Rising Stars: Meet Kirsten Weymar of Lake Forest

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kirsten Weymar.

Kirsten, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started teaching music when I was a child (to other children in the neighborhood) and I took to it like a fish to water. I didn’t know it then but, becoming a professional music teacher was my destiny. Several years later, I discovered that my great great great great great grandfather was Beethoven’s piano teacher. His name was Christian Gottlob Neefe. Kirsten is a variation of Christian so, in addition to both being music teachers, we [technically] have the same first name too!

All through grade school, high school, and university, I taught music to anyone who wanted to learn. During my university years, and for several years after, I enjoyed visiting elementary schools and preschools to do musical shows and teach the children.

In 1987, I decided to open Phoenix Feather Academy of Music. I wanted to give students a well-rounded and disciplined music education while still having fun in a group. Thus, the KIDS AND KEYBOARD program was developed.

Although I thoroughly enjoy being goofy with the children in my classes, I am a serious music teacher. I expect my students to practice every day (with the “practice videos” that I provide) and do their music theory homework every week. In five years, students take go from the very beginning to being able to pass a level 1 college music theory exam with ease and beautifully play the keyboard – all while laughing, making friends, and having fun. By the time they finish, they are playing Mozart, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and some jazz, boogie woogie, and rock. Many of my graduates have gone on to become professional musicians: composers, performers, conductors, transcribers, and producers.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
In the beginning, it was a very tough road. I really didn’t have enough money, so I had to work a full time job during the week and perform at restaurants, parties, and weddings on the weekends. All of this in addition to afternoons and evening of teaching and business bookwork. I was existing on 3-4 hours of sleep each night. Eventually, with much hard work and help from friends and family, the business grew enough for me to stop working extra jobs to make ends meet (thank goodness!) and expand into a larger space.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
In the mornings, I work on the computer in my home office. I check and respond to emails and texts from my students and their parents, I watch videos from students (quiz videos, extra help videos, performance videos) and I grade written homework from the day before. Late in the day, I go to the school where my favorite part of the day starts: teaching! My favorite moment is always the “lightbulb moment” when a student goes from not understanding something to sudden realization. Their eyes light up and my soul rejoices every time!

If you asked my students, they would say I specialize in being ridiculous – being willing to do whatever it takes to keep them smiling and learning at the same time. I hope that, years later, my students realize that, in the KIDS AND KEYBOARD program, they built a solid musical base on which to grow. Many of my students continue with keyboard, but many more move on to other musical endeavors like guitar, drums, orchestra, band, choir, etc.

I am most proud of the fact that I am a “grand-teacher” many times over (my graduates putting their children in my classes) and I have just become a “great grand-teacher!”

My students are my whole life – morning until night. Their happiness is my happiness and their setbacks make my heart sick. I want nothing more than to see each and every student succeed and achieve their musical dreams.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
My classes thrive on “word of mouth.” When people tell their friends and acquaintances all about the KIDS AND KEYBOARD program, the students and parents who join my classes thrive. I love it when people post about the classes on social media, but face to face referrals are the best.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.phoenixfeather.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Phoenixfeatheracademy/
• Twitter: https://x.com/PFeather1607
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/phoenix-feather-academy-of-music-lake-forest?osq=phoenix+feather