Today we’d like to introduce you to Camille Hastings
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
From the very beginning, Camille’s dream was clear: to create a haven where music would flourish, where students of all ages could explore their potential and express their creativity. Her mission was not merely to teach music but to infuse each lesson with joy, enthusiasm, and a personal touch that only someone with her unique background could provide. Her journey from the bright stages of Nashville, where she shared the spotlight with legends like Barry Manilow, Amy Grant, and Vince Gill, to the bustling classrooms of her music school, is a testament to her dedication and vision.
Her path was paved with experiences that span a lifetime of musical exploration. From her early days performing on national television and enchanting audiences at Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm to her formative years under the mentorship of Jan Williams, a successful studio Owner of Jan Williams School of Music in Brentwood, TN. Camille has woven a rich tapestry of musical achievement and entrepreneurial spirit. Her commitment to excellence was recognized nationally when Leading Note Studios was named “National Music School of the Year” in 2021. This accolade reflected the exceptional quality and warmth she has infused into her school.
Leading Note Studios is more than a place where music is taught; it is a community where every student is celebrated and encouraged. Under her guidance, the studio has grown to over 1200 students and a team of 55 passionate educators, each one embodying the same dedication to music and education that exemplifies her motto—”We teach music to everybody— all ages, and all instruments”—captures the essence of her mission: to make music accessible and enjoyable for everyone, regardless of their background, skill level or age level.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
A big challenge was having to change from hiring contractors to employees. That was a big learning curve not only for me but for the contractors who would now be treated as an employee due to CA changing the laws. It is still not fun but I see the benefits as an employer.
Learning to define the ideal client with our Policies and Procedures and rethinking the business of music lessons. This is not your mom and pop out of a home! It’s a year round business giving over 55 people careers in music!
Learning how to make the hard calls to your landlord when you can’t pay rent is humbling and speaking to anyone who may be unhappy with the lesson.
Also explaining that our male teachers are just as amazing as our female teachers and mom’s need to be okay with that when we have security measures in place to keep everyone safe and positive while learning music.
As you know, we’re big fans of Leading Note Studios. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Camille Hastings is a fearless and passionate trailblazer in the world of music education, best known as the founder of Leading Note Studios, a thriving community that has nurtured a love for music in Encinitas, California, and beyond. In August 2009, Camille took a bold leap, opening the doors to Leading Note Studios with just five students. Her commitment to excellence quickly propelled the studio’s growth, and by 2020, she expanded to a second location in San Marcos, CA. The studio’s success culminated in 2021 when Leading Note Studios was awarded “National Music School of the Year.” It has since earned numerous accolades, including “Best of Encinitas” for five consecutive years, Business Excellance Awards, and several prestigious awards at the Encinitas Parade for Best Performance.
Camille, a Berklee College of Music graduate, has had an extraordinary musical journey. She has performed alongside legends like Barry Manilow, Vince Gill, and Amy Grant and graced the stage in numerous private events, including singing at Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm. Camille’s early musical experiences were vast and varied—she began with piano, recorder, and flute lessons in elementary school, performed in the marching band and choir in high school, and participated in numerous community theater productions. Her childhood love for music, despite a brief (and unfortunate) foray into sports, eventually led her to Nashville, where she was mentored by Jan Williams, a passionate music business owner who inspired Camille to follow her entrepreneurial dream.
Camille’s vision for Leading Note Studios has always been about more than just traditional music lessons; it’s about creating a vibrant, inclusive community where students of all ages and backgrounds can discover their passion for music. With over 1200 students and a dedicated team of 55 professional teachers, Leading Note Studios has become a beacon of musical excellence, offering a range of classes across various instruments such as piano, voice, guitar, violin, and drums. In addition to private lessons, the studio provides group classes, ensemble performances, and specialized workshops, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to thrive in a dynamic, creative environment.
Building on the success of the music school, Camille opened the Leading Note Theatre, a 80-seat black-box theater where students can explore the world of live performance, from musicals and music recitals to comedy nights. This extension of the Leading Note brand allows students to showcase their talents in a nurturing, supportive space that celebrates creativity and self-expression.
In her ongoing pursuit of expanding the impact of music education, Camille is now exploring opportunities for Leading Note Studios to expand into the Houston, Texas, area. This new endeavor is part of her vision to build a broader musical community, giving more people the chance to experience the joy of learning and performing music. Through this expansion, Camille aims to create a dynamic hub for aspiring musicians in Houston, continuing to foster the culture of creativity and excellence that has made Leading Note Studios a success in California. She has most recently completed her first book titled “From Passion to Profit: The Part-time Music Teacher‘s Guide to a Six Figure Income” available on Amazon.
Camille’s philosophy is rooted in the belief that music should be a gift for everyone. She strives to create an atmosphere of excitement, joy, and encouragement where all students feel celebrated and motivated to keep learning regardless of skill level. Her motto, “We teach music to everybody— all ages and all instruments,” reflects her commitment to fostering a fun, friendly, and safe environment where students can grow at their own pace.
When she’s not leading her studio, Camille enjoys gardening, baking, decorating cakes, and riding her Indian Scout motorcycle. She is the proud mother of three grown children, one son in law, and soon a new grandchild! She has been married to Christian Hastings for 31 years. Camille’s parents reside in Indio, CA, and her sister and brother in law live in Rancho Santa Fe, CA. Through her unwavering dedication and visionary leadership, Camille continues to inspire and empower musicians to reach new heights of creativity and expression.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Good luck is always sharing your business struggles and knowing you are not alone and because you share them you get great ensite on ways to fix them! There is never any bad luck but there are always challenges that help you grow as a person and business owner.
Pricing:
- Semi-Private Piano $174/month 60 min
- 30 Min Private Lessons $174/month
- Rock Band Program
- Musical Theatre Productions
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.leadingnotestudios.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadingnotestudios
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leadingnotestudios
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@leadingnotestudios
Image Credits
All photos were taken by myself or staff of Leading Note Studios with signed waivers for the clients to use for business purposes.
