Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Grace Drury

We recently had the chance to connect with Grace Drury and have shared our conversation below.

Grace, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: When was the last time you felt true joy?
Actually quite recently! I returned to my ballet journey as an adult. I stopped in my teens because I was dealing with thoracic outlet syndrome and bad knees. But now that I’m an adult and things have stabilized I started up about a month ago. It has been a true joy to enjoy this art form again with other adult dancers like myself!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I own and operate Drury Lane Music! I teach piano and violin lessons and I LOVE it. I think what makes my studio unique is I twofold. First I teach a lot of adult students and it’s such a joy to see them progress. Our lessons are always fun and full of questions!

The second factor is most of my students deal with neurodivergence or something that makes learning difficult. It could be ADHD, autism, RSD, Ehlers-Danlos, Raynauds, or being nonverbal. The beautiful part is I love trying to help things click for them. My main goal is that their playing is ergonomic and that I’m helping them become a well rounded musician!

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
I grew up trying my hardest to be a people pleaser and avoiding conflict, but struggled with ADHD which basically ensured I had no friends, was impulsive and struggled in any social situation. I felt extremely unlikable and that led me to become a perfectionist in the vein of trying to have people like me.

Lately I’ve become much more confident at being honest and removing activities I don’t need to do or prioritizing saying no when my family needs me. I also have rejected the need for perfectionism and aim for that same philosophy of progress with my students as well. Progress is not linear. As for people liking me that’s not something I can control, but I make an effort to try to make friends and do activities just for myself every so often.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes. But only for violin. I had an extremely critical teacher in my formative teen years and after every lesson I would cry. Her teaching style didn’t make sense, playing hurt, and she didn’t like me. She had very obvious favorites and that hurt and I begged to quit violin multiple times over that two years.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m committed to finishing my app Quest for Melody no matter how long it takes. Theory was never fun for me and as an adult teacher I was determined to make an app that made theory a fun journey. It’s been through several iterations and I’m hoping I’m on my last one before we release the first of eight chapters.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
I think my adult students would miss a friend, accelerated learning and some would miss their therapist. Sometimes lessons for adults aren’t just to learn, sometime they’re a way to get to know someone and talk about their life in a safe space and learn music also.

I think my teens would miss my no nonsense approach, but how I still want to know how their week went and my ability to not get on their case if practice didn’t happen the way they planned.

I think anyone younger than 10 would miss the Halloween candy and just having the sole focus of an adult in a positive context.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Christina Alsip, Ruby & Olive Co.

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