all too well. And it’s why, with a young daughter, she took a break from teaching in 2008 and went to work at an office instead.

“I took a part time office job so I could work school hours - I hated it!”

Wanting to escape her office job, Sarah started looking for ways to make piano teaching work during the day. And that’s when she stumbled upon WunderKeys.

“Local piano teachers wouldn’t take on anyone under the age of 7, and I had never taken students on that young either!"

Before WunderKeys, Sarah had turned away many parents who were looking for piano lessons for their preschool-aged children. “I would tell anyone who enquired about piano lessons for little ones that their children were probably too young and to try a generic music group or class for little ones. This makes me so sad now - I wished I’d known then!"

Sarah quickly recognize the benefits of the WunderKeys program.

“It was aimed at the exact age I wanted to attract… kids who can come to lessons during the school day!”

And she was amazed at all WunderKeys had to offer, from the “amazing, modern and engaging pieces” to the duets, the listening games and the free advertising and marketing materials.

Sarah combined the advertising materials with some creative marketing to create a studio growth machine. She approached local nursery schools to offer WunderKeys demo lessons and musical visits. After her visits she hung posters and left flyers for parents.

It wasn’t long before her phone started to ring.

Many parents who contacted Sarah were initially skeptical about starting their young children. But this is where her offer of a free month trial worked wonders.

“99% of families stayed after the trial.”

After that… Sarah’s studio took off. In that same year, her piano studio, The Bee’s Keys, grew from five students to 30 students.

“After several nursery school visits in October, my student numbers grew to 19 students, ten of whom were using WunderKeys. A steady increase of students meant by the end of the school year I had 30 students, 17 of those were WunderKeys students.”

Today, Sarah’s studio has grown to 79 piano students.

With a rapidly-growing studio, Sarah has had to take on another teacher to work with WunderKeys kids.

“Thank you Andrea, Thank you Trevor - and thank you to all the teachers who comment and support in the amazing online WunderKeys community that you have brought together.”

Grow Your Studio with Wunderkeys

Sara B's Success Story

Discover How She Became A Preschool Piano Specialist And Filled Her Studio… In Just One Summer

“From the opening of my studio in June to mid-September, my studio completely filled.”

After taking a course in Piano Pedagogy in college, Sara was inspired to open her own studio. She taught piano lessons to a handful of students while finishing college and continued to teach as she worked full time teaching music in a school setting. But after a few short years she made the decision to shift her focus, closing her piano studio in order to dedicate her time to her teaching position.

But five years (and two children) later, the fond memories of her former piano studio called to her.

“I decided it was the perfect time to build a new studio while also having the flexibility to grow with my one and three year old daughters.”

“I marketed my entire business around my offering WunderKeys.”

When re-opening her piano studio, Sara decided to focus on a specific niche market in order to maximize her advertising benefits: preschool piano lessons.

Sara explored various options for a preschool piano curriculum and came across WunderKeys.

“I researched many options, but WunderKeys proved to be, by far, the most flexible, as well as supportive, option. The online community support available from WunderKeys is amazing!”

Sara made the decision to focus solely on offering WunderKeys Preschool Piano lessons to her community.

“I marketed my entire business around my offering WunderKeys. I named my business the Preschool Piano Academy. It was my hope that I could provide the early childhood music education that my community was previously missing. “

To begin rebuilding her studio, Sara created a website that focused on preschool piano lessons and offered an online registration option. She also started a Facebook page which she actively maintained and delved into Facebook advertising to spread the word about her WunderKeys lessons.

She filled her entire studio in just one summer.

Having owned a piano studio before, Sara knew how difficult it could be to fill a piano studio, but she was amazed by the results.

“From the opening of my studio in June to mid-September, my studio completely filled. I have had to put a few new student inquiries on a wait list!”

In the past, Sara had been asked if she offered lessons to children under the age of 5, so she knew there was community interest, but the rapid growth of her studio was eye-opening.

“Before I found WunderKeys, I was simply turning away students under the age of five. Boy do I wish I'd have found WunderKeys sooner! I was surprised by the immense support and desire for a method like this in my community!”

Her studio parents became a word-of-mouth machine.

100% of Sara’s students are using the WunderKeys program, and her studio continues to thrive. The parents of her students have become a word-of-mouth machine, frequently recommending her studio in Facebook groups and to their friends with glowing comments.

“I have received inquiries from new students regularly, often several times a week.”

But it’s not only her students and their parents who are loving WunderKeys… Sara loves it too!

“Teaching WunderKeys is nothing like the "traditional" piano lessons you took growing up. Lessons are active, engaging, and so much fun for both the student and the teacher, all while remaining just as educational as those traditional piano lessons you grew up with!”

Grow Your Studio with Wunderkeys

Anna's Success Story

How She Used WunderKeys To Grow Her Studio And Spend More Time With Her Family

“I chose to be a piano teacher because it’s something I wake up excited to do every day.”

Anna started teaching piano fifteen years ago, welcoming all students with a passion and a desire to learn. Thanks to WunderKeys, more families than ever are inquiring about piano lessons and her studio is growing. But it’s not just a blossoming studio that keeps her using the method books!

Her experience with WunderKeys began as a way to increase time with her family.

“I was spending more time preparing for my lessons than it took me to actually teach the lessons!” she explains. The long hours away from her three boys were stressful, and she was feeling burned-out.

Then she discovered WunderKeys, and everything changed.

“It fulfilled that huge need I had which was less prep time . . . Prep is literally maybe five minutes now! Everything is laid out so beautifully in each lesson.”

“My boys were hooked and begged for lessons every day!”

Anna first decided to test the effectiveness of the WunderKeys program on her own, younger boys, who were three and four years old at the time.

“My nine-year-old son even liked it!” she says. It didn’t take long before all her kids were hooked, begging for lessons every day. “They had never done that before! I knew I had found something special.”

After her sons’ remarkable enthusiasm, Anna began taking on other students. She advertised on Facebook and Instagram alongside the marketing pictures that WunderKeys provided, and also put up a few flyers in local coffee shops.

The results were incredible – and Anna was thrilled.

She not only gained new students, but also added a new age group to her teaching repertoire. “It opened my studio up to teach younger kids! I’d struggled getting younger students because I wasn’t sure how to teach them private lessons.”

Before WunderKeys, her youngest students were five years old. Now she has expanded to teaching ages three through four. Anna credits this to the fun, excitement, and accessibility of the WunderKeys program.

“My students cry if they have to miss class.”

