Hidden Gems: Meet Taylor DeRousse of Tailored Harmonies Music

Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor DeRousse. 

Hi Taylor, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have studied music from a very young age. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Music with an Emphasis in Piano Performance from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI. I started teaching private music lessons as a side job in college at the recommendation of a professor. I ended up loving it and have been doing it since then (I was age 18). I’ve taught music in various different environments; from private lessons, collegiate music tutoring sessions, teaching at music shops, middle school music class, and now I own and operate my own music studio. After living in South Dakota, I moved back to the Metro Detroit area in 2019 where I began running my business part-time. In June of 2020, amidst the pandemic, I launched Tailored Harmonies Music Co. and it has been my full-time job ever since. Tailored Harmonies Music Co. is a music studio that specializes in music education and live music. We provide piano, guitar, ukulele, mandolin, bass, violin, and voice lessons. We run toddler music classes and group music classes. We teach students of all ages. We host live music events at our studio such as Open Stage performances and Songwriter Rounds. We also provide live music services for weddings, private parties, businesses, events, etc. Along with running Tailored Harmonies, I usually perform 2-3 times a week. It’s a busy life, but I love getting to do things that bring me joy every day. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road to get to where I am today. I think people who are successful in their industry often get to where they are because they are good at overcoming obstacles and they have grit and resilience. While I was in college I was in an extremely toxic relationship. I lost all sense of confidence and self-worth, not only in myself as a person but in myself as a musician. I rarely wrote songs or performed. After finally escaping the relationship, I moved to South Dakota to teach art and music at a non-profit all-girls middle school on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. I lived on the reservation, which was an extremely rural area. I didn’t know anyone at all but was lucky to build connections and a family at the school. It was there that I was able to find myself again and heal from my past traumas. I learned so much. It’s amazing how I accepted a job as a teacher but ended up learning some of the most valuable lessons and in reality… I was the student. Fast forward and it was actually the COVID-19 pandemic that was a catapult for the success of my business. I had been working several freelance music jobs that all ended due to covid. I had no other option than to create my own business and failure was not an option. I operated my business out of my mom’s home for the first 2 years and it wasn’t until February of 2022 that I was finally able to move into a new commercial space. This took a lot of financial planning on my part. I had to network and make connections to grow Tailored Harmonies Music Co. from nothing to what it is today. The music industry tends to be very competitive. Opportunities are not always fair for women in music. There was no one helping me or showing me the way. It was a hustle and I had to learn as I went. I constantly face harsh judgement for being so young as a businesswoman, musician, and teacher. I’m thankful for each obstacle, though. It helps me learn and grow and have continued success. If it was a smooth road, I wouldn’t be who I am today. 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Tailored Harmonies Music Co.?
Tailored Harmonies Music Co. is an all-female-owned and operated music studio that specializes in completely customized music education and live music events and services. We are women in the industry, professional working musicians, with big hearts for sharing our knowledge of music and helping others grow as creative humans. I think it is so special that we have young people coming in and out of our studio and they get to see their teachers living out their dream career. They get to see us performing, regularly playing shows, releasing music, and I hope that they realize that anything is possible. It’s rare to find a space in music that is cultivated by women and I think that sets us apart from others. My own unique teaching experience allows me to serve each individual in the best way for them. I meet each student exactly where they are. I understand just how personal music is and how healing it can be. I think the confidence boost and self-esteem that comes from music education is so important, especially for young people. This ability to meet people where they are also helps us provide the best, most personalized live music services to people for their special occasions throughout life. It’s not like hiring a stranger to perform at an event, it’s like inviting a friend to your special event who also is a professional in the industry and has experience and knowledge to help the event go off seamlessly. We are accepting new in-person students of all ages for our music education. We are now booking for the rest of 2022 and 2023 for weddings and other special events. 

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
My favorite book is Untamed by Glennon Doyle which I think is an amazing resource for reconnecting with yourself and healing from past traumas. Also, Grit by Angela Duckworth, The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle, and Relentless by Tim Grover are great resources for understanding truly hardworking people. I use Audible because I can find any book and can listen to it while I’m busy on the go. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.tailoredharmoniesmusicco.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tayderousse/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarmoniesMusicCo
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9h0a3iFJ0M7R4CR_gdBpjw

Image Credits
Courtney Trudo