Give a warm round of applause to our August Student Spotlight, Mr. Rick Schaal! Rick has been a beloved adult music lesson student at Mason Music for over three and a half years. His path from retiree to passionate drummer has been nothing short of inspiring and we’re thrilled to share his story with you.
Rick’s musical adventure began with a special gift from his daughter Erin: a gift card for music lessons. “I received a gift card from my daughter, who’s also a musician,” Rick shares. His daughter’s thoughtful present opened the door to drum lessons at Mason Music and Rick has embraced every moment since. This wasn’t the first time this father-daughter duo bonded over music. In fact, Rick says one of the most impactful musical moments for him happened together when Erin was just six years old at Six Flags. On their visit, Erin was invited on stage to join a performance and she wouldn’t go without her dad. Once on stage, Erin sang ‘I Will Always Love You’. Rick recalls warmly, “Her excitement with singing inspired me.”
As for where Rick finds inspiration now, the supportive and encouraging environment at the Greystone studio location serves up plenty. “The whole staff at Greystone is amazing,” he says. His lessons with Kevin have been particularly rewarding. “Kevin is very encouraging and gives a lot of great tips from his experience as a musician. He’s very flexible and fun,” Rick explains. Kevin is equally thrilled about Rick’s progress and studio manager Ellie remarks how much she enjoys catching up with Rick each week.
Rick’s musical interests are diverse and exciting. “Just about anything is inspiring,” he says, with recent sessions featuring classics from the Rolling Stones, Brooks and Dunn, and the Eagles. His passion for these genres adds a vibrant touch to his drumming practice.
When asked about the impact of music on his life, Rick laughed, “It has made me sane!” His advice to fellow musicians and students is simple but powerful: “Always practice. Try to enjoy the instrument you’re playing, and that will make practice easier. The more you practice, the more you’ll want to practice.”
Beyond drumming, Rick has a rich history of being handy around the house, with skills in building and plumbing. He also enjoys attending concerts, considering it his hobby.
Rick’s time at Mason Music has been a joyful and fulfilling experience. “I really enjoy my lessons and wish I could have started when I was younger. Coming here is so much fun, and I always look forward to my lessons. These lessons keep me young,” he reflects.
We’re delighted Mr. Rick is a part of our community of over 100 adult music students and we’re inspired by his reminder that music is for everybody. It’s never too late to learn!
Click here to learn more about adult music lessons at Mason Music.