One of the best things about Anna’s job is seeing her students fall in love with the material – and it’s obvious to her why they engage with the books so deeply.

“The characters stay with you through your journey,” she says. “Younger students want a sense of having a special buddy to do things with them. This method offers just that. The characters also help young, shy, not-very-attentive kids to pay attention and finish a task.”

Anna recalls a student whose love for WunderKeys actually moved him to tears.

“One of my students was recently sick. He is always pretty attentive and finishes the tasks each week, but I wasn’t fully aware of how much he enjoyed lessons until that week. His mom told me he cried for a while about having to miss his piano lesson with Miss Anna and his special buddies.”

“I realized just how much kids could accomplish at such a young age.”

Anna’s enthusiasm for WunderKeys matches her students’. Early into the program, she realized that three and four year olds, who rarely have much of an attention span, could learn to play piano successfully.

And just as importantly, she learned to enjoy teaching again.

“I love seeing my students reach their goals,” she says. “Their faces light up when they achieve something they didn’t think they could do. It brings my students, their families, and me a lot of fulfillment and joy. This is what finding your dream job looks like to me!”

When asked about her biggest advice for other teachers, Anna’s message is very clear.

“Don’t hesitate. Just start doing WunderKeys and see the difference in how you’re teaching, how your students are responding, and how much more patience it helps you have during the lessons.”

She stresses that she never lacks for anything when teaching WunderKeys. “There is so much support at your fingertips via the website, Facebook groups, and resources.”

Today, she has a wide range of students, which brings new life into her studio each week. “It makes me a lighter, brighter, more fun teacher!”

With WunderKeys, Anna was able to accomplish her goal of less prep time for lessons. She loves those extra hours that she gets to spend with her boys, and is excited for the future of her piano studio, which continues to grow.

Grow Your Studio with Wunderkeys

Rebecca's Success Story

From Starting A Studio To A Full Schedule in 2 Days

Once upon a time, piano teachers believed that preschoolers were too young to begin piano lessons. They believed, quite correctly, that preschoolers could not sit at a piano bench for thirty minutes.

And so many preschoolers were denied an early introduction to the piano and their parents were told to wait until their child was seven. There was simply no place for preschoolers in traditional piano lessons.

To Trevor and I, this is a musical travesty. Preschoolers should not be denied a musical education because piano lessons won’t bend... piano lessons should bend to the needs of the preschooler.

The natural enjoyment of music and of the piano is at its height in the preschool years, and if teachers want children to become lifelong pianists, piano lessons should take advantage of this wonderful age when music is magical.

And nobody agrees with us more than today’s featured WunderKeys teacher, Rebecca.

“I had never thought of teaching preschool aged children before--like most piano teachers out there I assumed that was too young! WunderKeys changed the way I thought. It made me realize the value of starting children in piano when they're that young so they can associate positive and happy feelings with the piano without any pre-conceived notions about it being difficult!”

This willingness to launch her teaching career around preschool piano lessons resulted in a full teaching schedule in just a couple of days (with a waiting list!)

You read that correctly. By posting to Facebook groups and communities she built her studio in just a couple of days!

“While only a couple days ago I hadn't known where to start, now my studio had become a reality overnight.”

But Rebecca’s “overnight success” is not simply a stroke of luck. Her approach to the musical education of children, something she has carefully considered, is a magnet to parents.

“My philosophy is that learning to play the piano is so much more than learning an instrument: children learn how to discover themselves. I believe children have an unimaginable amount of potential inside them, and piano lessons are the perfect atmosphere to unlock what's inside.”

With such a wonderful philosophy, all Rebecca needed to do was find a piano program that aligned with her beliefs; and she found that in WunderKeys.

“I stumbled across WunderKeys. Honestly, it was like falling in love. The more I learned about the program, the more I felt I had found what I'd always been looking for.”

“I was provided with ENDLESS free materials to explore, to use for marketing, and to get ideas for teaching. There were inspiring stories, a community of teachers, and a crazy amount of resources. And, just as importantly, here was a method that solved the problem I had when I was a child--WunderKeys taught theory and technique WITHIN the lessons through games and activities! Children could learn the "hard stuff" without even realizing it. I've always believed that children learn best when they're having fun, and WunderKeys embraced that philosophy completely. I was sold. This was a curriculum I could believe in.”

Many new piano teachers would be intimidated with a full schedule of new students, but not Rebecca.

“I'm so happy I decided to open my studio with the WunderKeys curriculum. Before I found it, I didn't know where to start and I was nervous about becoming a teacher. With WunderKeys, I don't stress or worry any more! Even as a brand new teacher, I have so much fun with the kids and never worry if I'm "doing it right”. WunderKeys has made this transition for me a breeze!”

It was always our dream to connect the WunderKeys program with teachers like Rebecca. Her willingness to try a new approach to early piano lessons has had a lasting impact on her students lives… and on her own life.

“WunderKeys has absolutely changed my life. This program is something that I believe in with my whole heart--it's the perfect curriculum to introduce young children to the piano. It's allowed me to quit my job and fulfill my dream of working from home, doing something that I love.”

If you're new to WunderKeys, Rebecca’s final piece of advice should be all you need to get started…

“Don't hesitate another day! I promise you won't regret it. If you're looking for a method book that children will love, this is the right one for you. Children who use WunderKeys love the piano and love their lessons--and children who love their lessons keep coming back! Choosing to use WunderKeys will be the BEST decision you ever make for your studio.”

A side note from Andrea:

I encourage anyone reading this post to check out Rebecca’s website. It’s really no wonder she is having such incredible success. Her philosophy and passion for working with children, her personal photos displaying her kind nature, and her photos of smiling students, would have me, as a parent, begging her to teach my children!

Grow Your Studio with Wunderkeys

Linda's Success Story

How She Used WunderKeys To Grow Her Studio From 38 Students To 58 Students

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.

Grow Your Studio with Wunderkeys

Julianna's Success Story

How Julianna Signed Up 13 New Preschool Students In 1 Month

It is no secret that piano teachers work unconventional hours. When many people are arriving home from work, piano teachers are just getting started. With most children in school, daytime slots are hard to fill.

Julianna knows this all too well. “I have tried in the past to fill those empty preschool time slots with little success.”

And then she found WunderKeys.

“A month ago I didn't have any preschool piano students. Today I have 13 and counting.”

“I was trying to find ways to teach music lessons to little kids, but a lot of the method books out there just were not appropriate."

