An interview with Chulyoung Park Chulyoung has recently joined the faculty at Music Maker Workshops. Music is the most precious gift in the world. Don’t doubt the power of music and always be prepared for where music needs to be. What was your first experience with learning music? When I was 15, I sold my…

Introduction Wesley Student of the Month “Wesley always rises to meet and even surpass every challenge I give him. He always plays with an energy that inspires everyone that watched him, including myself!” – Mr. Devin Wesley’s favorite part of taking lessons at Music Makers is… “Mr. Devin is way cool and he likes funny…

An interview with Dr. Steve Kinigstein “I believe music has the ability to unite, communicate, and form bonds between all people.” – Dr. Steve K. What is your favorite thing about being a musician? Easily, my favorite thing about being a musician is the joy of discovery. Whether I am playing or composing there is…

An interview with MMW master piano teacher Dr. Ying Kuo. What are the basics of music composition? The basics of music composition include nice melodies, reasonable harmony, counterpoint, clear musical form…etc. For me, the basics of music composition are the sounds. Whatever sounds I feel are beautiful would be a music material to me. What…

This is a picture of Artist Madison Archer painting a custom mural at Music Maker Workshops.

Impact Awards On December 2nd, 2021 Ahwatukee Foothills Women In Business hosted the Impact Awards at the Four Points by Sheraton in Phoenix.  This Gala included drinks, dinner, raffles, speeches, and an award ceremony.  The Guest Speaker was Christine Harms from the Arizona Cardinals. A Note from WIB Co-Chairs The impact awards are a great…

Collecting for the Food Bank The team at Music Maker Workshops rallied together and collected 223 pounds of food for the families and individuals we serve here at St. Vincent de Paul.  Last week we had the crew from the food bank stop by with the truck to load it all up. Thank you MMW…

Who is Mr. An? Zhihuan AN is a violin teacher at MMW.  He is also now a current Violin Doctoral student of the School of Music of Arizona State University.  He earned his Artist Diploma from Texas Christian University in 2020 and completed his Master’s degree at Campbellsville University in 2016. Mr. An has rich private…

MMW is Proud to Present the Winter Recital Series You Are Invited to Participate! Who: This is open to all active MMW students. Where:  At Esperanza Lutheran Church Cost: $35.00 Per Participant Friends & Family are Free Sign Up here for Rectials   Friday, December 10th 5:30-6:45 pm 6:30-7:15 pm 7:30-8:30 pm Friday, December 17th…

Music Maker Workshops is excited to play it forward with instrument scholarship.

Congratulations Student of the Month: Trent D.!! “Trent consistently practices and keeps up with all the assigned materials, most of it is difficult! He always has a great attitude and a giant smile on his face. He is a joy to have in his class, keep up the great work Trent!” – Mr. Mikey Trent…

Performing arts are valuable for people of all ages. Both young and old can participate and enjoy theatre, dance, and music. Attend Live Performances The Phoenix metropolitan offers a great variety of musical productions. As well this area is a hot spot for many entertainers. Therefore attending live performances is one of the best ways…

MMW hosted an event for the Ahwatukee Women in Business What a great event at Music Maker Workshops.  This was the WIB’s very first Sip & Strum event for local business owners.  We had a wonderful evening sipping wine,  enjoying Pita Jungle, & learning to play the Ukulele. Thanks to our instructor Mr. Allen Mendez…

Join us for Trunk or Treat FREE Trunk or Treat event happening from 6pm to 8pm in the shopping center!  Hosted by the Goodman Taylor Team There will be lots of candy, spooky music, a photo booth, face painting, a coloring station, food trucks and lots of fun! Foothills pool care is collecting socks and…

She is a Joy to Teach Congratulations Student of the Month: Sadie C.!! “Sadie always comes to lessons with a smile and I am always excited to see how much she has grown. She remembers everything we talk about and is thorough in her practice. She has flawless technique and I have loved teaching her!”…

Indroducing our Sudent of the Month Eli! From Eli: My favorite part of taking lessons is learning new notes and songs. My favorite song to play is the”Barking song” because it is my song for my dog Bella.” Congratulations Student of the Month: Eli D.!! “Eli always comes prepared for a fun time in our…

Ms. Kinley came in for lessons ready to learn a Harry Potter Piano Song At the studio students seem to be enjoying the Harry Potter practice pursuit.  Last week they all got sorted into Harry Potter houses.  Kinley got sorted into Hufflepuff.  

