Interview with Alek Wasserman - Owner of Triad Music Academy
Today, we are interviewing the owner of Triad Music Academy, Alek Wasserman. Alek lives in the Triad area and provides premium piano lessons in the entire Piedmont Triad.
Alek Wasserman - Owner of Triad Music Academy
Business Name:
Triad Music Academy
Business Address:
N/A – I teach lessons in students’ homes.
Business Phone Number:
(336) 497-1136
Position
Piano Instructor/Owner
Home Services / Trade Niche:
Piano Lessons
What Area(s) Do You Service?
Entire Piedmont Triad
Describe your business
Triad Music Academy provides a premium piano lesson experience in the comfort of your own home. Lessons are available to students of all ages and ability levels throughout the Piedmont Triad.
Why did you choose this profession?
I always knew I was interested in the piano and in music education, so those were my majors in college and graduate school. For the past few years, I’ve taught public school music with two musical side hustles: teaching piano lessons at a local institution, and playing piano for the 440th Army Band of the NC National Guard. I’ve decided to transition my passions into my own business because I think it will allow me complete creative control over my musical life in a way I haven’t had before. On top of that, I think I can make a bigger difference in a student’s musical life with one-on-one instruction than I ever could in a traditional classroom setting.
What made you decide to open this business?
After four years of teaching elementary general music in a public school setting, I’ve decided to focus more specifically on the piano, being that it’s my primary instrument. I live for the deep nuances of the instrument, and I just can’t explore that with students in a public school setting. On top of that, the Piedmont Triad is a great area for the arts because there’s just so much interest here. To my knowledge, the model of teaching lessons in a student’s home rather than at a central location is new to the Triad, so I think I bring something different to the table.
What was it like when you first started?
I’m actually just starting right now. For the moment, it’s a lot of getting my name out there and finding interested clients who are serious about studying the piano. I’m not new to music education, but I am new to the business side of things. Having an efficient scheduling method is key.
Would you recommend this profession for a young person?
I would recommend opening a music lesson business to the young musician who is open to learning new skills that usually aren’t taught in music school, especially when it comes to social media, marketing, and finance. But I’m also convinced that the number one priority is a quality lesson experience for clients, so be sure to use your time wisely in music school to learn how to play your instrument and teach it to the best of your ability.
What would your customers say they love most about your business?
Triad Music Academy is very new, but my previous piano students would probably say that I give them a very clear framework of how to think about the music they learn and how to practice it. Playing the piano is both a physical act and an intellectual one, and students find the most success and fulfillment when both of those aspects of musicianship are nurtured properly.
What’s the most memorable experience you’ve had working with a customer?
My memorable moments in teaching piano all come from before I started Triad Music Academy since the business is so new. But that being said, I’ve had students gain confidence from playing the piano, made numerous lasting connections with students, and helped them accomplish their goals. I have a piano student who will be attending Berklee College of Music in Boston this fall on a scholarship, and watching him grow from the middle schooler he was when we started to the bona fide musician and adult he is now has been incredibly gratifying.
How long have you lived in the Triad area?
I’ve lived in Winston-Salem since August of 2017. I moved here to pursue my Professional Artist Certificate in Piano at the UNC School of the Arts. After graduating in May of 2018, I found work in various musical capacities so I’ve stayed. I’m originally from Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, a suburb of Milwaukee.
What do you love most about the Lewisville-Clemmons area?
I’m a big fan of the restaurant choices in the area – there is no shortage of good food! Plus, being a suburbanite myself originally, the homes and neighborhoods in the area feel very familiar to me. Lewisville and Clemmons stand out in my mind as two of the best places for families in the Triad.
What is something most people don't know about you?
I’m proud to be both a third generation American and a third generation American Service member. My dad’s family came to the US from Belarus around the turn of the 20th Century. My great uncle was an Unrestricted Line Officer in the Navy during WW2, my dad was a Signal Corps Soldier in the Army in the 1960s, and I’ve served as a Musician in the North Carolina Army National Guard since 2019. My job isn’t combat-oriented, but I’m proud that I get to play my part doing something I love.
Why do you think it's important for people to shop local?
I think shopping locally is extremely important, especially in mid-sized metro areas like the Triad. Local businesses contribute significantly to an area’s culture, and they’re run by real people who have connections to their communities. In my case, you can’t automate a piano lesson. I honed my craft in Winston-Salem at the local university (UNCSA) and unless you’re using a video calling platform, you need a local music educator to teach in-home lessons. Everything about what Triad Music Academy does has a local stamp on it.
What are your favorite things to do in Lewisville-Clemmons/the Triad/NC?
My favorite North Carolina activity is to get out and enjoy the natural beauty. I’m definitely a mountains guy rather than a beach person, so any chance I get to go up to Hanging Rock is a good day. I have also always enjoyed the great dining and nightlife offerings there are in Winston-Salem.
What is the best way for customers to contact you?
Prospective students can message Triad Music Academy on Facebook or Instagram, email me at alek@triadmusicacademy.com , or use the contact feature on triadmusicacademy.com.
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