After spending endless hours experimenting with, and creating her own resources, she stumbled upon WunderKeys.

"Always experimenting and exploring new teaching tools can become very time consuming. WunderKeys has made teaching piano to preschoolers extremely easy and fun for me.”

Julianna and WunderKeys were the perfect fit. “The ideas meshed so well with my teaching style.”

“99% of my success has come from offering the free trial month.”

Julianna embraced the idea of offering a WunderKeys free trial and was blown away by the response. After promoting the offer on Facebook to various Swap-and-Shop mom’s groups and in her local community, those daytime slots started to fill up fast.

“I've had more inquiries than I can count… 13 direct sign-ups and at least 2 referrals from those sign-ups. It was impressive to see such quick responses and the reverberation from those responses. The advertising material certainly does illicit a strong connection. It works!”

Julianna wasted no time "wowing" her trial students and their families.

“The child will ask, “Our lesson is over already?!"

“After the kids started coming in for lessons, the parents commented on how good I was with them, and were surprised that their very young kids actually enjoyed taking piano lessons and want to come back again and again.”

But her piano students aren’t the only ones having a great time. “It brings me just as much (perhaps more) joy than the children!”

With a thriving studio that is growing fast, Julianna can’t wait to see what her piano teaching future holds.

“I feel like this is only the beginning of a great adventure with my preschool piano students and WunderKeys. I can't wait to see what happens next!”

Grow Your Studio with Wunderkeys

Lynn's Success Story

How Lynn Used WunderKeys To Grow Her Studio To 50 Students In Less Than A Year

Lynn worked as a general music teacher in one of the largest childcare centers in the United States, traveling around to eight centers in her city to teach a weekly music class to children ages 0-5.

“I used a lot of fun songs, movement, instrument playing, puppets, and stories. I believe preschoolers thrive and really connect with music if you use their natural desire to play, so I like to build on that.”

After bringing in her keyboard one day to discuss keyboard geography with her students, Lynn received several calls from parents asking her to teach piano lessons to their children and she began offering private lessons.

“I used a popular piano method currently on the market. Everything started off fine, but as the children progressed, the non-musician parents began to express frustration that it was too hard for them to keep up and help their children with the at-home practicing. I lost half of the children when we started the second session in January. That’s when I started searching for another option, and I was really, really hoping I wasn’t going to have to come up with my own curriculum. I was way too busy for that. “

Desperate to find a program that would change her experiences with student retention, Lynn found WunderKeys online.

“I knew right away that WunderKeys had several elements that separated it from other programs available for preschoolers.”

“I joined the Facebook group and checked out the three free lessons offered through the group. I have always loved using stories to teach concepts to children and I was immediately drawn to the five lovable preschool Wunderbies characters. I also loved the way the lessons were laid out, with rhythm work followed by focusing on a musical skill, then practicing the skill through activities and a duet, and ending with a game. It was really easy for me to open the book and simply start playing with my preschool students.”

With her choice of program in place, Lynn still needed to fill her time slots with students. She took to the WunderKeys Facebook community for advertising ideas.

Lynn read about other teachers who had used free trial lessons as an advertising strategy. Initially, she was skeptical.

“I saw on the Facebook group that some teachers were offering several free lessons to preschoolers, which totally sounded insane at first.”

But, determined to grow her studio, she decided to give it a try and was astounded by the result.

“Within a few days, I had six children scheduled and we started lessons.”

“I still worked as a preschool music teacher during the day, so I didn’t have time in my schedule for a flood of free students. I posted on my personal Facebook page and I offered one month of free piano lessons to ages 3-5 to a max of six children. The response was very positive - within a few days, I had the six children scheduled and we started lessons. By November, I had added students through word-of-mouth and more Facebook posting, bringing me up to 13 students.

One year later, Lynn’s studio was thriving and she was able to quit her job to focus on teaching piano full-time. She hit the ground running with several strategies in place to fill her teaching schedule.

Lynn offered another round of free lessons, made use of the free WunderKeys social media images, created Facebook events for her free lessons and posted on several swap and shop Faceook groups in her area. She also used the free WunderKeys postcard template and asked her local preschool to send the cards home with parents. It didn’t take long before Lynn’s schedule began to fill.

“All I can say is thank you, thank you, thank you!”

“I was blown away by the response. As soon as people found out that I had more time slots available, I quickly filled three mornings with preschoolers and homeschoolers and three afternoons with preschoolers, school-age kids, teens and adults. I gained ten more students by February, bringing me up to 23 total students, which includes thirteen preschool WunderKeys students and two primer WunderKeys students.”

Preschool moms leave my lessons and start talking to their friends and families about how much FUN my piano lessons are.

The benefits of her advertising extended beyond preschool piano. Word of mouth quickly took over and Lynn was surprised to find that her preschool piano advertising was also resulting in sign-ups by students in other age groups.

“I have only advertised for preschool piano students, but now I also have ten other students ranging in age from 6-70. I am also teaching a grandmother of a preschooler, a big sister of a preschooler, and a teenage cousin of a preschooler.”

I am still getting several inquiries every week on my business Facebook page, even after my free lessons special has stopped running.

Lynn’s studio continued to grow and opportunity recently came knocking because of her preschool piano advertising.

“Just this past week, I received an email from a prestigious private school in our area. They wanted to know if I would consider coming to their school to teach 20-25 students piano students in the fall.”

Just one year after advertising free piano lessons to preschoolers, Lynn will now be teaching 40-50 students per week.

“I have ONLY advertised for preschool and young beginner piano students. I’m kind of still pinching myself, wondering when I will wake up!”

Not only is Lynn delighted with her full studio, but she’s also excited about the response from parents.

“The response from parents and preschool children has been amazing. The children excitedly run down the hallway to my room at the church, eagerly asking what we’re going to do and play that day. One four-year-old child told me, “You’re not mean like the other piano teacher.” She totally surprised me with her comment. Her mom started laughing and explained. Her daughter had taken lessons with another teacher before taking lessons with me. The teacher got frustrated and scolded the little girl when she jumped off the bench and started moving around the room. In contrast, I ASKED her to “run and put a coin in the cup far away when you hear a long sound.” We play games, jump, dance, and, yes, even run around the room. Children in my studio never have to feel stifled - they can be themselves and enjoy music in their own way, which for preschoolers, normally means it’s playtime.“

This time last year I would never have dreamed I would be having so much FUN making my living teaching piano.

