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

Hi Tyler, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Music is such an important part of the human experience. It is an ice-breaker, ambience-maker, and stress-reliever across generations and cultures. I think people implicitly understand this, but sometimes underestimate its value if they haven’t picked up a guitar or seen a live show or lost themselves in their favorite album in a while.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Getting to this point in my career where I can work full time as a performer and teacher was not an easy path. It takes a huge leap of faith to be a freelancer- I really depend on the community to continue to value my service as a musician.

On that note, I’ve learned that you really need to value your own abilities and expertise if you want other people to take you seriously. You have to budget time and space for projects that are important to you, and you have to be willing to ask for the support that you need. That time and space and support are absolutely necessary in order to continue investing and improving your craft.

In both my performing and my teaching, I really want to get to know who I am working with and connect with their inner-musician. Whether they are a resident at a memory care facility who took piano lessons 60 years ago, a wedding guest who‘s social anxiety is melting away into Clair de Lune, or a high school student who is gearing up for a concerto competition- you can find the right song for each person, and play it (or teach them to play it) in a way that unlocks something transcendent and powerful.

Providing that level of high-quality, individual attention in every performance or lesson requires focus and stamina. I am always scrutinizing technique for points of weakness and listening for phrasing and expressiveness.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am currently living in Woodstock, and whenever I have a free day and the weather is nice, I love to walk around downtown Woodstock with my dogs. Ipps is one of my favorite restaurants, and Reformation Brewery is a great place to just sit back and people watch, or enjoy some live music or trivia.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am so grateful for every harp teacher and music director I’ve worked with over the years, because I’ve grown so much from each of those relationships and experiences. I am also incredibly grateful for my students and my clients – without their continued patronage, I wouldn’t be able to make a living doing this. I am especially appreciative of repeat clients who recognize the importance of the arts and enjoy my services enough to hire me again and again.

Website: www.HarpistTyler.com

Instagram: @Harpist.Tyler

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/MirrorDuoMusic

Image Credits
Jerry King Susy Irais Reyes Michelle and Brandon Horn Ashley Nicole Pavel Kuznetsov

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.