Today we’d like to introduce you to Joe Voth.
Hi Joe, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I had wanted to be a professional musician since I was eight years old, but progress came slowly. In college, I worked a summer job as a gas meter inspector, and I hated it. While it was nice to be outdoors, the early mornings, long commutes, and endless hours of walking dulled my artistically wired brain. The solitude, however, gave me time to confront what I truly wanted—and I realized I couldn’t settle for anything less than my childhood dream.
With a fresh conviction, I turned in my equipment and traded my job for an unpaid internship at a recording studio in Minneapolis. It was the best decision I ever made. The experience and connections I gained there helped me grow as a musician and confirmed that I wanted to begin my career in music as a piano teacher. Against the advice of my family, I accepted a job at a small music school west of the Twin Cities right after graduation.
It wasn’t easy—working evenings with no benefits—but I loved what I did. Before long, my reputation as a piano and vocal coach was firmly established. The only thing standing between me and a sustainable, rewarding career was middle management. In my first two years of teaching, I received offers from multiple schools, yet none of them felt right. Students progressed slowly, teachers earned only a fraction of what they brought in, and owners held too much control.
I stayed at the only school I could find that didn’t have a non-compete clause, and after enough frustration, I gathered the courage to hang a poster in my own neighborhood: “Private Music Lessons – Joe.” I’ll never forget how little the people in my life believed in me. “Really? Joe’s going to start a business? Yeah, right!”
Yeah, right. Within two years, I was so busy with private clients that I left my job at the music school and officially registered my LLC. Today, my teaching practice is my full-time occupation, and I couldn’t be happier. There’s something profoundly special about the connection between teacher and student when no one else is pulling the strings. I’ve spent years refining my craft freely, and my approach has been praised by clients and fellow educators across the metro area.
My goal is to keep my business grounded in what matters most: two individuals working together to make music. I’m committed to fair prices, flexibility, and authenticity—never a flashy presentation, never a corporate feel, never a fake smile. I look forward to continuing my work, enriching my community, and supporting my family with honesty and joy. For me, that’s what it has always been about.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t exactly been a smooth road, but I’m thankful for every experience that brought me here. Building a website, designing graphics, figuring out taxes—none of it came naturally at first. I was flying by the seat of my pants for a while, learning new skills every day. Eventually, I realized that it’s okay to try new things without expecting perfection right away.
The hardest part, though, was dealing with doubt—especially from friends and family. For a while, it felt like everyone I knew just wanted me to “get a real job.” That was discouraging, but it taught me something invaluable: a little stubbornness can be a strength. The people who care about you often fear the risks you take, but it’s up to you to decide when to listen and when to trust your own vision.
Another major challenge has been protecting my mental health. I’ve faced unique struggles since childhood, and running a business can feel like a pressure cooker at times. Time management is critical—there are seasons when you can work incredibly hard, and others when life demands you slow down. You can’t be superhuman all the time, and that’s okay. I remind my students of the same truth: we’re in it together. We support one another, and we grow together. That sense of shared understanding has been the key to building a healthy, sustainable teaching environment.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a private music coach specializing in piano and vocal development. My focus is on equipping students—especially beginners—with the reliable, foundational skills they need to become confident, advanced performers in an encouraging and efficient environment. Over time, my students have become known for learning quickly and retaining their skills exceptionally well.
What I’m most proud of are the stories my students share with me. When someone tells me their neighbor loves hearing them practice, or that they finally sang for a family member for the first time, or performed on stage, or simply discovered a new part of themselves they never knew existed—those are the moments that fill my heart to the brim.
What sets me apart is my compassionate approach to music. Music belongs to everyone, and no goal is too big or too small. Whether someone dreams of performing on Broadway or just wants to play piano in their living room, my mission is to help them find meaning, confidence, and empathy through the joy of making music.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
The first person who comes to mind is Avis Peters, the leader of my 4-H club. Her direction and mentorship gave me the confidence to pursue my dreams with hope and courage. From acting to public speaking to organizational skills, she poured into me like no one else—and asked for nothing in return. Without her guidance, I never would have come this far, and I remain deeply grateful.
Paul Grustans, my high school trumpet teacher, taught me one of the most important lessons of all: that music is good, no matter what. Because of him, I learned that music should never be about business pressure, competition, or anxiety. It’s a gift from God to humanity, and that alone gives it meaning. I’m thankful to Paul for preserving that truth in me; without him, my experience of music might have been tainted by the bureaucracy of the professional world.
Carmen LaFavor sat beside me at the piano from the time I was six years old. She never gave up on me—no matter how many weeks I didn’t practice, how many concepts I forgot, or how many times I noodled on the keyboard while she was talking. She planted the seed that became my life’s passion, and I can never repay her for that gift.
Finally, Kyle Rucker, a veteran of the music industry, took a chance on a chaotic young man with a dream and little else. He didn’t treat my internship as a way to get free labor—he treated it as an opportunity to teach. He poured into me with fierce dedication and only asked that I be willing to learn. Without his guidance, I never would have found the courage or knowledge to start a business. Even though I began unpaid, Kyle gave more to me than I ever could have asked for.
Pricing:
- Weekly Lessons $140/month
- Transportation costs apply for in-home lessons
- Low income? Fill out a form anyway.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.joevothmusic.com/
