Imposter Syndrome in Piano Teachers

Lately, imposter syndrome feels loud in our industry.

In this episode, I unpack what imposter syndrome actually is, how it connects to burnout, and why it often shows up right after growth in your studio.

If you’ve ever:

• Raised your tuition and then spiraled after one parent questioned it• Compared your recital to someone else’s highlight reel• Felt confident one minute and like a fraud the next• Wondered whether self-doubt means you don’t belong

This conversation is for you.

We explore the research behind the “impostor phenomenon,” first identified in 1978 by Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes, and discuss how it relates specifically to piano teachers navigating leadership, comparison, perfectionism, and burnout.

You’ll also hear practical reflection questions to ask yourself when you’re deep in the pit, including:

• Is this a skill gap or an identity attack?• Am I discounting measurable evidence of growth?• Am I comparing without context?• Is this incompetence, or am I just exhausted?

Imposter syndrome is not automatically proof that you don’t belong. Sometimes it’s a signal. The key is learning to tell the difference between growth and narrative.

If you’d like to stay in the loop for free teacher meetups, resources, and occasional discounts, make sure you’re on the email list: www.scrappypianoteacher.com

Recital season can bring excitement, nerves, and a whole lot of pressure for both students and teachers. In this Scrappy Snippet, I’m sharing a recent experience that completely reframed how I think about performances and why silent film recitals have become one of my favorite creative options for studios.

I recently participated in a silent film celebration for our local MTNA district, and it ended up being one of the most joyful and collaborative performance experiences I’ve had in a long time. As I reflected on that event, it became clear why this format works so well for students, especially those who struggle with traditional recital anxiety.

In this episode, I talk through:
● what a silent film recital actually is● why teachers and students love this format● how it reduces pressure while still building real musicianship● how you could adapt this idea for your own private studio● what to know about music choices for private versus public events

This episode is meant to feel encouraging and realistic. Silent film recitals don’t replace traditional recitals. They simply offer another option, and sometimes having another option makes all the difference.

If you’re thinking about recital season, you might also enjoy these past episodes that dive deeper into performance preparation and creative recital ideas:

● Preparing Students for Recital Performance with Molly Gebrian (Episode 59)
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/scrappy-snippet-preparing-students-for-recital-performance/id1749130212?i=1000732645784

● Episode 037: Recital Prep for the Studio with Janna Williamson
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/episode-037-recital-prep-for-the-studio-with/id1749130212?i=1000695494006

● Episode 008: Creative Recitals with Elizabeth Swift
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/episode-008-creative-recitals-with-elizabeth-swift/id1749130212?i=1000663662428

If this episode sparked an idea or gave you permission to try something new, I’d love for you to save it or share it with another teacher heading into recital season.

In this episode of the Scrappy Piano Teacher Podcast, I’m talking about what “back to basics” actually means for a piano studio that is already full and running.

This conversation came from a season where I realized I had said yes to too many things and needed to pause and ask what was still serving me and what wasn’t. Not because anything was failing, but because things had started to feel heavy and unclear.

We talk about why studios can feel exhausting even when nothing is technically wrong, why burnout often shows up before performance drops, and why resetting a studio can feel so hard once it’s already in motion. I share insights from education psychology, including why motivation usually comes after action, not before, and how early decisions around schedules, policies, and expectations can quietly lock us into systems that no longer fit. Psychology calls this path dependence.

I also walk through four foundational anchors that can help you reset your studio without starting over. This isn’t about tearing everything down or lowering your standards. It’s about clearing out the clutter so the studio you already built can actually support you long term.

If you’re feeling behind even when you’re on top of things, constantly tweaking but never settling, or tired in a way that rest alone doesn’t fix, this episode is for you.

If you want to go deeper with this work, my Studio Reset Cohort is open for registration through February 6. You can find all the details at
scrappypianoteacher.com/reset

I’m also hosting a free Scrappy Circle teacher meetup called Let’s Talk Recitals with Janna Williamson on February 13 at noon Eastern. You can RSVP at
scrappypianoteacher.com/scrappycircle

Thanks so much for listening. I’m really glad you’re here.