XX Files: Striking A Chord With The Kids

Story And Photo By Julianna Bonnett Jordyn Severin

Hits The Right Notes For The Little Ones

At Marie-Rose Music Studio, Owner and Lead Instructor, Jordyn Severin’s passion towards providing a high quality musical education to her students has been a continued motivation in her life and career.

At the shy age of four, Severin’s mom signed her up for the Music for Young Children (MYC) program, and at six years old she won her first international composition competition for piano. Continuing her passion for music, she earned her first scholarship for piano at the age of 10 and began her journey with music from that point on.

In 2016, Severin took over Marie-Rose Music Studio after her mentor and teacher — Sister Claire Durocher who opened the studio in 1972 — announced she was retiring after 55 years of teaching.

“In 2012, I became the youngest qualified MYC teacher in Canada at age 18,” she recalls. “With the help of my mentor and good friend, Sister Claire, I was able to start my first year of teaching with two small classes of students.”

At that time, Severin was completing her undergraduate degree full time and teaching only on Saturday mornings, but luckily, because she had Durocher there to help, she was able to run her own small business with nine clients in her first year.

“Throughout my undergrad degree, my clientele grew, and I began to learn the ins and outs of running a business with the help of Sister Claire,” she explains. “Of course, this was a huge honour for me and I will be forever grateful for this incredible gift that Sister Claire provided me. Now in her late 70s, Sister Claire is still involved with the studio and I still call her to tell her stories about the business and ask for her advice.”

Located at 1232 Stoneybrook Crescent in Windsor, Marie-Rose Music studio offers private piano lessons (seven and up) and MYC group classes (two to six years of age).

“This small-group, keyboard-based MYC program provides a wellrounded musical education including theory, singing, composition, ensemble playing, and listening skills. So, once they graduate from the program, they can complete their grade one practical and theory examinations through the Royal Conservatory of Music and move on to any instrument of their choosing,” she states. “I am passionate about providing high quality musical education to children, but we also aim to help children grow valuable life skills that will help them to be compassionate, successful and hard working members of our community.”

While the music community may be very small in Windsor, Jordyn Severin’s experience has been filled with very supportive and positive groups of people. Since she took over Marie-Rose Music Studio in 2016, the business has grown by leaps and bounds.

Music camps (for those aged five to nine) are also available at various times in the year.

Before coming to the decision to take over Marie-Rose Music Studio, Severin wanted to be a physician because she believed that is where she would be most successful.

“I even went as far as writing my MCAT and applied to medical schools in Canada,” she mentions. “After a lot of soul searching and learning about myself, I realized that teaching music is what makes me the happiest and what fills me with joy. It was a very tough decision to change my whole life plan, but now I feel absolutely fulfilled and love what I do every day.”

With the recent relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions, Severin is returning to in-person lessons, but she will continue to offer online lessons (as she did when lockdown measures were in effect) as an option for those feeling unwell and think it is best to stay at home, and for families who do not feel comfortable taking lessons in the studio.

“This past year has been a very scary and difficult time for small business owners everywhere,” she says. “My clients were very open to moving online and their support, along with my family and friends, made this transition less difficult, I now see many new opportunities to teach through online platforms, moving forward.”

In closing, Severin shares the most valuable insight that she has learned throughout her career — to continue to do what you love. “Focus on doing it the best you can. Clients will see you shine and want to share the magic with everyone they know.”

For more information, check out: MarieRoseMusic.com.