JULY-AUG 2012 - Natchel' Blues Network

BLUES INTERVIEW - Music Makers Rock SchoOlTell us a little about yourselves.We are located in the Hilltop area of Virginia Beach. We opened ourdoors in Dec. 2009. We are a traditional “mom-n-pop” shop, ownedand operated by my wife and I. We did incorporate the beginningof this year (2012). We have approximately 75 students per weekthat come through our store. There are 6 instructors here that teachdrums, guitar, piano, bass, violin, upright bass, trumpet, vocals, banjo,clarinet, and saxophone. We also offer Rock School! That programoffers kids the opportunity to play in a band, learn songs & performat the end of the 8-week session.What motivated the two of you to get into this line of work?Our love for music and I’m a natural-born teacher/coach. I’ve beenteaching drums throughout my life and I’ve tried other careers andfinally decided that this is what I was meant to do.Were there any times where you had doubts that you wouldmake it? Or doubts that you made the right career choice?Of course we had doubts whether we would “make-it” - theeconomy is a huge factor in determining our financial success.Overall, what we found is when you put out a good product andyou care about your customers, the business ultimately does well.We never doubted that we made the right career choice.What is the most fun or most rewarding part of your day?Just being involved with the development and shared experienceof all the kids & adults actually performing songs. Our motto is “Wetake our students from the lesson room to the stage” - and watchingthat happen is the greatest reward!Tell us about some of the bands that have formed bystudents who met at your school.We have formed or been involved with the formation of manybands. From The Renegades, Ziplock, Nova 6 - and many more. Mostrecently, Soulshine. Soulshine is a new & exciting adult blues bandthat formed with a couple of dads in our Rock School program.They’ll be the opening act for my band, DEJA, at the Jewish Mother,Hilltop this Saturday (6/9).How do you market your services? Direct mail, word ofmouth, advertising in paper, on radio, on TV?We’ve tried commercial forms of advertising (radio, mass mailers),but nothing is better than word-of-mouth. And like I said earlier, ifyou’re putting out a quality product, people will talk about it, forsure.Is there an average length of lessons? In other words doyou have year-long contracts, or how does that work?Our private lessons run for half-an-hour, usually scheduled once aweek. The student learns enough in that 30 minutes to keep thembusy practicing at home till their next lesson. We don’t require ourcustomers to sign contracts. We have had some students for over 2years, some others for only a few months. It all depends.Do you produce CD’s?We have a recording studio in-house where we record solo artistsor full bands. We also film videos in our in-house theater. Here’s alink to a video that was shot in our theater: www.youtube.com/user/DEJAbandAlthough we do many things at Music Makers (recordings, video,buy/sell new & used equipment, etc.), our main focus is onteaching private lessons & Rock School to children and adults.Teaching is our greatest asset and also brings us the greatestrewards. Over the years I’ve found that you can have a greatmusician who just can’t communicate effectively as a teacher. We’revery proud of the fact that Music Makers focuses on the individualstudent’s needs and constantly strives to help every student feelgreat about their learning experience and enjoy music to its fullest.Thanks Drew!~ By Jack Campbellwww.musicmakersvb.comwww.facebook.com/musicmakersvbDo you have a busy time of year? Slack time?We haven’t really experienced a definite slow time or busy time.There’s a consistent ebb and flow. We definitely feel the surge whenwe have Rock School sign-ups 4 times a year.Editor’s Note: Music Makers isproviding backline equipmentfor NBN’s IBC at Jewish Mother-Hilltop on July 29th.JULY/AUGUST 2012 • www.NatchelBlues.org5