Minnesota School Of Music - March 2022

Minnesota School Of Music - March 2022

A s S een O n :

03.2022 763-432-9713 www.mnschoolofmusic.com

THE MONTHLY MUSICIAN

HOW I GOT OUR MISSION WRONG FACING THE MUSIC

The Minnesota School of Music delivers personalized music lessons for kids and teens with industry-leading customer service.

to look like a bull’s-eye. Why is in the middle, followed by how, and then what. I needed to rethink my approach, and the exercises in the book helped me do that. Our “why” at MnSOM is not customer service; that’s just a means of delivery. Why we do our work is to empower kids. How we do it is by creating a family-friendly, personalized experience. And what we do is teach children how to play music. After much soul searching and hard work, I’ve realized these factors make up our real mission statement: We are a passionate team of mentors committed to empowering youth through personalized, family- friendly music lessons. As I wrote those words down for the first time, I was amazed that my leg started involuntarily twitching. I think our bodies tell us things, and I’ve learned to recognize and accept those kinds of cues. I believe it was a sign that I finally hit the bull’s-eye. My top core value as a leader is humility. Try though I might, I won’t always get it right. I need to admit that to gain trust from our teachers and customers. And it serves an essential life lesson to the children we teach: sometimes, our first effort isn’t our best. It’s okay to mess up, as long as you go back and fix it. I realize and regret that my mulligan may have caused some confusion. But I’m so committed to this new mission statement that I’m willing to go the extra mile to ensure that everyone understands it. Over the following four issues, I’ll break down exactly what our new mission statement represents, starting this month with what it means to be passionate mentors (Page 3). It’s not easy to own up to a mistake, especially not one as public as this. But it’s the right thing for MnSOM, and it’s what I owe to everyone who has invested their time, energy, or money in us. Thank you all for your continued support and bearing with me. Whether on guitar or in business, you sometimes hit a bum note. When that happens, it’s a chance for a repeat — to get even better — so things will resonate with everyone around.

Two months ago, I kicked off the new year by proudly unveiling those words for all to read. It was our new mission statement, and if you reread the January newsletter, you’ll see I was very proud of it. Since then, I’ve had to eat a great big slice of humble pie. After writing the newsletter, I turned my attention to giving my annual State of the Company address, where I shared our new mission statement with the entire staff. I expected them to be excited — but instead, I got a lot of stares. Some people gently nodded their heads or smiled, but I could tell they were only being polite. Immediately, I realized that I’d missed the mark. I once read that Howard Hendricks said, “If it’s a mist in the pulpit, it’s a fog in the pews,” and I now knew firsthand what he meant. The meaning behind the new mission statement wasn’t incredibly clear to me, so how could it possibly be clear to the team, let alone our customers? When I’m not teaching, I’m usually reading. I’ve even started studying almost in a sabbatical-type way, doing lots of personal and professional development. I have dozens of books on leadership lining my shelves. So, when I realized the mission statement I’d crafted wasn’t what our organization needed, I naturally turned back to my books to figure out how I got it wrong.

Something told me I’d find the answer by returning to Simon Sinek’s

book “Start With Why.” As I reread, my error became apparent. Sinek argues that people don’t buy based on what you do but on why you do it. Looking back at my original mission statement, I had missed the “why.” I’d created an apple without a core. Sinek says that your “why” should be stated before both your “how” and your “what.” He calls it a golden circle, which he illustrates

–Eric Nehring

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Running Low on Fuel? How to Entertain Kids Despite Fatigue

