Check Out Brandy Davis’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandy Davis

Hi Brandy , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Thank you for this opportunity to share my story.

Music has always been an integral part of my life, deeply rooted in my family and personal experiences. Growing up, I was surrounded by music. My grandfather was a renowned American record producer and singer, and his influence was profound. I remember practicing my music, singing and harmonizing throughout our home, and working late nights writing songs with him. Those moments not only nurtured my love for music but also instilled in me the dedication and passion required to pursue a career in this field.

I began my formal musical journey with singing in the choir, violin lessons, and classical piano training at a young age, which laid a strong foundation. My curiosity and love for music led me to explore various genres, from jazz to pop. I even went as far as starting a music group with my childhood best friend; this exploration helped me to develop my songwriting, collaboration, and singing skills. It was an extremely fun experience and contributed significantly to my growth as a musician.

As I grew older, I went away to college, changed my major several times before I graduated, then ultimately pursued a career outside of music. I’ve worked in the area of healthcare, both clinical and administrative, for over 20 years. My career in healthcare paid the bills, but I later realized my calling, true purpose, and fulfillment wasn’t necessarily behind the desk but was in performing, creating music, and sharing it with others. This realization, along with becoming a mother, led me to transition from solely focusing on a career in healthcare to leaning more into performing, composing, and being a music educator.

Starting Brandy’s Piano Studio in 2019, a division of Brandy Plays Keys LLC, was a dream come true. It has allowed me to create a welcoming space where students can learn piano and explore their musical potential, blending traditional techniques with modern creativity. My approach is compassionate and personalized, aiming to ignite students’ imaginations and build their confidence.

I started with one student in my home studio and gradually expanded to an online studio. Through dedication and hard work, I have managed to teach and bring music into the homes of over 40 families. This growth has been incredibly rewarding and has allowed me to reach and inspire a diverse group of students.

Building my studio and developing various curriculums has required focus, belief, and commitment to the plan, while leaving room to explore through trial and error. I’ve worked long nights and have stayed committed when things felt difficult or when I was challenged by the responsibilities of motherhood, sickness, or other life stresses. Through it all, this has been the best part of my life’s journey, and I attribute my faith and God’s grace to seeing me through this process.

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?
No, it has not been a smooth road at all. As a mother of two, I’ve had to juggle independent entrepreneurship with motherhood, serving as a medical mom. What is a medical mom? I’m glad you asked.

A “medical mom” is a term often used to describe a mother who is actively involved in managing and advocating for the healthcare needs of her child, particularly if the child has chronic illnesses, disabilities, or complex medical conditions. We often have to navigate the healthcare system, coordinate multiple medical appointments, administer medications, and provide continuous care and support for our children.

Navigating as a medical mom while building my business has been more of an emotional and mental challenge than a physical one. If I could compare, while mindset is the most important thing when learning to play an instrument, it is equally important when navigating the challenges that come with entrepreneurship and being a medical mom. Sometimes my son would experience episodes where we would have to spend a week in the hospital. I would help manage his care all while attending meetings, holding lessons, or doing things to develop the business. These times felt like a wrench in the program, but little did I know how much this has built my resilience.

This experience has built my resilience by forcing me to manage multiple, often conflicting, responsibilities under stressful and challenging circumstances. It has taught me to stay focused and composed, prioritize effectively, and adapt to unexpected situations. Balancing my son’s healthcare needs with the demands of my business has strengthened my problem-solving skills and made me more determined to succeed despite the challenges.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I would consider myself a small business owner, independent entrepreneur, classically trained pianist, and dedicated piano teacher. My work revolves around teaching piano and inspiring a love for music in my students.

I specialize in providing personalized piano lessons for young and adult beginners starting their piano journey, teaching them the FUNdamentals of piano playing.

I am known for using a tailored teaching approach for diverse learners, which allows me to customize and adapt my teaching methods, materials, and strategies to meet the specific needs, learning styles, and abilities of each individual student, building a strong foundation for their musical success. This personalized approach ensures each student feels valued and understood, which boosts their confidence. As my students witness their own development and achievements, their confidence in their musical abilities naturally grows.

One of my proudest achievements is hosting a Summer Songwriting Camp, alongside singer, songwriter, musician & composer MarkNoxx, for kids aged 6-11. The camp is a magical experience where we cover everything from ear training and pillars of the genre to recording, publishing, and more. Watching the kids grow as artists and musicians is incredibly rewarding. The camp not only teaches them the fundamentals of music but also helps them develop their creativity and collaboration skills.

What sets me apart from others is my warmth, my smile, and my holistic approach to music education. I believe in nurturing not just technical skills, but also fostering creativity, confidence, and a deep appreciation for music in each student.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Yes, absolutely! I love that there are so many resources and communities available for piano teachers, musicians, and entrepreneurs that continue to help me grow in this profession.

One resource that has helped me do my best is my ebook, “7 Keys to Unlocking Confidence at the Piano.” I wrote this book as a resource for myself and, in turn, published it to help others along their musical journey.

I encourage my students to use mymusictheory.com to enhance their learning at the piano. This is a great free resource for studying music theory.

“How to Teach Piano Successfully” by James W. Bastien and “The Piano Handbook” by Carl Humphries, along with various method books, including the WunderKeys series and Piano Pronto, are books I use to help me work successfully with my students.

Blogs I have used and continue to use include Color in My Piano, a blog by Joy Morin that offers teaching resources, lesson ideas, and inspiration for piano teachers, and Teach Piano Today, a blog that provides innovative teaching strategies and resources that I find very useful.

I am also part of several piano teaching and music production communities, including Teach Piano Online, the Ultimate Music Theory Elite Educator Program, and Piano for Producers. I continue to invest in my growth regularly as a musician and music educator.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.brandyplayskeys.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandyspianostudio
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brandyspianostudio
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@brandyspianostudio

Image Credits
Photos courtesy of Captured by Manda