Today we’d like to introduce you to Tembi Gray.
Tembi, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My husband and I have a passion for music. We met at Claflin University during our freshman year. We both played in the Jazz Band and were members of the Gospel Choir. My husband was the personal musician for Alice Tisdale, the First Lady of Claflin University, so he often traveled with her on her speaking engagements. Upon graduating from Claflin University, I went into youth development while my husband began his career as a professional musician. After a couple of years, he had a divine encounter with God where he had a dream about teaching music which he’d never really considered before. After teaching some students of various ages, his passion for music education grew.
In 2003, we decided to combine our passion for music education and youth development and established a music school catering to youth ages 4-18. We have been in business for over 20 years and continue to touch thousands of lives through the powerful gift of music. After owning a brick-and-mortar music school for several years, in 2017 we began to pivot our music school to begin reaching students nationwide through online music education. What started as a dream from God has transformed into The Young Musician’s University, an online music school for students ages 4-18.
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?
As business owners, we have had some struggles but I’ve found early on that learning from those moments was some of our most valuable growth opportunities as both business owners and individuals. It’s not so much what you go through because life will be full of challenges, but if you can take the challenges you face and allow them to make you better, then you are already on the right road to success.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The Young Musician’s University is the culmination of over 20 years of experience owning and operating a brick-and-mortar music school and developing music education programs specifically designed for youth. YMU’s successful music education model for youth ages 4-18 provides opportunities for students to Learn, Explore, Create, Share, and Connect with a community of musicians nationwide.
At YMU, our mission is to bridge the gap in youth access to music education by creating interactive, self-paced music courses for students aged 4-18 nationwide. Our courses are designed to be flexible and affordable, making music education more accessible to everyone.
We are committed to providing each student with a firm musical foundation and an experience that will last them a lifetime! Our specially designed online platform uses powerful integrated software in a collaborative, connected environment for our learners.
What makes me most proud of our business is seeing the accomplishments and progress of our students. I know that every student will not choose to become a professional musician, but every student involved in our program will reap the benefits that music education provides. It never gets old watching a student accomplish something they did not think they were capable of doing or witnessing the self-confidence of a student increase through their involvement in music. Some of our students have won district awards, gotten accepted into performing arts high schools, received scholarships to music colleges and universities, and become nationally renowned music producers, performers, and singer-songwriters. Some have even continued their education and earned their doctorates. It’s great to watch our students excel in other professional disciplines as well. Above all, my biggest accomplishment to date is seeing so many of our students become well-rounded, good citizens who have had the opportunity to learn the importance of follow-through, perseverance, time management, problem-solving, and more through a simple tool, music. Seeing youth discover their creativity and develop through music is hands down my greatest reward.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
In addition to the support of family and friends, we’ve built sustainable relationships with churches, schools, businesses, and community organizations. The Young Musician’s University is a staple music education in our local community and now nationwide. We have donated to school fundraisers, participated in community events and career fairs, helped develop church youth bands, offered scholarships to deserving students, and taken students on college tours. As we expand our reach nationwide, we will continue to raise awareness of the benefits of music education as we connect, communicate, and build meaningful relationships with communities across the country.
Pricing:
- Self-Paced Music Courses – $55/Month
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ymunow.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ymunow/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ymunow
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tembi-gray/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ymunow
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ymunow
