Music Authority Family Newsletter for April 29, 2025

5/2/2025

Music Authority Family Newsletter - April 29, 2025

Be a Kingmaker

Not that long ago, I was asked what my "why" was. It means, why do I come to work every day? Why do I choose the business that I work in over all other options?

Let me take you back to my early twenties. I was singing professionally and seriously considering pursuing a professional career in opera. (Yep, you heard me right.) I had just finished a short tour that culminated in a performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Back in Rome, Georgia, I had moved out of some performance rolls and was producing shows.

As I sat on the tour bus on the way home, I realized something life changing. I was more focused on the show I was producing than the one I just sang.

Yes, New York was amazing. Standing on a stage so many talented artists had stood on before me was humbling. Going to a little Italian restaurant to celebrate the after show dinner was incredible. Having the opportunity to see the original cast of "The Scarlet Pimpernel" (still one of my favorite musicals) at the Minskoff Theater was amazing.

But still, I was more focused on producing than on performing.

When I honestly thought about why I felt that way, I realized (to steal a phrase from a book I read once), I got more out of being a Kingmaker than being a King. In short, my "yes" came from helping others to succeed.

Don't get me wrong, I love being on stage. I love performing. I love hearing the applause when I finish a difficult song.

But more than that, I love seeing the first time performer smile at the end of their piece. I love watching someone get over stage fright. I love hearing the singer who has struggled for years suddenly "get it" and belt out a song that gives you goosebumps.

So, I change paths and I've never looked back. I'm grateful that every day I get to see tiny successes. I'm excited to see each new win. To experience the smiles and the excitement.

One of my favorite wins is Dominic Perez. Some of you might remember him as the former drummer of Eclipse. He was born with dwarfism, and I had a staff member years ago who thought Dom would never make anything in music because of his stature. (To be clear, this staff member is no longer here.)

Dom had different ideas. We showed him what could be. The opportunities. The dream.

Today, Dom lives in Nashville. He's recording with one band and is involved in two more. One of his bands plays a weekly spot on Broadway, "The Strip" in Nashville where all the tourists go to hear music. Did I make that happen? No. But I opened the door. Music Authority (with the help of a special shoe company) made it a little more possible. We helped him see how his dream of playing professionally could be a reality. We gave him steps to help him succeed. And then he did the hardest part by himself - he stepped up to the cliff of doubt and he flew.

Dom isn't the only one who has made dreams into reality. This newsletter would never end if I listed them all. Some are small successes. Some are big. But they are all successes that make me want to come back to work tomorrow and the next day.

So that's my why. Why I do this day in and day out. Why, when it gets difficult, I keep pushing. This is why I don't give up on students. It's why I get up in the morning.

Melissa A. Loggins, Owner

#MusicAuthorityFamily

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Meet Jon Andrews - Drums, Piano, and Vocal Instructor

Jon has performed music since childhood. He first picked up piano, and eventually moved to drums at the age of 9 when he started playing gospel music. In middle and high school, Jon played trumpet, French horn, euphonium, and percussion. Jon went on to study music in college, graduate with a Bachelors in Music Education from Kennesaw State University.

Join us for Pirates: The Musical at Musical Theater Camp this summer!

Music Authority is taking to the high C's this summer with Pirates: The Musical. We would love for ages 7-15 to join us for Musical Theater Camp, June 16-20. It's going to be a swashbuckling good time!

And you don't need to be a Music Authority student to attend our summer camps, invite your friends for even more fun!

Stop by the front desk for more details or call 770-886-9066.

The Music Authority Roadies

The Roadies are a group of parents and adult students at Music Authority. They meet the second Tuesday of every month at 6pm in The Backroom at Music Authority. You can think of the Roadies as Music Authority's PTO. They sponsor special events, service projects, and work hard to make sure our teachers feel appreciated. We welcome any Music Authority parent to come to our next meeting!

Our next Roadies meeting will be on May 13 at 6pm in The Backroom. We'd love for you to join us!

Our Rock Ensemble program played a killer Midseason show at Freedom Brew and Shine in April. Be sure to come out and catch all the bands at Parking Lot Rock on May 10. There will be music starting at 6, a sidewalk sale during the day, and Spicy Desi food truck at 6pm.

Camp Scholarships Available

Music Authority offers a limited number of camp scholarships each summer. These partial and full scholarships are available for families who take lessons at Music Authority and are in need of financial assistance for Summer Camp. For more information about the scholarships, please see the front desk at Music Authority.

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