Grow Your Studio with Wunderkeys

Sarah H's Success Story

Discover How She Used WunderKeys To Double The Size Of Her Studio

For Sarah, teaching piano is the perfect arrangement.

“I can still be a homeschooling mom while working and earning an income,” she says. Every day, she gets to share her passion and gift for music.

In her large Texas city, there’s a big demand for children’s piano lessons.
Parents would often approach Sarah, asking when their three or four year old could begin learning music.

She told them to wait until their children were seven. “But I was happy to have their young kids in my pre-school camps,” she says.

Those camps were crucial to Sarah’s journey as a teacher.

“I saw how quick that age of child was to learn, and the thirst they had . . . Music doesn’t need to be a chore for kids. Children, at all ages, can love and learn music.”

“I came across WunderKeys and was blown away!”

Despite the strong demand in the market, Sarah had a difficult time finding an effective, entertaining curriculum for younger children. Thinking on her feet, she decided to design her own program.

“It was a lot of work!” she says, and a lot of research. But thankfully, that research guided her to WunderKeys. “I quickly realized that I didn’t need to reinvent the wheel; it was already there and spinning. I just had to jump on board!”

Sarah chose WunderKeys over other method books for the joyfulness of the material – and for the way children naturally responded to it. “It was the only program I could find that married traditional music lessons with fun.”

“I have been overwhelmed with the growth in my studio.”

Program in hand, Sarah sought out WunderKeys students through social media, including Facebook mom groups. She also recruited via word of mouth and the free marketing provided by WunderKeys’ website and Facebook group.

“When I first marketed WunderKeys,” she says, “I offered one free trial lesson to new students.”

She didn’t have to wait long for a response. In fact, within a few hours, Sarah had a list of twenty potential students.

“After just fifteen minutes per trial lesson, fifteen of the original twenty students signed on to continue lessons, doubling my studio numbers!”

Sarah always had faith in the curriculum but was still surprised by the rapid results, especially when the impact of the WunderKeys curriculum didn’t stop there. A mere week after signing up those new students, a Montessori school reached out to her.

“They’d heard I taught preschool piano lessons and would like to have me come teach there once a week.”

She was floored – and incredibly excited.

More requests followed, including one from a chain music store, asking her to teach piano for them as well.

“I have been overwhelmed with the amount of growth I have seen in my studio since starting WunderKeys,” she says.

One simple choice – deciding on the right curriculum – led to exponential growth in her business.

“WunderKeys is the perfect program to accomplish it all.”

To other teachers considering the program, Sarah says, “Just do it! You want your students to gain a love of music and have a great musical foundation, all while having fun.”

She believes that WunderKeys very much fits the bill.

When it comes to preparation, the curriculum also couldn’t be easier.

“What surprised me the most was how fun the lessons are with very little planning. I have the basic things ready, like dice, pennies, and buttons, but other than that, I just open the book! The lessons always go well, and I look like I’ve been planning for days ahead of time.”

Sarah’s WunderParents have been incredible happy with their children’s progress, too.

“Parents tell me that their kids only refer to their fingers as the WunderKeys friends. I’ve also been sent videos on my phone where parents have secretly recorded their kids at the piano, playing or singing something we did in a lesson. It’s so fun and rewarding getting those little treasures.”

“I truly love the WunderKeys community.”

As Sarah’s business continues to grow, the WunderKeys community has provided a constant source of inspiration.

“The ideas and encouragement shared on the Facebook page are so wonderful,” she says. She feels like the community is behind her every step of the way.

Now, with an expanding studio and teaching requests flooding in, Sarah reflects on her journey so far.

“I’m a great teacher. And WunderKeys is a great program. Two great things together make an amazing opportunity for kids.”

Grow Your Studio with Wunderkeys

WunderKeys Teacher Abigail

Abigail's Success Story

How A Struggling Student Led This Piano Teacher To WunderKeys And A Full And Thriving Studio

“We were just stuck doing the same thing every lesson. She was quickly losing interest and motivation and I was discouraged.”

Determined to “save her student” Abigail headed online for a solution, and found the WunderKeys printable section of the website. Not only did the activities and approach set off lightbulbs for her struggling student, but something also clicked for Abigail.

“I realized I needed to get the entire method book series. I also realized I could broaden my reach and start offering lessons to preschoolers."

Excited about the prospect of growing her studio, Abigail immediately switched her struggling student into the WunderKeys books and began advertising online. Her new-found ability to accept preschool-aged piano students resulted in new sign-ups.

“I could tell right away that it would be a hit with my students and a really good fit for them.”

"I just took the leap and jumped right in!"

It wasn’t long before Abigail started to experience exciting growth in her studio. Along with her online advertising, she offered unique 3-day workshops for preschoolers during the summer and had an encouraging response. After posting her preschool piano offerings on her Facebook page she had six interested students just a few hours later.

“I am gaining students and my current students are growing and having more fun. Especially the student who was struggling so much.”

Abigail was really excited to find that her studio continued to thrive. She took to the WunderKeys Facebook group to share her enthusiasm.

“This time last year I had 7 students. I started using WunderKeys in the spring and today I am one spot away from having a full fall register! This will make a significant impact on our family’s income and I’m just so thankful.”

In just a few short months Abigail was noticing significant changes in her studio.

With the addition of new preschool piano students came new energy and an exciting shift in how her students were learning.

“I’ve always loved playing the piano and was very motivated to learn as a kid, but not all children are like that, and when you have a dry method book it’s tough sledding! Even my most unmotivated kids are starting to really like coming to lessons and learning to play!”

And it wasn’t only Abigail’s students who were feeling the excitement. Abigail noticed changes in how she approached her own teaching and the parents of her students were also inspired.

“I’m a lot more organized and creative with my teaching. I recently had a parent tell me that her daughter has gained a ton of confidence in the few short months she has been using WunderKeys… that was really encouraging to hear!”

With the ability to offer preschool piano lessons to her community, Abigail’s piano studio became the studio she’d dreamed of owning.

“Go for it. Don’t hesitate, you won’t regret using WunderKeys! It will open up so many options for creative teaching.”

Grow Your Studio with Wunderkeys

Michelle's Success Story

“I began to suspect my kindergartener might surpass my 8 year old in note reading”

Like many teachers, Michelle discovered WunderKeys when an internet search led her to our treasure trove of preschool and primer printables.

She started using WunderKeys materials in small increments, incorporating them into lessons with her bored beginner students. The games were a huge hit. Her kids were smiling about theory time instead of sighing, and the note reading activities were very helpful for students struggling with reading music on the staff.

