Jon Dittert

Jon Dittert

Jon Dittert teaches drum set and percussion at the Drum Center of Lexington in Lexington, KY. He has also served as a percussion assistant to several Fayette County middle schools. Jon has performed with former SNL trumpeter Graham Breedlove, Emmy award winning producer/bassist Eric Suttman, saxophonist Bobby Streng, and Christian recording artist Sarah Bauer. Currently, he performs regularly around Kentucky with Business Time, The Blue Barracudas, and Jonathan Webb.

Jon DittertMar 26, 2009 1 Comment

You know way more about teaching music than Scott Ginsberg.

Scott’s writings are essential for anyone who wants a successful teaching practice.

Two seemingly contradictory statements, yet I assure you they are both true (well, I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt on the first one).  Scott Ginsberg writes about approachability and marketing over at www.hellomynameisscott.com.  He’s appeared on 20/20, and his blog is ranked in the Top 100 Business Blogs on the web.  Oh, he’s also gone 3000+ consecutive days wearing a nametag.

I’ve been reading Scott’s blog for over two years now.  His ideas have helped me to attract more students and be more authentic with currents students.  Scott has recently published a new book, Stick Yourself Out There, and took some time to do an Q and A for MTH readers. [···]

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Jon DittertMar 07, 2009 5 Comments

Fact: You have a lesson policy.

Maybe you don’t have a five page Word document outlining every little detail of your studio (or maybe you do), but you still have a lesson policy.  You have teaching methods and materials that you regularly use.  You have acceptable methods of payment and behavior.  You have certain times available for lessons and certain times when you won’t teach.  Even if you think “No way!  I’ll teach anybody, anywhere, anytime, in any style, under any condition, for any amount of money!”  Guess what?  That’s a policy.

Assuming that your lesson policy is a little more particular than the above example, here are three tips to help students and families participate in your policy and adhere to your guidelines.   [···]

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Jon DittertFeb 17, 2009 9 Comments

Without getting up from your computer chair, how many of you can put your hands on your cell phone?  90% of you?  That’s what I thought.  Our cell phones have become so integrated into our lives that we don’t even notice them anymore.  I know I take mine everywhere I go, and I don’t feel quite right leaving the house without it (what if my car breaks down!?).  One place I always turn my cell phone off, however, is in my lessons.  If you’ve never stopped to think about it, consider the following reasons to keep your cell phone out of your lessons. [···]

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