Julie Brandenburg is a performer, composer and recording artist whose resume spans contemporary chamber music through a bi-weekly piano karaoke gig at Angelo’s through the prog-tinged alt-rock of her ‘90s band True Heart Susie. She’s also an educator. Since 2015, a good share of Brandenburg’s time and energy has been directed toward giving lessons at her own studio, Be Sound Music Studio (2407 N. Maryland Ave.). Off the Cuff spoke with Brandenburg about Be Sound’s recent expansion with four new instructors added to the staff.
There are lots of places in Milwaukee for music lessons. What’s special about Be Sound?
It’s not a music store—I’m not selling anything! I’ve brought an excellent group of teachers onboard. We all have degrees, experience, credentials. We offer high quality teaching in a relaxed environment.
The Wisconsin Conservatory of Music has excellent credentialed instructors…
They do, but I think we are more affordable. We try to keep the price point to a level a family can live with.
Do you have entire families taking lessons?
Sometimes one family member might take guitar lessons, for example, and one of their children will come in for piano.
What do you teach?
Voice, piano and composition. I also teach audio programs. I have a broad command of ProTools and Sibelius and other audio software.
Do you find yourself co-producing people’s recordings?
I sometimes help people take songs and learn how to produce them. This involves the artistic as well as the technical side of production.
You mention composition. How do you teach someone to write a song?
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There are a lot of ways to create music. Some of it is through knowledge of music theory. Some people strum on their guitar until they find something they like. When someone comes to me wanting to write a song, the first thing I do is encourage them to imagine what they want to hear—and then try to express it with a guitar riff or a lyric or a chord progression. There is no one way to do it. Everyone works differently. People have to think creatively. It’s a bigger picture concept to open their doors to what they want to do.
You mentioned that Be Sound has a relaxed environment.
We’ve created an aesthetically comfortable space. There’s a play area for kids with toys in the waiting area, a space with a work table and a comfortable seating area for adults. I want people to feel at home.
For more information, visit www.besoundmusic.com. In addition to Brandenburg, Be Sound’s teaching staff now includes Paul Terrien (guitar, lap steel, ukulele), Lauren Sperry (woodwinds), Eric Sperry (trumpet), Matt Liban (drums) and Kyle Samuelson (bass).
