Today we’d like to introduce you to Midge Smith.
Hi Midge, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve been playing piano since I could climb up on a bench and I have the cold, long winters in Ouray, CO to thank for countless hours spent at the keys. There was never any question that music would be my life. Duel degrees in Piano Performance and Accompanying and Coaching were the beginnings of my career and I have been performing and teaching ever since. So far, I have performed &/or directed in 57 musicals, over 30 staff accompanist positions, and played and directed music at too many churches to count! I specialize in teaching teens and adults from very beginners to advanced and we tackle just about any style of music you can imagine! I am a lifelong learner and added a 5 Year Certificate in the Alexander Technique for Musicians not too long ago. My greatest accomplishment is bringing joy, connection and authenticity to my students. Creating a place where they thrive, experiment, and learn at their own pace with as much laughter and heart as we can handle! My studio may be small, but the impact on the lives that we create together is everything!
Alright, 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?
Smooth road and musical career don’t usually go hand-in-hand, and my journey is no exception. There have been many periods of no work, J.O.B.’s to pay the bills, uncertainty if another gig will ever appear, and the ups and downs of keeping a full load of students in a private studio. I wouldn’t trade any of the difficult times for a different life. Creating music is who I am, and I have and will slog through just about any hurdle to keep it that way. Being my own boss has it’s own challenges, but the freedom it offers far outweighs issues with “business crap”, lack of motivation and odd hours. The truth is, the bumps and bruises of this life have made me stronger, more resilient, more creative, and even more determined to forge my little path through this creative life. God gave me this gift to share, and the more I pass on, the more joy comes my way – even through the hard times.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My studio has a superpower – connection! I intentionally create a space and atmosphere that leaves room for mistakes without judgement, freedom to experiment, and structure to learn the way that works best for each student. My students adore my Jam Sessions – afternoons in my living room with music, snacks, and total freedom to play or sing anything they like. It’s a “no rules” time where they can test out something new, or play something polished – or simply support whoever is singing & playing that day. I delight in never knowing who will show up and what they will end up performing! They are a constant surprise to me, and they THRIVE in a truly non-judgemental space! Seeing beginners and advanced students lift each other up warms my heart.
My second superpower is sight-reading. I had an incredible professor in college Vergi Amendola who taught me the art of sight-reading and collaboration. I do my very best playing when creating music with others. Accompanying is a very different skill that requires listening and sharing musical moments with others on a completely different level than solo, and I love it! Not to mention that it’s a blast to sit down & just PLAY almost anything that’s plopped in front of me. Heaven at the keys!
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Courage and perseverance. The courage to go after your dreams, and the perseverance to KEEP going after them. Sign up and show up. The rest will take care of itself. Being a self-starter is the only way to survive a musical career, and it ain’t for the faint of heart! But it’s more rewarding than you can imagine.
Pricing:
- $30 per 1/2 hour for lessons
- $100 per service for professional gigs
- Music Directing – varies widely!
- Accompanying – $60 per hour
- Transcribing & Recording – Varies Widely!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.musicbymidge.com
- Facebook: Music by Midge
