Summer at Adelaide Music LLC
- adelaidemusicllc
- Aug 20
- 6 min read
What does your summer look like? When I was a kid I remember summer looking like pool days, sticky fingers stained with popsicle juice, and standing in front of our giant window cooler while I cooled off from that Southern California sun.
Summer often looks a little different in the world of music teaching. Each summer many students head out on family vacations, and schedules get a little less predictable. Some students stay and consistently make their weekly lesson, while others find themselves slipping in a lesson here and there between trips, but on the whole I find myself with my time less structured than it is during the school year. At Adelaide Music LLC, that doesn't mean the work stops.
Even with students in and out of town catching lessons when they can, this summer has been one of the most exciting and transformational seasons I’ve had as both a piano teacher and studio owner. For so many reasons, I’m so grateful for the opportunity to serve the Santa Clarita Valley with quality music education, and I've walked away from this summer feeling refreshed and inspired to continue to offer better and better services for the valley I love so much.
A Big Transition
One of the biggest changes I made this summer was stepping away from my role as Choir and Chapel Music Director at Providence Christian College. This was not an easy decision—I loved working with the students and staff there—but ultimately, I knew that if I wanted to see Adelaide Music LLC thrive, I needed to give it my full attention.
And I’m so glad I did. Every day I’m reminded why this studio matters: watching students grow, helping them find their musical voice, and being part of their journey. I spent four years at PCC and continue to have an amazing relationship with them (I just played for them last weekend!), but am thankful to have the time to invest in growing the studio for the students in SCV I'm also thankful to not have to deal with that rush-hour traffic down to Pasadena once a week!
Growing the Studio
Along with teaching, I committed myself to growing Adelaide Music into the best version of itself. One way I did this was by enrolling in Tim Topham’s 12-Week Studio Transformation course, which focuses on student-centered, integrated teaching. It has been both challenging and so rewarding. I’ve already seen noticeable growth in my students’ playing, confidence, and creativity from applying what I've learned—and I’m excited to see the long-term results as I implement these new techniques and skills.
I also dove head first into my marketing this summer! You may have noticed more frequent blog posts, social media snippets, and even my first email newsletters. All of this has been an effort to reach YOU and stay better connected. It has challenged me to be sure, but I've found myself enjoying the process of highlighting what we do here at Adelaide Music LLC!
This summer I was also honored to be featured in Voyage LA magazine's Bold Journey series, where I had the chance to share about my story, my work, and my vision for Adelaide Music. It was a special moment to reflect on how far we’ve come and where we’re headed next. I shared about my journey fighting "Imposter Syndrome" and how I work to overcome that struggle in an industry that is so performance and skill based! As you'll see, these reflections were very timely for me, because I had my work cut out for me with some amazing opportunities.
With all this studio growth, I’ve been pushing myself to grow beyond one-on-one lessons by developing new opportunities for my students and community. This summer, I designed and beta-tested a Piano Worship Group Class—a project that is meant to make chord chart playing fun and accessible for beginner students. It’s been both stretching and rewarding, and I’m excited to share this new offering soon. I also created several free resources (which can be found on the website) to make music education more accessible to our community. These resources include a free chord chart worksheet, and free practice charts, and not to spoil it, but I'll be offering a free piano game soon as well!
Musical Adventures
Outside of the studio, this summer was full of unique musical opportunities. In July, I traveled to New Mexico for my sixth summer at Grace Community Church’s “Camp Regen.” This incredible camp serves over 1,400 students and staff each year, and it’s always a joy to be part of the worship team that helps lead such a transformative experience. Every year I find myself challenged and pushed to my limits to be a better musician and to learn how to be an effective collaborative pianist. Also, for the first time in the six years I've gone to Camp Regen, I didn't get sick! When I came back I had some students say "wait, we're still having lessons?? You aren't sick??" I guess getting older means you really prioritize going to bed on time, even at summer camp. ;)
But for me the most unforgettable highlight was singing at the Walt Disney Concert Hall for Dr. David Jeremiah’s Glimpses of Heaven concert. This event brought together some of the most talented professional singers in the industry, and it was inspiring to collaborate at such a high level. Even more surreal, the concert will be broadcast this fall to somewhere between 6–10 million people! Getting that close-up look at the professional LA music scene was both humbling and motivating, and I was so thankful to have the opportunity to work with some dear friends, as well as support several talented artists like Jordan Smith and Veritas on this one of a kind project.
Trying Something New
Not all of my summer growth came at the piano bench. I also took a big leap and enrolled in an adult beginner ballet class—a dream I’ve had for a long time.
Starting something brand new reminded me just how vulnerable it feels to be a beginner again. It gave me fresh empathy for my students, who often feel the same way when learning piano. I also found so many connections between ballet and music: the emphasis on strong technical foundations, the discipline of daily practice, and even the concept of “marking”—a choreographic technique that allows dancers to run through a sequence quickly, focusing on the essence rather than the full-out performance.
That experience deserves a blog post of its own, but I’ll just say this: sometimes, the best way to grow as a teacher is to become a student again.
Student Successes
Of course, the very best part of summer has been celebrating my students’ accomplishments. Here are a few highlights from our Adelaide Music community:
Silas H was accepted into The Master’s University as a composition major! He’ll be starting his studies in just a week, and I couldn't be more proud!
Gabby K received honors for her Level 6 RCM exam—and the story behind it is wild. We got the dates mixed up, so she had to rush over and perform with no warm-up or preparation. She handled it like a pro and came out with honors!
Josh L rocked the stage at an open mic with his performance of The Man Who Sold the World. His hard work and growing confidence really shone through.
Two of our students auditioned for their youth group worship band—and both were accepted on the team! Watching them use their gifts to serve their communities has been such a joy.
These stories remind me why I do what I do. Every student’s progress—whether it’s a major milestone or a small breakthrough—is just a joy to be able to celebrate.
Looking Ahead
This summer has been one of growth, challenges, and unforgettable opportunities. From stepping fully into studio life, to trying new things, to celebrating students’ successes, I feel incredibly inspired and ready to face the challenges ahead.
I’m grateful to everyone who has been part of Adelaide Music LLC’s journey this summer—students, families, colleagues, and friends. Thank you for trusting me with your musical education. I can’t wait to see what the new school year will bring! If you are interested in lessons at Adelaide Music LLC, we'd love to connect with you and offer you a free trial lesson. We are proud of what we do here and would love the opportunity to share it with you.
This post was written with the help of Chat GPT.
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