Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamara Matthew.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Tamara. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was around the age of six when my parents told me that I was scheduled for my first-ever piano class. I am the youngest of three girls, so I was thrilled when my turn for lessons came around. Fast-forward to very early into my piano classes and you would find a little girl who wanted to quit cause she wasn’t interested in practicing, but my parents would not fall for that excuse. It may seem like a harsh idea that they didn’t give me an option to back out and urged me to practice almost every day in the week, but it’s safe to say/write that their consistent encouragement paid off! In the span of seven years, I had the privilege of completing certifications in 8 grades of practical piano as well as 5 grades of classical theory with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM), a program based in London, UK. In addition to this classical setting, I frequently played keys and sang in my church’s worship team which has grown my desire to stay involved in this way and to continue to use my talents for God’s glory.
Throughout these years of experience, I have certainly grown to appreciate what music has to offer. I was able to find my first job out of college as a piano and voice teacher at a music school, and I have also been able to enjoy using my knowledge to create and compose pieces of music.
Late last year in 2018, with the encouragement and support of my sweet husband, I founded TJM Music as an official business and began to teach students from my home studio. It has been a wonderful experience to teach students of all ages in this setting, and to see them come to understand and appreciate the gift that music is. I like to remind my students that it’s never too late to learn! I have enjoyed growing in the ways that I can articulate the understanding and practice of music and I have certainly loved seeing students sight-read or play pieces they didn’t think they could when they started! As long as students continue to trust me to teach them the theory of music and how to play the piano, this is a responsibility I will remain grateful for.
Great, 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?
To be honest, it was a bit of a challenge to figure out how to establish oneself as an independent business and filing for such but after some research, the process turned out not to be too long or difficult. It’s also sometimes tricky to manage a schedule of taking classes at school while teaching lessons at the studio but thankfully, my students so far have been rather flexible, and we have been able to work well with each other. Other than the minor housekeeping from time to time, I am grateful that TJM Music has not encountered major obstacles/challenges.
Please tell us about TJM Music.
As the founder of TJM Music and its sole teacher, I take pride in teaching music and theory lessons to people of all ages as well as providing my students with the resources they need for learning these concepts at each stage – whether at a beginner or advanced level. I tell my students that they can expect from me an attitude of patience and willingness as I attempt, as best as I can, to tailor the information I am teaching them in a way that they understand best. What I believe sets me apart from others is my desire to see my students grow in the musical ways that they want to.
While I believe it important to impart the foundational understanding of music theory so that can play classical piano pieces, I often check in with my students (all adults so far) to make sure that they are working on the kind of musical repertoire they would like to carry along with them throughout their lives. Above all, I am most proud when my students realize the milestones they have accomplished in their piano-playing and the confidence they have to try their hand at the next piece/challenge that may seem difficult. I enjoy encouraging each of my students as well as the rewarding feeling of seeing them achieve their musical goals!
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
While I cannot boil a particularly fond memory from childhood down to just one specific event, I can certainly say that some fun highlights include sleepovers and spending time with church and school friends. I enjoyed participating in Bollywood dances, church choirs, school plays, and sports days. I had a lot of great company growing up and it was a simpler time which I am thankful for. I was born and raised on a tiny island called Bahrain, located close to Saudi Arabia. Bahrain is known as a Kingdom, an archipelago, and a desert, all in one – surrounded by beautiful, blue water and it represents a melting pot filled with people of various ethnicities and religions. I am really thankful to have had the opportunity to spend at least sixteen years of my youth in this setting; my experiences there altogether continue to offer me a unique perspective as an immigrant working, studying, and living in Houston, Texas. The fact that God gave me the adventure and privilege of growing up on an island half-way around the world, the consistent access to delicious, fresh seafood, and the simple yet cherished memories made with life-long friends, are some of the joys from my childhood in Bahrain that I would consider a collective favorite.
Pricing:
- 30 minute lessons – $25 (lesson materials included)
- 60 minute (1 hr) lessons – $45 (lesson materials included)
Contact Info:
- Email: tamaramatthewmusic@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamarajessicamatthew/
Image Credit:
Shelly Voss Carlson Photography
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