Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa Gamble.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Vanessa. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I went to school for musical theatre. After a few years pursuing acting in LA, I decided I wanted to do music full time. I’d always helped my friends with their musical theatre auditions and after running a couple music rehearsals with the Burbank Community Theatre, I realized just how much I loved working with singers. I had a small practice room in my garage that I started in, after a few months my student list had grown too much for the small space so I rented my first studio on Glenoaks then I found the space I’m at now in The Compound. Though I mostly teach singing, I also teach piano and ukulele which has been really fun! One of my ukulele students even started a ukulele Meetup group here in Burbank, it’s been amazing watching her go from a brand-new beginner to leading this group of ukulelists. My husband also teaches guitar and songwriting in our little studio. And we just added a new teacher to our roster to help with the demand. I’m so proud of how far we’ve come in just a matter of a few years!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The first studio I rented on Glenoaks was a sublet from a temp agency. Needless to say, they didn’t love my singers belting while they were having meetings and taking calls so it was pretty necessary for me to move. But it was for the better. I love our space at The Compound, it’s a building full of artists who are so friendly. Other than that, I’m pretty lucky that our studio gets great students and parents to work with.
Please tell us about Burbank Music Lessons.
We specialize with beginners. I’m especially passionate about working with new singers since there tend to be hang-ups and so much self-judgement when someone first begins singing, I love breaking that down and freeing what their voice is really capable of.
All three of us at BML enjoy music and I think that joy is apparent in our lessons, since what I’m most proud of us is how much the students like to play their instrument or sing in between lessons and how they challenge themselves to keep growing and progressing.
What sets us apart from other schools (and I’ve worked at other schools) is how much thought and care goes into each lesson and student. We’re always accessible if the student has a question during the week so they never have to wait ’til their next lesson to have their question answered. And real friendships grow out of the lessons, even if the student moves away we keep in touch. We’re even having a karaoke night this month just because we enjoy each other’s company so much!
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
That’s hard to say. The company has grown so organically over the last 4 years that it’s been an easy and gradual progression. I think I’d like to have started our workshops earlier, we’re just now implementing our first round of workshops this summer. But then again, I don’t know if as a business owner I would’ve been ready to take that on and give my own students the attention and dedication they deserve. But with Joel on the team, I’m able to. So maybe I wish I’d hired another teacher earlier so that I could’ve done these workshops earlier.
Pricing:
- Affordable pricing: $50/hr.
Contact Info:
- Address: Burbank Music Lessons @ The Compound
4000 W. Burbank Blvd. #105 Burbank, CA 91505 - Website: www.burbankmusiclessons.com
- Phone: 818-975-0513
- Email: burbankmusiclessons@gmail.com
- Facebook: Burbank Music Lessons
- Twitter: @burbankmusic
- Yelp: Burbank Music Lesson
