It's Been A While... I Know...

Here's something that I find annoying.   I find a really great blog full of excellent articles and posts, but the last update was November 2009!  So frustrating!  Especially when the writing is good, but obviously the person who started it isn't so much into writing anymore, since the last post was 3 years ago :|.  I've also started following a couple of blogs that were good only to have them disappear from the internet like 3 weeks later, or go for months and months without an update.  So disappointing.

Well... it seems that I'm starting to slip into the "non-updating" category.  At least it hasn't been three years!  One thing I would like to do this summer is get back on track with my blogging.  I really enjoy writing, and I don't want to quit blogging.  I had a few "extenuating circumstances" that kept me from blogging a whole lot this spring.  You probably noticed that even my Sunday Scriptures were getting hit and miss.  It was time for a bit of a break.  Everyone needs a break once in a while :).

The internet can be a fantastic tool for communication, but it can also be a bit scary.  You never quite know who or what is going to find you when you put yourself "out there."  That used to really intimidate me.  I guess I got over it, because now I have a blog... LOL!  I know a lot of people read my blog that I will never, ever meet.  Strangers can be scary, but at the same time new friends and connections can be made online that can be a blessing too.

Now, since I know many people read my blog that I don't know, I do have a request that maybe one of you can help me with.  I am looking to hire a voice and/or piano teacher for my business to start this September.  They need to be able to legally work in Canada and have either a post secondary education in music or a Royal Conservatory of Music certificate.  If one of my readers is interested or if you know of anyone who would be interested please leave me a comment with an email address, and I can contact you.  All comments left on my blog are private until I approve them, so if you leave an email address I won't publish it to the blog! :).

I hope you all are having a blessed summer.  I also hope that you will continue to find what you read here and encouragement and a blessing.  I'm looking forward to getting back at my writing :).

Work Update

Last Wednesday was the 6 month anniversary of me opening my own business.  It's been quite the adventure! As of today, I have 98 students coming through the Academy each week... I think.  That number changes weekly and sometimes even daily :).  Which is a very good thing!  My initial goal was 80 students, with a goal of having 100 students by the end of the school year (June).  It looks like I'll make that no problem.  I started with myself and one other piano teacher.  Now I have 2 piano teachers, a flute/woodwinds teacher, a guitar/bass teacher, and a vocal teacher... and me :).  I'm still teaching away.  I've been able to hire a receptionist for one night a week too.  She did great on her first night.  It's nice not to have to worry about the phone ringing while I'm teaching.  My Mom has helped me A LOT over the past six months, but it always seemed like the nights she wasn't here the phone would ring 2 or 3 times, and people would come in the store to ask about lessons.  Then the nights she was here would be quiet.  Well, they're probably not that quiet, it's just that I don't have to worry about all that other stuff when someone is at the desk.  Now the only nights I have to do EVERYTHING are Monday and Tuesday.  


I really have no complaints when it comes to running my business.  I haven't had any major problems... uh, except for the 6 hours I spent on the phone with bell (on hold) because they overcharged me.  Then my Mom calls and in less than a half an hour she has my money refunded.  What's up with that?  


Last night I was thinking about some of the reasons why I moved back up north.  One, among the MANY reasons why I moved, was that I had been offered an office job at my then current employer.  I hate... extremely dislike office work (my Mom taught us not to say hate), and thus, had no desire to stay in the city (which I also hate... extremely dislike) doing a job I didn't like.  Now... I'm doing office work, and lots of it!  It's not so bad because it is for myself, but it's still not my favourite thing to do.  Blah... that's probably why I'm blogging right now instead of updating my expense account for January... oops.  


Anyhow, that is my brief update on the status of my business.  My students are great.  We generally have a blast during lessons.  Sometimes I push them really hard, but I try to incorporate humour, and that seems to work well.  My pushing generally pays of in the end.  We had a great Christmas Recital, and now it's on to preparing for Kiwanis.  I know all the students are going to do fabulously.  


Well, I better get back to work.  

Pictures from My Grand Opening

I've actually been open since July, but I had a Grand Opening last Thursday.  It was supposed to be this big event with the Mayor, and media coverage, but none of that happened. I did get some good pictures though :).  I had three new people come in to ask about lessons, and  many friends and students dropped in as well.  I'm very thankful for all the support I've gotten from the community in my new business venture.

Me and my Mom holding my ribbon that the Mayor was supposed to cut with me.  Since he didn't end up coming, we didn't actually cut the it.  My Mom spent quite a while making it look all pretty by drawing music notes on it and attaching the hangy stuff.  That was the one bonus of the Mayor not making it, is that my pretty ribbon is still intact :).

