Music School Growth in Focus: Opus1 at The 2026 NAMM Show

Each year, The NAMM Show is the premier global gathering for the music, sound, and entertainment technology industries. At the 2026 NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA, the Opus1.io team was proud to once again be part of the conversation about what’s next for music education: connecting with music school owners, learning from industry peers, and deepening relationships with the customers we serve every day.

For us, attending NAMM isn’t just about having a presence on the show floor. It’s about staying closely connected to the evolving needs of music schools and ensuring that Opus1 continues to deliver solutions that help schools grow efficiently, sustainably, and with less admin.

Our booth was a constant point of connection throughout the show. We had the opportunity to meet face-to-face with current Opus1 customers, hear firsthand how their schools are growing, and gather meaningful product feedback from owners and administrators in the field.

These conversations are invaluable. Hearing how schools are using Opus1 to streamline operations, improve communication, and enroll more students helps us validate what’s working—and identify where we can continue to improve. We also loved meeting new and growing music school owners who are navigating the same challenges we set out to solve when Opus1 was founded: disconnected systems, time-consuming admin, and limited visibility into what really drives growth.

One of the highlights of the week was our Customer Appreciation Dinner. Away from the hustle of the show floor, we were able to connect with customers over great food and drinks, share stories, and celebrate the work they’re doing in their communities.

These moments matter to us. Opus1 is more than software—we’re a partner to music and performing arts schools. Building real relationships with our customers allows us to better understand their goals, challenges, and long-term vision, and reinforces our commitment to supporting them every step of the way.

In his talk, Strategies for Long-Term Lesson Program Growth, Rory challenged a common assumption: that growth requires doing more. Instead, he focused on how removing friction across the customer journey can lead to more students starting—and fewer students quitting.

Drawing from his experience as a former music school owner and touring musician, Rory walked attendees through practical, data-driven strategies for sustainable growth, including:

• How to reduce buying friction and convert interest at peak motivation
• Why reviews are the modern version of word-of-mouth—and how to leverage them effectively
• The impact of self-booking, clear calls to action, and instant gratification on enrollment
• Ways to improve communication, retention, and lifetime value through smarter systems
• How teachers can play a key role in growth, engagement, and upselling

The session sparked great discussions with school owners who are focused not just on short-term enrollment gains, but on building lesson programs that scale without burning out staff or students.

Attending The NAMM Show helps keep Opus1 closely aligned with the real-world challenges and opportunities facing music schools today. From emerging trends in music education to evolving expectations from students and families, these insights directly inform how we continue to build and refine the Opus1 platform.

Most importantly, NAMM gives us the chance to listen—to our customers, to new school owners, and to the broader music education community. Those conversations fuel our mission to help schools admin less and inspire more.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth, joined us for dinner, or attended Rory’s session. We’re excited to take what we learned at NAMM 2026 and continue supporting the growth of music and performing arts schools everywhere.

Learn more about how Opus1 helps music schools grow – book a demo today.