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Dear ,

At Metro Music Makers, one of our core values is pursue growth, and in 2025, this theme is at the heart of everything we do. Growth comes in many forms—developing our musical skills, expanding our teaching methods, and deepening our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. One of the ways we actively cultivate this growth as a team is through our staff book club.

Since launching our book club in spring 2019, we have read two to three books per year, always coming together to discuss and reflect on a book selected by our team. The process is collaborative—anyone can nominate a title, and we vote to determine what we’ll read. Over the years, our selections have spanned self-improvement, musician biographies, leadership development, the science behind music, teaching, and child development. You can check out some of our favorite and most thought-provoking books on our Amazon list here.

Some books have resonated deeply with our team, while others have sparked lively debates. The Creative Act by Rick Rubin, for instance, generated a mix of reactions—some found it inspiring, while others were more skeptical of its approach. But it’s in these differing perspectives that the true value of our book club lies. Through discussion, we challenge our assumptions, expand our thinking, and grow together. Our very first book club pick, Dare to Lead by Brené Brown, still comes up in conversations, a testament to its lasting impact on our team. We also had the incredible opportunity to invite Paul Zollo, author of Songwriters on Songwriting, to join one of our book club discussions. We had a blast asking him questions about the legendary songwriters he interviewed and hearing his insights firsthand.

This semester, we are diving into Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert, a book that explores creativity, inspiration, and overcoming fear in the creative process. If you’re looking for a book to ignite new ideas and encourage bold, creative living, we invite you to read along with us!

The benefits of reading and discussing ideas together are immeasurable. Books expose us to new perspectives, help us refine our critical thinking, and provide us with tools we can apply in both our professional and personal lives. But perhaps most importantly, our book club strengthens our sense of community. By setting aside time to read, reflect, and engage in meaningful conversation, we are investing in each other as much as we are investing in ourselves.

As we continue our journey of growth in 2025, I encourage everyone to embrace opportunities to learn, explore new ideas, and challenge their perspectives. Whether by picking up Big Magic or another book that inspires you, let’s keep reading, keep growing, and let the music lead the way.

Allison Jarrell 🎵
Founder and CEO