Fun, Stress-free Music Lessons! Private Instruction in Piano, Voice, Guitar, Drums, Violin, Harp, and More. Full Digital Recording Studio on Site. Customized lesson plans for every learning style. Ages 3-Adult, All Styles of Music.
Keywords: Piano Lessons, Music Lessons, Guitar, Voice, Drums, Recording Studio, Suzuki, Violin, Pre-School, Seniors
Interview Q&A
How long have you been in business?
I have been teaching for over 20 years, and I first opened the teVelde School of Music in 1997. We started as a tiny 1-room school at 1147 Grand Ave, and quickly expanded to our own building at 116 S. Halcyon... where we were known for our "piano fence" out front. After many years, we moved over by Grande Whole Foods Market at 1148 Grand, but I was always looking for a way to settle in Old Town Arroyo Grande. I found that opportunity last year, and we now are located at 404 East Branch Street, Suite B! Every teaching room has 2 pianos and a full drum kit, and we have a 24 track, digital recording studio, on site!
What is your primary product or service?
We offer Piano, Voice, Guitar, Drums, Bass, Flute, Harp, and Accordion lessons. Our digital recording studio is open for use by all of our students, and is a great asset in teaching voice and musical composition & arranging. We also offer "jam night", which allows our students to get a chance to participate in a band with other students at their level.
How did you first become interested in your line of business? (if owner) - What is your background? (If owner or store manager)
I have been playing piano since I was 3 years old, and have had perfect absolute pitch since I was born. My father also had this gift, and could play anything on the piano or organ, by ear. My mother was an Opera singer. I have been in intense private lessons since the age of 4, in both piano and voice.
I won several large regional music competitions at age 15 & 16, both singing and playing original compositions and classical piano works. I played for my church, from the age of 15-30, including accompanying choirs and performing classically for very large annual conventions with audiences in excess of 5,000 people. I have conducted many children's choirs, and been a member of the Laguna Niguel Sweet Adelines Chapter that won 4th Place in the World at the International Convention in 1992.
I have been a Member of the National Guild of Piano Teachers since 1997. As a result of effective teaching, my student's advanced scores qualified me to earn the National Guild Honor Roll Certificates in 7 of the last 8 years, and also earned me the status of "Certified Music Teacher".
How do you differentiate yourself from other businesses in your category and area?
My number one goal is to figure out how every student learns, and see to it that they continue to love music every single day of their life. My primary focus is to create an individual lesson plan for every student, that focuses on their individual learning style, so that I can help them learn as quickly as possible with the greatest amount of joy and the least amount of stress. My teaching is based on a detailed evaluation I have created with a psychologist specializing in learning styles. This is an aptitude test, administered to each incoming student, that focuses on the sensory learning styles (audio, visual, kinetic, etc.), as well as each student's individual aptitudes and personalities. I also do a family personality profile, if possible, which allows me to help the student integrate music and practice into their daily life with the least amount of stress. This test is the foundation of the teaching at my school, and each teacher has been trained in the implementation of the results to create the optimal learning environment for each student. Because of this testing, we have dramatically improved the number of students that ordinarily stay with music lessons over the long term. Where an average of only 25% of new students stay with traditional music lessons over 2 years, our 2 year average student retention has increased to 70%! As a result, we have only a very limited amount of openings for new students at any one time.
How many locations do you have and do you have plans to expand?
I currently have one school, and do not have plans to expand. I need to be absolutely sure that no student falls through the cracks, and that every single student is taught exactly as they learn. After many years of consideration and experimentation, I have decided to keep my school small and our student relationships personal. Each student and their family is vitally important to me, and I only work with teachers that feel exactly the same way. We all take personal pride in making sure that every student receives the best we can give, for every single lesson.
Provide detailed directions to your location
From San Luis Obispo, take hwy 101 South to Arroyo Grande, and take the Grand Avenue exit. Go left over the freeway into Old Town Arroyo Grande. The school will be 3 1/2 blocks up on the right hand side, right after Last Chance Liquor & Deli, and behind the Loomis Tank Service Building.
From Santa Maria, take the Grand Ave. exit, and go right on Branch Street into Old Town Arroyo Grande. The school will be 3 1/2 blocks up on the right, after Last Chance Liquor & Deli, and behind the Loomis Tank Service Building.
What type of payments do you accept?
Cash, Checks, and Credit Cards.
Which areas do you service?
We are the National Guild of Piano Teachers, and the American College of Musician's Guild Center for the San Luis Obispo, and North Santa Maria Areas. We are also the Dou Dou Sight Reading Adjudication Center for San Luis Obispo County.
Who owns your company or runs daily operations?
Bonnie J. teVelde, Owner and Teacher.
What are your hours of operation?
Lessons are by Appointment, and are available in the days and evenings until 9:30 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. We also have a limited number of appointments available on the weekends, depending on teacher availability.