Today we’d like to introduce you to Erika Alvarez.
Hi Erika, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
As a child, music was a special piece of my identity. It allowed me to express myself through all stages of life: joy, sadness, frustration, and excitement. When I was young it was difficult to share about emotions and events I was going through. Music was always my outlet, and little did I know that this outlet would one day turn into my future.
In 2012, the beginning of my senior year in high school, I began teaching music lessons to children whose families I knew from church or previous work places. As the years went by, and after I received a Bachelor of Music Degree, I began to take on more students and eventually started teaching voice lessons. Being involved in music ministry at church, I encouraged my students to also share their gifts with others and serve in their communities as well.
In September 2025, I decided to teach private music lessons full-time. Seeing the affect music had on my students and the way they are able to express themselves reminded me of myself as a child, and encouraged me to continue serving as their teacher and mentor. This is my vocation, my special calling in life, to create a space for students to grow, experiment, and engage emotionally with their music. Every child that steps foot in my studio is a child made by God, and He (as well as the child’s parents) are trusting me to guide and take part in cultivating a future for this child. Even if students don’t become the next Beethoven or Liszt, music builds character, endurance, and teaches students to work hard to conquer their goals. This is what I hope every student takes with them after taking being a member of my studio.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There have been many challenges a long the way. First was being able to teach while also working a full-time job and studying for college and graduate school. As time went by, I also married, became a stepmom, and had a baby girl who is now almost two years old. Before she was verbal and mobile, I used to teach with my daughter in the studio with me (who was surprisingly very calm most of the time while I was giving lessons). As she and the studio grew, she obviously could no longer be my “teacher’s assistant”.
One major challenge I faced was learning about how to handle a business and marketing. I had never taken any business courses, so I relied a lot on advice from other teacher friends, as well as “Youtube University” to help me establish my studio.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an active member of Pearland Music Teachers Association, San Jacinto Music Teachers (where I serve as treasurer and chairman for different events), Texas Music Teachers Association and National Federation of Music Clubs. These different associations allow my students to participate in festivals and competitions throughout the year. I also have experience directing piano ensembles for the TMTA convention Ensemble event. This event is like a huge piano choir of 20+ students in each group. It’s very exciting to see the performers come together, and being able to lead them as their director.
What sets me apart from others is the fact that my studio families are not just clients. These are families with children who have a desire to learn more about music. I have heard of many teachers who turn students away because they do not meet certain requirements or standards. I am thankful to say that I have the patience to be able to handle any child willing to learn, and have very rarely had to decline to teach a child.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Keep pushing through. You will have people saying you are not capable of starting your own business, or even talented enough. There will be seasons where you blossom, and seasons where you don’t know what the next month will look like. If your heart is in it, everything will work out. Take moments to pray. Ask God if this is in His plans for you. Again, there will be rough patches a long the way, but it’s all leading you to your true calling.
I don’t think there is anything I wish I knew before starting. Learning new things is part of the process, as well as learning how to face challenges.
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