“Eventually, I grew curious about the method books and about the possibility of actually teaching preschoolers. My youngest child was still a preschooler, and my second youngest child was in kindergarten. I decided I had two perfect candidates for a pilot run of both the preschool and the primer books.”

“I figured that if the books won them over to learning the piano, they would win me over, too.”

Neither of her younger children had expressed a strong interest yet in learning the piano, so she figured that if the books won them over to learning the piano, they would win her over, too, and then, maybe she could expand her student base by offering lessons to younger children.

“I began to suspect my kindergartener might surpass my 8 year old in note reading.”

“After just 5 lessons in the primer book, my kindergartener was already learning note reading skills that hadn’t been introduced in my 8 year old’s method book until he’d been taking lessons for months. I began to suspect my kindergartener might surpass my 8 year old in note reading. I was sold."

Seeing the progress her own children made with WunderKeys and the joy that bubbled up out of them during every lesson was enough for her to make the switch to WunderKeys.

“The WunderKeys method solved all of the problems I had with traditional methods: boring theory, uninspiring, awkward and frustrating transition to note reading, and not truly developmentally appropriate for young children.”

“I feel a little sad that I didn’t know about WunderKeys when my daughter was young. She is highly motivated and has learned well from traditional methods, but I feel bad when I think about how much further along she could be had I been able to give her the WunderKeys advantage when she was 4 and 5 and asking to learn to play.”

“I also feel a little sad for my students who have plowed through the traditional method and were just finishing up their primer books when I discovered WunderKeys.”

After using the program with her own children, she adopted the WunderKeys Method Books and never looked back.

”I almost doubled my studio--and my paycheck--overnight.”

“WunderKeys doubled my studio. I wanted to take on more students but I didn’t want to compete with the other teacher in my school for students. I was currently teaching 12 or 13 students and was hoping to pick up about 10-12 more. I discussed it with the preschool director and sent out an email just to the kindergarten families. I explained a little bit about the WunderKeys books and announced that I would be accepting 3-5 year olds for private piano lessons in the fall. That was all it took. I almost doubled my studio--and my paycheck—overnight.”

Michelle’s new students are having as much success with WunderKeys as her own children.

“I have received nothing but positive feedback in response to WunderKeys. In fact, WunderKeys may have saved piano lessons for one of my students.”

Michelle is currently teaching a five year old student who had taken a year of piano lessons from another teacher using a traditional method book. The little girl hated piano lessons and cried about going.

After moving towns, the little girl signed up for piano lessons with Michelle.

“Tough challenge, right? A five year old who doesn’t want to be there. I placed her in the WunderKeys primer book. After just one lesson, her mom came up to me and started raving about her daughter’s change of heart toward piano lessons.”

“I don’t know what you’re doing in there, but my daughter used to cry every time she had to go to piano lessons.”

Michelle is beyond thrilled.

“Had I not discovered WunderKeys, I’d have plodded along with her in the traditional method book that she hated, and she’d likely still hate piano lessons. I’m so thankful to have discovered this amazing method that teaches well, yet makes learning so much fun for little ones.”

If you’re still on the fence about WunderKeys, Michelle has this to say…

“Don’t hesitate! Just do it! You won’t regret it.”

“On the other hand, if you’d like to see some hands-on, tangible proof, check out all the free printable resources on the WunderKeys website. Start including those in some of your lessons and watch how your students light up and gain confidence. Then make the switch.”

Grow Your Studio with Wunderkeys

Cherie's Success Story

How She Used WunderKeys To Sign Up 12 Students Overnight

“I love working with the kids. I almost feel guilty getting paid to teach.”

Cherie has a thriving piano studio and believes that the WunderKeys program is an important element in her success story.

After graduating from college with a music degree, Cherie taught piano exclusively for many years before taking a long time off to raise children. “Then I moved to a new community three years ago,” she says, “and I thought that I would open up a new piano studio.”

In Janesville, one-on-one teaching was an untapped market in piano preschool, and Cherie saw a golden opportunity. “I knew I’d be able to build a music studio without putting myself in direct competition with all the other music teachers who’d already been in this community for a long time.”

At the music store where she teaches, she is now the only teacher with students under the age of eight.

To make this work, she developed an inventive way of advertising that didn’t cost her any money – and achieved fantastic results.

“Overnight, I had twelve people sign up.”

Cherie concentrated her advertising efforts on Facebook.

“I took the Middleton Mouse graphic that WunderKeys provided, and I posted on different ‘Mom groups’ that I was offering a four-week free trial for preschool piano lessons. Overnight, I had twelve people sign up . . . People just jumped for the opportunity.”

By following the Facebook groups’ best practices and guidelines, including only posting once per group and not spamming members, Cherie was easily able to access the exact market she needed to grow her business.

Although her initial reaction was not to give away her time for free, she very quickly saw the benefit of the four-week trial.

“Honestly, I had spent a lot of money advertising in the newspaper and in other ways that were not getting any results, and this didn’t cost me anything out of my pocket. I figured that even if one of those students stayed on, it was worth that amount of time.”

Cherie was right – and her retention rate was excellent. Ten out of twelve students continued after the free trial. She credits WunderKeys as a major factor in this success.

“The program really sells itself.”

The kids had fun with WunderKeys. “And the parents actually saw results . . . When they see that it’s not just a fun activity but also educational, that [the kids] are enjoying it and learning music at the same time, then I think the program really sells itself.”

Now Cherie has a flourishing studio and is busy setting up her students for long and happy musical futures.

“I’ve taught between twenty and twenty-five WunderKeys students, and I would say that most of them continue on. There are a lot of benefits for children to have lessons early.” She laughs. “I love working with the kids! It’s like playing. I almost feel guilty getting paid to teach.”

And her students definitely share that enthusiasm.

“One student I have,” Cherie says, “she’s also in dance, and her parents were talking about her schedule and the busyness.” The student was so adamant and in love with piano and the WunderKeys program that she would rather give up dance – which she adores – than piano.

Another student proclaimed, after his parents pushed physical education in the form of swimming lessons, “Piano is my sport!”

“She would rather give up dance – which she adores – than piano.”

When asked about her tailored approach to teaching and her success with WunderKeys, Cherie speaks about connecting with the Wunderbie characters and zeroing in on the individual child’s interests and way of learning.

“The kids are just excited each week to see what’s going to happen next,” she says. “The concepts are simple. It’s really just finding out what the hot buttons are for each of those kids . . . A lot of it is in the imagination.”

