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Student spotlight

Jul 07 2026

Student Spotlight: Maggie — Building Confidence One Audition at a Time

Every student who walks through our doors has a unique story. Some dream of playing in a rock band. Some want to write songs. Others light up the stage under the bright lights of musical theatre.

Meet Maggie. Watch her Interview video here!

For Maggie, performing isn’t just a hobby, it’s where she feels most at home.

A Passion That Never Stops Growing

Maggie sings. She dances. She acts. She even auditions for commercials.

“I love to sing and act and dance all the time,” she says. “It’s just amazing to audition.”

That excitement is exactly what makes musical theatre so special. Every audition is a chance to grow, every rehearsal builds confidence, and every performance creates memories that last a lifetime.

Although Maggie has been taking lessons at Music Royale for about a year, her performing journey began even earlier while living in North Carolina. Now, she’s continuing to build those skills here in Central Ohio with voice coach Eryn, who helps her prepare for everything from auditions to performances, and even commercial opportunities.

Whether a student dreams of Broadway, community theatre, or simply becoming a more confident performer, personalized instruction can make all the difference. Our Lessons program is designed to help every student discover their own path while learning from experienced teachers who care about their goals.

Turning Hard Work Into Big Opportunities

One of Maggie’s proudest accomplishments came when she auditioned for Winnie the Pooh Kids with Sunbury Performing Arts.

She originally hoped to play Tigger.

Instead, something even bigger happened.

After callbacks for several different characters, including Winnie the Pooh, Owl, Eeyore, and Kanga, she earned the lead role of Winnie the Pooh.

That moment didn’t happen by accident.

It came from preparation, confidence, and having a teacher who helped her develop the skills to walk into auditions ready to perform.

Performing isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being prepared when opportunity knocks.

Confidence That Carries Beyond the Stage

One of Maggie’s favorite memories at Music Royale happened during one of our Open Mic Nights.

She performed “The Tummy Song” from Winnie the Pooh in front of a live audience.

Because she had already performed the lead role on stage, she discovered something important.

“I felt so much more confident in myself.”

Open Mic Nights give students a chance to experience performing in a welcoming environment where family, friends, teachers, and fellow musicians cheer each other on. Whether it’s your very first performance or your fiftieth, stepping onto the stage is one of the fastest ways to build lasting confidence.

Learning From Great Teachers

Ask Maggie what her favorite part of Music Royale is, and her answer comes quickly.

“The teachers are so good.”

She especially enjoys working with Eryn, who helps her:

  • Prepare for auditions
  • Find new performance opportunities
  • Practice show material
  • Build confidence for commercials
  • Continue growing as a performer

Great lessons aren’t just about technique. They’re about helping students reach goals they didn’t think were possible.

That’s something we strive for with every student who walks through our doors.

Always Looking Toward the Next Performance

Maggie isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

She’s currently performing in:

  • Finding Nemo Kids with Emily LaFree Talent Company
  • Dare to Dream with Westerville Civic Theatre

When asked if she plans to continue with musical theatre, her answer couldn’t be more clear.

“I plan on staying in musical theatre for the rest of my life.”

That’s the kind of passion we love to see.

Advice for Future Performers

If Maggie could give one piece of advice to someone just starting their musical journey, it would be simple:

“Believe in yourself. Believe you can do it, and you’ll accomplish it.”

Sometimes that’s exactly what young musicians and performers need to hear.

Talent grows with practice.

Confidence grows with experience.

Dreams grow when someone believes in you.

Ready to Start Your Own Story?

Every student spotlight begins with a first lesson.

Whether your child dreams of starring in a musical, singing with confidence, learning an instrument, or simply discovering a lifelong love of music, we’re here to help them take that first step.

Explore our Lessons, learn more about the Music Royale community on our Home Page, or Contact Us to schedule a lesson and meet one of our incredible teachers.

Who knows?

The next student spotlight might be yours.

Written by megan · Categorized: Student Spotlight · Tagged: friendly neighborhood music store, music education, music lessons, Music Royale, Student spotlight

Mar 23 2026

Student Spotlight: Lex Bauman — Turning Volume Up on the Dream

Some students take lessons. Lex Bauman is building a career. Watch his full video interview

From the moment he picked up a guitar at nine years old, Lex knew exactly what he was looking at: something awesome. A year later, he added vocals. Now? He’s not just playing music, he’s writing it, recording it, releasing it, and chasing it full force.

