Check Out Michelle Harper’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Harper.

Hi Michelle, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstory.
After graduating from Webster University in 2009 with a music degree, I knew I wanted to perform full-time. I realized it might take longer than I had hoped, and a friend suggested I try teaching a few lessons until I figured everything out. I had never really thought about a career in teaching, but once I got started, I fell in love with all of it! Now, 14 years later, I perform several times yearly and own Harper Haus Music Company in Platte City.

It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has always been challenging, but every bump and curve has been worth it. From 2009-2015 I taught lessons from my home in St. Louis. In the summer of 2015, I moved to the Platte City area with my husband, James, and three amazing bonus kids – Chase, James, and Emma. Because I had no music contacts on this side of the state, I began working at a local bank. In the summer of 2018, I discovered Weston Community Theatre. They were putting on the musical Shrek, and while I had never done a full-on musical before, it had always been on my bucket list to audition for one. I landed the role of Princess Fiona, and the rest is history. I opened up Harper Haus Music Company on September 1, 2018. It was a small, one-room commercial space. In less than a year, I outgrew that space and moved to a 5 room space that would allow me to bring on additional teachers. We quickly outgrew that space and are now at our location on Main Street in Platte City. We house 7 lesson rooms, an event space, a large classroom, and 9 teachers. All of that in 5 years is a lot, and there are definite growing pains with quick growth spurts. The biggest struggle I faced was last summer when my landlord for our new location told me he was planning to sell the building. After signing a 10-year lease, I poured blood, sweat, tears, and a lot of money into renovating the building. I was stunned. I didn’t own my home; how would I snag a commercial space on Earth? Well, where there is a will, there’s a way – and I did it! As of August 1, 2022, I am the proud owner of a beautiful old building and all its quirks on Main Street!

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Harper Haus started as a voice and piano lesson studio with one teacher (me). We have grown to 9 teachers, coach 18+ instruments, and offer drama, art, mommy and me, and youth orchestra classes! We are starting our first rock camp this summer – we can’t wait! We have a fun and dynamic team of teachers who put their whole selves into every student. Watching them grow and develop as musicians and artists is so rewarding! We strive for a team environment and are proud of our student success.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Integrity and perseverance.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.harperhausmc.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harperhausmc