Today we’d like to introduce you to Josie Anderson.
Hi Josie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I never planned on teaching music – and now I have 42 private piano students, manage a youth music group, and play the music at church. It’s been a wild ride that has been led by God. I’m so grateful to be where I am today!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. Opening a business at 27 years old wasn’t what I had planned on! I struggled finding my niche for nine years. I worked in housekeeping, retail, special education, preschool, and daycare before feeling led to open my own private piano studio. Learning music came pretty naturally to me; so naturally that I didn’t know how to teach others how to read music. It seems like I came out of the womb knowing how to read music. Is it not that easy for everyone, haha? I’m constantly needing to figure out different ways to teach different students. I enjoy working with the neuro-spicy – the kids who need out of the box strategies. Each student presents a new challenge I get to learn about.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
What sets me apart is that I’m ready and willing to work with students who have any diagnosis. Many teachers don’t feel they have the expertise to handle students who learn differently from how they normally teach. I don’t know if I have the expertise but I have the desire to find out how I can help them. I enjoy thinking outside the box and regularly spend my off hours creating games, finding or arranging music, asking questions to mentors, or writing birthday cards to students. I believe that anyone – no matter age or diagnosis or anything else – can learn music and love it. My job as a teacher is to find out HOW they learn music!
Any big plans?
I’m currently working on a Bachelor’s degree that has taken me eight years thus far. I’m studying a thorough music theory course so my knowledge for teaching students is stronger. I just finished a music history course and will be starting the next course soon. I recently completed a remodel to one part of my house to turn it into a fully private waiting area for my students and families! This gives my families, particularly those who homeschool, a place where they can do their activities or simply play games and read books while they wait during piano lessons.
I also am preparing my recital piece for the recital in May – Pirates of the Caribbean, where I will dress up as Captain Jack Sparrow!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sites.google.com/view/honeydewlearning/home
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577194701843
