Teacher Application
When you submit your application you will be directed to confirm your email with us and pay a one-time $25 application fee.
*Please note: a self-evaluation score is required when submitting your application. If you haven't had the chance to take the self-evaluation, click here. If you have already taken it you can find your score in your email inbox. The email was sent from "forms-receipts-noreply@google.com" and is titled, "Self Evaluation Form."
Now that you have all the details, are you ready to fill out an application?
Have questions? Just ask below and our team of experienced trainers are ready to give you answers!
Become a
Sound Beginnings Teacher
Becoming a teacher may be easier than you think. We conveniently offer training throughout the year. You can begin teaching your Sound Beginnings classes as soon as you complete your training and recruit your first class. Submit your application today and begin teaching within as little as three months.*
Chord Theory
Certified Teachers
Solfege Ear Training
Age Appropriate Methods
All the Details
We are happy to share with you the information that will help you decide if Sound Beginnings is the right fit for you.
Teaching Sound Beginnings is a business opportunity which licenses you to teach the Sound Beginnings curriculum, with its materials, logos, and trademarks. Within certain parameters, you run your studio as it suits you.
Potential Income
The potential for you to earn income as a Sound Beginnings teacher is almost entirely up to you! Group lessons and opportunities to teach during the day to pre-school aged children greatly increase your earnings potential from private lessons. The three factors involved in projecting your income are:
1. Tuition amount
2. Class size
3. Number of classes
A typical teacher whose students pay $180 per semester tuition ($45 per month) and teaches 4 classes per week with six families in each class will earn between $1080 and $1320/month.
Tuition Amount: Company minimum is $45/month. If Sound Beginnings is already being taught in your area, you will charge the established tuition amount. If you are the only teacher in the area, you may charge more than the company recommendation but not less. It is important to consider the community you live in, its expendable income, and its attitudes toward music and the education of young children. In addition, if you plan on teaching out of a commercial facility rather than your home, you may want to charge slightly more.
Class Size: Since parents will attend with children in an active, playful class, your available teaching space is a large factor here. Suggested class size is 6 families, or 8–10 students, with a maximum of 12 students per class.
Number of Classes: You determine the size of your program. It is in your best interest to teach at least three classes.
Licensing Fee
Training Seminars: Online Preliminary training, and an engaging all-day Curriculum Seminar that will train you in the methods of Sound Beginnings and in building a successful business.
Teaching Materials: Teacher’s Manual, Lesson Plans, Visual Aids, Teacher Tools (Magnetic Staff Board and Tone Bells), teacher T-shirt, and a teacher copy of all Student Materials.
Business and Marketing Tools: Brochures, forms, marketing content, website storefront, online student management system and more are all yours to assist you in building a thriving studio.
Your licensing fee includes the following services:
Financial Obligation
Licensing Fee: You will pay $48/month for three years to cover the licensing fee of $1700. This grants the right to use the curriculum. (details below)
Teacher Support Fee: Teachers pay a support fee based on student enrollment. The fee is $5 per family per teaching month. This support fee gives you personal access to our skilled mentoring teams, resource center, teaching tips, website exposure, office and administrative support, and semi-annual training meetings.
FBI Background Check: Teachers must complete an FBI background check including fingerprinting. Cost of fingerprinting varies by location but the entire process is normally under $50.
Liability Insurance: Teachers are required to have liability insurance for their studios. You can find your own insurance, or we can provide references for approximately $18–25/month depending on your state.
Miscellaneous Materials (not provided by Let's Play Music): Additional studio set-up costs include an audio speaker, gathering drum, class sets (12 each) of rhythm sticks, sand blocks, shakers, wrist bells, bean bags, dancing scarves and teddy bears. You will also need 8 hand drums, a classroom pocket chart, 12' parachute, large stretchy band, a hand puppet and 3 singable storybooks per semester. If you use the links provided, you can expect to spend a total of about $500 in these additional expenses to get your studio up and running.
Time Commitment
Initial training consists of your Online Preliminary Training and completion of the Curriculum Training seminar. Once your classes begin, you will continue in your certification process by videoing a class for review by our Sound Beginnings certification team. This evaluation ensures that all teachers are providing excellent service to their students.
You can expect to spend about one hour per week executing the tasks of running your business: i.e. bookkeeping, recruiting, keeping up to date on policies, etc.
Class periods are 30 minutes long. You will spend some time to prepare for classes each week.
There are 6 semesters of Sound Beginnings and each semester is 15 weeks long.
Teaching Facility
Your Sound Beginnings studio space must be large enough to accommodate at least 5 students and a parent or caregiver in an active class. The curriculum is specifically structured to occur in two separate areas, an active area and a listening area. Many Sound Beginnings teachers are able to teach in their own homes in a family room, game room or a converted garage.
If your home is in a neighborhood or municipality that restricts home based businesses, you may want to check with your local authorities to determine the viability of a teaching out of your home.
If you teach in a commercial facility, you will charge slightly higher tuition to offset overhead expenses.