Meet Emily Norris

We had the good fortune of connecting with Emily Norris and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Emily, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I had been teaching piano and voice lessons for three years at a local music school. I really enjoyed teaching there and learned a lot about teaching kids of all ages! However, I wanted to offer even more benefits for students and their families. More personalized learning experiences. More access to me. More time to invest in what they were really interested in learning. So in 2020, I decided it was time to branch out and start my own studio!

Building a close relationship with a teacher helps students thrive, and having my own studio allowed me to foster those connections more easily. I’ve always believed that all children are inherently musical, and I’m passionate about helping them discover their LOVE for music, not just the THEORY behind music. Having the freedom to tailor lessons to each student’s individual needs, whether it’s learning a song from the latest Disney movie or a pop tune, has been incredibly rewarding. This flexibility has made learning more fun for them and teaching more fulfilling for me.

I am so grateful to have my own studio where I can help young kids in their journey to becoming a musician. And my hope is that all students who come through my doors leave with a lifelong love of music, no matter their skill level.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At EBN Music, my goal is to make music accessible and enjoyable for every child, focusing on cultivating a love for music rather than taking a rigid, cookie-cutter approach. I believe lessons should be fun and tailored to the individual student, ensuring that the experience is just as important as the technical learning. Many parents share how they regretted quitting music as children because it was either too hard or boring, which inspired me to create a studio environment where students are excited to learn. I am incredibly proud of the students who come through my studio and the beautiful music they create! My passion for teaching extends beyond the studio – I have written and published two books with Penguin Random House that help children learn nursery rhymes and popular songs on the piano, making music education accessible to even more families.

My journey to building my business has been anything but easy, but I’ve learned that challenges are a part of growth. When I started EBN Music, I invested time and resources into marketing and business courses to overcome my struggle with promoting myself. Though I’m still working on expanding my business into more online spaces, I’m proud of the progress I’ve made and the students whose love of music grows every day. Along the way, I’ve realized that quality is far more important than quantity – I’d rather have fewer students and give them high-quality, personalized instruction than spread myself too thin. My story is one of dedication to making music lessons stress-free, accessible, and fun for every child, regardless of their schedule, location, or budget.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There are a few hidden gems in Rockwall, TX that I would highlight! We could explore Historic Downtown Rockwall and eat at one of several restaurants, like the Book Club Cafe for breakfast or Zanata for lunch or dinner. Harry Myers Park is a fun outdoor park that has nice walking trails and a beautiful pond. Lake Ray Hubbard is probably the most central fun experience in Rockwall, so we could go to The Harbor and visit the shops or walk along the lake. And because I’m a musical person, we could definitely see a musical theater performance at the local Rockwall Community Playhouse.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
1. Caleb Norris – my husband and owner of Fine Line Graphics. He creates the graphics for my videos and my online marketing campaigns. He also put together my website in record time when I first started my studio. The site was such an integral part in getting started and it’s still bringing in business and opportunities today! 2. Rockwall Music Teachers Association (RMTA) – local chapter of the National Music Teachers Association. This group of local music teachers are knowledgeable in their field and I’ve learned so much from them and their students.

Website: www.ebnmusic.com

Instagram: @ebn.music

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/emily-norris-ebn-music

Facebook: facebook.com/emily.norris.9/

Youtube: youtube.com/@ebnmusic

Other: TikTok – tiktok.com/@ebnmusic 

Image Credits
All photos credited to Haylee Beth Photography