Launching my business

Leaving Romania as a young child, the struggles of being an immigrant were evident throughout my life. I wanted to learn music early on, but my parents did not have the means to further my interests. In ninth grade, a family friend who recognized my persistence gave me a piano. I took lessons for six months until my father lost his job, yet I was determined to learn and began teaching myself. My grandma would encourage me, “Practice that piano, you’ll use it for life.” I soon resolved to share this gift by becoming a public school music teacher.

At age 17, I began seeking ways to pay for the college education I needed to achieve my dreams. A local music store had a position for a piano teacher available. I bought music books, designed a lesson plan, and nailed the interview. Within a year, I was voted teacher of the year. I continued to teach while pursuing a B.A. and MA in music, and thought, “I’ll keep doing this until I get a ‘real job’.”

In 2004, I received a Fulbright grant to continue my studies in Romania. A year later, I found myself in North Carolina applying for jobs and advertising music lessons. Once again, I thought, “I’ll keep doing this until I find a ‘real job’.” Within a month, my schedule was booked and requests to expand my business were pouring in. While job offers came, I found I wasn’t truly passionate about these opportunities. Through teaching, I reap the reward of helping children grow musically and develop life-long skills of diligence and achievement that spill into their everyday lives. While owning my own business was not the public school setting I had originally seen myself in, I had been giving back in a different, but just as powerful way. Now I’ve had over a decade of experience – and yes, I had a real job this whole time!

Last year, I began expanding my business. I hired a great teacher and filled her schedule with students, but continued to get calls for lessons. This fall, I bought a house with a large basement intending to renovate it into a music studio for the community with state of the art rooms for private lessons. Group lessons in theory, composition, music and technology, piano as well as summer camps will be offered. My current studio reaches 60 students, but I hope to impact hundreds in the community. The goal is to open ‘Harmony Music Studio’ officially in September 2009.

My grandma was right about music always being a part of my life. I am privileged to be able to impact my community through the gift of music.

Advice for others

Focus on your strengths and abilities and the right opportunities will find you. Don't limit the diverse ways in which you can reach your dreams and goals.