This is what it looks like when passion gets serious.

Lex currently balances his schedule through Whitmore’s asynchronous online program, giving him the flexibility to focus on what matters most: making music. And he’s using that time well. He already has multiple original songs available on streaming platforms, along with music videos that bring his sound to life.

👉 Listen to Lex Bauman on streaming platforms: Search “Lex Bauman”
👉 Follow him on Instagram: @lexbaumanguitar
👉 TikTok: @lexbaumanofficial

Start with his top tracks:

  • Evangeline
  • My Girlfriend’s Best Friend
  • Taylor Swift

This isn’t a “someday” artist. This is happening right now.

Like every real musician, the journey didn’t start easy. Early on, it was the physical grind—sore fingers, building calluses, pushing through the uncomfortable stage where most people quit. But Lex didn’t.

And that’s where the difference shows.

“Just don’t give up on what you really care about,” he says. “If you really love it, don’t get discouraged.”

That mindset carried him from beginner to recording artist—and it’s exactly what we see in students who go the distance.

Lex is also quick to point out something a lot of young musicians miss: YouTube can only take you so far. Real growth happens when you’re in the room, learning from experienced teachers, picking up the details—the “secret skills”—that shape you into a real musician.

👉 Meet our teachers & Learn about Lessons: https://musicroyale.com/lessons

At Music Royale, Lex found more than lessons. He found a community.

From Open Mic Nights to Rock School, he’s been in the mix—performing, collaborating, and figuring out what it really means to be in a band. Rock School, especially, was a turning point. It gave him his first real band experience and helped lock in his direction.

“That’s when it clicked—this is what I want to do.”

And he means it.

Lex’s long-term plan? Go all in. Music first. No hesitation.

One of his biggest accomplishments so far has been working on his own record—stepping back and realizing, I made this. That moment hits different. It’s not practice anymore. It’s real.

Behind the scenes, he’s also diving into music videos—long days, hard work, but something he genuinely enjoys. Because when you love it, the grind becomes part of the reward.

His influences? Legends and lifers. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Butch Walker. Tuck Smith. Artists who built careers on authenticity, energy, and staying power.

And that’s exactly the lane Lex is stepping into.

At the core of it all, he credits the people who helped him get there—especially his teachers, Scott Gorsuch and Phil Smith. That mentorship, that connection, that guidance—it matters.

👉 Start your own journey: https://musicroyale.com
👉 Contact us today: https://musicroyale.com/contact

Because every rockstar starts somewhere.

Some start later.
Some start casually.
And some—like Lex—start early, lock in, and don’t look back.

If you’ve been thinking about lessons, joining Rock School, or stepping on stage for the first time, take this as your sign.

Start now. Stay with it. Turn it up. 🎸

Read our other blogs!

Written by megan · Categorized: Student Spotlight · Tagged: guitar, Music Royale, Student spotlight

Sep 12 2024

Music Royale Student Spotlight – Austin Kurtz

Austin started music lessons at Music Royale at the age of 6, taking multiple lessons from various teachers until he joined Jesse’s studio. Now, even moving all the way to Salem, OH won’t stop him from taking lessons with his favorite teacher. Virtual lessons haven’t held back Austin’s learning, as he has been accepted into his school’s jazz band as the only electric guitar player. Watch his interview video.

Austin’s main instrument is electric guitar, but he is also proficient on drums, electric bass, piano, woodwinds, tuba, trumpet, and trombone. Austin plays in his school’s school band on the Tuba, electric guitar in jazz band, and drums in the Slipknot cover band, Sick, he and his friends are starting. 

His tastes have changed since he started taking lessons, but learning beginner songs have helped Austin ramp up his passion for music. His advice to beginning guitar students is, 

“Please do not go for speed first…[learn] technique and really [learn] how you can use that technique to go into solos…”

Even with natural talent, Austin has to put in a lot of hard work to know this much. He said memorizing chord names has been his biggest challenge. As a Rock School Alum, Austin says he learned teamwork and stage presence. He says Rock School prepared him well to start improving in the jazz band. 

