About
Rachel Boileau founded Blue House Music Studio in 2023 with a focus on students and families who want to cultivate a lifelong love of music.
For the Joy of It!
Our Teaching Philosophy
Music is a gift, and a universal language of expression that brings beauty and joy to the world. My goal is to encourage and cultivate a love for music, and to equip my students for a lifestyle of active participation in music.
I believe in student-centered learning and strive to meet my students where they are at by creating a positive and supporting environment where they can succeed. However, I also value structure and use of proper technique as this sets the stage for successful growth.
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I also encourage my students to frequently listen to a variety of different styles of music. Learning music is like learning a new language. When we are toddlers, we learn spoken language by listening and imitating. It is impossible to learn a second language proficiently just by reading and writing alone! Likewise, we must become avid and active listeners, not only for enjoyment but for deeper understanding. Students will also learn what they can do as musicians by listening to other musicians!
The time students invest into their own musical development is equally important to the time spent at lessons. This includes both regular practice and listening. It will be very difficult for the student to improve if the student only attends the lesson and commits to minimal practice at home. For younger students, parental support and involvement during practice is a key factor to success.
Finally, it is never too late to learn a new instrument! As an adult learner myself (I didn’t start violin until I was in my 20s), I can relate with how vulnerable it can feel to start something brand new. I would encourage new adult learners to give themselves grace to make mistakes and to set reasonable goals for playing.
My Story
I grew up in a household that loved music, and my parents supported me in developing first as a piano player and then as a saxophone player. After high school, I pursued a career in nursing, but my passion and exploration of music didn’t stop. I inherited a violin that had belonged to my great-grandfather and started private lessons.
I have studied privately for many years, and I play at local sessions, at my church and with our family band. In 2022, I decided to return to Grand Valley to study piano pedagogy, driven by a passion of teaching others how to play and to share in the joy and love for music.
While the journey to become a teacher took a nontraditional path for me, I have benefited from countless hours of practice and private lessons to gain knowledge and expertise. I have played in large bands, smaller ensembles, solo performances, traditional sessions and street corner busking.
To continue my growth and development, I am a member of the Holland Piano Teachers Forum as well as the Michigan Music Teachers Association and Music Teachers National Association. I also continue to study through private lessons, camps and workshops across the region.
Studio Policy
To create a environment for student success, there are a few important policies that I ask students and families to commit to when considering lessons. While my full studio policy is available upon request, some important highlights include:
- I place a high value on mutual respect, clear communication and the creation of a positive, safe environment. The expectation is that students and parents share these values.
- A commitment to regular practice is equally important to the lessons themselves. For young children, parents should plan to join in this practice time.
- The love of playing is its own motivation. While a student may not want to play/practice every day, it’s important they want to grow. While I believe nearly everyone can contribute to music, some instruments will be be a better fit than others.
Interested in lessons?
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