Introducting MMW Flute Student Ellie! Audition Requirements: Collections for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Alto Sax and Trumpet: • Grade by Grade edited by Janet Way, Boosey and Hawkes Inc. publishers (Difficulty level: Grade by Grade No. 2 = medium easy, Grade by Grade No. 3 = medium) More Information on Metro Youth Symphony Located in Mesa,…

Music Maker Workshops is a collection site for Los Nino Elementary school supplies. We’re excited to be a drop off location for this school drive! From the organizer: “Kyrene de Los Niños needs our community support. This Title I Kyrene school is actively working to lower its COVID case count and maintain a safe and…

Meet Brody, Drummer Extraordinaire Brody was all ready to perform at a Friday Under the Lights Recital at the Urban Tuk Cafe.  These recitals were held last May, 2021.  This outside venue was chosen to help us navigate a recital during the pandemic.  The beautiful outside stage and lovely lights provided us with a fantastic…

Introducing Leah G. She’s always prepared & comes to lessons ready to learn. “Leah started having in-person lessons this month and has gone above and beyond! Her music is always so well prepared and she always comes to lessons ready to learn and with a positive attitude!”  – Ms. Micaela What is your favorite part…

Introducing Abigail J. Becoming an Artist Since starting to learn guitar in June of 2019, Abigail has gone above and beyond to grow her skills and challenge herself.  Her first undertaking after learning a few chords and rhythms was to Sing and Play.  Which she did beautifully to perform All of Me by John Legend…

Ms. Kim Steedman is recognized as a valuable team player of the Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce. Congratulations to Ms. Kim who is the Ambassador of the Month for the Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce.  This title is given in recognition of her outstanding service.  Kim’s enthusiastic personality and hospitable nature is perfect for welcoming…

Introducing violin student Alinna O. “Alinna always brightens my day when I get to teach her violin! She is so sweet and always willing to do what is asked. She has been working hard at developing her bow hold and great sound on the violin while learning her songs. Great job Alinna, keep up the…

Introducing Ava B, who’s loved to sing her whole life. Introducing and Featuring Ava who is a voice student at Music Maker Workshops.  Currently she is taking lessons with Ms. Micaela.   “Ava is such a joy to have in voice lessons! She is always super focused, well prepared, and takes feedback and criticism extremely well.…

Music Maker Workshops & Milano Music work together to provide instrument rentals for local schools. Music Maker Workshops has been working alongside the team of Milano Music for over two decades to provide instrument rentals.  Milano music will provide full-service support for local music teachers to make their life easier.  Together we host rental nights…

Music Maker Workshops hosted an instrument petting zoo for the local community. This is a picture of Mr. Jacob C. playing the trombone for a young participant. On Saturday, August 13th, Music Maker Workshop hosted an instrument petting zoo where children could come and touch (play) different instruments and listen to how they sounded. Instruments…

Celebrating 5 years teaching at Music Maker Workshops The saying “Music is my Happy Place” definitely seems to describe Emilio to a tee!  A teacher filled with positive energy and a genuine love for music.  His talent and knowledge has been greatly appreciated at the studio.  Recently he has celebrated his fifth year teaching at…

When: Tuesday, Aug 10th Morning Mixer Thank you to all who attended the morning mixer at Music Maker Workshops on Tuesday, Aug 10th, 2021.   What is a Morning Mixer? Morning Mixers are networking events that allow a business to open its doors to Chamber members and non-members for the opportunity for attendees to meet…

