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Rising Stars: Meet Mellisa Weinert

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mellisa Weinert.

Hi Mellisa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I have pursued my love of music from a very young age. Growing up on a farm, access to music teachers was limited, but my father’s passion for music was contagious. He was my first teacher, teaching me how to transpose music on our family piano when I was 3 years old. I was fascinated and have been obsessed ever since! I have always played by ear and composed as long as I can remember.

My parents sacrificed to give me music lessons in a town 100 miles away as often as they could. When I was 17 I drove to that same town 100 miles away twice per week to take lessons from a world renowned pianist from South Africa. I worked hard to get into the music program at the college from where I took lessons.

With a passion for quality music and education, I opened Eighty Eight Notes School of Music right out of college in 2007 I started out teaching out of my home with 1 student and soon grew the business to include classes for all ages and stages and all instruments in a retail location. I and my teachers now teach virtually with students all over the country and in a few other countries as well! “My ultimate goal as your teacher is to nurture a genuine love for music.” I specialize in music theory, composition, curriculum production, and online piano lessons. My students gain a comprehensive background in the application of music theory, ear training, and repertoire. I excel in teaching late beginners to advanced students and I am most passionate about composing, theory, and creativity. I write a lot of my own curriculum because I understand that each student has individual specific learning needs and shouldn’t be boxed into one curriculum option. I often write original pieces or arrangements for individual students.

​I was drawn to teaching virtually from my own experiences early on. Growing up on a ranch as a homeschool student I know first hand that finding music teachers is very challenging in remote areas. I believe that every student should get the opportunity to learn music and I wanted to provide quality music education no matter the student’s location. I love being able to meet and teach students all over the country! I teach piano, flute, summer camps, theory and composition and group classes.

I am honored to get to do what I do. I have had students go on to receive college degrees in music, piano, composition, and theory. I am so proud to see students take what they have learned here and continue sharing music throughout wherever life takes them!

I graduated with my Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and Liturgical Music, with a minor in Flute Performance and Bible in 2007. I received her Master of Arts in Music Education with a concentration in Piano Pedagogy in 2013 from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. I am a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music, Teach Music Online Certified, a member of the Music Teacher’s National Association, and Minnesota Music Educators Association as well as a music education and business consultant for several music schools and private studios around the country and have performed in various countries. My original music is available for purchase on my website 88notesmusic.com

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Early on it was a challenge getting started with only one students, a piano that was not very good quality, and very little budget with which to market. But day by day word spread and I started getting more students. Where there’s a will there’s a way! I now have 3 teachers and over 100 students nationwide!

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am most proud of the individual attention I give to each student. I am not a cookie cutter teacher expecting each of my students to learn the same way. I have students as young as 4 and as old as 90. Everyone in between those ages learns differently and deserves a teacher who acknowledges that and works to help them reach their goals no matter how large or small. I give students a very well-rounded education so that they have the tools they need to succeed. I want my students to be independent musicians so that they won’t need me forever.

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Most people don’t know I am a tomboy farm kid at heart and I love to work with my hands when I am not teaching or sitting at my piano. I love to renovate homes, build something in my workshop and when on the family farm, hop on my dad’s dirt bike and tour the 1700 acre family farm.

Pricing:

  • $120/mo 15 minute weekly lessons (a la carte available)
  • $190/mo 30 minute weekly lessons (a la carte available)
  • $240/mo 45 minute weekly lessons (a la carte available)
  • $290/mo 60 minute weekly lessons (a la carte available)
  • $65/mo teach yourself with guidance

Contact Info:

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