Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacob Sahagen.
Hi Jacob, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
In the mid 2000’s I was as a working musician touring in a singer songwriter named Matt Costa’s band. We were traveling all over the world going on tour as an opening act for Jack Johnson, and bands such as Modest Mouse, Death Cab for Cutie and Oasis among others. While on a break I met my soon to be wife working in a coffee shop I went to regularly. She quickly got pregnant and I refused to be a touring father who was always on the road. So intead I bought and restored a 1968 vw bus and created a teaching business called Musicman in a Van. I drove my van to teach lessons in peoples homes at first. It started to take off and ai found myself getting a lot of referrals and also that I loved teaching music. As my customer and business grew I eventually reached the point where I needed a classroom so my wife and ai converted our garage into a classroom. There I started teaching a whole new concept of music lessons. Lessons that were focused on modern gamification and inspiring students to love playing music. With programs like Piano Express and the Songwriter’s Journey we replaced the traditional stale music lessons with classes that kids actually are excited to go to every week. Our school feels more like a comunity where we have two concerts a year and the kids not only show off their skills on stage but students in the Songwriter’s Journey program actually perform their original songs they’ve written with a live band. Our parents tell us they have to put time limits on playing music at home. Which is totally not typical but we are not a typical school. As we continue to grow we are looking to get into a commercial location in the near future.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Going from a mobile business to a location was tricky but we are completely referral based and have many loyal customers that had no problem adjusting to the change.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
The best part for me is seeing my students grow up and become amazing musician’s and songwriters. I always say we’re the place where musicians are created and songwriters are born. Just this year one of my students graduated from OCSA and was accepted to Berklee College of music. Another student got into the Apa Arts program at Hintington Beach High School for music as well. And this summer one of my students needed someone to fill in for his band so not only did I get a student he didn’t know to sit in but when I went to the concert I saw one of my old students in the band! 3 of the 4 musicians were my students and never had met before the gig. Small world! They played amazing and made me proud. I’ve had many students end up playing and touring with bands and its so amazing to see!
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
You have to have faith to keep you going. Without faith you’ll drown in doubt and worry.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Musicmaninavan.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicmaninavan/
