We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Regina Noel Downing a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Regina, thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
My childhood was complicated. I think most of us could say that, actually. It’s not “special.” But – as adults we get the opportunity to heal our own selves, and be in service to others. For me, childhood lacked something very basic: unconditional love and acceptance from my own parents. Luckily, I had grandparents who sort of saved me. And like many in my generation, Mister Rogers! I’ve learned so much on my journey. And I’ve decided the best way forward, is to help others. Through music instruction, coaching, and my children’s books, I help individuals develop themselves, so that they can truly show up for the loved ones in their lives. The hope is to avoid many of the turmoils that myself and others have endured.
Regina, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’ve been teaching private music lessons (piano, voice, & ukulele) since 2004. I added health and life coaching officially to the mix in 2020, as well as authoring. In my teaching, I learned that the most important aspect of teaching, was the rapport I had with my students. Over time, I got that, though skill and knowledge are absolutely vital as a teacher, that alone means nothing if you don’t have rapport. Rapport equals respect, trust, and a willingness to try new things that may be a bit scary (because let’s face it, learning a new skill is a very vulnerable place to be!). I found that if I spent adequate time listening to my students, and showing up for them as THEY needed (not as I expected them to need me), they were quick to learn. Not to mention, music is so very personal. To be able to be fully self expressed, space for sharing life’s challenges and joys, is just so important. It’s so very special to be present for someone, in whatever space they show up in. It’s like a gift, really. And people not only appreciate it, but they thrive with it. Honestly, I think this is what I am most proud of. I have students of all ages and abilities. My youngest is 3.5, and the oldest in their 60s. I have special needs students and everything in-between. And one thing that holds us all together, is that healthy respect for each individual, and wherever they are on their journey. It’s especially thrilling when I see my students sharing that with one another! My children’s story/song books help continue this sort of education, facilitating emotional intelligence and connectedness among families. The goal for me, really, is to foster healthy adulting. Healthy adults give back to society in ways that we all benefit from.
We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.
I received my MA in Elementary Education just before I got married. I’d been teaching piano lessons on the side during my program. But – it wasn’t long before we were expecting our first child. Teaching was put on hold until my daughter was about 6 months old. Then people started asking me about lessons. I didn’t have my own piano. I would tell people, “Sure – but I have to travel to you…with the baby.” Mom was my job. I thought teaching some lessons on the side, with the baby was a good way to bring in some extra cash. I really didn’t think beyond that. When my daughter was one, I was pregnant with baby #2. It just worked so well – to be able to teach a few lessons a week, with the babies. Yeah – it was challenging. You had to pack everyone up, and your teaching materials, be on time (tantrums or not), and then I’d be teaching and have to nurse a baby or goodness knows what…. But I was still able to be mom, and for me that was the most important thing. Eventually, a friend gifted me a used keyboard, so students started coming to our home. And the babies would still be under foot. Then my husband’s parents had to move their piano out of storage – and it ended up in our home! My son’s bedroom got converted into a studio. And then later, the side room off of the house became the studio. My kids are 12 and 13 now. I went from literally 3 students a week, to 30 plus students a week. And they all come to me! Sometimes, with THEIR babies in tow! And sometimes (thanks to the pandemic), via Zoom. I literally have students all over the US, and even internationally. It’s absolutely crazy how much it has grown. I just did what I knew to do, and stayed true to the things I valued most: kindness, goodness, and family. With the growth of the studio, I also discovered how important it was to me to have a bigger impact. That’s where writing came in. I have children’s 3 story/song books with Fox Pointe Publishing, and they are all about fostering emotional intelligence and connectedness within families.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I think it’s just my uncanny ability to show up for my students & clients as they need me – not as I “think” they need me. Being present for someone wherever they are, with no judgements, is so freeing to both parties. It makes learning (and teaching!) so much easier. Yes – I’m a knowledgeable teacher in my areas of expertise. But as I’ve said before, it’s not all about knowledge. Sometimes I simply don’t have the answers! Because I have such rich relationships with my clients, I can easily say, “I don’t know. But let’s figure it out together!” That is just so powerful. It teaches our students that they DON’T have to “know it all.” That no one knows it all! And that’s okay! We can always find the answers if we know how to use our resources. I just love being present for my students and clients, wherever they are. I know they appreciate it…it shows in all the ways they are growing (even the “grown” ones!).
Contact Info:
- Website: https://reginaliveyourdrea.wixsite.com/reginanoel
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reginanoelmusicstudio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Regina-Noel-Downing-Author/100084565056091/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNX6jW7J5aLK_fyQO3Q_JDQ
- Other: https://www.foxpointepublishing.com/author-regina-noel-downing