049: Growing Creative Cultivation Studio with Shannon Saravia

In this episode, Shannon Saravia, founder of Creative Cultivation Studio, shares her inspiring journey of turning her passion for music into a thriving studio. Shannon shares how she transitioned from balancing piano lessons with a full-time office job to opening her dream studio in 2020. She dives into the challenges and triumphs of launching her unique parent-and-me classes while navigating the pandemic and setting up a new studio space in downtown La Verne in 2023. She discusses the challenges, triumphs, and key takeaways from her experience of creating a developmental and musical space for young learners and their families. Shannon’s story is packed with creativity, resilience, and a dedication to making music accessible to all. Join us as we explore her innovative approach to music education and how she’s building a community rooted in kindness and growth.

• Sharon shared a brief overview of her background and her music teaching studio.
• Her journey of launching a parent-and-me music program while building her commercial studio.
• The challenges and excitement of opening a physical studio space.
• How the parent-and-me classes was inspired by her experience as a new parent.
• Developmental milestones for young children influenced the curriculum design.
• How her program gained traction and grew through word-of-mouth recommendations.
• Shannon shares tips for researching developmental milestones to guide program design.
• She emphasizes using templates or frameworks to kickstart similar programs.
• Why teamwork and collaboration were key to expanding programs and reaching diverse communities.
• The importance of inclusivity, catering to different languages and learning styles.

Links Mentioned

• Shannon Saravia's Website: Creative Cultivation Studio
• Creative Cultivation Studio Instagram Page
• Creative Cultivation Studio Facebook Page
• Download your TopMusic Magazine here.

Today's Guest

Shannon Saravia began her piano journey at the age of nine and taught her first lesson at 16, eventually transitioning to full-time teaching in 2019. Despite previously balancing piano lessons with a full-time office job, Shannon's passion for music never wavered. After relocating from Los Angeles to California's Central Valley, she seized the opportunity to follow her dream and established Creative Cultivation Studio in 2020.

In 2023, the studio found its home in downtown La Verne, embodying a culture of kindness, creativity, and nurturing. Shannon and her team focus on personalized lessons tailored to each student's unique needs, fostering their growth into skilled and confident musicians. Through her studio, Shannon shares her love for music while inspiring creativity and knowledge in her students' lives.

About Rachel Ehring

Dr. Rachel Ehring is a pianist, teacher, music administrator, and lover of piano teaching gadgets. She holds a DMA in Collaborative Piano from the University of Colorado Boulder and a MM in Accompanying from the University of Kansas. She currently serves as Director at St. John’s Conservatory of the Arts in Orange County, CA. Previously, she held positions at Concordia University Irvine and Henderson State University. Rachel is passionate about empowering music teachers to create engaging and exciting lessons for students of all ages. When she isn’t playing the piano, you might find Rachel reading books with her son or walking her beagle Frieda.

• Visit her website at RachelEhring.com
• Visit her Instagram page: @rachelehring
• Visit her YouTube channel: @dreamlavendermusic6694
• Visit her Etsy shop at Dream Lavender Music

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