208 | The Ghosts of Students Past with Nikki Loney
In Episode 208, we’re focusing on those students. The challenging ones. The ones we didn’t quite connect with. The ones who made us question our abilities. The ones whose departure had us rewriting our studio policies the very same day.
While these moments can feel like failures, they often offer the greatest opportunities for growth. Reflecting on the not-so-successful student experiences helps us become stronger teachers, clearer communicators, and more grounded mentors. Sometimes, it’s the ones who leave that teach us the most.
🔹[2:45] Planning for back to school
🔹[4:05] Live Office Hours
🔹[5:45] When you know better, you do better
🔹[10:32] Am I actually any good at teaching singing?
🔹[13:31] Students not being a good fit
🔹[16:48] Student behavior
🔹[17:42] Student that couldn’t stay still
🔹[20:41] Always interrupting
🔹[23:09] What emotional baggage do you bring into lessons?
🔹[26:00] How do we hold space for our students?
🔹[28:58] What has stayed with you from “That Student?”
🔹[35:12] Grace and growth
Mentioned in This Episode:
Live Office Hours: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hw_nI-cioxA&list=PL6N4UzEQNYqUTQ20q8Dzr4TsqUQ-MrIP6
About Our Guest:
Nikki is the “Boss of it All” at FULL VOICE Music, where she collaborates with an incredible team, vocal music composers, and music education specialists worldwide to create outstanding singing resources. With 34 years of experience teaching private voice lessons, she shares vocal pedagogy insights and best practices to ensure every student leaves the studio with a smile and you build a teaching business you love.
