We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Timothy Young a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Timothy, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

So, the idea of starting my piano studio honestly goes all the way back to college in the early ’90s. I was at Shenandoah University taking an arts management class, and my professor talked about how you could start a music studio out of your home and make a decent living from it. That really stuck with me—even though I didn’t act on it right away, it planted the seed. Fast forward a bit—I finished grad school, joined the US Army Jazz Ambassadors in 1998, and after about seven or eight years of traveling and performing, I decided to start giving private lessons out of my home in Columbia, Maryland. At first, it was just word of mouth—co-workers, friends of friends, that sort of thing. Eventually, I got a website up, filed the paperwork, and officially became an LLC in 2011 (shout out to my cousin for helping with that part!). When I started, I didn’t even have a full piano—I was using a portable keyboard! But a few years in, I invested in a baby grand that fits into my master bedroom, which I turned into my teaching studio. I also loved video, so I’d record lessons for my students and for myself. I’d study them to improve my teaching and to track student’s progress.
Then the pandemic hit, and I had to pivot hard—I bought video gear, microphones, and went fully virtual. And honestly? That helped me grow. I ended up teaching students across the country, and now I’m working on transitioning into an online group coaching program. So, it’s been an evolving journey from a college idea to a full-on business that keeps expanding.

Timothy, 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?

I’m Tim Young – a musician, composer, educator, veteran and community leader. I’m all about using music and mentorship to impact lives. My journey with music started back in middle school—I was a drummer first. In high school, I played in marching band, jazz ensemble, orchestra… you name it. I started playing piano in 10th grade, first by ear, and then through formal lessons. That’s where my real passion kicked in. I earned my bachelor’s in jazz studies from Shenandoah University, followed by a master’s from the University of North Texas. After that, I joined the US Army Jazz Ambassadors, which took me all over the world for 20 years, playing with groups like the Boston Pops and the National Symphony Orchestra. In 2011, I founded Young’s School of Gospel and Jazz Piano, LLC here in Columbia, Maryland. The school focuses on teaching African-American musical styles—jazz, gospel, funk—and I work with students of all levels. I help them build strong foundations in harmony, theory, and improvisation, and I meet them where they are musically. Some are prepping for college auditions, others just want to play by ear or get better at their craft.
What sets me apart is that I don’t just teach classical piano—I specialize in jazz and gospel styles, which aren’t always easy to find quality instruction for. I tailor my lessons to the students’ interests and strengths, and I’m proud to say a lot of my students have gone on to win awards, get scholarships, and even become educators themselves. That’s honestly one of the things I’m most proud of—seeing my students grow and thrive in music.
Whether it’s one-on-one, virtual, or soon in a group setting, my goal is always the same: to give students the tools and confidence to pursue their dreams, whether that’s a music career or just becoming a stronger musician.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

The biggest pivot in my business, hands down, was during the pandemic. Like so many others, I had to stop doing in-person lessons. But I didn’t want to just hit pause—I knew it was time to take things online. I’d already been thinking about it before, but the pandemic really forced my hand. So, I invested in cameras, mics, and sound equipment, turned my studio into a virtual classroom, and started teaching students across the U.S. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I learned a lot, reached new people, and set the foundation for my next pivot: building out an online group coaching program.
Another big pivot was retiring from the Army. After two decades, stepping away meant I had to hustle more and think about how to really grow my business outside of that safety net. But both of those moments taught me to be flexible and bold.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I think a big part of it is the niche I serve—jazz and gospel piano. Most traditional music teachers focus on classical, which is great, but a lot of students are looking for something different. When people find out I teach jazz improvisation, gospel, funk, and even Latin styles, they’re excited because it’s not something that’s widely available.
Plus, I’m really focused on giving students the freedom to explore their musical interests while still building a strong foundation. I’ve had parents and students tell me they love that I meet them where they are musically and that I’m open to different genres and approaches. I think consistency, passion, and being authentic about my love for music and teaching—that’s what’s helped me build a solid reputation over the years.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://youngschoolofpiano.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ysopinternational/ (this is a community organiztion for young adults I started some years ago)
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@youngsschoolofgospelandjaz2201
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/tyoungmusic
• Other: https://www.redbubble.com/people/ysopstore/shop (where I sell merch)