Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Carpenter Jr
Hi Michael, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started guitar lessons at the age of 8 in the suburbs of Detroit. I was fortunate to have excellent teachers to model both my playing style and teaching style. By the age of 20, I became a professional musician; performing with jazz ensembles multiple nights a week and teaching a large roster of students. After finishing my undergraduate degree, I traveled to Spain where I enrolled in a private academy to study Flamenco guitar. The contrast between how European and USA academies are run expanded my approach in how to teach music. I returned back to Detroit reinvigorated. In 2014, I decided to relocate to LA, where I only knew two people, and quickly reached out to music academies-introducing myself, handing out resumès, and taking as many performance gigs as possible to build up my network. I secured teaching positions at schools in Santa Monica and Pasadena. Over the last ten years, I’ve been prepping for my ultimate goal: to open my own Academy. Since I arrived in LA, I never deviated and was able to build up a very loyal clientele list, who’ve helped my business grow solely by word of mouth. In the Fall of 2024, I was able to start Carpenter Music Academy in West LA. The school is a culmination of everything I loved about my upbringing and journey through the world of music.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The life of an artist is very unpredictable. You hope that progress is a linear upward line, but it never is. My mother was a teacher, and my father ran his own business, so I witnessed from an early age how all encompassing, yet rewarding, running your own business can be. Starting a brick and mortar came with a whole new set of obstacles. The biggest challenge has been learning how to compartmentalize. Every day there is a very long list of tasks; some easy, some difficult but I’ve had to train myself to be content with progress. LA is an amazing place filled with opportunity. Being new here ten years ago, and starting a new business this year have had many parallels. Staying true to the original vision and knowing when to take a calculated risk has been my best aid.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Carpenter Music Academy?
Carpenter Music Academy opened its doors in the Fall of 2024. The school represents the accumulation of everything I’ve learned from thirty-plus years of taking lessons, performing, and teaching. The main focus is making everyone of all ages feel comfortable. Everything from the design of the studios, the art, the lobby, and the staff represent this. My fianceè Alexis and I set out to give the school character that represents all the artists (past and present) who have shaped me. We wanted the design and layout to feel like an actual music recording studio. Musically, Carpenter Music Academy is equally comfortable teaching a 5 year old piano or a 65 year old music production. I feel that some schools can be too stuffy and push their style of music on the clientele and I wanted to steer clear of that. I wanted to created a place where anyone can get a better understanding of any style of music they enjoy. Creating a musical community is very important to me. It allows students of any age to have access to new instruments to try, other musicians to meet and collaborate with, and performing opportunities to grow into their musical personalities. We are 100% artist owned and operated, therefore every decision the business makes comes from giving musicians a better experience. We offer one and one lessons, and group classes for any age and any instrument-including mixing/mastering and production.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Running a business can feel overwhelming at times. Something that helps me de-compress each week are my weekly spanish lessons. I have a 1 on 1 zoom lesson with an excellent teacher based in Oaxaca, Mexico. This really serves two purposes-it keeps me sharp while learning a new skill, and gives me a goal that is non-music related. I tend to listen to conversational spanish podcasts (often while sitting in westside traffic) to unplug from the business for brief periods of time.
Pricing:
- We are currently offering one on one trial lessons for any instrument for $15
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.carpentermusicacademy.com
- Instagram: @carpentermusicacademy @michaelcarpenterjr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564869470807
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/carpenter-music-academy-los-angeles
- Other: info@carpentermusicacademy
Image Credits
Bryan Hugo Iglesias
