Students earn extra cash by tutoring others

If you spend any time on campus, you will likely see flyers tacked advertising lessons and tutoring of all kinds.

For some IU students, especially music school students, teaching others can be a great way to earn extra cash or just a way to share something they are passionate about.

For graduate student Christopher Grundy, teaching is more about sharing a passion than making extra money. Grundy is working on a master’s degree in voice performance and teaches voice to five people.

“I teach because I like teaching. I’ve been teaching for a long time, and I view it as part of my education as a musician here,” Grundy said.

Senior Luis Cordova, a classical guitar student, also says teaching allows him to share his passion with others. He has even taught lessons for free to students with an urgent need.

But he admits the extra cash doesn’t hurt.

“It’s fun to teach,” Cordova said. “And besides, it is nice to have a little extra money.”
For some, the extra cash that comes from teaching can be an important income supplement.

Senior Anson Hohne, a jazz studies student, said he is primarily looking for people interested in taking his drum lessons in order to generate cash flow.

“I really like giving lessons, but definitely one of the motivators for me to get students is to make a little extra money,” Hohne said.

Hohne, who currently doesn’t have any students, said he has found it challenging to find people interested in lessons. He has posted classified ads on Craigslist and placed flyers at the public library, so far without success.

Craigslist has been more successful for Cordova, who also promotes his instruction by posting ads on OneStart and occasionally posting flyers around campus. His efforts have paid off, yielding six guitar students.

Grundy’s students have come primarily through referrals from his department, which keeps a list of students that tutor.

Ultimately, these students offer their expertise because they love what they do and want to share it with others.

“I feel like being a well-rounded musician means that you share what you know with other people,” Grundy said. “You do that in a performance where you are more of an entertainer, or you do it as a teacher where you are working with an individual to develop them and their skills.”