Daily Inspiration: Meet Karine Pierson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karine Pierson

Hi Karine, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started playing violin, according to my mother, when I was 18 months old. I was what they call a “Suzuki kid,” The Suzuki violin method is a well-known violin method that famously teaches young children how to play string instruments like violin viola and cello by ear. I had my first violin student at age fourteen. I went to Interlochen and blue lake, and toured Europe with orchestras and choirs as a middle and high school student, and so for college my natural choice was the arts. I double majored in vocal performance and stringed music instrument education at Michigan State University, from there transferring to U of M where I finished my degree. I went to grad school at Wayne State University where I earned my teaching certificate. It has always been my dream to open an instrument shop with lessons. Three years ago, when I started working at Vokey Music I started working towards making that dream a reality. Two years after I started there as an instructor, I ended up purchasing Vokey Music and also opened TC Violin Co, the violin shop located within the lessons studio as well as started the MiMusic Foundation, a scholarship program for music students. Being a scholarship recipient myself for most of my life, it feels very full-circle to be able to give that back to the community. It feels amazing to be able to be the person who brings impact to the music community in this town as well as to be the first string shop in Northern Michigan. As a female entrepreneur it feels special as well to be a leader for other women who might want to start their own business.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I don’t think any new business owner ever has a smooth road. That would be nice. There have definitely been many ups and downs. I definitely bit off more than I could chew, opening three business entities at once. Just because something is your dream doesn’t mean that the business idea is profitable or even viable in your area. I still am looking at about six more months of not having any personal income. However even in my darkest moments I have felt the shining support of the community. The work is about the work. I feel this is my calling, so it’s my role to be there every day, putting my blood sweat and tears back into the thing that gives me life: music. Seeing the look on kids and parents faces when I tell them they don’t have to stop or limit their love of music is absolutely everything. Whenever things look bleak, something always pops up to remind me of the depth of the urgent and important work that I must do. That’s how I know I’m on the right path and that the universe has my back.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As well as having spent over three decades teaching as both a private instructor and a certified classroom instructor, I also spent many years as a performer, a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and bandleader performing over 360 dates a year for over a decade. My extensive performance experience gives me an edge as both a performer and instructor, and I am known for my stage presence, performance artistry and personality. In the formal world of stringed instruments I am proud of my ability to stand out as performer who can read the music and play classically when needed but who can also play any song by ear. This especially makes me valuable in the realm of weddings and also helps when I am writing my own music. The ability to improvise and play by ear is something that many formally trained string players struggle with. I encourage my students to both read music and improvise, which was pretty-much unheard of in the violin world when I was growing up. I also play multiple instruments and strive to serve as an inspiration to young musicians. Being an artist is a hard, brave path and I am so glad I have chosen it.

Any big plans?
I have recently started to work on a violin method book. A “method book” is a book that teaches people how to play an instrument with certain techniques, for example the ‘Suzuki Method” that I learned from is a method book. Unlike other method books, I want this book to have songs in it that kids already know and love, such as songs by popular artists like Taylor Swift and silly songs like “It’s Raining Tacos”. Many current method books in use are full of outdated songs that don’t mean anything to kids. The magic of getting a child to stay motivated to put in the work of learning an instrument is often found in the songs that they love. I intend to work this theory into my book, hopefully writing a beloved method for violin that teachers across the globe will use to inspire students. I am also designing a video lesson course because we are going to start running out of room at the studio for private lesson slots! I want to be able to reach more students, my goal is to take our studio from 200 to 2000 students, many of which will be on a fully-funded scholarship program to make it accessible to all.

I also plan on pursing my PhD in Music Education. I have many fascinating theories about music that are being proven in my classroom every day that I want to prove in academia and to the world. 1. Parallel creativity: if a student is creative in one area, they often have other areas they are creative in. For example many music students enjoy drawing and art. 2. Family music: Much like the families of Bach and Mozart, students from musical families show a higher aptitude or ability for music. We have musical genes that we pass down to our children! 3. Early Music: The earlier that a child starts music lessons , the higher aptitude and desire they will have for music. Many students who start very early display rare abilities such as perfect pitch. I have a lot to prove! Plus it will be fun to have people call me Dr. Pierson, haha

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mimusic.education
• Instagram: mimusiceducation
• Facebook: mimusic studio traverse city