Introducing Titus “Titus has been consistently playing at a high level that most students his age just don’t get near until late teen years. He spent a good amount of time learning the notes on his instrument. He has kept an open ear to music of rock, metal, jazz, blues, funk, soul, r&b. Because of…

Open House at Music Maker Workshops Music Maker Workshops is hosting a Back-to-School Open House Saturday, August 14th from 9-11 am. All ages welcome! Kids will have the opportunity to experience the instrument petting zoo. Take a tour of the studio while you learn about their music lesson programs. Giveaways and Free registration will be…

Ms. Rachel celebrates 1 year teaching at MMW Introducing Ms. Rachel R, Flute & Piano Instructor Rachel Reyes has been teaching at the studio for 1 year already.  She is making beautiful music with her students both virtually and in-studio.  Last year she moved from Seattle, WA to pursuit a Master of Music Performance degree…

What is this Program? This band meets at Music Maker Workshop once a week and is designed for middle-school & high-school students. This program teaches students how to improvise together, teaches an extended palette of chords, composition, and knowledge of melody. It’s a small group of intermediate to advanced musicians. Looking for Musicians of All…

Student Recognition to Kinley C! Kinley comes to Music Maker Workshops for both Voice & Piano Lessons weekly.  This last year with the restrictions due to the pandemic she took both virtual and in-studio.  She is consistent and loyal to her musical studies. In addition, this summer she took 5 weeks of music camp to…

Mr. Austen celebrates 12 years at MMW A Multi-instrumentalist, Performer & Thoughtful Teacher Austen has a BMus in Jazz Performance from ASU, as well as 20 years of experience as a live performer and 12 years experience as a private educator. Austen’s range of experience makes him a versatile teacher; as a 12-year member of…

Introducting Savana a MMW Ukulele and Guitar Student. Savana started off with little know-how on the Uke but has spent a lot of time practicing to get better. She was one of Mr. Allen’s most prepared students for the summer recital playing “La Vie En Rose” which has Maj7 Dim7 & Min7 chords #jazz. Savana…

Whiz Kidz Playland sets up in the same mall as MMW Recently Whiz Kids Playland has moved to a neighboring suite at the mall where Music Maker Workshops is located.  This is on the SE corner of 32nd Street and Chandler Blvd in Ahwatukee.  We had a lovely time talking with the Owner and Director,…

Introducing Mr. Tim C. “Tim has been a cello student at MMW for over 6 years. During that time he has participated in numerous recitals and spent hundreds of hours in lessons and practice. Last March, he purchased a beautiful new cello as an ongoing commitment to his musical education. Tim is a dedicated student…

Ahwatukee Community Cup Award Congratulations to Mrs. Jessica Magee who was awarded the Community Cup from the Ahwatukee Chamber of Commerce. This is in recognition for Jessica’s willingness to help others. Music Maker Workshops is so excited to celebrate our office manager! Ahwatukee Women in Business In addition to managing Music Maker Workshops Jessica is…

Thank you Ahwatukee This was our 20th year of providing summer camp programming to the community of Ahwatukee.  We did minimal advertising and all our camps were sold out at the beginning of the summer due to our loyal students and community families spreading the word. What is Summer Camp? Summer Music Camps: These unique…

List of Teacher Openings: Last Update 7/26/21 Mr. Allen (Guitar & Brass) Monday: SOLD OUTTuesday: 1 spot leftWednesday: SOLD OUTThursday: SOLD OUTFriday: 1 spot left  Mr. An (Violin & Viola) New to Faculty Friday: 4 spots Saturday: 5 spots   Ms. Chandra (Violin & Piano) Monday: 1 spot left Tuesday: 1 spot leftSaturday: SOLD OUT Mr. Devin (Drums…

We are a Milano’s Music Depot Serving Ahwatukee since 1997 Music Maker Workshops has been working collaboratively with Milano’s to provide Ahwatukee with Locally owned and maintained instruments. Ahwatukee residents can come to our studio and rent a Milano’s instrument. Our rental program has been developed through decades of working with the music educators of…

