Becoming a Beginner Again: Why I’m Taking Jazz Piano Lessons After Decades of Playing Classical Music

July 1, 2026 by metromusicmakers

by Allison Jarrell, MMM Founder and President After spending a lifetime at the piano, I’m becoming a beginner again. That may sound strange coming from someone who has spent nearly three decades leading a music school and a lifetime studying music. But tomorrow, I’ll walk into my very first official jazz piano lesson feeling the … Read more

Guide to Performing Arts High Schools in the Metro Atlanta Area

March 9, 2026March 6, 2026 by metromusicmakers

If your child is serious about music, theatre, dance, or another performing art, the Metro Atlanta area offers so many strong performing arts schools to choose from. Some schools are true audition-based magnets with specialized arts training built into the school day. Others are traditional high schools with unusually deep fine arts programs, large ensembles, … Read more

Returning to My Roots at the Symphony: A Reflection on the Power of Music

January 27, 2025 by metromusicmakers

written by Allison Jarrell, MMM Founder and CEO Last Saturday, I had the privilege of attending the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s performance, which featured a breathtaking rendition of Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini. The guest pianist’s virtuosic performance was so moving that, at one point, my eyes welled with tears. It was one of those … Read more

Finding Your Musical Voice

February 12, 2024April 26, 2021 by metromusicmakers

written by Metro Music Makers instructor Dr. Victor Ezquerra

How to sing and play at the same time

February 12, 2024August 6, 2019 by julie

written by Metro Music Makers instructor Mark Grundhoefer A question I get asked a lot is, “How do I sing and play at the same time?” Learning a song on an instrument is difficult enough. To add singing on top of what you’re playing can often times seem impossible, especially when the vocal line does … Read more

Take a vacation, but not from your music!

February 12, 2024May 1, 2019 by julie

Instructor Mark Grundhoefer shares how you can take a break this summer, but NOT a break from your music!

Encouragement for when it gets tough

February 12, 2024July 2, 2018 by julie

Metro Music Makers instructor Dave Colquitt offers some encouragement for the musician who is having a tough time.

Recording Made Simple

February 12, 2024March 18, 2018 by julie

Metro Music Makers guitar and piano instructor Dave Colquitt shares how technology has made recording and sharing your music incredibly accessible.

Recording and publishing your own music

February 12, 2024January 8, 2018 by julie

Metro Music Makers instructor Mark Grundhoefer offers up the simple steps required to share your music with the world.

Why we recommend piano for adaptive lessons

February 12, 2024April 3, 2017 by julie

As the Director of Music Therapy for Metro Music Makers, I love that we are able to offer adaptive lessons as part of our in-home services. I always recommend starting with piano, and if you’re a parent of a current or potential future adaptive student, I’d like to share with you some of the reasons for this.

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