Today we’d like to introduce you to Cristal Givens.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Cristal has always had a passion for music and an entrepreneurial spirit. Immediately out of high school, she began working at Sound Warehouse, interning with PGD and various indi-labels and distributors, while attending community college. Within four years, she was running her own grass-roots music marketing company, working with artists and labels such as Ani DiFranco’s Righteous Babe, Capricorn Records, Pointblank Records, Blue Thumb Records and Osmose Productions.
In addition to 12+ years in music marketing, she has 15+ years in traditional digital marketing including co-ownership in the digital agency, Content Pilot. She now heads the operations of Alchemy Music, a new concept music school and talent development program she launched in 2014; as of January 2017, she is the director of the PCG Universal, Dallas office; and as of October 2017, she teaches the Business of Music at MediaTech Institute’s Dallas campus.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As with most start-up businesses, the first 2 years are rough, learning what works and most importantly, what doesn’t. From programming to staffing — we have learned so much! We are rounding out our 3rd year now, having honed our service offerings and built a strong core team, we look forward to continuing the polishing our programs and expanding our brand.
Please tell us about Alchemy Music.
Alchemy was started to fill a need for performance-based music lessons, reasonably priced and accessible to all levels of talent. Our approach is unique in many ways. Unlike the traditional music school, we do not have “recitals”, rather we offer opportunities to perform every other month. This removes the anxiety of performance for those students that want to learn music but have no interest (at least not yet) in performing for an audience. We have found more students choose to perform when they are not forced to perform.
We also have introduced the Apprentice program for young musicians looking to pursue a career in music. These young artists are mentored in the instruction of music, working with a 6-month curriculum, teaching beginners in piano, guitar, bass, drums and voice. This program also benefits the beginner students by pairing them with apprentice instructors who are closer to their age thus making the challenge of learning an instrument seem more achievable.
It also is nice for the parents, who struggle with the upfront investment of professional level lessons when a child is still exploring their interests. After 6 months they can choose to continue with their chosen instrument with our professional instructors or switch to a new instrument, continuing with an Apprentice instructor at the less expensive rate.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Traveling the world between the ages of 8 and 13.
Pricing:
- Apprentice Program – $120 for four, 30-minute beginner private lessons
- YOUR LIVE NOW – Performance Program – $50 a month for unlimited Free workshops and other benefits
- Professional Lessons – $160 for four, 30-minute lesson with career musicians with excellence in their field.
Contact Info:
- Address: 500 N Coit Rd Ste 2085 Richardson, Texas 75080
- Website: www.alchemymusictx.com
- Phone: 214-727-0233
- Email: [email protected]
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