Piano Competition at Music Maker Workshops The summer piano competition gives pianists an opportunity to showcase their skills with a selected piece on an acoustic piano. The end-of-summer showcase was a success with a full house of drummers and fans! Bravo to our Participants Bravo to the 2nd Annual Piano Competition participants!! We’re so proud…

Summer Drum Competition at MMW The summer drum competition gives drummers an opportunity to showcase their skills in a drum solo on an acoustic drum set. The end-of-summer showcase was a success with a full house of drummers and fans! Congratulations to the students who placed: Division 1: First – Abby H. Second – Madden…

Teaching music is a family affair for Ahwatukee’s Music Maker Workshops By Sara Edwards – Contributing writer May 13, 2021, 4:47pm EDT Phoenix Business Journal Music Maker Workshops is made up of (from left) co-director Kim Steedman; office manager Jessica Magee; and co-director Shelley Yakubow. Sisters Kim Steedman and Shelley Yakubow have been involved with…

Music Maker Workshops in Ahwatukee is honoring mothers in a unique way this year with a music lesson giveaway. Any resident in the community-children, friends, family – can nominate a deserving mother to win a music lesson package worth over $100.00 This year the studio has increased the giveaway to include 10 lucky moms. “We…

After Tammy Felker’s mother passed away, among the most difficult items to part with was her mother’s library of sheet music. She recalled how her mother Dee Felker played piano and organ for a Congregational Church in Colorado before retiring in Arizona and how every Christmas, she sang “Silent Night” in German. It took 16…

Thank You Ahwatukee for Voting Us #1 Music Lesson Studio! After surviving the infamous year of the pandemic this award is pretty sweet; coupled with the taste of chocolate chip Crumbl Cookies. Thanks to all the students, teachers, MMW admin staff, Ahwatukee chamber members & community friends for your votes. We appreciate you. Ahwatukee Foothills…

Why Are Flashcards Useful? Flashcards are one of the greatest ways to practice reading treble and bass clef notes. Some research has found that this kind of active recall retrieval practice leads to 150% better retention than passive studying. The take-away: flashcards are effective because they make you pull information out of your memory (instead…

Dear MMW Families, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey issued an Executive Order yesterday that loosens COVID-19 restrictions in the community.  However, the Arizona Department of Health Services Emergency Measure 2020-04 is still in effect, requiring masks for all K-12 schools.  Since our music studio is a music instruction facility offering lessons to students of various ages…

Planning A Summer to Remember Are you ready for your kiddos to unplug and to get their creative juices flowing?  We have the camp just for them! Spark our child’s creativity with Morning Music Camp. This unique camp allows students to choose three instruments to learn: piano, ukulele, guitar, voice, & drums. Plus, we’ll have…

Music Maker Workshops has taken the pledge to keep our music school safe.  We have been presented with this badge for our safety efforts. Stop COVID-19.  Save the Music We Pledge to: Have Students & Staff Wear Face Coverings. Check Temperatures from Students & Staff Before They Enter Classrooms Provide Free Hand Sanitizer in our…

Fox 10 News came to speak to co-directors Kim Steedman & Shelley Yakubow and Founder Beverly Bigam about how COVID -19 has impacted their business.

Music Books for Exchange Music Maker Workshops is proud to announce Ahwatukee’s first-ever Little Music Library for the community. Our Little Libraries program supports musicians of all ages in creating opportunities to share music through book exchanges and fostering connections. On Friday, November 13th at 5:30 pm, MMW will be hosting a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony…

New Faces Lead Ahwatukee Women in Business In March of this year, Jess Magee volunteered to join Angelica Parra as co-chair of the Ahwatukee Chamber of Commerce Women in Business committee after her former partner stepped down to focus on her full-time career. Now, the two women lead the committee as “complements” to one another.…

Cindy Weir is a registered Speech Language Pathologist who began working with hospitals and providing in-home care to children of families in the 1990s. As she was working, she thought to herself, “I should learn more music because I’m using it as I work with my students.” Already coming to music with a background in…

