Today we’d like to introduce you to Patrick Wheeler.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
As far back as I can remember, people have been telling me that I was meant to be an artist. Whether through self-fulfilling prophesy or casual insight, I have certainly taken that advice to heart. When I discovered music and guitar in my early teens things felt like a natural fit. Not only did I enjoy the medium as a form of expression I also enjoyed the long hours of tenacious work that it took to get better. That might seem like an odd statement, but ultimately I think the mark of someone who becomes a good musician or artist is the determination to work at a medium until they can fluently tell a story: their story. Even better, there is always more to learn and work at.
Teaching guitar was my first job in high school and evolved to be profession once I discovered that I was capable of not only teaching the instrument, but also recognizing what makes a good instructor. Good teachers are a rare breed: they must be patient, dedicated, knowledgeable, passionate, and talented. There are a lot of musicians and artists that cover one or two of those categories but rarely all of the above. I opened the Music Corner on the faith that if I brought people with the willingness to learn to the people that had the skills the venture would be successful. I’m happy to report that after several years of owning Patrick’s Music Corner, this faith has been well-founded.
Has it been a smooth road?
Owning Patrick’s Music Corner comes with plenty of ups and downs. For starters, when I opened the business, I knew nothing about running a business. I had been teaching for other studios before opening the Music Corner as well as doing freelance art. Frankly, I’m not sure how much I’ve learned about running a business other than to get good teachers, good students, and pay attention to little details. To put it colloquially, leadership is about being willing to put yourself on the line to get the job done even if you have to take a beating to get it done. I just try to keep going when things are tough or ambiguous (which is often when you own your own business). Additionally, I go out of my way to treat my customers and teachers in the same way that I would want to be treated. You’d be surprised how rare and special that connection can be and how often it leads to positive outcomes.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Patrick’s Music Corner – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Music is a unique language; a universal language of pitches and beats that transcends the spoken word and communicates directly with the soul. At Patrick’s Music Corner, we teach because we enjoy seeing people communicate part of their spirit into the notes they play and sing. For my part, an art school graduate with no experience in business management, it’s all about remaining true to the spirit of creativity and the desire of others to pursue it. It can be an illuminating experience to get in touch with one’s creativity and ultimately an experience that isn’t discussed enough in our institutions of learning or cultural discourse. Historically, understanding the arts was part of a complete education. I believe that part of the reason for this was the necessity for a student to carefully observe and listen to the world around them if they were to understand art and its importance in our lives.
A few simple pitch intervals can tell of the joy of falling in love, the sorrows of loss, spiritual enlightenment, fear, triumph, and every emotion in between. What’s remarkable is that all of this is built into our brains and our sensory system. In fact, we’ve become so used to it in our lives through movies, advertising, and the cacophony of modern life that we sometimes forget the power it holds. Every once in a while though, something speaks to us in a way we could have never predicted or expected and we remember that true artists do exist; like the Great and Powerful Oz, concealed behind a curtain to hide their modest frailty, they remind us that we are more than just our smartphones and to-do lists. We at Patrick’s Music Corner celebrate those that strive to express themselves, regardless of age or skill level. In turn, they teach us that the human spirit will always be more than ones and zeros and that people can do amazing things with only twelve pitches and a story to tell.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Chicago and the surrounding area is, in my opinion, the best place in the world to live. Maybe I’m a little biased, but we have the best sports teams (go Hawks!), the four seasons (yes, winter has its positives too. Did I mention hockey?), great food (the Chicago hotdog is #1), and several indicted and convicted politicians (wait, that might be a negative).
Contact Info:
- Address: 24002 W Lockport St.
- Website: www.patricksmusiccorner.com
- Phone: 815-267-8777
- Email: patrick@patricksmusiccorner.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricksmusiccorner/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patricksmusiccorner/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/patricks-music-corner-plainfield
Image Credit:
Tony Tezak, Sophia Hiatt, and Jessica Coffey
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
