We had the good fortune of connecting with Hou Si Wong and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hou Si, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Over the years of learning and teaching music, I’ve seen many passionate students lose interest in piano due to a lack of motivation or understanding of how to truly engage with the music they love, this often was a result of the traditional ways of teaching. I wanted to change that by creating lesson plans that inspire students and help them connect more deeply with the music they’re passionate about. I incorporate songs that resonate with each student and use those songs to teach essential concepts that empower them to recreate and explore music independently.

To achieve this, I believe it’s crucial to foster strong relationships with both students and their families. This was challenging when I worked for other companies, as I didn’t always have the flexibility to adapt lessons in the way I envisioned. That’s why I decided to start my own business, so I could create a learning environment tailored to each student’s individual needs and motivation.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
At Sunny Side Music Denton, my focus is on making music education engaging and personalized. What sets us apart is our approach: rather than sticking to traditional, one-size-fits-all lesson plans, I tailor each lesson to my students’ musical interests and goals. I want my students to feel excited about learning, so I incorporate songs they love and use those as a foundation to teach important musical concepts. I also emphasize creativity, encouraging my students to not just play music but to understand how it’s created so they can recreate or even compose their own pieces.

One of the things I’m most proud of is building a community where students and their families feel involved and supported. I believe music education is more effective when families are part of the journey, and I work to create a welcoming environment where parents and siblings can participate and celebrate the students’ progress. We’ve even had students perform at local events and recitals, which creates lifelong memories and boosts their confidence.

Getting to where I am today wasn’t easy. When I first started, I faced challenges with gaining visibility and building a client base from scratch. It took time, persistence, and dedication to establish my business, and I had to learn a lot about marketing, networking, and managing the administrative side of things. One of the key lessons I learned is the importance of being adaptable and open to new ideas—whether that’s adjusting lessons to better fit my students’ needs or finding creative ways to reach out to potential clients.

I want people to know that Sunny Side Music Denton isn’t just about piano lessons; it’s about building a love for music, creativity, and community. My goal is to inspire my students to not only learn music but to enjoy the journey and feel empowered by it. I’m excited to continue growing this community and helping more students find their passion for music.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend visited Denton for a week, I’d kick things off with coffee at West Oak Coffee Bar, followed by browsing Recycled Books. We’d enjoy dinner at Thai Square and indulge in dessert at Beth Marie’s Ice Cream.

Live music at Harvest House and a day of hiking at Ray Roberts Lake would be highlights, along with tours of University of North Texas and Texas Woman’s University. We’d wrap up with local brews and food trucks at East Side Denton. It’s all about Denton’s charm, food, and music!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My biggest inspiration is one of my own piano teachers, Miss Sandra Thompson Siler. Her passion for teaching and genuine care for her students transformed my relationship with piano and music. She’s the kind of teacher I strive to be for my students.

I’d also like to express my gratitude to my students’ friends and families. They play a crucial role in supporting my students, helping them continue to learn and thrive between lessons. They are the backbone that allows my students to grow into the best musicians they can be.

I’m grateful to the City of Denton, local schools, and businesses for giving my students the opportunity to perform at their events over the years. These experiences have provided such nurturing and supportive environments for them to share their progress and achievements. They are the kind of memories that will stay with my students throughout their musical journey.

Lastly, I want to thank my partner for her unwavering support every step of the way. From being my rock when I’m at my lowest to creating props for my students to celebrate their accomplishments at recitals, she has been my biggest support system.

Website: https://www.sunnysidemusicdenton.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunny_side_music_denton/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SunnySideMusicDenton

Youtube: @PianoWithSi

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