After working all day, it can be tough to keep up with your kids. Sometimes, it can even feel like working a second job. While you still need to be physically and emotionally present, there are ways to exert less energy and still play with kids of all different ages. If your baby is under 1 year old, they are too young to play by themselves, but you can still play while not physically overdoing it. Resting on the floor with your baby and showing them some sensory toys or reading to them is both entertaining and educational. Another great option for your infant is to blow bubbles for them — they will love watching the bubbles float and dance through the air. If your toddler is on the go and walking, they may require a little more to stay adequately entertained. Try sitting on the floor and singing nursery rhymes. You can also let your child explore objects in the room while you build upon their language by explaining what different items are. Since you’re sleepy, why not pretend your toddler’s stuffed animal is sleepy too? Have your child “put teddy to bed.” If you’re lucky, you may be able to get in a few moments of shut-eye too! MEET KURT NISTLER! TEACHER OF THE YEAR Kurt Nistler has been interested in the guitar for as long as he can remember. “My mother had one,” he says, “and when I was big enough to open the latches on the guitar case, I would pull it out.” His mother taught him a few chords when he was 7 or 8, and he received his first official electric guitar lessons at the age of 13. “I never looked back, and it’s all I ever wanted to do,” he says. He started as a performer around the Twin Cities, playing at various clubs. “People would come up to me in between sets and ask if I would give them lessons. I got my start teaching that way, and I realized it’s something I like doing.” But it didn’t turn into a full-time endeavor until he joined MnSOM a little over four years ago. “I love sharing my passion for music with budding musicians,” Kurt says. In particular, he finds it rewarding to help his students overcome the same hurdles he did when he was first learning. “I get to see their lightbulb moment,” he explains. “I’ve really enjoyed helping people start their lifelong path to music.” For the first time in our history, MnSOM is proud to name a Teacher of the Year, and Kurt is our inaugural selection. “It’s an honor,” he says. He’s particularly proud because he works with so many talented teachers. “This is a really elite team of educators full of elite human beings,” he says. “I’m happy just to be working here and proud to be a part of the team, so this kind of recognition is very special.”

If your child is 2–4 years old, they might love using their imagination! Try having a picnic with them in the living room (you can even invite their stuffed animals to join!). Playing doctor is also a fun option and opportunity to be lazy and sleepy if you get to play the part of the sickly patient. You may also get out the building blocks and create with them — this requires little physical exertion and is a great developmentally appropriate activity. If your child is 4 years or older, they are likely very active. What about hosting an indoor obstacle course where you get to be the timer? All you have to do is gather a few items from around the house and use furniture and pillows to build a course. Think of incorporating activities such as having them crawl under the dining room table, walk across a blanket bridge, or hop over the pillow rocks. If you’re feeling artsy and would prefer to make something with your child, you can even just sit down at the table and break out some homemade play dough. The most important thing is to get creative and never feel guilty for needing to scale back a bit after having a long day. With these interactive ideas and tips, you will make it through the tough days and still feel like the super-parent you are!

Outside of school, Kurt lives what he calls “a music-filled life,” and he plays in a nine-piece wedding band. 2022 will mark his 10th season with the group, which plays about 8–10 weddings each year. “They’re some of the most talented people and a great group of friends,” he says of his bandmates. “We always look forward to our opportunities to get together and play.” In all, working at MnSOM has been like a dream come true. “Hats off to Principal Nehring,” Kurt says, “because he’s set up a system that makes it hard to fail, and he’s done it the right way from day one. There’s no place I would rather teach lessons.”

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We introduced our new mission statement on the cover, and it strives to get to the core of what we do at MnSOM. We are a passionate team of mentors committed to empowering you through personalized, family-friendly music lessons. Now, it’s time to break down exactly what that means, starting at the beginning. What does it mean to be a passionate team of mentors? At MnSOM, it means, for a start, that all of the teachers at our school are employees. As we’ve explained before, that’s not the standard in our industry. Most music schools are staffed with general contractors — teachers who work for themselves and are by definition not a team. Breaking Down Our Mission Statement A PASSIONATE TEAM OF MENTORS

Faith K. Nikhila P. Nicholas A. Owen S. Leah S. Will K. Sanvi P.

Zach S. Kate J.

