Meet Linda Wehrli of Pastimes for a Lifetime

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

Linda, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’m an art and piano teacher based in Valley Glen, California. It’s an honor to be able to share my joy and passion for art and music and helping 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’ve developed a robust, no-nonsense curriculum for each course, that provides unique, actionable information. I wish I had these programs back in my day. My unpleasant experiences with various art and piano programs and instructors turned out to be my best teachers. They not only taught me what not to do but emphasized the importance of teaching with humor and humility.

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

The drawing bug bit me at age of five 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 we 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 bad 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. We had 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 a 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 five 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.

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 have the privilege of providing free art and piano lessons to CoachArt kids who are undergoing treatment for life-threatening illnesses.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Teaching is my passion. Art and Piano are my lifelong loves. Being a businesswoman first and foremost, I bootstrapped my business from the ground up. I was lucky to work in a corporate environment that provided the security needed to grow my school until I was able to let go and make it was it is today.

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 is exactly what I teach: pastimes that can be enjoyed for a lifetime! I specialize in teaching drawing and painting courses in a variety of mediums. Drawing courses include graphite, charcoal, pen & ink and colored pencil. Painting courses include oil pastel, watercolor, acrylics, and water-soluble oils.

I’m known for providing private lessons in a friendly group studio environment. The studio is very zen, surrounded by a bamboo garden complete with river rock, stone benches and Buddha statues reminding us to be mindful and in the moment.

I’m proud of my art and piano students, many of who have grown up at my studio and continue to draw, paint or play piano today. Some are professional artists who exhibit in galleries. Others have become teachers. Very proud.

My school is different from others in that I am the teacher, founder and published author of the art and piano books from which the courses are taught. When you enroll, you won’t get a random instructor. You get me!

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I’m currently working on completing my series of 12 Art Project Booklets. The curriculum can be used not only by my students but by teachers worldwide who are looking for a curriculum that balances academic and technical skills with projects that apply what has been learned.

Pricing:

• Try an Art Class • Intro to Drawing with Graphite $30.00
• Monthly 1-Hour Art Class Package at $30/Class
• 2-Month Art Class Package with 5% Discount $228.00
• 3-Month Semester Art Class Package with 10% Discount $351.00
• 30-Minute Piano Lesson Package $40/Private Lesson
• 45-Minute Piano Lesson Package $50/Private Lesson
• 60-Minute Piano Lesson Package $60/Private Lesson
• 2-month Piano Lesson Package with 5% Discount – 8 or 9 Lessons
• 3-month Semester Piano Lesson Package with 10% Discount – 13 Lessons

Contact Info:

• Address: 13615 Burbank Blvd., Studio BE Valley Glen, CA 91401
• Website: https://www.pastimesinc.com/
• Phone: 8187660614
• 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

Image Credit:
Barry Michael Wehrli

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.