Music From the Heart was a mere thought when she was 16 that grew into a thriving reality
SOMERSET — Britney Hay began guitar lessons with local well-known musician Cindy Ross when she was 12. She job shadowed. At one point, she was the oldest pupil of Ross'.
Four years later Hay temporarily took over giving lessons by request from her mentor.
When she turned 18 and graduated from high school, Hay bought the business from Ross. She used all her graduation money to do so. She got help "big time" from Startup Alleghenies, a business development service in Blair County.
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Hay never looked back.
Her business, Music From the Heart, at 140 W. Union St. in Somerset, is thriving. Her love and joy of music are palatable. Her loyalty to those who have helped her and are still helping her is visible in her shared knowing looks, inclusion in her story and easy laughter.
Hay's story
Her foray into music actually began at home. "My family is very musical. Both of my grandparents played musical instruments. My pap (grandfather) was in the band, The Glory Guys, and he took me along to play with them.
When she turned 14 she met her future husband, Alex, who was 16. He also came from a musical family. They formed their own band, The Next Gen, and played country, gospel Christian music often in churches, she said.
Music is Hay's personality.
Shy by nature, music changes her.
When she is singing. When she is playing. When she is teaching. She becomes more outgoing.
Music is her connection.
"That was something I wanted to do. I've done music my whole life," Hay said.
When Hay graduated from high school at 18, she decided she wanted to grow the business she called "Music From the Heart."
Her music business opened in November 2020 with only two teachers and 35 students. Over the next two years, those two teachers remain along with an additional five teachers and approximately 100 students from throughout Somerset County attend. She moved her music studio to a bigger place and remains there now.
Besides teaching lessons at her business in the evenings four days a week, Hay teaches Pre-K through 12th graders music at the Somerset Christian School. When she's not teaching or working at the school, Hay enjoys spending time with her husband and their two beagles.
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Heidi Mankamyer has been the piano teacher at Music From the Heart since its inception. She was the pianist at Beachdale Church of the Brethren for over 30 years and has been playing piano since she was 8.
Not only is Mankamyer a good friend to Hay, but she is also the general manager at Music From the Heart and a strong supporter.
Mankamyer's story
Mankamyer started teaching piano lessons at her home. Her first music student was her cousin. She was 11.
"I have good memories with her playing the piano. She loved to sing," Mankamyer said.
Her cousin died in a car accident.
Hay and Mankamyer's story
"Our goal is just to share our love with music, and with our students to help them open up more and express their own personalities," Hay said as she and her good friend and studio manager, Mankamyer, sat in their center room where students will soon fill up the tables and chairs and then small enclaves with musical instruments – a piano, guitars, mandolins, ukulele, banjos, violins, violas, cellos and even a voice coach.
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It is fun to see the one day when that click happens for every student delving into their music, Hay said.
The business is to teach all types of music to all ages, from elementary school students to adults.
"We bounce ideas off each other," Mankamyer said. If there are any issues with a student or with a teacher, the two women work things out, Hay said.
All about connection
"Music is just the way to get in touch with your feelings. It is a way when you hear a song it takes you back to a memory," Hay said.
Music is a way to learn something different, she said.
Music From the Heart often provides an open mic night on the last Friday of every month.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Young Somerset musician turns lessons into a business
