We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Gabrielle Stahlschmidt. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Gabrielle below.
Gabrielle, appreciate you joining us today. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?
I can honestly day that I’m happier as a business owner, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t days when a regular job sounds tempting!
The last time I had that thought was during one of our major student showcases. Anyone who sees the final performance experiences the excitement, the applause, and the celebration. What they don’t see are the weeks leading up to it: coordinating dozens of schedules, answering parent emails late at night, finalizing venue details, creating programs, organizing rehearsals, troubleshooting last-minute issues, and carrying the weight of making sure every student has a positive experience.
I remember sitting in my office after a particularly long day, surrounded by spreadsheets, performance notes, and a seemingly endless to-do list. I thought, “Wouldn’t it be nice to clock out of a job at 5 p.m. and leave work at work?”
But then showcase night arrived.
I watched students walk onto that stage with confidence they didn’t have six months earlier. I saw shy singers perform solos in front of a full audience. I watched families celebrate accomplishments that represented years of growth, discipline, and courage. In that moment, I remembered that my work isn’t just about running a business; it’s about creating opportunities that change people’s lives.
That’s the conclusion I always come back to. A regular job might offer more predictable hours and less responsibility, but it wouldn’t give me the privilege of watching students discover what they’re capable of. The challenges of entrepreneurship are real, but so is the impact. For me, that impact makes the hard days worth it.
Gabrielle, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
For as long as I can remember, music has been more than a profession, it has been a calling. Like many musicians, my journey began with a love for performing, but over time I discovered that my greatest passion wasn’t just being on stage myself. It was helping others find their voice, develop their artistry, and experience the confidence that comes from sharing their gifts with the world.
Today, I am the founder of Gabrielle Studio of Music, a voice studio dedicated to developing singers, performers, and artists of all ages and experience levels. We work with students ranging from beginners who are singing for the first time to advanced performers preparing for auditions, competitions, college programs, professional opportunities, and the stage. Our services include private voice lessons, audition coaching for theater and college programs, performance coaching, and specialized drop-in sessions designed to help singers overcome specific challenges and reach their goals.
What sets our studio apart is that we don’t simply teach people how to sing, we teach them how to communicate, connect, and perform with confidence. Technique is incredibly important, but technique is only part of the equation. We focus on developing the whole artist. Every student who walks through our doors has a unique voice, personality, and story, and our job is to help them discover and refine what makes them special.
Many students come to us struggling with confidence, performance anxiety, vocal challenges, or uncertainty about their next steps. Others have big dreams but need guidance on how to turn those dreams into achievable goals. Whether a student wants to sing in their school musical, perform professionally, audition for a college program, or simply become a stronger, more confident vocalist, we provide a supportive environment where growth can happen.
One of the things I’m most proud of is the success our students have achieved.
We’ve had students accepted into some of the country’s top performing arts programs, including AMDA in New York City, Baldwin Wallace University, Wright State University, and Berklee College of Music. But what makes me proudest isn’t the acceptance letters or accolades, it’s watching students accomplish things they once believed were beyond their reach. Seeing a shy student confidently step onto a stage for the first time can be just as rewarding as seeing someone earn admission to a prestigious conservatory.
At the heart of everything we do is community. We celebrate hard work, growth, creativity, and the courage it takes to be vulnerable as an artist. We believe that music education should be both excellent and encouraging, challenging students to grow while making them feel supported every step of the way.
If there’s one thing I want people to know about our studio, it’s that we meet students where they are and help them become who they’re capable of being. Whether someone is pursuing a professional career or simply wants to experience the joy of singing, they will find a place here where their goals matter, their voice is valued, and their potential is taken seriously.
Music changes lives. I’ve had the privilege of witnessing that transformation countless times, and it’s the reason I continue to do this work every day.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
A strong reputation is built one relationship at a time, and I believe ours has grown because we’ve consistently focused on serving students well and delivering meaningful results.
From the beginning, I made a commitment that every student would receive individualized attention, honest guidance, and a learning experience tailored to their goals. Whether someone is preparing for a major college audition, a lead role in a musical, or simply taking their very first voice lesson, they deserve the same level of care and investment. Over time, that commitment has led to strong word-of-mouth referrals from students, parents, educators, and members of the performing arts community.
I also believe our reputation has been shaped by the success of our students. We have helped singers gain confidence, earn leading roles, gain admission to highly respected performing arts programs, and develop skills that serve them both on and off the stage. While accomplishments and acceptance letters are exciting, the real measure of success is seeing students grow into confident, capable artists who continue to pursue their passions.
Another important factor has been our commitment to creating a genuine sense of community. We celebrate our students’ achievements, provide performance opportunities, and foster an environment where people feel supported rather than judged. Families know that when they join our studio, they become part of something larger than weekly lessons.
Most importantly, we’ve built our reputation by staying true to our mission. Trends come and go, but our focus has always remained the same: providing high-quality music education, developing the whole performer, and helping every student discover what they’re capable of achieving. When people consistently see that level of dedication and authenticity, trust naturally follows, and trust is the foundation of any lasting reputation.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
One of the biggest lessons in resilience I’ve learned is that not every challenge comes from circumstances; sometimes it comes from people.
The music and performing arts world can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be highly competitive. When you’re building something meaningful, especially something that begins to gain momentum, you quickly discover that not everyone will celebrate your success. There have been times when I’ve shared a vision for my studio, created opportunities for students, or worked to elevate the local arts community, only to encounter criticism, comparison, negativity, or even active attempts to undermine those efforts.
Early on, I took those experiences personally. I spent a lot of time wondering what I could have done differently or why someone would choose competition over collaboration. The arts should be a place where people support one another, but the reality is that insecurity and comparison can sometimes lead people to view another person’s success as a threat rather than an inspiration.
I remember going through a season where I felt discouraged by some of those dynamics. It would have been easy to become defensive, lower my expectations, or focus my energy on proving people wrong. Instead, I made a conscious decision to redirect my attention to the students sitting in front of me every day.
That shift changed everything. I realized that my responsibility wasn’t to win a popularity contest or gain everyone’s approval. My responsibility was to serve my students with excellence, create opportunities for them to grow, and build the kind of studio culture I wished existed more often in the industry.
Over time, I’ve learned that resilience isn’t just the ability to withstand challenges, it’s the ability to remain committed to your values when others would prefer you compromise them. Rather than allowing comparison or negativity to shape my decisions, I’ve focused on building community, celebrating other artists, and creating a culture where success isn’t viewed as a limited resource.
Looking back, I’m grateful for those experiences because they taught me an important lesson: people can challenge your vision, question your motives, or doubt your potential, but they cannot stop you from doing meaningful work if you stay focused on your purpose. The students whose lives have been impacted through music, the families who trust us, and the artists who have grown within our studio are proof that perseverance matters more than outside opinions.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the best response to comparison and negativity isn’t retaliation; it’s continued excellence, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to the people you’re called to serve.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.GabrielleStudioOfMusic.com
- Instagram: @GabrielleStudioOfMusic
- Facebook: @GabrielleStudioOfMusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GabrielleStudioOfMusic
Image Credits
Liliia Sharipova, LoFi Eye