Today we’d like to introduce you to Madelyn Palare
Hi Madelyn, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My story is a multi-generational one. When my great-great-grandpa left Australia to come to the states decades ago he came to be a musician and performer. His son (my great grandpa) ended up pursuing music as well and became a musician, he would always have me play piano for him every time he visited. When his son (my grandpa) got married, he married a young lady with a passion for music writing and performance, and their daughter (my mom) also studied music and still serves as a musician for our church. By the time I came along, singing and music was just what we did. I think my first performance was for Christmas at four years old singing for my church and I loved it. It just felt so natural to who I was. When I turned seven I begged my parents to put me into piano lessons, and thus began my life-long relationship with music.
But of course things are never that simple. By the time I got to jr high I remember begging my parents to let me quit piano (oh the irony), and I couldn’t wait to be done with piano lessons once I graduated high school so I could study anything but music. For a while it became a chore, but my parents pushed me to persevere because they knew there was something there. I’m so glad they did. When I turned 16 my piano teacher asked me if I wanted to work for him teaching lessons, and being a teenager stoked about having some extra cash I said yes and took on my first student. When I came home that day from our first lesson I remember coming home and saying to my mom “I think I was meant to do this, I think I was MADE for this”. I realized I wanted to spend my life teaching, and even dreamed of teaching at the collegiate level one day. I graduated high school at 16 and jumped straight into studying music until I received my bachelors in arts and music from the Master’s University right after my 20th birthday. In my senior year of school (2020… I know!!) I started my business Adelaide Music LLC and for the last five years I have had the privilege of teaching dozens of students in the Santa Clarita Valley and performing in venues and churches all over Los Angeles. I was achieving my dream of teaching, but in 2022 I got to see that dream go further when I got hired to be an adjunct instructor teaching choir at a small College in Pasadena.
Today, Adelaide Music LLC is doing well, with over 40 students in our roster and more on the waitlist, it’s incredible to see how my little music company has grown. I was able to hire my first employee this year and am making plans to grow even more in 2025. The choir in Pasadena is doing well also! When I started I was younger than most of the seniors there and was teaching a class of 10 girls – the next semester only 5 girls. Today my choir has grown to total 10% of the student body as well a a mix of ladies and men. Most of the students have never been in choir before, yet this last year we’ve gotten to sing 4-part harmony, counterpoint, and many more challenging works that make me so incredibly proud of their dedication and hard work.
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?
My journey has been shaped by struggles, but nothing my God couldn’t overcome. Around my 12th birthday, I began experiencing debilitating migraines caused by a gluten sensitivity. Cutting out gluten helped, but as I grew older, my health deteriorated further. I struggled with anxiety, depressive tendencies, and OCD-like symptoms. By college, constant illness forced me to commute from home, and severe stomach cramps made studying nearly impossible. Eliminating corn and soy improved my condition, but my health challenges persisted alongside personal struggles. Despite this, I graduated summa cum laude during the COVID lockdown, finding solace in a brief respite from stress.
Post-graduation was difficult. Loneliness, worsening health, and significant weight gain left me discouraged. After consulting multiple doctors, I was diagnosed with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), which explained my random symptoms and led to a manageable diet. With God’s guidance, I lost 20 pounds, managed my symptoms, and discovered a love for creative cooking.
Even as my physical health improved, I battled deep anxiety and fear, straining my relationships and career. Some days were so dark and hard, I couldn’t imagine how to move forward by faith. But by God’s grace, He began to heal my hurt and fears through biblical counseling at my church and lead me to pursue deeper community within my church body. Learning to trust God and face my fears transformed my perspective, and I began to see Christ as my Savior in a deeper and truer way. While I am constantly growing, I am learning to live with gratitude, serving God and others with joy and relief.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
What I love most about my work is the creativity involved in teaching students of all ages. Building relationships with my students allows me to mentor them musically and be a positive influence in their lives. Each student is unique, and I see my role as solving a living puzzle—discovering what motivates them, identifying their challenges, and enabling their success. Music, while wonderful, is a stepping stone to greater life skills like discipline, artistry, and humanity. My goal is to shape not just musicians but citizens who will make meaningful contributions to their communities.
I emphasize teaching effective practice habits, avoiding the common “assign and reprimand” cycle. I walk students through clear methodologies so they know how to overcome challenges independently. Developing artistry is another favorite aspect of teaching. Music is imperfect, raw, and beautiful—an imitation of life. Teaching phrasing, historical context, and emotional connection transforms piano playing into heartfelt performance.
Finally, I’m proud of how I’ve grown as a performer. I have regular opportunities to perform at my church, at funerals, weddings, business parties, worship concerts, you name it! I’ve seen my skills as a musician grow and I love getting to collaborate with other musicians and learn from what they bring to each rehearsal.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I’ve had many amazing figures who have supported me through my journey. My church has always supported me and my musical pursuits, and gave me my first opportunity to explore those gifts in a safe environment. My amazing piano teacher all growing up, Adam Bendorf, encouraged my growth not only musically but professionally giving me my first teaching job, and we continue to have a great professional relationship to this day! My professors at The Master’s University, especially Lauren Mason, made a lasting impact on my life and refined the gifts that I had been given with care and discipline. My parents not only funded countless lessons, but went to so many concerts and performances it’s still weird for me every time I have a gig or performance without them in the audience!
But one of the people who changed my life the most is my husband. I believe that God made marriage very good. I cannot stress enough how much I have benefitted personally, spiritually, and professionally because of his influence. When we started dating I was anxious and sick and had a small business that I truly believed I didn’t have the strength or inspiration to grow any further. He pushed and encouraged me to aim for more. Now in the last two years I have doubled my income (I’m serious!), established a physical studio location and professional environment for students to come to, hired my first employee (looking for a second!), and am performing regularly with so much more courage and confidence. He stuck with me through my frustration and tears, even when I took it out on him and I truly feel that with his support I have blossomed and flourished in every aspect of my life. I am more passionate about my business than ever, more gratified by it, and cannot wait to see it grow so that I can better support our family – which I pray we can add to with a little Palare in the next few years.
Pricing:
- Current Pricing for Piano Lessons: $80/hour
- $60/45-minutes
- $40/half hour
- Events: $350/one hour, $500/two hours.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://adelaidemusicllc.com
- Instagram: @adelaidemusicllc
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/13O6flfbX0tSZeA69YOHsN?si=0Y6uXqHgRHyIMV2-2RcXqg
Image Credits
Ryan Martin, Mark Pomerville
