April 2026 newsletter

When parents think about success in music, the first thing that usually comes to mind is talent. Some kids just seem naturally musical. They pick things up quickly. Notes come easily. Everything looks effortless. But research tells a different story. In her book Grit, psychologist Angela Duckworth studied thousands of high performers. From elite athletes to top musicians to West Point cadets. She expected talent to be the biggest factor in success. It wasn’t.The strongest predictor of long-term success was something she calls grit.Grit is the combination of passion and perseverance over time. It’s the ability to keep going when something is challenging, frustrating, or slow to improve. And if you’ve ever watched a child learn an instrument, you know exactly what that looks like. Music teaches students that progress doesn’t happen overnight. It happens through consistent effort, small improvements, and the willingness to keep trying when things feel hard. That’s where real growth happens. At the Academy, we love music, but what we love even more is what music builds in students: confidence, discipline, and the resilience to work through challenges.In other words… grit. If you’re interested in the science behind perseverance and how it shapes success in music, school, and life, Grit by Angela Duckworth is a fantastic read. It’s a powerful reminder that success isn’t about who starts the strongest. It’s about who keeps going.

Student of The Month - Alvin Karl Louis

Q: What instrument do you play?
A: Piano

Q: How long have you taken lessons?
A: 9 months

Q: Who are your favorite musical artists?
A: Electro-pop and pop-rock / Owl City and American Authors.
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Q: What is your favorite food?
A: Chicken.

Q: What is the coolest thing you've learned in your lessons in the past three months?
A: How to write/compose music.

Q: Do you have any performances coming up?
A: Fireflies; Best Day of My Life; There’s Nothin’ Holding Me Back.

This month our Hilliard music school reached an exciting milestone — 200 families learning music with us each week. What started as a small group of students has grown into an incredible community of young musicians, supportive parents, and inspiring teachers. Every lesson is another step in helping students build creativity, confidence, and the grit that comes from learning something challenging and meaningful. We’re grateful for every family that trusts us to be part of their child’s musical journey. Here’s to the next 200.