Brian Johns and John Dick are prolific Indianapolis musicians combining their teaching skills at Premier Music Studios, which they co-own.

"John and I share similar teaching styles and vision for our collective future. We taught together at another location for a number of years. At a point, we were left with few options as economic conditions and issues left us both unsure and uneasy. At this point, things have worked out well," Johns explained.

He composed some advice for students on gaining immediate music lesson results versus enjoying a longer process: "Learning an instrument is much akin to a weather pattern: a general tendency towards this or that, but with peaks and valleys. It's the peaks and valleys that can create the conditions for a climate of frustration and can readily surface in the budding musician, regardless of age. Sometimes it's difficult to instill the notion that, overall, one is getting better and you have to be patient and examine the overall trend. We humans want it now! Simply put forth, a more refined initial technique is the foundation for overall success and perhaps musical results, sooner. So, finding a balance or juxtaposition between what is foundational and what is musical fun is the trick and is highly individual. How do YOU define 'fun?' That's what I like to do; it's my party. When students are having fun, I'm having fun and enjoying what I do. While at the same time, I attempt to make every effort to do a good job, which is the same expectation I have of students. I hope to continue in this pursuit for years to come," he said.

Johns' described his musical background: "I began my musical training with the piano as a 1st grader and eventually picked up a trumpet in the 6th grade. However, I always felt a strong determination to play a guitar. My parents fulfilled this well-voiced obsession with the gift of an instrument from Sears for Christmas in 1970. I practiced as much as I could on my own and eventually studied the instrument in college. Locally, I studied with Brett Terrell - a fine musician and instructor, but in reality, the 'gig' and all its instructors provided the greatest lessons. I had many of those and thusly attempt. and to this day, to provide and impart an insight to students," he noted.

In addition to teaching, Johns is also a part-time faculty member at Marian University. Private lesson information, music examples and more can be read at www.thetotalguitar.com.

John Dick earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in piano pedagogy from Butler University. He has been affiliated with the Indianapolis musical community for 15 years.

"I was born and raised in Madison County, growing up in the country between Anderson and Frankton and started playing the piano at the age of 8, taking lessons from our neighbor. My mother felt it would be good for my general coordination. I picked up alto saxophone at age 11, which pushed piano back a bit for a few years. In high school, I started lessons with Marilyn Stickler, whose husband was my middle school band director. Mrs. Stickler introduced me to the true classics, the real repertoire. At the same time I continued to play saxophone in the Alexandria and Anderson Community Bands gaining valuable playing experience. Piano intensified a lot for me during high school and I auditioned at Butler University my senior year of high school," he explained.

"During all six years at Butler, I studied piano with Dr. Steve Roberson, who believed in teaching through kindness and patience. He motivated and inspired me to enjoy practicing 4-6 hours a day! Graduate studies included teaching Keyboard Skills group piano classes at Butler, which provided invaluable teaching experience. After Butler, I returned to the Alexandria Community Band to perform George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue as a piano soloist. It was quite special to reunite with old friends during that performance. I also had the opportunity to perform with Indiana Wind Symphony under the direction of Charlie Conrad, performing Igor Stravinsky's Concerto for Piano and Wind Symphony," Dick added.

"My teaching style has evolved over the years and I continue to tweak how I do things or what music to use. I will teach a student classical, rock/pop and even the blues, but I have always stayed true to three fundamentals: rhythm, fingering and note reading. I have always felt that if a student develops these three things, then they can apply their talents to whatever they wish to play and play it the way they want. My hope is that 20 to 30 years down the road, they'll look back and feel that taking piano lessons was an important part of their life and that music has made them feel a better person. To me, that's the most important part of studying music," he noted.

John and Brian's musical journey led them to a Broad Ripple Village location featuring Mission Style architecture.

"A curious confluence of fate-like events - somewhere between blind luck and seized opportunity - put us where we are. There was a directional vibe in that I had actually been inside our 6177 North College Avenue space before, as other musicians and friends had resided there. To be sure, we had looked at other properties in the area. However, in likely half the locations, the prospective landlord would voice concerns regarding the level of 'noise.' We call it 'music,' but the point was well taken and certainly, a legitimate concern. You can't set up a business like this just anywhere. The space was as available as we were in November of 2010," Johns recalled.

"We've enjoyed being located above Avec Moi as they've been popular, pleasant and encouraging. Many times a delectable aroma will waft its way into our space in the late afternoon giving a pleasurable nudge to one's appetite," he mentioned.

"We hope to expand our endeavor to include a diversity of instruments. Monthly concerts or recitals are on our 'to do list.' Technological enhancements are a part of our expansion as well. Broad Ripple is home and we plan to stay here. Mostly, our school age students come to us from Washington Township and all the local private or parochial schools therein, but we do have a number of students from within a 25-mile radius," Johns added.

His Broad Ripple connection has long-standing community ties. "I've lived in or worked out of Broad Ripple for roughly 35 years. My late wife and I bought a house here in 1990. She worked in the area as well. As a working or performing musician, I've played music - as a solo or with a band - in the following, oddly, now defunct local establishments: Stillwater Restaurant for 2½ years, Club 816 and The Bistro on Broad Ripple Avenue. Those were gigs that were of a longer term and I have recordings thereof," he reminisced.

Premier Music Studios is currently offering woodwind, string instrument and voice lessons. They are also seeking teachers with flute, saxophone, oboe, bassoon, violin, viola and cello experience. For information on lesson times and rates, call 850-8984 or visit www.thepremiermusicstudios.com.

Whether you aspire to play music or want to fine-tune your guitar or piano-playing skills, Brian Johns and John Dick can help you discover new melodic frontiers at Premier Music Studios in Broad Ripple.