Why Hiring the Right Teachers Is About More Than Skill
On today’s podcast, I’m joined by Luisa Rodriguez-Haag, Recruitment Manager at Ensemble Performing Arts, who brings a refreshing, no-nonsense approach to one of the trickiest parts of running a music school: hiring.
We dug deep into the challenges of finding the right teachers, not just those who can play and teach, but those who can connect.
Luisa said something that really stuck with me:
You’re not just hiring someone to teach piano. You’re hiring someone to represent your brand every time they step into a room.
That one sentence captures what so many music school owners overlook: hiring isn’t just about filling a role. It’s about curating your culture.
Teaching Is a Transfer of Emotion. Not Just Information
In my own teaching, I’ve always said: The first thing I do isn’t teach. I sell. I sell the idea that music is fun, doable, and joyful. That belief becomes the foundation for long-term engagement.
Luisa and I are completely aligned on this.
A new hire isn’t just stepping into a classroom; they’re stepping into your brand story. They’re becoming a spokesperson for the promise you’ve made to parents: that their child will be seen, celebrated, and guided with care.
Culture Over Competence: What Luisa Sees That Many Owners Miss
Luisa sees hundreds of candidates across Ensemble’s nationwide schools. One of her biggest takeaways? The best hires are not always the most experienced, but they’re always the most aligned.
She explained that one of the biggest red flags is when a teacher is focused solely on hours and logistics, rather than asking:
“How do you support student motivation?” or “What’s the culture like here?”
Hiring with culture in mind means asking different questions:
- Does this person share our belief that every student is already a musician?
- Will they follow through on parent communication without being reminded?
- Can they create excitement and joy in a room even if the lesson plan changes on the fly?
Luisa’s insight here is critical. Because it reframes hiring from a checklist to a values match.
From Warm Bodies to Culture Carriers
We’ve all made that desperate hire. The “warm body” who could fill the Tuesday 3:30 spot. But as Luisa points out in our interview, a rushed hire today often becomes a retention problem tomorrow for both staff and students.
That’s why at Ensemble Performing Arts, their recruitment process starts with values, not schedules. They train studio directors to hire culture carriers, people who will amplify the emotional tone of the school, not just fill teaching blocks.
It’s a mindset shift I’ve tried to model in my own studio. As we discuss in the episode, when you hire someone who already believes in the kind of transformation you’re trying to deliver to families, your training becomes lighter, your culture becomes stronger, and your referrals go up.
Final Thought: Why Luisa’s Advice Should Shape Your Next Hire
If you’re in the middle of hiring or dreading the next turnover, take a moment to listen to today’s episode.
Luisa shares practical tips, red flags, and systems you can put in place today to improve your hiring funnel. But even more importantly, she reminds us that your brand walks into the room every time your teacher does.
So next time you’re interviewing, ask yourself:
- Is this someone who will make a child feel like a musician from day one?
- Is this someone who treats a 6-year-old’s first lesson like it matters?
- Is this someone who strengthens our community, not just our calendar?
Thanks again to Luisa Rodriguez-Haag for joining me and for helping music schools build stronger, more aligned teams across the country.
