Meet Drew Bartels | Studio Owner & Piano Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Drew Bartels and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Drew, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My wife and I started this business because we wanted to create something that would have a positive impact in our community. We both know from firsthand experience the power that music can have on your and we wanted to give that opportunity to those around us. We wanted to create a community of musicians who were experiencing the joy of music in a well supported and encouraging environment. A place where music is the conduit for healing and growth, expression and confidence building, and character and leadership development.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I started playing the piano at the age of 15 which is late compared to most. What drew me to it was the healing I found in sitting at the piano and expressing my emotions through the notes and sounds that came out. I could do it for hours. I determined in my early 20’s that I wanted to pursue music as a career. I talked with my mom about it and she both supported me and told me she thinks it’s going to be really hard. She was correct. The journey has taken me a lot of places and given me a lot of experiences from touring North America with the Tyler Ward Band, to running a recording studio, leading worship, playing with an orchestra, to teaching out of our basement, to now running a business with over 10 staff members and 200+ students. Every experience has been rewarding and challenging in different ways. Being able to give this gift to the next generation and carry on something that is good, beautiful and valuable to the world has tremendous meaning and purpose for my wife and me.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Fun outdoor experiences would have to be towards the top of the list. Hiking Garden of the Gods, paddle boarding at Palmer Lake, picnic in 11 Mile Canyon to name a few. Have to check out our zoo, it’s on the side of a mountain! Great pizza at Basil and Barley or Il Vicino’s. Fun outdoor music concert on Friday nights in University Village.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First my wife. Our business wouldn’t exist without her support and leadership of the company alongside me. We also owe a great credit to fellow business owner, coach and entrepreneur Mago Lauritzen who owns a dance studio in town called Springs Dance and a coaching company called Compete Services. He truly helped us turn our business around from fledgling along to thriving. We also had a business coach mentor team of Nate and Bronson who own a company in Denver called Integro who truly helped us cultivate our culture at 232 and develop a healthy team and work environment. Last and foremost, we are Christians and at every step we give the business to God to see what he wants to do with it. A Bible verse that has shaped our approach to the business is Psalm 127:1 – “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.” At the end of the day 232 only exists because of God’s blessing on it.

Website: https://232musicstudios.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/232musicstudios/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/232pianolessons

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@232MusicStudios