  

The food!!  The posters in the background are entries in our Canada Music Week Poster Contest held be the North Bay branch of ORMTA.  The prizes are going to be awarded next Saturday, and an Open House is being held to show all the entries in the contest.

This is Ron, my guitar teacher.  He played a really nice jazz piece at the open house.  

The ceremonial ribbon cutting.  Kara and Joanna are holding the ribbon.  They both teach piano. My Mom is in the background along with one of my voice students, Ron the guitar teacher, and my former piano teacher from when I was a teenager.

This is another one of my voice students.  She and I sang together.

All of us again.  Left to right: Me, Marilyn (we've played a couple of shows together, and we both accompany A LOT of students for the Kiwanis Festival), Allison (my voice student), Kara, Joanna, and Jessica (voice student).

Thanks again everyone for coming!  I appreciate all the support.  

My New Pianos!!!!!

This past Tuesday my Dad and I headed to Merriam Music in Vaughan to pick up my two brand new Kawai K15 pianos!!!!


Every time I told someone I was going to Toronto to get two new pianos they gave me this weird look, or said something like,
"How do you expect to play two pianos at the same time?"


I smiled and replied that I don't expect to play two pianos at the same time, but I need multiple pianos for my music studio that I have opened.  There's not point having a music studio if you don't have instruments to teach lessons with!  So, hence the necessity for two pianos.  Not to mention Merriam gave me an incredible deal.  I would highly recommend them if anyone is ever interested in purchasing a piano!  Their showroom is beautiful.


The first thing we had to do was pick up our Uhaul trailer in North Bay.  Then we drove and drove and drove.  At least we got to stop at Tim Horton's in Burks Falls :).

After stopping at the showroom to pay the remaining balance that I owed for the pianos, we drove over to their warehouse.  It's massive and it is FILLED with pianos!  Hundreds of them.  Loading the pianos on the Uhaul was easy because they had a fork lift.  It was just a matter of lifting them up and driving them in.  Then Dad tied a bunch of tie down straps around them so they wouldn't shift during the drive home.

Unloading them was slightly more difficult than the load had been.  Dad and Pastor Bauserman got them out and on a cart to wheel them into my store, but I couldn't watch.  Even though they were in crates they were still awkward to handle and heavy, and all I could think of was it sliding off the cart or tipping over and we would have a piano smashed into a million pieces laying in my parking lot!

I didn't need to worry though.  They got both of them inside just fine, but there was a lot of grunting and groaning and pushing and pulling!  Doesn't it look pretty?  All black and shiny ready to be played.  I'm not a huge fan of the glossy black finish.  I can see lots of dusting in my future, but it does look nice. 

Close up of the Kawai (pronounced kuh-why).  So, we got one of them into the back room fine, but the other one is sitting in my waiting area right now.  The hallway is too narrow to turn it and get it into the middle rooms.  The plan is to move my big piano out of my studio and into the waiting area, and move in the new piano.  Then I'm going to try and sell my old one.  


Other good news for my business is that I now have a guitar teacher!  There seems to be a lot of interest in North Bay in guitar lessons, and I had a teacher contact me last week.  We met yesterday, and I'm hoping I will be able to get students booked for him.   I'm also booking students for flute, clarinet, or saxophone lessons.  If you're interested call the Academy.


And the last bit of good news.  Yesterday Mom and I went to Sudbury, and I got...

YES!!!!  Vanilla Latte... so yummy!

The First Day

Today was the first day that Academy of Music was open for business, and it was a good first day!

This past week I was busy with cleaning, moving,  painting, shopping, and organizing.  I had lots of help from my Mom and Dad.  They are the best and they have been a huge blessing in helping me stay motivated about starting my own business!  Mom helped me get some cleaning done at my studio.  Actually most if it was in very good shape.  She basically just sterilized the bathroom and cleaned the hallway.  That bathroom is so clean now you could eat off the floor!  Dad came out on Friday and hung some doors for me.  He also assembled my desk and got my piano moved in.  And he did all that with a sore back!  Thanks Dad!!!  You're the best :). 

Things are coming along.  I had a few people drop in today.  Some were friends, and some were new people that I got to meet.  I think owning a business is going to be alot of fun!  Another special thing that happened today was getting a lovely bouquet of flowers from my friend Heather congratulating me on starting my business!  Thanks again Heather :)! 

I truly am blessed.  When I decided to go on my own and start my business, I was a little apprehensive.  Okay, I was ALOT apprehensive.  Starting a business is huge!  But all along the way God has been with me, and He has given me direction and confirmation so many times that it is His will for me to do this.  As a Christian that is the most important thing for me.  I want to be in the Lord's will at all times!  I praise Him for being able to do this, and I want my business to be used to honour and glorify Him!