MEGAN WOEPPEL
The Intersection of Passion, Creativity, and Technical Skill
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EARLY EXPERIENCES
Most of my earliest memories are centered around music. My parents' passion in life is music education. After spending several years teaching music in public schools, they saw a gap in how local music stores serviced music education, and they set out to create a new paradigm for how music stores participate in music education by starting their own music store.
From my earliest moments, my entire world was centered on music education. As a toddler, I'd sit in on band practices in the garage, barely tall enough to peek over the top of the keys on the keyboard. When I was two, I started begging for piano lessons, and my parents finally gave in when I turned three. I remember every second of my first piano lesson; I fell in love with music right then and there, and I never looked back.
I started riding along with my dad to local schools while I was in pre-k to pick up instruments that needed to be repaired. I spent many hours watching him take instruments apart and repair them.
SCHOOL YEARS
In elementary school, my dad began teaching me how to repair instruments. He would hand me an instrument and tell me to take it apart, and then after cleaning it, tell me to put it back together. Once it was reassembled, he would say "Great, now play it and make sure it works right" - so I'd go grab a fingering chart and teach myself how to play the instrument.
When I was old enough to join the school orchestra, I played violin. A year later I switched to trumpet, which was a better fit for me.
By middle school, I was regularly working in the repair shop, and could effectively play all the instruments that came through the door. Around this time, I started helping 5th graders try out instruments and pick what they wanted to play in the school band or orchestra. There was something magical about the moment another kid's eyes lit up when they found the instrument they loved, and it became one of my favorite parts of working in the family music store.
In high school, I began playing french horn for the concert band, and trumpet for the jazz band. It was the best of both worlds! My high school band traveled to London, England, where we were selected to lead the Queen's New Year's Day Parade. It was an incredible opportunity, and just the beginning of many amazing travel opportunities I got because of music.
COLLEGE
In college, I took on my first private lesson students and quickly grew to enjoy the challenge of finding the best way to teach various skills to each of my students. My very first student was a kinetic learner and really struggled with sitting at the piano for 30 minutes straight. I made a giant music staff and keyboard that we could lay on the floor and walk on to practice reading notes and singing the pitches. This student thrived on big body movements and it became easier and easier for us to practice the notes on the oversized keyboard before sitting at the piano and trying it on a smaller scale.
College was also a great time of exploring new areas of music - I got to accompany the college choir on my french horn, play marimba and zampoña in a Latin music group, play guitar in a rock band, sing in the choir, play piano in various small ensembles, and of course continue french horn and trumpet in concert band and jazz band. I even got to spend a summer on tour in Europe with the jazz band.
LOS ANGELES AND BEYOND
In 2007, I moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in film and television. My background in teaching music allowed me to teach music while working freelance on various projects and productions over the years. I never been let go of teaching, and found ways to balance both careers over the years.
In film and television, I primarily worked on music videos and music related projects filming artist interviews and studio performances. I’ve worked with and interviewed artists like Slash (Guns n Roses), Jason Derulo, Imagine Dragons, Quincy Jones (legendary producer) and Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters) for clients like Walmart, Microsoft, the Kennedy Center, and the NFL. One of my favorite clients was the Kennedy Center, because I got to interview artists for music history documentaries that are now kept in the Library of Congress.
My experiences as a cinematographer and producer give me a unique perspective on the bigger picture of the demands on modern artists, which has been crucial in the evolution of my studio.
In recent years, I've left film and television to focus solely on music education and artist mentorship. Many of my students have moved beyond traditional music lessons and are learning a variety of skills that today's artist needs to have. We branch out from our traditional music focus to learn about songwriting and producing, recording arts, and other skills that bridge the gap from music creation to music production in video games, demos, and albums.
NOW
Many of my students have gone on to earn scholarships, win auditions, and sign with managers. I have students who have been cast in film, tv, and theater due to their musical skills. Students have landed managers and labels and gone on to release albums, performing in iconic venues around the world. Whether you're just trying out an instrument for the first time or have big goals for a career in music, I have the experience, passion, and skills to help you meet your goals.
MEGAN'S TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
I believe that music is a tool for self-expression that is meant to be enjoyed. I work hard to make sure my students are developing a love of the process of creating music. Being a musician is a lifelong skill that can bring joy to your life, regardless of occupation.
I believe that each of my students are artists, regardless of age or skill level. While my role is often that of teacher, it's my goal to empower students in their learning so we can collaborate as artists. My students bring such great perspectives, thoughts, and ideas to our collaboration process that I wouldn't come up with, and those contributions are invaluable to our progress!