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Community Highlights: Meet Ryan Waller of Ryan Waller Music Lessons

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Waller.

Hi Ryan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My journey with music started when I was about 10 years old, when a brand-new game called Guitar Hero hit the shelves. My mom bought it for me as a birthday present, and I was INSTANTLY hooked. I played that game day in and day out like my life depended on it.

Eventually, my mom realized that if I loved pretending to play guitar that much, maybe I should try the real thing. So she bought me an electric guitar, signed me up for lessons, and the rest was history… or so I thought.

I officially started learning guitar when I was 12 years old… and if I’m being completely honest, I hated it at first. Like a lot of 12-year-olds, I thought it was just too hard. I didn’t stick with it the way I should have, and over time, I started to regret not putting in the effort to learn.

It wasn’t until years later, when I got to college, that I decided to give guitar another real shot. I started off like most broke college students do, trying to teach myself through YouTube videos and online courses because I couldn’t afford lessons. After a while, I realized I wasn’t making much progress on my own, so I decided that I needed to find a teacher. I signed up for lessons at the local School of Rock and joined their Adult Band, which helped me grow a lot as a player.

After about a year of taking lessons and playing for School of Rock, I realized I wanted to take music even further. I enrolled at South Plains College in Levelland, Texas, where I pursued a degree in commercial guitar. While I was there, I gained a ton of experience playing live shows, performing with different bands, and exploring a variety of musical styles. Those two years flew by, and before I knew it, I had earned my degree and have been teaching music ever since.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Getting this business up and running was anything but smooth. Like most small business owners, I’ve had to learn a lot as I go. When you first start out, you realize that owning a business means that you’re not just the teacher, you’re also the marketer, the scheduler, the accountant, and the customer service department all at the same time. Figuring out how to balance all of those roles has definitely been a big challenge for me, but I’m grateful to be in the position that I am today.

One of the biggest hurdles was marketing and building up a steady stream of students. When you’re starting from scratch, it’s hard to get your name out there and earn people’s trust. There were definitely times when I wondered if my business was ever going to be successful.

Learning the business side of things was also incredibly difficult. Things like managing schedules, handling taxes, and creating systems that keep everything running smoothly. None of that is stuff most musicians are formally trained in, so it took a lot of trial and error to figure things out.

That being said, those challenges have also been some of the most valuable learning experiences. Over time, I’ve built a solid group of students, improved my systems, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunities that I’ve provided for myself and others. Every obstacle has helped me grow, not just as a business owner, but as a teacher and an individual as well.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
As the sole owner and employee of Ryan Waller Music Lessons, I focus on helping people learn music in a fun, enjoyable way. I offer private guitar, bass, and singing lessons for students of all ages and skill levels, from complete beginners to more experienced musicians looking to grow.

What really sets my lessons apart is the personalization combined with a structured approach. Instead of a one-size-fits-all curriculum, I work with each student to focus on the music they love while also building the fundamentals they need to improve. I’ve found that when students are excited about what they’re learning, they’re much more likely to stay motivated and keep progressing.

The thing I’m most proud of about my business and my brand is the supportive environment I’ve created. Learning an instrument can feel intimidating at first, so I work hard to make lessons a place where students feel comfortable, encouraged, and confident in their progress. Ultimately, my goal is to help people not just learn an instrument, but develop a lifelong connection to music.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was a pretty shy, nerdy kid who mostly kept to myself. I was never really into sports or school clubs, but I still managed to have a close group of friends because I was really into gaming. Some of my favorite memories are from weekends when my friends would come over, and we’d spend hours playing on the PlayStation 2 or Xbox 360. We pulled more than a few all-nighters playing games like Halo and Call of Duty, and I would get so competitive. We would even set up tournaments to play against each other and see who was the best (it was always me). That eventually turned into me playing Call of Duty competitively online for a few years, and I even got to make some money from doing that.

Looking back, I think that time really reflects who I am today. Focused, self-driven, and passionate are qualities that I’ve always had, so I don’t really think I had any choice but to become an entrepreneur.

Pricing:

  • 30-Minutes – $35 per lesson
  • 45-Minutes – $50 per lesson
  • 60-Minutes – $65 per lesson

Contact Info:

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