Meet Maria Hall

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

Hi Maria, how do you think about risk?
Risk taking is an unavoidable aspect of building up your own business. It is impossible to start something without risks being involved. The best way to handle the stresses of taking on those inevitable risks is having enough confidence in your idea and paying attention to your intuition; knowing what needs to happen when. Being able to execute regardless of whether you feel you do not have the means, and you really do not know if it will work. You have to forgive yourself immediately when ideas do not pan out and not allow mistakes to make you feel unsure of yourself. Learn from every experience and turn all negatives into positives. If you do this, then nothing you risk your time, money, and energy on is a waste. Risk taking can cause a lot of anxiety, so if you do not naturally handle stress well, you may want to consider not being a business owner. Risk taking can feel adventurous and utilize the creativity you possess. Timing is the most difficult thing to understand when taking the risks. If you try and implement something to soon, or wait too long, you may lose the success of whatever the risk is you are taking.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
VIP School of Music and VIP Studios were created after I experienced some of the most difficult times in my life. I had just escaped an abusive relationship in 2014. I had no home, money, or job. I left the previous music school I had built while married to my ex-husband in order to flea a toxic situation. VIP is literally my second chance and has been a healing experience every step of the way. This business is not simply an income, but my entire heart. I intend to live out my gratitude and passion for teaching music and honoring this journey by serving my community with love and honesty. VIP is now 10 years old. We are growing and thriving because of the heart that myself and each of the instructors I hand pick bring every day to our customers. VIP School of Music is designed to teach our music lovers through experience. We provide a wide variety of classes and performance opportunities. We hope to give every student the trade skills needed to be a professional musician if they so desire. This school will give you lifelong musical support. We are not just at your service while you attend VIP, but at any point in your musical journey. Once you are part of the family, you are always welcome! Many of our students have gone on to create their own careers within the music business. Some continue to return to VIP to record new projects, gain some new knowledge by resuming lessons, and by giving back to this family by participating in our master classes and performances. I can say very confidently that you will not find any other school in town with the depth of care for what we do than you will find at VIP. No one’s journey is easy. The main lesson I have learned is to always be your best self regardless of how you are treated. Treat others the way you wish to be treated whether or not they do so. If you follow your heart, always do your best, and service others with genuine intention, things will always work out, and the universe will make sure you are taken care of. Life usually doesn’t end up the way we imagined it would, but it can still work out well for you if you stay kind. I am honored and grateful to be a music educator, music producer, and music creator. What a beautiful blessing it is to be a musician!!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
San Diego is FILLED with the very best places. Of course, we would visit the different beaches, Coronado, La Jolla, Mission Beach, Ocean Beach, and Imperial Beach. We would head up to the Glider Port for some point for lunch and watch them jump off the cliffs to paraglide. We would go to a variety of BBQ joints like Grand Ole BBQ and Mexican restaurants like Casa Machado. I would take them to Aquarius Bar and Grille, Winstons, Belly Up, The BeachHouse and Music Box for some live music. At some point we could hang at VIP Studios in El Cajon to jam and record. Hiking up Cowls Mountain, visiting Lake Murray, and heading out on a day trip for some deep-sea fishing. Brich Aquarium is always awesome, then to Safari Park and Sea World. I would take them out to the tram in Palm Springs to end the trip.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My number one champion throughout my career is my husband and best friend Daniel Hall. Not only has he encouraged me to trust my gut, my heart, and my mind, but he has literally helped build everything with me. He is always there to help me with any projects, repairs, and performances. He helps load gear and set up sound. He rehearses and performs at our events and gives me advice and ideas of what we can do for the business. His biggest role is encouraging and allowing me to flourish. He trusts my skills and my intuition and never makes me feel like I am incapable of achieving whatever I put my mind to. Having someone beside you to support and trust you the way he does has helped me to trust myself so much more over the years. There is nothing we can’t make happen together!

Website: www.vipschoolofmusic.com www.vipstudioone.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vipschoolofmusic https://www.instagram.com/viprecordingstudio1 https://www.instagram.com/musicmakinglover https://www.instagram.com/11homiesandlovers11

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VIPSchoolofMusic https://www.facebook.com/viprecordingstudio1

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@vipschoolofmusic968 https://www.youtube.com/@vipstudios7510 https://www.youtube.com/@mariaconnors5989