In collaboration with the Des Moines Music Teachers Association, MML students Arlo and Lucy performed piano at Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines on Friday, August 21. Arlo and Lucy, who study piano with MML faculty member Brittany Brugman-Khanna, performed Chopin’s “Raindrop Prelude” and Faber’s “Hound Dog Blues.” Music studios from across the metro came together at the St. Joseph Stage, where students shared music inspired by nature and animals with zoo visitors. Arlo and Lucy en

At Mobile Music Lessons, we believe music has the power to inspire, connect, and transform lives. Whether we’re teaching a beginner their first notes, helping an experienced musician grow their skills, or bringing live music to the community, our work is guided by a shared set of values we call our EPIC JAM. These values shape every lesson, performance, and interaction. Excellence: We deliver high-quality instruction and experiences through skilled, professional musicians a

Learn about piano and violin faculty member, Campbell Helton's European adventures this summer performing, composing, and premiering compositions! 1. How and why did you decide to go to Europe this summer? I applied to a few summer music festivals both inside and outside the US, and there were a few in Europe that happened to accept me! I wanted to get experience meeting different music professors and continuing my music studies over the summer. I also conducted some research

Get to know Ira from the studio of Brittany Brugman-Khanna! Q: What is your favorite piece to play? A: "Rumpelstiltskin" by Jon George Q: What has music taught you? A: That I like playing it! Q: Who is your favorite artist? A: My Mom Q: How has music been a part of your life since you were young? A: My Dad, older brother, and I always play music! Read more Mobile Music Lessons Student Spotlights

How we practice may be more important than the number of minutes we spend practicing. In their TED Talk, Annie Bosler and Don Greene share that students should focus on practicing efficiently rather than simply measuring the amount of time it takes to master a skill. According to the research they present, "effective practice is consistent, intensely focused, and targets content or weaknesses that lie at the edge of one's current abilities." This suggests that the quality of

Congratulations to all students who performed during the Summer Recital yesterday at Wesley on Grand, a WesleyLife Community in Des Moines! Students and faculty performed solos and duets on piano. Thank you to all who came to support these talented musicians. We’re so proud of their hard work and grateful to everyone who made the day memorable! Bookmark our Events Page to keep informed for upcoming events. View more photos of our students below in the slideshow!

Mobile Music Lessons' Principal and Founder, Sophia S. Ahmad, was recently featured in the Des Moines Business Record. In the article, Sophia reflects on the profound impact music has had on her life, inspiring both her entrepreneurial journey and the creation of Mobile Music Lessons. Her musical training opened doors to a variety of opportunities, including her philanthropic work with WesleyLife. Looking back on the guidance she received from her instructors and the lasting

The Zenith Chamber Music Festival begins its free annual summer concert series Tuesday, June 9 at 7:00 pm at Willow on Grand featuring renowned violin-piano duo Yang Liu and Olivia Tsai. ZCMF continues its tradition of excellence with local and world-class musicians performing concerts in unique venues across Greater Des Moines. As a 5013c organization, donors, volunteers, and board members generously contribute their time, talents, and efforts to provide accessible, quality

In a world driven by distractions, formal music lessons may help improve students' focus. How? In a recent study from the British Journal of Psychology, students without music training and students with music training were tasked with watching a computer program with intermittent disruptions. The study found that "participants with formal musical training responded faster and showed fewer lapses in attention, in comparison to those with no music lessons." Further research fro

By Andrea from TeachPianoToday.com (Photo credit: Pixabay.com) 1. Recitals provide a tangible goal to work towards. In having a set date and a pre-planned performance selection, your child learns how to manage their practice time and what it feels like to polish and perfect a piece. 2. Recitals provide an opportunity to feel successful. Learning the piano requires many, many hours of solo practice. Performing gives your child the recognition they deserve for their hard work

MML faculty member, Campbell Helton is a versatile musician currently studying piano, violin, and composition at Utah State University. Alongside her studies, she teaches all three disciplines. Recently, she performed her junior violin recital and premiered two original works for piano and strings in collaboration with a local dance company. See photos of her accomplishments below! Campbell performed on violin at her junior recital Campbell premiered a piano piece, “Prelude i

Get to know Mobile Music Lessons piano and violin faculty member, Campbell Helton! Learn more about her on our faculty page. Read more faculty spotlights on our blog. Q: How did you get started playing your chosen instrument? A: I started playing piano when I was 5 and violin at 7– my older siblings played and I fell in love with them both! Q: What is your favorite piece or composer and why? A: Brahms’s late intermezzi (op. 117 and 118) are beautiful piano pieces that remind

Get to know Evelyn from the studio of Carrie Siepel! Q: What is your favorite piece to play? A: Quiet River - I played it for my first recital. I like it because it's so smooth and peaceful. Q: What has music taught you? A: Music has taught me happiness. I've also learned that even if you think you can't be great at it, you can still try. Q: Who is your favorite artist? A: I like Maren Morris because she sings my favorite song "Kiss the Sky" from the movie "The Wild Robot". Q

Congratulations to all the students who performed in yesterday’s Spring Recital at Wesley on Grand, a WesleyLife Community in Des Moines! Both students and faculty presented piano solos. Thank you to all who came to support these talented musicians. We’re so proud of their hard work and grateful to everyone who made the day memorable! View more photos from our slideshow! Bookmark our Events Page to keep informed for upcoming events.

The hardest part of doing something is often taking the first step. Some days motivation comes naturally, while on others we have to find creative ways to push ourselves to get things done. In this feature, performance psychologist and musician, Dr. Noa Kageyama shares evidence-based research on how we can encourage ourselves to practice. One effective motivational strategy is practicing alongside others, or what Dr. Kageyama refers to as “body doubling” or "doing work in the

Get to know Charlotte from the studio of Brittany Brugman-Khanna! Q: What is your favorite piece to play? A: Firefly. Q: What has music taught you? A: Music is like a new language I'm learning. Q: Who is your favorite artist? A: Arden Cho, the artist behind the character Rumi in K Pop Demon Hunters. Q: How has music been a part of your life since you were young? A: My mom and dad have been singing to me and dancing with me ever since I was a baby. Read more Mobile Music L

Think back to the first time you heard or played music. Perhaps your mother or father sang to you, or you strummed the strings on a guitar. How did it feel to hear or play music? Many people would agree that exposure to music provides a positive experience, often promoting relaxation and healing. Research supported by the American Psychological Association shows that music can influence how we perceive the world and enrich our lives in a variety of ways. APA contributor, Kirs

Are you looking for a fun and easy musical activity to do at home? Check out the video below to move along with Vivaldi's "Spring"!

Spring is almost here and now is the time to refresh your playlist! Whether you are looking for oldies or new hits, check out 39 favorite spring songs from MIDDER Founder, Will Fenton. Some favorites include "I Can See Clearly Now" by Johnny Nash and "Come in with the Rain" by Taylor Swift. Develop your playlist here! Photo credit: Unsplash.com

As we welcome 2026, it’s the perfect time to reflect on your musical journey and set goals that will keep you motivated and growing all year long. At Mobile Music Lessons, our vision is to make music education accessible, inspiring, and personal—and we are excited to support you in your own personal music learning goals! Why Practice Goals Matter Goals give your practice sessions purpose. They help you stay focused, track progress, and celebrate achievements. Instead of simpl