Her best advice for other teachers is to learn and utilize the WunderKeys books.

“Definitely study them so you know what concepts are being taught,” she says. “Think about some ways that make you unique as a teacher . . . and how you can use the Wunderbie friends in that setting. Also read through all the posts on the WunderKeys’ teachers’ Facebook page, because there are so many people who share great ideas.”

Three years after opening her business, with WunderKeys by her side, Cherie and her piano studio continue to thrive.

Grow Your Studio with Wunderkeys

Amy's Success Story

Over 500 Lessons Taught... and counting

“I’ve always loved working with kids,” she says. “Teaching and music were the things I kept returning to. I see myself as a dynamic, nurturing resource for aspiring musicians at any stage.”

After teaching a general music class for young children, Amy started to look for ways to work with preschool-aged students again. She recognized that teaching piano to younger children would expand her studio’s business.

“There seems to be an increasing demand for programming for younger children."

The only problem was, Amy couldn’t find an entirely suitable way to teach those lessons.

“There have always been inquiries about lessons for the younger ages,” she says. “I didn’t feel like I had a good consistent program to offer. So often we would have to ask families to wait until the student was a little older or at least more able to manage a traditional lesson.”

Then she stumbled onto WunderKeys.

“The appeal of WunderKeys was both the fun and soundness of the program for its target ages.”

Amy explains that, as a teacher, her responsibility is to fully engage her students so that they become sound, well-rounded musicians. She thought that WunderKeys appeared to fit this objective perfectly, so she gave it a shot.

“The structure of the program is such that it’s easy to dip your toe in at first,” she says. “I tried to approach WunderKeys the same way my eager little students do: with enthusiasm, curiosity, and openness to fun and new ideas!”

She immediately connected with the program.

“WunderKeys seemed to be the best mix of engaging, story-based learning with characters that students love and relate to, and appropriate pedagogical sequencing of concepts.”

Amy goes on to say that students “don’t sit still and play the piano for thirty minutes. They’re on and off the bench, singing, drawing, and playing, but with a familiar routine.”

“The response from WunderKeys families has been hugely positive.”

Amy found the ease of marketing WunderKeys to families extremely appealing.

“I used the suggested marking plan and materials, visited childcare centers, met with directors, and left personalized packages of materials to display for families. Then I crossed my fingers.”

She didn’t have to wait long.

“The first calls followed soon after and haven’t stopped since.”

Her new students really took to the program. One of the best things, Amy says, is the energy and enthusiasm that they bring to lessons.

“They march in with big smiles on their faces, so proud to be coming to their very own lesson . . . I hear from many families that WunderKeys students will ask every day: ‘Is it time for music lessons today?’”

And that love for WunderKeys stays with the students.

“Heartbreakingly, I keep hearing from parents of WunderKeys graduates that have moved on to regular lessons that they miss the Wunderbies! The characters become [their] friends along the way, and it reminds me that sometimes Pinky or Thumbelina need to come out and visit every once in a while.”

Amy has also found parents’ responses to WunderKeys really heartwarming.

“They are thrilled to see how happy and engaged their children are."

When asked what she would say to other piano teachers who were considering using WunderKeys, Amy focuses on the opportunity to offer young students a great musical start.

“WunderKeys creates exceptional music students,” she says. “I love that it offers them skills and new ideas . . . in a way that encourages their fun and a natural sense of curiosity in the world.”

What’s more, many younger siblings of students have started taking WunderKeys lessons as well.

“They are often the most excited to have lessons of their very own.”

“WunderKeys has allowed us to say ‘yes’ to a lot more students.”

Amy is extremely thankful to the WunderKeys program, which allowed her to grow her studio by accepting younger students: the preschool age group that she previously had to turn away.

Today, Amy’s studio has taught a staggering number of WunderKeys lessons – over five hundred since they started offering the program in late 2015. And Amy has no plans to slow down.

Grow Your Studio with Wunderkeys

Monica's Success Story

Over Half Of Her Students Are Using WunderKeys

“When I first opened my studio, almost all of my students were WunderKeys students.”

After working in higher education for many years, Monica Malchose left her career to raise her daughter. In her spare time, she took on a couple of local piano students as a favor. It surprised her when – after glimpsing the lessons – her daughter expressed interest in learning the piano at just three years old.

“I was lost,” Monica explains. “I had grown up with a traditional, classical methodology that didn’t work with the fluid mindset of such a young child.”

Monica began searching for approaches that would capture the imagination of a young age group. But her daughter quickly lost interest in all of them.

Finally, Monica stumbled onto WunderKeys. She spent some time on the website and decided to order the books right away.

“As soon as I tried the WunderKeys books out on my daughter, the experience became a joyful one.”

“At a glance, I could tell that this methodology would be much more successful than traditional methodologies, because it introduces preschool-aged children to musical concepts by utilizing the same kinds of teaching concepts they are already comfortable with (rhyming, character play, coloring, and games, to name a few).”

Her hope was for WunderKeys to make learning fun, dynamic, and exciting. The books did not disappoint.

“As soon as I tried the WunderKeys books out on [my daughter], the experience became a joyful one. She would ask for a new lesson daily and flew through the books.”

After her daughter’s thorough approval, Monica knew that she’d found something exceedingly special.

“This was the only method book that I felt was consistently engaging and easy to follow.”

“This was the only method book that I felt was consistently engaging and easy to follow,” she says. “It also helped immensely that Andrea and Trevor have provided such an amazing wealth of resources, allowing teachers to continually evolve and improve their studio . . . I had no reservations about offering WunderKeys to my community.”

Monica set to work, building her business through word of mouth. She also attended community events, passed out flyers and business cards, sponsored school jog-a-thons, donated gift baskets, and advertised her services on Facebook groups for local parents – eventually launching a Groupon campaign and incentivizing clients to write reviews on Yelp and Facebook.

The strong results were undeniable, thanks to discovering a niche in the market.

“When I first opened my studio,” Monica says, “almost all of my students were WunderKeys students. I was able to offer something that no one else in the community was offering. The fact that I was able to introduce such young students to the piano in a private setting, and so successfully, has really been a marvel in a community where other teachers only teach from traditional methods . . . that can leave younger learners frustrated and disenchanted.”

WunderKeys was an immediate hit in Monica’s studio. She credits this to the program’s emphasis on enjoyment, which pairs well with her approach to teaching. As Monica explains, she tries to “make the study of music as fun and engaging as possible so that, however the romance begins, it has the greatest chance of turning into a life-long love affair.”

