Do I need teaching experience?

No! Our training and lesson plans guide you every step of the way. While teaching experience isn’t required, it’s helpful to have a love for music, community, and the desire to connect with others. We provide all the resources you need to feel confident leading your class!

Do I need musical ability?

Ideally, you have some! It’s wonderful for instructors to be able to demonstrate instruments, share their love of music, and communicate passion and knowledge about music in general. Providing interesting musical information, performance, or even simple exercises like picking out a melody can really benefit the kids, parents, and the whole community.

That said, you don’t need to be a virtuoso to be a great Bach & Boogie facilitator. An intermediate proficiency and some familiarity with music theory is ideal, but we think of the class as a co-exploration—it's not about performance. Though, toddlers do love a good performance! They pay attention to live instruments, so try to incorporate at least one—whether it’s a melodica, guitar, or any other melodic instrument. We also require you to have a central drum for the class, like a cajón, which the kids can gather around and play. Don’t worry if you don’t have advanced musical ability; you’ll be leading the group in fun activities like banging the drum, and that’s all part of the joy!

Where do I host classes?

We provide guidance on finding spaces—many instructors host classes at community centers, senior centers, retirement homes, or other indoor venues. These spaces are ideal for fostering connection and engagement with seniors and families.

What if I don’t get sign-ups?

Don't worry! Our marketing kit is designed to help you get the word out. Additionally, our supportive community shares best practices and strategies to help you build a thriving class. You’ve got this!

Do I need to follow the playlists and scripts and activities you've provided for each class?

No! You are welcome to take the Bach & Boogie structure and adjust the playlists, make it your own. Just use good judgment and consider the perspective of your all participants - babies, families, and seniors! We are curious to learn what other themes or types of music you would like to bring to your community.

Are there any hidden fees? 💸

Nope! Your $130 license fee includes everything you need to get started. There may be additional costs based on your location and the model you choose to follow:

• 🔒 Insurance: Expect to pay roughly $250 per year for general liability insurance. We provide a recommendation and will request to see proof of insurance - which helps to protect yourself, Bach & Boogie, and the children, parents, & seniors in case an accident happens.
• 🎸 Instruments & Supplies: Most instruments can be obtained through donations, but you can expect to spend around $150 for some basic supplies if needed. You will need to print a few dozen pages of material in color and purchase poster-making supplies, costing roughly $50.
• 📣 Marketing & Promotion: Volunteers will receive free marketing support from headquarters, including some limited ads. Instructors may find it worthwhile to spend $50–$200 advertising to attract potential students at the beginning of each session.

Can I really make money doing this? 💰

Absolutely! Many of our instructors earn extra income by sharing their skills. While individual results vary, it’s definitely possible to generate meaningful side income with the right effort and dedication. Check out some rough ballpark figures to see how scaling your classes could impact your earnings.

You're also welcome to experiment with different pricing structures. While our original model had parents paying between $20 and $25 for classes and senior centers donating space, you can explore other approaches, such as:

• Charging senior centers an additional fee.
• Adjusting parent pricing—charging $30 per class, offering a lower-cost option at $10, or structuring prices based on demand.
• Charging seniors directly (e.g., $25 per class or $200 per season). Many senior centers have funding for programming.
• Offering membership-based pricing—quarterly fees where participants can attend freely.
• Selling class packs (e.g., 3-class, 6-class, or 12-class packs at a discount).

You have the flexibility to run this as a business and find a pricing model that suits your style, as long as we can accomodate it on the billing side.

For volunteers, we ask that class costs remain affordable (around $10 or less per student), with any additional costs passed to Bach and Boogie. In these cases, 50% of funds raised will go toward supporting new Bach and Boogie operations, particularly volunteer-led initiatives.

How much time does it take to run Bach & Boogie classes, and what might I earn per hour? ⏰💵

The time investment for Bach & Boogie classes depends on how many classes you teach each week. Generally, it includes preparation, teaching time, post-class tasks like cleaning, and administrative duties such as communication and marketing.

For example:

• 1 class per week: ~2.75 hours total, earning around $58 per hour
• 2 classes per week: ~5 hours total, earning around $64 per hour
• 3 classes per week: ~7.25 hours total, earning around $66 per hour

For more detailed breakdowns and examples, click here to view the full time and earnings calculation document.

What should I expect to spend to get my Bach & Boogie chapter running? 🎶

To get started, you’ll pay a $130 license fee, which includes everything you need to run your chapter (digital materials, initial support, etc.).

Additional costs include:

• 💸 Monthly Fees: You can choose between paying $25 per month or keeping 85% of your earnings from classes.
• 💸 Yearly Fee: Just $30 to renew your Bach & Boogie license each year.
• 🔒 Insurance: Expect to pay an average of $250 per year for general liability insurance. Volunteers should also be covered under liability insurance for safety.
• 🎸 Instruments & Supplies: You can seek donations for most instruments and can expect to spend around $150 to get started.
• 📣 Marketing & Promotion: Volunteers will receive free marketing support from headquarters. However, instructors looking to attract students might want to spend $50–$200 at the beginning of each session on advertising.

Why do I need insurance? 🔒

Insurance helps protect you and your participants in case of accidents, like a child falling from a piano bench. It covers potential claims for injuries or accidents, giving you peace of mind while you focus on teaching. Both instructors and volunteers need it to ensure everyone’s safety and security during classes. (If you sign up with Bach & Boogie, please be prepared to purchase insurance. Within the first 30 days of purchasing your Bach & Boogie license, we will kindly request to see your proof of insurance.)

Is it better if I volunteer or become a paid instructor? 🪙

This program was originally designed as a paid side hustle, with parents paying for classes while senior centers provided the space without additional compensation. However, the idea of a volunteer-run version was suggested by the community, and we welcome both models as long as they align with your sense of commitment and purpose.

There’s no "better" option—both roles are valuable! If you choose to volunteer, we’ll support you in running your class. However, because of the costs associated with scaling the program, we’re currently unable to subsidize volunteer-led sessions. This means volunteers should expect to invest some of their own resources to get started, with guidance and support from HQ, of course.