MUSIC SCHOOL OWNERS
DESERVED A PLACE JUST FOR THEM
Most music school owners are brilliant at teaching, leading, and creating impact - but growing the business can feel lonely, messy, and overwhelming.
Build a Music School was created to change that. Today, BAM gives owners the coaching, community, systems, and support to grow schools that are easier to run, more profitable, and built for the long term.
DISCOVER THE STORY BEHIND
Our mission is to support music educators through our Build a Music School Membership. With resources ranging from expert coaching and personalized guidance to comprehensive online tools, we provide everything you need to grow your music school and achieve your vision. Join us to transform your music school into a thriving, successful enterprise.
WHERE IT STARTED
Build a Music School began in Upper Hutt, New Zealand, in an old shed with 30 drum students, a growing waiting list, and one clear problem: Jonny Wilson couldn’t teach every student himself.
So he started bringing in other teachers.
What began as a small drum studio soon grew into a multi-instrument school with more students, more families, and more demand than one person could manage alone.
As the school scaled, Jonny’s wife Kate joined the day-to-day operations, helping bring more structure, systems, and clarity to a business that was growing fast.
Together, they built a multi-site music school, launched a central concert and lesson venue in Wellington, and created the Goodtime Foundation to provide lessons and mentoring for young people who needed support.
THE SCHOOL THAT GREW
The growth was big.
One teacher became a team of 60.
Thirty students became more than 2,000.
One music bus became five, delivering lessons across schools in Wellington.
But the biggest lessons were not just about getting more students.
Jonny and Kate learned what it really takes to grow a music school: hiring, leadership, retention, systems, culture, marketing, operations, profit, and making the school less dependent on the owner.
As Jonny’s reputation grew, other music school owners started asking how he had done it.
They didn’t just want inspiration.
They wanted the playbook.
That was the beginning of Build a Music School.
THE BUILD A MUSIC school movement
Build a Music School started as a way for Jonny to share what he had learned from building, scaling, and eventually selling his own school.
The first #BAMSQUAD members joined because they wanted guidance from someone who understood music schools properly — not generic business advice, not theory, and not another course to figure out alone.
Over time, #BAMSQUAD became a global community of hundreds of music school owners learning together, solving problems together, and sharing what was working.
Owners came for help with more students, better systems, stronger teams, improved retention, and more profitable schools.
Some went on to build incredible schools of their own, including Nick Tucker from Spark School of Music & Dance. After growing his school to more than 600 students and becoming a trusted voice inside the community, Nick and his wife Anna became co-owners of BAM in 2024.
Transitioning to 12-Week Accelerators
For years, BAM has given music school owners access to coaching, resources, strategies, and community.
But the owners who create the biggest results are not just consuming more content. They are implementing with structure, accountability, expert feedback, and a clear plan for their school.
That’s why the Music School Owner Accelerator sits at the centre of the BAM growth pathway.
It’s a 12-week, high-touch program for owners ready to build a stronger, smoother, more profitable school.
Over 12 focused weeks, you get expert eyes on your school, a personalised roadmap, and hands-on support to improve the areas that matter most — enrolments, systems, team, retention, operations, and growth.
This is not another course to work through alone.
It’s a guided sprint to help you remove bottlenecks, make better decisions, and create real progress with the right people around you.
WHERE IT STARTED
In the heart of Upper Hutt, nestled among the quaint charm of New Zealand’s suburban landscape, Jonny Wilson’s music school began its remarkable journey. It all started in an old shed with just 30 enthusiastic drum students. The small space was abuzz with youthful energy and rhythmic beats, setting the stage for a transformation that would ripple across the globe.
Jonny, a passionate musician and a natural teacher, faced an early challenge when his waiting list grew longer than he had anticipated. Driven by a deep-seated desire to help, he tapped into his university network, offering jobs to fellow musicians. This act of generosity marked the beginning of an expanding venture. As more teachers joined, Jonny’s vision broadened from a drum-centric school to a multi-instrumental haven.
The evolution of the school was nothing short of extraordinary. Jonny, alongside his wife Kate, managed the school’s growth with steadfast dedication. When the student base hit 600, Kate joined Jonny in the daily operations, bringing a new level of organization and insight. Together, they expanded to multi-site campuses, and the vision of a central concert and lesson venue in Wellington came to life. This venue became a cornerstone of their mission, hosting not only lessons but also the launchpad for the ‘Goodtime Foundation,’ a program dedicated to providing lessons and mentoring to at-risk students.
THE SCHOOL THAT GREW
The music school’s influence grew exponentially. What began with a single music bus evolved into a fleet of five, bringing lessons to 30 schools across Wellington. From one teacher to a staff of 60, and from 30 students to over 2000, Jonny’s school became a beacon of musical education and inspiration. The success wasn’t just in the number of students but in the comprehensive approach to teaching: from students to teachers, managers, and eventually to music school owners around the world.
The turning point came as Jonny’s reputation as a mentor spread. Music school owners sought his guidance, recognizing his expertise in navigating the complex landscape of running a music school. This led Jonny to create the 'Build a Music School' Membership, affectionately known as the #BAMSQUAD. What started with 25 committed beta members evolved into a thriving community where Jonny shared his journey and insights, helping others avoid pitfalls and achieve their own dreams.
By the end of 2019, Jonny and Kate made the heartfelt decision to sell their school. This transition marked the end of a significant chapter but also opened doors for new opportunities.
THE BUILD A MUSIC SCHOOL MOVEMENT
Among the success stories was Nick Tucker, founder of ‘Spark School of Music & Dance.’ With over 600 students and a keen eye for technical and growth strategies, Nick’s school flourished under the mentorship of Jonny and the #BAMSQUAD. In 2024, Nick and his wife Anna became co-owners of #BAM, further strengthening the community.
As Jonny’s journey continued, he recognized a growing need for personalized coaching. The introduction of the #BAMSQUAD ELITE brought a new dimension to the membership. This top-tier group offered access to over 30 coaching calls a month with industry experts, each bringing their own experiences and expertise to the table.
THE NEXT CHAPTER
Build a Music School has helped hundreds of private music teachers and music school owners grow with practical resources, real-world strategies, coaching, and community.
Now, we’re moving into a more focused 12-week accelerator model designed to help school owners implement faster, stay accountable, and get more structured support.
WHAT will always REMAIN TRUE
From a small shed in Upper Hutt to a global music community—the #BAM story stands as a testament to the power of passion, dedication, and a willingness to help others.
The legacy of this work lives in the thriving network of #BAMSQUAD members, each one carrying forward the vision of nurturing musical talent and fostering a supportive community of music educators.
WHAT REMAINS
From a small shed in Upper Hutt to a global music community—the #BAM story stands as a testament to the power of passion, dedication, and a willingness to help others. The legacy of this work lives in the thriving network of #BAMSQUAD members, each one carrying forward the vision of nurturing musical talent and fostering a supportive community of music educators.
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE #BAMSQUAD
Experienced music school owners, marketing specialists, and growth coaches
- real people who've built real schools, guiding you every step.
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE #BAMSQUAD
IN YOUR CORNER
Experienced music school owners, marketing specialists, and growth coaches - real people who've built real schools, guiding you every step.
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