Exploring Life & Business with Julie Chambers of Chambers Music Studio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Chambers.  

Julie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, but first discovered Bexley as a music education major at Capital University. After I graduated, I taught public school music in Perry County, Ohio, private music lessons, and played the organ for local churches for several years while working on my master’s degree in music education before studying abroad in Hungary. Inspired by Hungarian music pedagogue Zoltan Kodaly, I believe that “music is for everyone.” I want to create a strong music education for students and families to better understand and enjoy music. Music feeds our souls, nourishes our minds, comforts our bodies, and tends our emotions. When I returned from Hungary, inspired by my thorough music education courses, I taught for a few more years in the public school systems but decided to focus on private music teaching after I moved back to Bexley in 2013.

I’ve been teaching private lessons from my home in Bexley since 2013. I loved teaching private music lessons, but I noticed a problem. Private lessons can feel isolating for students and families. Students go to a teacher or a teacher comes to the student with very little social or community interaction. I really felt for the parents with little ones waiting in the car while their siblings took lessons. As a parent of three: Amelia, Brendan, and Callahan. I understand the joys and difficulties of parenting. I decided to create an inviting space for families to gather together while students have lessons. Inspired by other local businesses, I hoped to have a community music school where families could gather for lessons and informal intimate recitals. I was inspired by our local play cafe because of their excellent cafe options. It really made moms want to hang out while their kids played. Our music studio has a beautiful cafe area in the front designed with that in mind. A place where families can get a snack or light dinner for the kids while the other siblings have a music lesson. A shabby chic coffee shop-style cafe that offers a place for students to perform in a relaxed casual location. We offer private and group lessons for students and instruments of all ages in a welcoming and inclusive environment. I have local Bexley resident and architect Valerie Halas to thank for designing a gorgeous space that really captures my vision. Her work with Compton Construction really brought a dream to life.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My education has prepared me very well for the teaching side of things. I have had to learn how to work with people, how to handle problems, how to build a business, and how to create and implement procedures. These obstacles have been difficult but an important part of the process.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Chambers Music Studio?
We teach private music lessons for students of all ages and instruments. Focusing on high-quality music education, we provide innovative instruction tailored to each student’s specific needs and interests with opportunities for students to showcase their achievements in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. Inside our music school, we also have SWonderful Times Cafe, a snack bar offering organic, natural choices like a peanut butter avocado smoothie, salted maple cafe au lait, or gluten-free chicken nuggets. Order your snack via the Joe Coffee app when you leave your house and arrive at a fresh treat waiting for you at the studio before your lesson.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I enjoy creating programs, opportunities, and classes for our students and community. Sometimes, I’m designing, building, and painting a shelf for a classroom, developing new smoothie recipes for our cafe, creating flyers for upcoming group classes, or planning recitals for our students. The opportunities are endless and that’s what’s exciting to me. What else can we create? How else can I improve someone’s life?

Pricing:

• $138.75/month

Contact Info:

• Website: www.chambersmusicstudio.com
• Instagram: chambers_music_studio
• Facebook: @chambersmusicstudio