Why I Started Carey Music Academy
Several years ago, I began dreaming of starting a music academy that provided outreach to the community as well as training for young teachers in how to teach and run their own studios. At the time, I was running a small piano studio and had hired a couple of high school and college age young people to teach for me. I loved mentoring them and guiding them through all the aspects of running a studio that I had learned on my own.
As time has passed, this dream has evolved and changed in a few different ways. At one time, I was considering buying a two-story house in the downtown area of my city and establishing a studio on the first floor and using the second floor as my living space. I still might do that some day! But the studio in my ultimate dream plan was based out of a university. And no matter how many variations this dream took in my mind, the core has remained the same - pour into the community and train young teachers.
I knew this would be a goal that would take immense focus, so I put it on hold yet again while I completed my doctorate. I took this past year (my first year post-doc) to find stable footing again and to establish myself more deeply in my community here in Hattiesburg. Towards the end of the year, I felt peace about moving forward. I met with my dean, who recommended a committee to support me, and I began making plans to move forward with the development of CMA.
Throughout the development process, I have aimed to keep my primary goals in the forefront of my mind. It is so easy to get distracted by all the things that need to be done, by all of the questions and the unknowns, and even to feel overwhelmed and scared that you’re going to accidentally leave out something of significance. This is normal! I keep multiple lists running everywhere - in my notes app on my phone, in my paper binder, in a notebook I leave in my purse. And at the top of every one of these lists, I have written my main 2 goals - pour into the community and train young teachers. My mantra these days is “Keep the main thing the main thing.”
Through taking time to live in this area and get involved in the community, I discovered that, to my knowledge, there is not a program of this sort in this area. One of the tenets of William Carey University is to meet the needs of the community; and as an outreach of Carey, the Carey Music Academy is meeting the need of accessible, nurturing music education. A colleague and good friend of mine is the director of the Hattiesburg Youth Symphony. Another colleague and friend started a homeschool band. These is the only program that I am aware of in this area that are similar in scope and structure to my vision for CMA. And because both of these programs are band/orchestra-oriented, they do not offer lessons in instruments such as piano, voice, or guitar. This was an even more enticing reason for pursuing the start of CMA!
Several years ago, I read something to the effect that you don’t have to have all the pieces in place to start going after what you want. Sometimes (most of the time), you just need to take the first step. All other steps will fall into place as you go. Psalm 119:105 says, “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” A lamp to guide us as we walk isn’t going to light up everything around us - usually, it’s just the next step or two. But as we continue walking, the next step becomes clear and then the next and then the next until we have reach our destination. So it is with pursuing a goal. Just take the first step - it’s usually the most difficult. The next steps aren’t as scary as that first one.
Let me pause here to say that I don’t consider myself an expert in running a music school - yet. I am learning. I have experience in running small schools and in running private studios, and I was interim director at a rather large fine arts school a few years ago before moving to Hattiesburg. I know I will make mistakes, and I know I have a lot to learn. But what I am an expert at is taking risks on myself and trusting that God’s got me. I KNOW that if He has called me to do something and I take the steps needed to pursue that calling, HE will make sure I am successful. And that is what I am banking on.
One of my favorite questions I get right now is “What can we expect to see from CMA?” I love this! I am blessed with an amazingly creative team of teachers, and we have had so much fun planning future programs and events for our students! Here is just a sampling of what we will offer: joint studio recitals, themed recitals, community outreach recitals - such as music and story times in libraries and bookstores, teacher performances, open houses and informances, and preschool piano classes. We are looking into other possibilities for the future, as well, such as baby and littles music classes, adult piano classes, musical theater workshops, and community children’s choir workshops. The possibilities are endless!
If you are interested in supporting a student financially or making a donation to CMA, please contact me at CMathis@wmcarey.edu, and I will share how you can help! Thank you in advance!
Until next time, take care. Keep shining your light!
