Meet Luanne Harms | Owner & Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Luanne Harms and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Luanne, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
When I started The Music Garden, I specialized in Music and Movement classes for young children. Since then, I have expanded my offerings to older children, teens, and adults. I have added 10 instructors to my staff and offer piano, guitar, ukulele, drums, percussion, flute, low brass, and French Horn. In January, 2021, we will be open 7 days a week with expanded business hours. Good stuff is happening here at The Music Garden!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think what sets us apart from other music teaching studios is how we have a musical path for children. We start them with their parents/caregiver in our Music and Movement classes as babies and toddlers. They graduate as 3/4 year olds into our Sound Beginnings preschool music classes; then our Let’s Play Music piano classes when they reach age 5. These programs for young children capitalize on when their brains are most ready to learn language, as music is a language of its own, but they are not yet ready for the vigor of private lessons. They learn staff reading, improvisation, composition, rhythms, primary chords, transposition, and so much more. When they graduate from this program, they are already on the way to being a musician and are old enough to start private lessons or other music training. They then can move into our private lesson studio and choose the instrument they want to study. So, we have students ranging in age from 6 months to 60 years! I love that. I started off as a college graduate teaching private piano and voice lessons, working in public schools and in the community directing choirs and musicals. I opened The Music Garden in Washington State in 2005, teaching mom and me type classes along with private students. I had a successful small business with me as soul teacher, secretary and janitor 🙂 with anywhere from 100-150 students. My family made the move to Georgia in 2012, and I opened up The Music Garden in 2013. We have expanded from a small studio of 150 to 300 students, adding instructors and instruments taught along the way. We are looking for significant growth in the year 2021 in our private student studio. My path from small, “me only” studio to 10 instructors, front desk, and hiring a manager to oversee the private student side of the business has been a journey mostly full of joy and personal growth. Of course, it has had challenges, as anything in life that is worth doing has challenges. I have learned through my mistakes, and recognize I still have a long way to go to figure out how to “run a business”. I first and foremost am a teacher. The money side of business is a struggle for me. I am going outside of my comfort zone to grow this studio, hiring people to help along the way, but am so excited about the future. When I retire from this business, I hope to leave a legacy. I have loved every single child and family and student that has walked through my doors and into my life. It is my hope that these families and students take away not only having found music in their lives, but that somehow I contributed to their becoming better human beings and able to serve their families and communities having enriched their lives through music.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The coolest thing about Peachtree City is EVERYONE has a GOLF CART! There are over 100 miles of golf cart paths in the city, through beautiful wooded communities. There is golf cart parking at the high schools and many of our stores. Super fun! There are some charming places to eat in Senoia, which is a city near to Peachtree City. One of my favorites is Bistro Hilary. Amazing food with a nice atmosphere. We have a local brewery here called Line Creek that many gather with their friends to enjoy some wonderful beer.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Oh my goodness YES! Laura Dean. I cannot imagine where I would be today without this wonderful, amazing friend of mine. She has been with me through thick and thin, has shared heartache and joy, and has supported me emotionally, physically, and financially through all my years of business here in Peachtree City. She has tirelessly given of her time and talent, and has been my right hand, assisting me in all things. I would not be in business without Laura, and am indebted to her for life.

Website: www.themusicgardenptc.com
Instagram: @themusicgardenptc
Facebook: TheMusicGardenPtc

Image Credits
Leticia Andrade