Cheston Brown Cheston with his teacher Ms. Cindy at Music Maker Workshops When Music Maker Workshops of Ahwatukee (MMW) opens on Monday mornings, Cheston Brown runs to his classroom for a piano lesson with Miss Cindy, which brings great happiness to his mother, Hope Dob – bins-Brown. Cheston had taken lessons elsewhere but had discontinued…

Kim Steedman and Shelley Yakubow. co-directors of family-owned Music Maker Workshops in Ahwatukee flank long-time employee Jess Libman(Courtesy of Kevin Poleyumptewa/Moonlit Dreams Photography). By Coty Dolores Miranda, Ahwatukee Foothills Newspaper, April 29th, 2020 Music Maker Workshops, a family-owned and operated music school that opened their doors in Ahwatukee in 1997, has created an answer for…

Music Maker Workshops is a family-owned and operated music studio, in Ahwatukee, started by Mrs. Beverly Bigam in 1997.  This family business has been bringing the musical arts to the local area for over two decades. With the faithfulness of the community, the studio has steadily grown and developed into an Ahwatukee gem. It all…

Article by Foothills Living, October 2019 Edition. Ms. Abby Simpson Puckett teaches flute, piccolo, saxophone and piano at Music Maker Workshops and just won first prize of the National Flute Association’s Piccolo Orchestral Audition Masterclass Competition! From hundreds of applicants, it was an unbelievable achievement to win first prize.This year’s NFA convention was held in…

A new book that shows how music not only soothes the savage beast but can add a new dimension to almost anyone’s life, especially people 40 and older, has spotlighted an Ahwatukee business and a local musician. Calling Ahwatukee “home to a music underground of amateurs who have created a quiet community of song,” Richmond, Virginia,…

Article by Foothills Living, July 2019 Edition When a 17-year-old athlete bolts through the front door of hishome saying that his piano lesson didn’t feel like practice andthat he wished he could have played for hours, a parent has towonder what made the piano lesson so much fun. To begin, the music teacher is Micheal…

Article by Foothills Living, May 2019 Edition. Take a tour of Music Maker Workshops and you’ll likely hear all sorts of amazing sounds, from music to laughter. It’s an environment buzzing with activity, a joyful place that fosters creativity. MMW is locally owned and operated and was founded on the vision of promoting positive music…

By Krystin Wiggs Ahwatukee Foothills News What comes first, a baby’s first steps or a baby’s first song?According to Kim Steedman, a Kindermusik teacher at Music Maker Workshops, enrolling babies in music classes can actually help them develop their motor skills and strength to prepare them for walking.“For my own children, their language and cognitive…

Music Makers Workshops3233 E. Chandler Blvd. Suite 2480-706-1224 | musicmakerworkshops.com Music Maker Workshop offers lessons, instrument rentals, and programs such as “Rock Band” classes, where students can learn and collaborate with each other. The family-owned studio has been operating for almost 20 years and is staffed for a wide range of instrument lessons for all…

By Erin Sullivan Special to AFN Music Maker Workshops has flourished for 14 years in Ahwatukee Foothills as a true family business that continues to expand.Since its initial establishment, it has evolved into more than a studio meant solely for private lessons. It now serves as a place for music lovers of all ages to…

Apr 22, 2015 The Kyrene community is invited to attend an evening of fine arts entertainment on Friday, April 24, at 5:30 p.m. at Mountain Pointe High School, 4201 E. Knox Road, Phoenix. Sponsored by Kyrene Community Education and Outreach, Music Maker Workshops, the Kyrene Music and Fine Arts Association and Arts Council 4 Youth,…

By Allison Hurtado, Ahwatukee Foothills News Apr 6, 2014 Kids camps at Ahwatukee Music Makers this summer will have children bringing out their inner artist. Preschoolers, ages 3 to 6, can enjoy a carnival-themed camp, called Confetti Days. Confetti Days is four mornings of crafts, games, snacks, stories, and music. Kids will get to ride a carousel…