Today we’d like to introduce you to Tim Takhtaganov
Tim, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Tim, and I’m a professional musician, multi-instrumentalist, and the proud father of three wonderful children. Music has been my lifelong passion. My mother, a composer, fostered my love for music from an early age. Between 2003 and 2007, I had the opportunity to tour extensively throughout Europe and the Baltic region, performing in numerous world music festivals. I was fortunate enough to participate in the WOMAD festival, founded by Peter Gabriel, where we showcased a unique blend of ethnic and Eastern music infused with electronic elements.
Eight years ago, my family and I relocated to the United States from Kazakhstan. We initially settled in Houston, where I took on various jobs to support my family, including working as a valet, parking up to 30 cars a day. Despite the challenges, I remained committed to my passion for music and soon began teaching as a travel instructor, gradually building a student base.
A year later, we moved to Austin, where I promoted my music lessons through local platforms like NextDoor and Facebook. Through word of mouth, my student base grew rapidly, and before long, I was teaching 50 students. It was during this time that I began dreaming of opening my own music school.
Though the pandemic delayed my plans, I spent much of that period teaching music online. Finally, in mid-2023, I felt the time had come to take the leap. Despite the uncertainty, I trusted that the path would reveal itself as we moved forward. We found the perfect location, acquired instruments, set up the space, and on October 7, 2023, we proudly opened the doors to our music school.
The opening was an emotional day, surrounded by friends who came to support us. Now, 10 months later, our school has flourished, with over 100 students and a team of seven dedicated teachers. Each of our instructors holds formal musical education and brings extensive teaching experience. There is a significant difference between being a good musician and being a good teacher. Someone can masterfully play an instrument but may struggle to explain how they do it. We pride ourselves not just on musical talent but on having excellent educators who can break down complex concepts and create a nurturing, inspiring environment where students of all ages can fall in love with music.
I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built, both as a musician and as a father. Seeing our school thrive while balancing family life has been a rewarding journey. I look forward to continuing to share my passion for music with our community for many years to come.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
This is the first business my wife, Nataliya, and I have started together. She’s an amazing photographer, and we’re both creative people, but we had no prior experience in running a business. That was the biggest challenge—everything was new to us. We had to learn so much along the way. Now, looking back on how much we’ve grown in such a short period, we can confidently encourage anyone standing at a crossroads, unsure of whether to pursue their dream, to take that leap into the unknown.
As you know, we’re big fans of Stereo Lizard . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At Stereo Lizard Music School, we specialize in providing modern music lessons for everyone, from beginners to seasoned performers of all ages and skill levels. Our offerings include piano, guitar, vocal, drums, rock bands, and more.
What sets us apart is our focus on results. Thanks to our dedicated professional teachers and the motivation we instill in our students to practice at home, our students achieve remarkable progress in a short time. We encourage our students to explore their favorite music, which makes the learning process more enjoyable and personalized.
We also prioritize proper technique from the start, ensuring that students develop good habits early on, whether they are playing an instrument or singing. We are proud to cater to a wide range of students, including many adults who are passionate about learning music later in life. Many of our adult students fulfill long-held dreams of playing an instrument. They take lessons as a way to relax and disconnect from their busy work lives. Some find it therapeutic, while others want to learn new skills or revisit music from their youth.
When we created Stereo Lizard Music School, we wanted to build a brand that felt bright, exciting, and memorable. It was important to us that our visual identity be carefully crafted, right down to the smallest details. Our bold, colorful lizard imagery was designed to invite people to immerse themselves in the world of music in a fun and approachable way. We are proud of the balance we’ve struck between classical music education and modern music training.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
One of the brightest memories from my childhood was when I was 15. My folk band had been invited by Peter Gabriel to perform at the WOMAD festival. Standing on stage in front of thousands of people at such a young age was an unforgettable experience. The energy of the crowd and the thrill of being part of something so incredible really left a lasting impact on me.
Pricing:
- 45 min Individual lessons – $199/month
- 30 min Individual lessons – $139/month
- 55 min Rock bands – $119/month
- 45 min Early music classes – $79/month
Contact Info:
- Website: https://stereolizard.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stereo.lizard/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552004604947
Image Credits
Nataly Celik Photography
