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PIano Power | Apply to Teach With Us

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why work for PIano Power?

Why work for Piano Power? Unlike other lesson providers, we are a teacher-centric, local, Chicago-based business. In other words, we focus on a satisfying work experience for our teachers — great student matches, professional development, efficient routes, full schedules, and an engaged artistic community. Furthermore, our professional admin team keeps everything — logistics, payment, scheduling, and marketing — running smoothly.

What is the pay?

Our introductory rate is $35-$50 per teaching hour, based on experience. We provide generous annual raises for great performance, substantial bonuses for reliability, full compensation for your driving time, and comprehensive health insurance for qualifying teachers.

Do you provide health benefits?

We provide full health benefits for teachers who teach four or more days per week.

Why do I need a car?

Lessons are in our clients’ homes, and our teachers commute from house to house.

Is there a travel or gas stipend?

We compensate our teachers for all in-between-lesson time at City of Chicago minimum wage, currently $15.80/hr.

Where will I be teaching?

Our clients primarily live in the North Shore (e.g., Deerfield, Evanston, Glencoe, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Northbrook, Wilmette, Winnetka). We have a smaller number of students on the north side of Chicago (e.g., Andersonville, Avondale, Bucktown, Gold Coast, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Lincoln Square, Logan Square, North Center, Ravenswood, Rogers Park, Roscoe Village, Uptown, Wicker Park).

On average, how many days a week do I work?

You set your own schedule. Our teachers generally teach three to five days per week. Reliable teachers maintaining a four-day (or more) weekly schedule are eligible for substantial bonuses.

What if a client cancels?

We maintain an annual limit of two cancellations during the school year and three during summer to make sure you have consistent families on your schedule. Once a client reaches that limit, you’re fully compensated for all future cancellations.

How can I prepare for an interview with Piano Power?

We look for musicians who can sight-read, develop an original composition with a student, and arrange a pop song by ear. We evaluate these skills during the interview.

But more importantly, we’re looking for empathy, good listening, and the ability to discover what motivates your students. We highly value interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence.

Also, the power of patience, positivity, and a sense of humor can’t be denied. We appreciate humor especially when it reflects an aptitude for honest self-assessment. Evidence of humility and an honest desire to improve your craft can also go a long way.

These qualities don’t always correlate with being a conservatory-trained musician, but they do correlate with being an effective music teacher.

Read the priceless quality I look for in a music teacher.

Once hired, how will I be evaluated on an ongoing basis?

We’re very invested in helping you be the best teacher you can be. Once hired, you’ll be paired with a Lead Teacher — a veteran mentor who’s always a text away. Your Lead Teacher is also available to observe one of your lessons upon request. Having a dedicated mentor is a huge factor in making your Piano Power teaching experience happy and meaningful.

On a more formal level, we’re looking for teachers who can retain students, maintain at least a 90% attendance rate, respond promptly via phone/email/text, encourage recital participation from their students, and inspire great feedback from their students’ families.

What if I refer a new teacher?

You receive a $300 bonus!

What's the company culture like?

We nurture a feeling of teacher community, which is especially important when we work remotely. That’s why we have parties for teachers twice a year (our last one was at Sleeping Village), informal “Idea Potlucks” for teacher enrichment, weekly “office hours” via Zoom, a Telegram group chat, and field trips to teacher performances around the city! We love that so many of our teachers are working musicians, and we love seeing them in action!

Question not answered here? Contact us.

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