Experience Music, Together.
Why TMC?
Since 2017, The Music Circle has now shown over 300 students that group lesson and performance-based music education and experience, produce a more engaged student in the learning process.
The idea is that playing along side someone makes you both better, not so different from runners along side each other, making the other faster, keep with it for the journey.
Perhaps you’ve been in or known people in sports before. If at your first practice the coach told you, “Welcome to the team! Now, let’s practice, but we won’t be playing any actual games” - what would be the point to even being there?
Playing with other musicians together and in shows (these are our games) has been one of my greatest lessons in becoming a better player on my instrument.
As a kid, I was enrolled in lessons like everyone else, one-to-one, once a week, for 30 minutes. Most of the time, I was left on my own to figure things out at home, work on my “homework” with little inspiration and if I made mistakes or got frustrated, it wasn’t until a week later I was told how to correct them!
All of that changed in 2003 when I was given a scholarship to attend a Summer program at Berklee School of Music.
I immediately noticed that the students were organized into classes, taught in groups per topic, and educated at their level of ability: Guitar, Voice, Drums, Songwriting, Theory, Band Class, etc. This began to change my view of music education forever. One of the final showcases was a live performance in front of an audience that was recorded - I was so nervous - BUT I WAS THRILLED TO PLAY LIVE WITH MY BAND!
I didn’t just become a better guitarist, I became a better musician. What I gained from being in that environment were experiences I had never imagined were possible in traditional “lessons”.
We don’t believe that traditional (1 to 1) education is the only way to go or even the best method of teaching music. Many studies have shown how group education format enhances the learning of a topic.
The guitarist Jimi Hendrix became who he was because jammed with friends and was in a number of bands before going big. Before Mariah Carey ever had a solo career or commercial success, she was in church choirs, backing up other vocalists and learning harmony. Michael Jackson was part of a family of musicians, that created music together.
Why The Music Circle? Because we bring the best balance of: education, student accountability, musicianship, performance, social experience, and individual coaching, all under one roof.
Jonathan Olson, Founder
Feedback from our Parents and Students…
“My teenage daughter started as a beginner and has already developed a strong knowledge base. She absolutely LOVES her instructor/s. Each instructor is highly knowledgeable and fun! They meet their students (of all ages) where they are and build their base. One of the best things that have come from my daughter’s connection with The Music Circle is that it has helped my daughter’s overall self-esteem, anxiety, and confidence! We LOVE The Music Circle so much!”
“I am so grateful for everything I’ve learned so far and for the new friendships I’m making ~ The Music Circle has changed my life!”
“I had spent years “stuck” and “uninspired” with my guitar playing. I really wanted to find a place where I could not only deepen my understanding of the instrument, but also connect with other players to learn directly from them and PLAY SONGS TOGETHER. I could not have designed a better setup myself...The Music Circle has helped reignite my enthusiasm and passion for learning to play music.”