Category: Life with Music

Play With Us to Play Better at School

Playing an instrument in a school setting is how many children are introduced to music. This makes sense because most schools require music class at the elementary level. In fact, 92% to 97% of public elementary schools offer music instruction (source). But what does that have to do with music lessons? Once a student discovers their…
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Our Top Apps and Tools for Music Practice

We are grateful to be around during the 21st century where technology has given us a plethora of ways to maximize convenience and growth as musicians. In 2026, the digital toolkit for musicians has evolved into a sophisticated blend of timing aids, interactive learning platforms, and creative studios. For practicing musicians of all ages, the…
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girl practicing cello

Staying Motivated Between Lessons

Going to music lessons is a wonderful thing. You can talk to your teacher, get specific help, ask questions, and more! But what about in between lessons when your teacher isn’t there. This post offers some tricks for how to keep your motivation between lessons as high as it is during lessons. The “Five-Minute” Rule…
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What 5 Years at BTB Taught One Family About Growth

At Breaking the Barrier Music, we don’t just teach notes and rhythms; we build a community. Recently, we sat down with Betty Ann Jenkins and her son Leslie to talk about their five-year journey with us, transitioning from piano to drums, and why BTB feels like home. The First Note To start off, how long…
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dani

Music Lessons that Last a Lifetime: Dani Schuck

To continue with our Music Lessons that Last a Lifetime series, our Social Media and Marketing Manager, Jennie Hirsch, sat down with her good friend Dani to document their experience in music. Music has been a part of Dani’s life for around 15 years in several different and interesting ways. Keep reading to learn how…
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How Breaking the Barrier School of Music Got Its Start

Our owners, Nic and Cortney D’Orsaneo, were recently guests on The What’s Happening Delco Podcast. Keep reading to learn a little more about what they had to say throughout of the episode. The What’s Happening Delco Podcast is known for spotlighting and promoting individuals and businesses in Delaware County. Rich Shane sat down with Nic and…
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What’s in Our Music Bag?

Having a dedicated music bag is an important part of staying organized and making sure you have everything you need to play your instrument. This bag is where you keep your essentials that you don’t keep in your instrument’s case. For those of you with portable instruments, keeping certain things in a separate place from…
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Our Top Music Tips

If you follow us on social media, you’ve probably seen our Music Tip Monday series, where we highlight a new music tip each week. This post brings together our top tips from that series so far—perfect for musicians looking to improve their practice habits or start some new ones. Keep reading to learn more, and…
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Meet a Musician: Nic D’Orsaneo 

This post begins our Meet a Musician series where we interview music teachers and musician friends who bring unique perspectives to the music-making and learning process. Sit down with Nic D’Orsaneo, music educator and co-owner of Breaking the Barrier School of Music, to talk about his teaching journey, educational philosophy, and advice for growing musicians. Read the highlights from the interview below,…
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hands playing the piano

Six Famous Musicians Who Started with Music Lessons 

There are a bunch of different reasons why people attend music lessons. Many people do it for relaxation, the joy of having a hobby, the structure, or the educational properties. On the other hand, there are people who take music lessons to make music their life. This post highlights several famous musicians who started their music journey with lessons.   Lady Gaga Lady Gaga has a pretty impressive background when it…
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