Meet Joanie Mendenhall | Piano Instructor and Studio Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joanie Mendenhall and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joanie, what is the most important factor behind your success?

My piano studio thrives on two essential factors.

First, I’m obsessed with piano, truly, always have been. The instrument never ceases to captivate and inspire me. My passion carries over to a fascination with how to break down the learning process for beginners. When you attain a high level of skill in something, there’s a massive difference between that activity and teaching the beginner stage of it. It takes mindfulness and creativity to develop a program that builds rock solid understanding, while also creating space for their own passion to grow.

And second, I form strong connections with my piano learners, their families, and my community as a whole. I connect with people authentically by meeting them where they are, and tailoring their experience to their individuality.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I came to this profession by way of being an artist. I spent many years living the artist life, creating and performing music. I wrote songs and led my own band, as well as supported countless other bands as keyboardist and backup singer. These experiences defined me as a person and brought depth to what I offer as an instructor. I will always be proud of the music I made during that period. Making art is never easy but when you absolutely love it and feel that essential urge to share your voice, there is just no way around it, you have to do it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would prioritize the incredible range of outdoor beauty and activities available here. We would do the tide pools at low tide (Solana Beach or Carlsbad), hike Annie’s Canyon, mountain bike at Penasquitos or Lake Hodges. For a little day trip I would do Idyllwild and maybe add on a day for some desert scenery. too. We love to eat at Q’ero, a longstanding Encinitas classic where every bite stokes amazement! Also Hai Di Lao in UTC is an absolute favorite place to have an unforgettable meal with family and friends.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Being an independent music teacher can be a lonely job. I couldn’t do it without my friend and colleague Nancy Gilbert (Nancy Gilbert Piano Studio). Having a piano bestie helps so much to navigate the intricacies of self-employment, client management and communication. And even better, I find that these kinds of friendships spark meaningful professional development. We share new resources, endlessly discuss teaching methods, and sometimes even play some piano together.

Website: http://supertonicstudio.com

Instagram: @supertonicstudio

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Image Credits
All photos by Kristy Walker