Today we’d like to introduce you to Ben Tufts.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up in Loudoun County and started playing drums in middle school. I was in a band in high school, and chose music as my major for my undergrad work at Longwood University, graduating in 1999 with a Bachelor’s in Music Education. I moved back to northern Virginia after graduation, started work in IT, and began teaching private lessons on the side. Eventually my private lessons grew to such a volume that I quit the day job and went back to school for a Master’s in Music from University of Maryland, focusing on jazz.
Many students and their families asked me over the years, “Why don’t you open your own school?” I’d seen the bosses job and didn’t want it–I thought managing a school would take me away from the teaching that I loved so much. But after years of gigging (sometimes upwards of 150 a year, all over the continental US) and recording work, my hand was forced–I found out in the summer of 2023 that the owner of Contemporary Music Center was not renewing the lease at his Chantilly store, which was where the lion’s share of my teaching was still taking place.
So, I took a deep breath, called some friends, and found a partner to take over the space at 14155-J Sullyfield Circle, changing the name to Vanguard Arts Center, and changing the focus of the business away from retail and lessons, to high quality music education–private lessons first, later adding group classes, community events and more. We have more than doubled in size since then, and I bought out my partner last December, so I am now the sole owner.
At this point we also offer consignment boutique, vintage and student instrument sales, band instrument rentals, band rehearsal space, a full modern recording studio, and free and ticketed community events. I love going to work each week.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
So many struggles! Learning to balance teaching private lessons with being the boss, balancing all of THIS with any kind of home and gigging life–I’m constantly stumbling but trying to learn as I go. Balance can feel elusive, but I’ve found that trying to be all things to all people is the quickest way to disappoint everyone–including yourself.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am mostly known as a versatile drummer for hire for singer-songwriter types, but over the course of my career I have played drums in bands ranging in style from progressive soul and R&B to metal, punk. etc. I also sing, so that sets me apart from most drummers. Additionally, I seem to be one of the first people lots of folks in the area turn to when they’re trying to find musicians to work with. So I’ve become a bit of a connector, a relationship broker of sorts, and I actually really enjoy that. It’s part of building community, being an artistic match-maker.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I take risks all the time. I do think that the kinds of choices you make on stage in the middle of a performance can’t really be compared to business choices. Business choices can have much more negative and far-reaching effects than a simple wrong note on the bandstand. But I also think it’s important to trust your people–your staff and your clients, and LISTEN. I’ve watched other music school owners constantly say no to new ideas, and I’ve seen all the ways it can stymy progress. Recently one of our voice teachers approached me about producing a musical at Vanguard. I thought about it, I knew it was a risk, but I said yes. We’ve already reached the minimum sign-up and are now expanding to a double-cast so we can have an understudy show. For every victory like that, there are sometimes several failed attempts. But as long as you are careful that a failure isn’t going to risk serious financial problems or bad optics, trying new things can be fun, and it’s an opportunity for me to learn as well. Who am I as an educator if I’m not willing to learn new things?
Pricing:
- Our private lessons are currently $90 per hour.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vanguardartscenter.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanguardartscenter/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vanguardartscenter/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@VanguardArtsCenter
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/vanguard-arts-center-chantilly
- Other: https://maps.app.goo.gl/rZCSJzissLBFgzs48
