Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Robitaille.
Anna, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I worked as a piano accompanist to the choirs at Morse High School and was the music teacher at Carmel Valley Montessori School, St. Vincent’s preschool music teacher, and music teacher at Bonita Country Day.
I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Music from SDSU and have been an active member of the Music Teachers’ Association of California since 2001. After having taught music at Bonita Country Day and giving birth to my daughter in 2008, I wanted to open up my own business and bring my daughter to work.
I live in Mission Hills and saw that this neighborhood had a need for arts and music and decided to take a risk during a time when the economy was not good.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Of course not. The economy was at a low point in 2008 and has no business experience, I still decided to take the leap of faith and it paid off. I had about 13 years of experience teaching piano at that time and I knew my craft very well.
But I certainly did not know how to book keep or hire a staff of teachers but I followed my instincts and taught myself along the way how to do payroll, etc. And most, of all, I followed my passion for music. I knew that I loved Mission Hills and was hopefully that my business would make it and blossom through the years.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
My business offers piano, guitar, ukulele, bass, voice, violin, viola, and flute lesson to children and adults. We are most well known for our outstanding recitals and giving back to the community.
Over the holidays, some of our students sang and played instruments at the Harborview Chateau in Banker’s Hill which is an assisted living facility for patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. We also spread some holiday cheer and sang Christmas carols at the Green Manor located one block away from our studios. And I also accompanied the Christmas program this year for St. Vincent’s School. Since I am a graduate of that school, it was an honor for them to ask me to accompany their performance.
What sets up apart from other studios is the personal relationships we establish with our students and their families. I am lucky to have grown up in Banker’s Hill/Mission Hills and constantly run into students when I am out and about. And its such a pleasure catching up with students and their families outside of their lessons. It is nice to be recognized walking around the neighborhood and recognizing many of the community’s citizens.
What also sets us apart from other studios is that we also offer our students a chance to perform in music festivals around the city and competitions besides just our recitals. Recently we had students participate in the Popular Music Festival at Grossmont College and the Sonata Contest at SDSU. Many studios do not offer these opportunities of performing.
We also offer private lessons to homeschooled kids and will be branching out to offering them ukulele classes and voice classes. Lastly, out teacher is fantastic. All of our teachers have college degrees and two of them even have Doctorate degrees. Our staff is knowledgeable, friendly, caring, and has a lot of patience.
What were you like growing up?
Personality wise I was very shy and timid. Once I started taking piano lessons at age 10, this became an outlet to let me express myself. Music was the answer to my shyness. Performing at recitals and competitions helped bring me out of my shell, and I see that with some of our current students.
The arts are the best way to express yourself when you are not able to do so with words. But now I am extremely outgoing, boisterous, and loud! No longer the shy girl! As an adult, I like to go out dancing and singing karaoke at the neighborhood bar. 🙂
Pricing:
- $30/ 30-minute private lessons
- $45/ 45-minute private lessons
- $60/ 60-minute private lessons
- $25/ voice class. Our voice class is offered to children ages 6 – 10 on Wednesdays at 3:15-4:00
Contact Info:
- Address: 930 W. Washington St. Ste. 9
1111 Ft. Stockton Drive Suite E - Website: www.missionhillsmusic.org
- Phone: (619) 293-3432
- Email: anna@missionhillsmusic.org
- Facebook: Mission Hills Music
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