Watching her young students take their first steps with WunderKeys gives Monica joy.

“It’s amazing to see such young children not only excited to be at the piano, but also actually learning to play.”

Studying the WunderKeys program has also allowed Monica to grow as a teacher.

“WunderKeys has taught me to be flexible and out of the box in my approach to teaching, and has really honed my ability to be attuned to what is and isn’t working with my students and change my approach on the spot.”

“There is no other method that can compete.”

Now, Monica’s studio is flourishing, due in part to her students’ love of WunderKeys – and their parents’ cheerful approval of the method.

“Most are aware of the fact that music education can have substantial and long-lasting benefits for children and are incredibly eager to have the opportunity to start them so young.”

She adds, “I can happily say that over half of my students are currently learning from the WunderKeys method.”

When asked why she plans to continue with WunderKeys, Monica answers simply and resolutely:

“There is no other method that can compete.”

Grow Your Studio with Wunderkeys

Nicole's Success Story

How A Piano Teacher Added 20 New Students In Just One Month

“I started advertising preschool piano lessons in August. One month later I had 14 new students with 6 more waiting to start!”

Nicole taught preschool piano at a Montessori school part-time for five years while searching for a position that was optimal for her and her family. With a young child at home, Nicole worked in several positions, looking for the ideal way to blend her love of music with the needs of her family.

While Nicole had always had a passion for music education, her position teaching music in the schools wasn’t her dream job. She longed for the opportunity to be her “own boss” and found the constant search for motivating materials for her students to be taxing.

“I did not have a specific curriculum for young students so I had to create many activities and strategies to teach piano."

The birth of her second child spurred Nicole into making the decision to run her own piano studio so she could spend more time at home with her children.

“I found WunderKeys a couple of months before my son was born and committed myself to building a preschool/beginner piano lesson studio for the fall.”

By focusing on preschool and beginner piano lessons, Nicole knew she could reach a niche market with her advertising. She was confident that WunderKeys fit with her philosophies when it came to teaching young children, and so she chose to use the WunderKeys preschool and primer books in her new studio.

Nicole realized that WunderKeys would make it easy for her to transition to teaching privately. With a new perspective and the promise of family time that was free from endless lesson planning, Nicole decided to make the jump.

“I started using WunderKeys because it inspired me! It gave me a fresh perspective and new materials I didn’t have to create myself which saved me time (and left more quality time for family).”

But taking the leap to leave her job to pursue her piano studio full-time was nerve-wracking and Nicole didn’t know if she could grow her studio to the size she needed in a short amount of time.

“I wasn’t sure if I could replace public school completely with preschool piano.”

Nicole was determined to make it work. She used Facebook ads and taught a free “Mommy and Me” music class at her church which helped her to network with young families. Word-of-mouth began to spread quickly. Her community had been waiting for exactly what she was offering.

As new lesson inquiries poured in, Nicole took to the WunderKeys Facebook community to share her excitement.

“I started advertising in August. One month later I have 14 new students with 6 more waiting to start!”

But that was just the beginning! That same fall, Nicole reached 23 new students with 4 more waiting to begin. And a few months later, her studio was still growing.

“My Facebook page has exploded with inquiries in the past week.”

Nicole was thrilled with the response to her offerings in her community, but she was equally thrilled with the results she was noticing in her students. Having taught early childhood music for many years, the blossoming abilities of her WunderKeys students left her glowing with excitement.

“Kids became excited about piano lessons! They became joyful and enthusiastic about learning music and I have some true rhythm rockstars thanks to using WunderKeys!”

The parents of her students were also thrilled with the skills their children were learning and were delighted to see that they actually loved practicing at home. Word-of-mouth quickly became a vital part of Nicole’s advertising strategy.

With her dream of running her own studio a reality, Nicole could finally focus on her true passion.

“I truly believe that preschool piano lessons can have a profound lasting effect on the cognitive, emotional, social and psychological development of any child. I could go on and on about benefits.”

Grow Your Studio with Wunderkeys

Joy's Success Story

She tried WunderKeys with her daughter... now she's setting up trial lessons for 20 families

When it comes to WunderKeys, there are many ways to measure success. We’ve shared the story of a teacher who signed up 12 students overnight, we’ve shared the story of a teacher who used WunderKeys to grow her studio from 38 to 58 students, and we’ve shared the story of a teacher who has students who drive over an hour just to take WunderKeys lessons.

But WunderKeys Success Stories don’t always have to be about quantity… sometimes the story of a single WunderKeys student can be just as powerful.

Today we wanted to share one such story; a story that came to us out of the blue and has meant more to us than the writer could ever have imaged… a story about a little girl who was determined to hate the piano.

A few months ago I woke up to the following message:

Can I share something with all of you?

I haven’t gone into full swing teaching WunderKeys yet to the public, but I’m using it on my daughter. In the past she wasn’t into piano and resented it because it took me away from her.

I didn’t ever want to force music on my daughter, but I had hoped one day it might capture her imagination in a way that mine was not as a child.

I gave her one lesson and she loved WunderKeys. We started the second lesson, but didn’t have time to finish it before I had to begin work.

That was at 2:30. Tonight at 8 pm, after playing with friends at her grandparents, going to jazz lessons, having dinner and getting ready for bed she comes up and says, “Mommy, can we play with the Wunderbies tomorrow?”

Be still my heart! She is WANTING to do piano!

Andrea Dow, I am fighting tears as I write this. Thank you. I may not be a success story with tons of students as of yet, but you’ve won over one very stubborn and independent little girl who was determined to hate piano… and in my mind that is a success.

Update: Joy’s Success Story Doesn’t End There!

After having such success with her daughter, Joy decided to spend more time learning all there was to know about WunderKeys. She sat down at her computer and explored the website and the Facebook community and was blown away by all WunderKeys has to offer.

“No one can believe that Andrea gives teachers ALL this support.”

“When I first told my husband about all the downloads on the website he was like, “But how much?” When I told him they were free he said, “Yeah right, what’s the catch?” Because seriously… no one can believe that Andrea gives teachers ALL this support!

But as a teacher SHE gets it! I couldn’t be more grateful to Andrea Dow for creating this method and allowing us to use it in our studio. It seems like every day I turn around and there is another resource that is just as brilliant as the last.”

“I had no idea I would be setting up trial lessons for 20 families!”

Joy and WunderKeys were the perfect match. After seeing the excitement in her daughter, she knew it was something she wanted to offer to her community.