Want to know more about lessons at Music Royale? Give us a call or send us a message. Read our teacher bios here. 

Interested in Rock School? Teach your young musician the business of being a musician at the same time helping them form healthy habits for practice, rehearsal, and teamwork. Sign up next time registration is open.

Written by megan · Categorized: Student Spotlight · Tagged: music education, Music Royale, Student spotlight

Jul 24 2024

Music Royale Student Spotlight: Neil Taylor

Neil Taylor

Neil Taylor has been a lesson student at Music Royale since he was 6-years-old, taking lessons for a variety of instruments: Alto Saxophone, Guitar, Drums, Piano. Neil was diagnosed with mixed phenotype acute leukemia, a rare cancer that is a blend of AML and ALL leukemia, when he was 12-years-old. This interrupted his music lessons, but not his love for music. Watch his interview!

Neil’s Lore

While Neil was in the hospital, he found that hospital food was fine and all, but it wasn’t something he wanted to eat every day during his stay. In his experience, by the time a family member could get to the car, leave the hospital, wait in line at the drive through, re-park, and deliver the food to his room, his appetite wasn’t the same anymore. He figured, if he was going through this, then other children probably were as well.  

Neil’s Mission

After going into remission, Neil’s Meals was founded through the Feel Better Foundation. Donations are turned into gift cards to various restaurant brands and made available to pediatric patients at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Families can request a warrior volunteer to pick up food or place an order on a food delivery service app. If you’d like to help Neil with his mission, click here!

Neil’s Advice

Each musician has their own challenges they face. Neil reminisces about being a “video game kid” and not wanting to practice, but ultimately glad he made himself do it.

“I learned that practice was absolutely necessary, especially in higher level music… You can’t just get it in one go and you can’t just wing it because it will show”

Not being able to play music during treatment, Neil faced a different challenge when he came back to Music Royale. Learning his lesson about avoiding practice, Neil likes to think he’s pretty good at all his instruments again. 

“…and practice can be a lot of fun, especially if you like what you’ve picked up. And if you don’t like what you’ve picked up, you don’t have to feel like you have to stick to it. You can always change it around. And always try something new.” Watch the video to hear all of Neil’s advice.

Neil’s Influences

Neil’s musical influences are Imagine Dragons, Frank Sinatra, his Aunt Niki and his grandfather. Imagine Dragon is a band he listens to all of the time and Frank SInatra has inspired his love if jazz music. Aunt Niki is a professional musician herself and sing with various bands. She fostered her nephews natural talent by paying for his music lessons and musical instruments and his grandfather made sure he was present by driving him to all of his lessons. Neil would also like to thank teachers, Ron and Erin

Now What Neil?

Now Neil is in high school and has been part of many musical and non musical theater productions. Including: Didn’t See That Coming, Little Mermaid, Into the Woods, Bye Bye Birdie, Girls of Road Manor. He is currently taking singing lessons to help his theater career.

Music Royale

Music Royale is your friendly neighborhood music store and we are proud to present such a fine student as Neil Taylor. It has been a pleasure to watch him start his musical journey at a young age and it was even more a pleasure to see him return and continue music with a new found love of practicing!

We believe that every student is unique and their lessons should be, too. Our highly trained instructors customize lesson plans for each student, ensuring that every student’s goals and ability are considered. Theory, technique, composition, and music production are all taught at Music Royale. We are happy to work with all types of students; beginner to advanced, young and old, and students with special needs. We feel that anyone with a passion for music has a place at Music Royale. Read our teacher bios.

Contact us

614-793-2222
info@musicroyale.com
480 W. Olentangy St. Powell, Ohio

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Written by megan · Categorized: Student Spotlight · Tagged: alto saxophone, guitar, leukemia, music education, music lessons, piano, singing, Student spotlight

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Music Royale
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Hours:

Monday - Thursday: 12pm - 8pm

Friday: 12pm- 6pm

Saturday: 10am - 5pm

Sunday: 12pm - 5pm

Address:

480 West Olentangy Street
Powell, OH 43065

Phone:

(614)793-2222