By Tess Gilbert
Since recruiting a new manager in late 2018, growing musical community Creative Souls Studio Pakenham has gone from strength to strength in its bid to educate local students with an interest in music.
The music school provides private lessons for a range of musical instruments, including voice, drums, guitar, piano and most recently, woodwind.
Despite the challenges faced with running a business during Covid-19 times, the music school still managed to maintain a positive, inclusive, and family friendly company.
Mary, the studio manager of Creative Souls Pakenham said she has hopes for the company to continue growing with both its students and teachers.
She’s in the process of introducing a woodwind teacher to expand the capabilities of the business.
“We are very excited to introduce woodwind, and our teacher is able to teach all woodwind instruments,” Mary said.
However It was not without hard work from all the staff that the company thrived, even during hard times.
“If it hadn’t been for their amazing efforts the studio would not have survived,” she said.
Adapting to use new technologies allowed the studio to continue running when teachers were unable to see their students due to Covid restrictions.
“Each time we had a lockdown the teachers took it in their stride and worked tirelessly to offer the online lesson format, and though it wasn’t always easy and extremely tiring for them, they never complained and made sure the students had the best lessons possible,” Mary said.
The goal of the studio has always been to create a safe space where people can explore their love for music in depth, Mary said.
The founder of the business, Jennifer Kerr, had a vision to create a positive, inclusive and safe space for students of all ages to learn to sing.
Shortly after Ms Kerr moved to Port Douglas in 2018, Mary was asked to take on a larger role in the company.
“Jenn asked me if I would consider running the administration side of the business,” she said.
“I took up this role at the beginning of 2019 and during that year brought on new teachers and instruments.”
Since that time the studio has been working hard to create a musical community.
All the members of staff are passionate about music and care about their students, Mary said.
“The favourite part of my day is watching our amazing teachers bring out the best in their students,” she said.
The team focus is on building the confidence of students studying music, no matter the skill level.
“We love to take them out to local events and I am very proud that we focus on giving them the opportunity to perform in public no matter what level they are at,” Mary said.
The studio manager said she has many coming plans for the future of the business, although they are in the planning stages and haven’t been implemented as of yet.