Logan M. Minah N. Nicholas F. Alice W. Samuel K. Suvna K. Natanya V. Victor A.

Somya S. Alba AG. Micah S.

Independent contractors are not held accountable to company- wide standards, and they’re frequently performers first. Though they teach, it’s to fill time and pay bills between gigs. There’s nothing necessarily wrong with that — our principal, Mr. Nehring, did it himself for years. But it’s decidedly different from what he and the rest of the school do today.

IS YOUR TEACHER SOLD OUT?

By retaining employees, we can hire only teachers who embody our values and agree to meet our customer service standards. We are a team because we’re a cohesive unit that aligns in our best practices and shares core beliefs about teaching. And we don’t just hire anyone. Recently, the school received approximately 60 applications and hired only two teachers. In the past, we’ve declined to hire people who graduated from Harvard, Yale, and Princeton. It’s because our values don’t require an Ivy League degree, and those values are what we place first in every decision. The result is that we choose educators who teach music as their vocation. Yes, many of them also perform, and that’s fantastic. But they’re teachers who perform, not performers who teach, and that makes a huge difference. Teaching is our educators’ first love, and they are all firmly committed to helping children and being a positive influence in their lives. That’s what it takes to be a passionate mentor. By standing together as a team of passionate mentors, we’re able to deliver industry-leading customer service. It’s what the children we teach deserve — our undivided attention and unwavering focus. That’s what makes MnSOM special, and you’ll have a hard time finding another school in the U.S. like it.

Zach Barrett: SOLD OUT Amber Bibelheimer: SOLD OUT Jodie Bunish: SOLD OUT Sam Ferbuyt: SOLD OUT Pauline Hsu: SOLD OUT Sharon Lehner: SOLD OUT Wyatt Martin: SOLD OUT Laura Morris: SOLD OUT

Nambi Mwassa: SOLD OUT Kurt Nistler: SOLD OUT Jesse Norell: SOLD OUT Jennifer Parker: SOLD OUT Gavin Popken: 1 spot left! Kirsten Rotvold: SOLD OUT Patrick Sullivan: 1 spot left!

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Eric Fixes His Mistake

Interacting With Kids While Running on Empty

Meet Our Teacher of the Year!

What It Means to Be a Passionate Team of Mentors

Create a Keepsake for Good Luck Year Round

BUT FIND THE ELUSIVE GOOD-LUCK CHARM FIRST MAKE A 4-LEAF CLOVER KEEPSAKE

One of St. Patrick’s Day’s most popular symbols is a four-leaf clover. In Ireland, these clovers represent luck and good

because the different patterns, shapes, and sizes of these clovers will jump out at you. If you find one, keep looking! There’s a chance another one might be nearby.

fortune. Each leaf on the clover has a different meaning — faith, hope, love, and success. It’s a tradition to find a four-leaf clover on St. Patrick’s Day and do activities involving

CLOVER CRAFT

Once you find your clover, preserve the luck in it all year by placing it in a picture frame. First, gently press the clover leaves between the pages of a large book for several days to flatten them out. After pressing, you can add green food coloring to your clover to enhance its color. Once it’s dry, clean it and let it sit overnight. Then, place your clover onto acid-free paper, cut to fit the size of a picture frame of your choice. Next, use acid-free glue to keep your clover in place, and finally, seal your frame shut. You now have your personal good luck charm!

this lucky leaf. So, how do you find these good-luck charms, and what can you do with them?

HOW TO FIND A 4-LEAF CLOVER

Although it may seem difficult, it’s easier than you might think. First, find a dense patch of white clover — near it is where four-leaf clovers reside. They are different from the rest and are often smaller, so keep that in mind when you look for the lucky green clovers.

Searching for a four-leaf clover and creating a keepsake will be a great bonding experience for you and your family. We wish you luck! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Instead of staring at the patch in close detail and counting leaves, search the patch without focusing on the tiny details. This increases the odds of eyeing a four-leaf clover

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