Meet Linda Wehrli of Pastimes for a Lifetime, Inc. in Valley Glen

Today we’d like to introduce you to Linda Wehrli.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Linda. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’ve been committed to continuing lifelong learning and inspiring creative thinking through art and music since 1989. These are pastimes that will last a lifetime.

The drawing bug bit me at age 5 and the painting bug at age 12. Formal training from art professors at California State University, Northridge and a variety of private art studios gave me roots. Master classes over the years give me wings. I continue to experiment and search out new ways to use and combine techniques and mediums and enjoy sharing my discoveries with my students.

At age 6, my first piano teacher, Mrs. Lindstrom guided me through the basics until my parents and I moved to the San Fernando Valley during my middle school years. We were lucky to find Esther Lee Caplan of Juliard who later introduced me to her mentor, Mario Feninger of European conservatory fame.

It was a blind date that introduced me to my mentor and teacher, John Novello of Berklee School of Music. He was performing with a trio at a local supper club. My date scored us primo seats by the pianist. What I saw and heard made my jaw drop. Before I could stop myself, I went up to John and told him he that he was “the first pianist I ever heard perform root canal on the piano”. He cracked up and gave me his card when I asked if he taught. My success as a piano teacher is in large part due to his coaching.

My parents insisted on a college education for me. As luck would have it, all the UCLA Business Department professors were teaching at CSUN to earn their PhDs while I was enrolled. Smartly, I switched from the English department to the new business department and earned my degree in business administration and marketing. It was the toughest 5 years of my life, but worth it. I can also share my business admin and marketing savvy with my more serious students who aspire to start their own art or piano careers.

While helping my hubby, Barry Wehrli write our series of piano books, I learned on the job how to arrange music. The reason my hubby and I toiled for what seemed endlessly, to develop and publish our own piano books was because we wanted to make learning piano more comprehensive and engaging for our students and provide a vital teaching tool for fellow piano teachers. There just weren’t any fun and thorough books available, so we wrote our own. Click here for more information about our incredible piano books and materials.

Sharing knowledge is my gardening. I love planting the seeds and seeing them grow in the community. Sharing my time with community organizations is like gardening on steroids. I’ve had the privilege of coordinating student art showcases and other volunteer activities with the Rotary Club. I also provide free art and piano lessons to CoachArt kids who are undergoing treatment for life threatening illnesses. As Arts & Education Committee Chair of the Greater Valley Glen Council, my committee has vetted and spent taxpayer dollars on arts and education programs for local schools, bringing live theater and other creative experiences to children who would otherwise never have had the exposure.

Has it been a smooth road?
I bootstrapped my business from the onset. Thankfully, the employers at my day job allowed and even encouraged me to start my art and music teaching practice on the side to earn extra money. I’m grateful for an understanding and patient hubby who from the onset, whole-heartedly approved of my following my dream of being able to teach art and music full time.

My parents, who survived the 1930s Depression would have preferred I work a “safe” corporate job, but knew my soul would have died had I remained there.

The first hurdle I faced when growing the school, was finding a place other than our condo living room to teach. The hubby had had it with so many people in his living room, 5 days a week. Neighbors were beginning to complain about the foot traffic in the halls, too. I had to get out of my comfort zone and fast. It was kismet that placed a fixer-upper in my line of sight one day while driving home from running errands. A sign outside a cute cottage showed the name of a real estate broker, but no “for sale” sign. I had a real estate buddy check it out and sure enough, the owners were looking to unload the property. The walk-through revealed a pine-paneled add on in the back, behind the cottage. I knew then and there that would be the art and piano studio.

The cottage, add-ons and garage were completely out of code, but that was just the beginning. In order to make this work, new windows, electrical, plumbing and more would have to be handled. No family members wanted to help me financially. It was all on my shoulders. I took a deep breath, said a prayer and signed the escrow papers. It was the scariest best decision I made to this day. I’m truly grateful to the honest contractors and expert workers I had the privilege of hiring and working with.

The studio is now a beautiful, safe, Zen creative space for my students to draw and paint.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Pastimes for a Lifetime, Inc. – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Pastimes for a Lifetime, Inc., is an Art and Piano School in Valley Glen. I am the founder/instructor. I get to share my joy and passion for art and music and help students of all ages and backgrounds discover theirs.

My students are my inspiration. More than anything else, I care about helping them achieve their goals and delight their souls. Learning to draw, paint or play the piano is hard. I have developed a robust no-nonsense curriculum for each course that provides unique, actionable information. Courses in Drawing include graphite, charcoal, pen & ink and gray colored pencil. Real measurement skills are learned, with students eventually being able to draw just about anything. This is not “three circles make a snowman”. Painting Courses start with Oil Pastel, then advance up to Watercolor, Acrylics and Water-Soluble Oils. Chalk Pastel and Colored pencil courses are also available. Tone and Color Theory develop artistic skills. Many of my students have sold their work, received commissions, achieved scholarships to art colleges and academies and even begun to teach art using my curriculum.

Piano lessons for beginners, intermediate and advanced students are available in 30, 45 and 60-minute lesson times. Our line of piano books and materials develops musicianship, technical skills and the ability to read and play piano music. This is more than just “learn a song”. I’m always tickled to hear back from former longtime students who continue to enjoy playing the piano for themselves or in ensembles.

Unlike cookie-cutter programs with policies that require their instructors to robotically teach students identical curriculum, I have the freedom and privilege to get acquainted with each of my students. At each lesson, I assess the student’s learning skills and technical level in order to teach them at their pace and in a meaningful manner. A student folder is created for each student so they can observe their progress. I am also mindful of the importance of teaching with humor, humility and respect.

My personal mantra is from American novelist and science fiction writer, Robert Anson Heinlein:
“When one teaches, two learn.”

I’m very proud and honored to help create artists and musicians for our culture. I blend my art curriculum with precision and creativity keeping it educational, informative and entertaining. You gotta combine respect for structure with curiosity for innovation to keep it real and engaging.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Los Angeles is a cultural mecca. From the hiking trails to the bike paths, there is natural beauty to inspire the soul. The fragrance from international cuisines delight the palette.

Galleries and music venues emit their creative vibes. Local businesses add their unique personalities and perspectives to the environment.

My LAPD senior lead officers have our back and work with the community to keep it safe.

Deputies from our representatives’ offices report at our board meetings on legislation in the works, how it will affect constituents and what we can do about it.

Traffic and street repair closures can be challenging to navigate. I’m a fan of the Metrolink system.

Pricing:

• Trial Art Class • Intro to Drawing with Grapihte. $25 tuition includes instruction, a project booklet that may be kept and complementary use of school supplies.
• Free Consultation by appointment
• Monthly and Semester Tuition Packages

Contact Info:

• Address: By appointment only.
  13615 Burbank Boulevard, Unit BE, Valley Glen, CA 91401
• Website: http://pastimesinc.com/
• Phone: 818-766-0614
• Email: Linda@pastimesinc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pastimesinc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PastimesInc
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/PastimesInc
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/pastimes-for-a-lifetime-valley-glen-5
• Other: https://www.youtube.com/PastimesInc