“Initially, I just hoped to find a method that reached my musically-uninterested daughter. I had no idea I would be setting up trial lessons for 20 families!”

If you’re considering starting WunderKeys, Joy has a few words of advice:

“I would say take the plunge. You know that one kid for whom you can not find ANYTHING that will help them fall in love with music? I almost bet WunderKeys will! If WunderKeys can help my daughter, who resented piano, fall in love with music it can reach anyone.”

Grow Your Studio with Wunderkeys

Emma's Success Story

Why Her Students Travel Over An Hour To Take WunderKeys Lessons

“I have students traveling from towns an hour away just to take WunderKeys.”

It is tough to grow a piano studio when you live in a small town. It is even tougher when that small town already has its fill of piano teachers. Emma Cullen knows this all too well.

“There were at least 6 or 7 other well-known piano teachers so my own lessons were slow to take off at first.”

Faced with a saturated market, Emma went to work at a supermarket while teaching piano lessons on the side. To put her Bachelor’s Degree in Piano to good use, Emma knew she had to think outside the box if she wanted to break into an already crowded market of piano teachers.

Emma had been reluctant to take on students who were younger than six.

“I was looking for something different that no other teachers in the town were offering. I came across WunderKeys in an internet search for preschool piano lessons and decided to give it a try.”

In the past, Emma had been reluctant to take on students who were younger than six. That quickly changed. “WunderKeys seemed perfect for those people who had been asking about starting their 3 year olds.”

Emma recognized right away that the many varied activities provided by the WunderKeys Method Books meant that a young piano student would not get bored during a 30-minute lesson. “I liked the way it had an easy to follow lesson plan and so many different activities.”

Students were traveling from towns an hour away just to take WunderKeys.

By tapping into a group of students that other teachers were not already teaching, Emma’s studio started to grow… in surprising ways!

“Not only was I getting students from my hometown looking for lessons but I had a few students traveling from towns an hour away just to take the WunderKeys lessons.”

Emma’s lessons didn’t disappoint.

“Every child that did WunderKeys loved it.”

Her kids were thriving. “What struck me was that the children who followed the course came out knowing the basic notes and note values better than the older students.”

And her kids were inspired…

“Every child that did WunderKeys loved it.” In fact, kids loved it so much that when they graduated from the program they “refused to go to any other teacher for lessons because they loved WunderKeys so much.”

These days, Emma applies the WunderKeys approach and philosophy with ALL of her students… young and old. “WunderKeys changed the way I teach. All the students I've had go through the WunderKeys programme have loved it and nearly all of them have stayed on to do piano exams with me. Big thanks to Andrea and Trevor Dow for sharing it with the world.”

Grow Your Studio with Wunderkeys

May's Success Story

Without WunderKeys She Wouldn't Have A Studio Today

When May Laing moved back to her home in Scotland, she found it difficult to re-enter the workplace. So she got creative.

“I had worked in early-years education,” May says. “I also played piano regularly in church and often in the schools where I worked.”

After some reflection, making the jump to teaching piano felt like the natural choice. Determined, May immediately set out to sharpen her skills and set up her own business.

“I trained in a group music program for young children, combining my love of music and my expertise in working with children. However, in the early days of the business, it became clear that I needed to add another string to my bow.”

And that’s where WunderKeys came in.

“By using WunderKeys, I was able to access a unique, niche market.”

May actively sought information on ways to reach untapped markets and expand her business.

She stumbled onto the WunderKeys program thanks to, as she says, “an online group of fellow teachers who were also looking to diversify.”

To May, the program seemed like the perfect solution: full of creativity and potential. After all, parents had approached her in the past, asking when their young children could begin piano lessons. Before WunderKeys, her answer was always the same.

“Six or seven years old,” she would say, “when they can read, write, and sit still!”

But WunderKeys offered an avenue to teach those younger children, providing May the tools for expansion. She was delighted by her new, competitive advantage.

“I was able to access a unique, niche market,” she says. “Nobody else was offering piano lessons to preschool children.”

“I love how WunderKeys taps into a child’s imagination.”

It was easy for May to sign up her first WunderKeys students. She posted on a local parenting website, for free, and her earliest inquires flew in shortly.

“I’ll never forget that first email. ‘My son, age two years and eleven months, creates music on his toy keyboard every day.”

May’s excitement grew – as did her schedule, filling up with preschool and early-school-age children. She quickly developed a real love for the program after discovering the benefits first-hand. One of May’s favorite parts of WunderKeys is how it engages students’ imaginations.

“With the finger friends and their adventures, the students learn musical concepts and skills without even realizing it! I love the games, which the children really enjoy playing each week. Game-based learning is so effective: a fun way to reinforce learned concepts. The duets add musicality to each lesson, applying the learning to a piece to practice at home.”

Her students excelled in this imagination-based program, which hooked their parents as well.

One parent remarked that her daughter’s patterning skills were exceptional due to WunderKeys. “[My daughter’s] nursery school teachers were amazed! They thought they were going to teach her something new, and she just did it. The teachers asked us how she knew about patterning. ‘Oh,’ I responded. ‘She does that at her piano lessons.’”

Another pleased parent said that her daughter has a reading age of ten, and she’s only six. “She’s doing so well in school. We attribute this largely to her having started piano lessons at such a young age with WunderKeys!”

It’s not unusual for children to be extremely excited by the program. May recalls one student who actually skipped along the road to his first WunderKeys lesson.

“His parents could see a clear interest in music,” May says, “and were delighted to find a program that would fulfill their desire to give him piano lessons at just three years old.”

“My studio began with WunderKeys.”

May is grateful to the program, because that’s how her studio took off.

“Without WunderKeys to get me started,” she says, “I wouldn’t have a studio today!”

She’s keen to pass on advice to other piano teachers, who can benefit from the program in similar ways.

“If you’re a teacher considering using WunderKeys for the first time, I would absolutely say, ‘Go for it!’ The books are always available on Amazon; they are colorful, beautifully illustrated, well laid out – and it works! You’ll see little ones able to play simple melodies with their tiny fingers after just a few weeks. And they learn so much more!”

May is now the proud teacher of thirty-four students each week: six are currently in WunderKeys books, and ten are WunderKeys graduates who are successfully continuing their lessons. Her studio is absolutely thriving.

Grow Your Studio with Wunderkeys

Teach WunderKeys

Give your piano students a “wunderful” start with our Preschool and Primer Method Books.

Available on Amazon