Watch this video first!
Get ready to level up your skills and become a more versatile musician!
As musicians, we are all trying to survive and THRIVE in today’s competitive market.
Nowadays, musicians need to do it ALL.
It’s not enough to be good at one thing (and let’s face it: you’re already GOOD).
In order to get better gigs, gig more frequently and attract and retain students, you need to be versatile.
Do any of the following scenarios seem familiar?
In the middle of a voice lesson, your student puts a Jason Robert Brown song in front of you and you struggle to play any sort of accompaniment. You are frustrated and embarrassed that your piano skills have remained stagnant for this long.
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You walk up to the bandstand feeling insecure that you won’t be able to keep up with the rest of the group. The gaps in your musical skills are making it hard to enjoy performing and you’re losing gigs over it.
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You are getting ready for the start of a new teaching year and you are already getting that sinking feeling that your skill set is limiting what you are able to offer to prospective students. You want to grow your studio, but these holes in your skillset are holding you back.
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Hi, I’m Brenda Earle Stokes
Even though I studied piano from a young age, by the time I started my career I knew I was in big trouble. After 13 years of piano lessons, I couldn’t play my major scales properly, my theory knowledge was a mess and my musicianship was even worse. I was desperate to become a more versatile musician, but I had no place to turn.
I searched high and low for all the answers I needed, diving deep into ear training, improvisation, classical piano, voice technique, conducting, composition and musicianship. I spent a fortune on courses, institutes and so.many.private lessons, even after I had already finished (and paid for) 6 years of expensive post secondary education.
All the hard work paid off, as I have been living and gigging in New York City for two decades, touring internationally, performing at top jazz clubs and releasing six critically acclaimed albums as a bandleader. Being a versatile musician has enabled me to survive and thrive as a freelance musician.
Over the last 20 years have taught thousands of students and helped them level up their skills to find great success in their musical lives.
I created The Versatile Musician to help musicians like you find all the answers you need in one place and provide the support and the motivation you need to make it happen. The Versatile Musician is the product of a lifetime of music study and hands on experience helping musicians from all walks of life and now I am making it all available to YOU.
What are you waiting for? Let’s get started!
The Versatile Musician is an all-in-one membership that combines video lessons, print materials and live support to help you level up your skills and thrive as a musician and music teacher.
Kath Williams
Singer and voice teacher, Queensland, Australia
"Brenda is an inspiration. She loves and breathes her passion for piano and her course is clear, concise and it works !
I can’t wait to get to the piano every day now!
Thanks Brenda!!"
Dr. Melissa Ramb
Director of Choristers at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke - Orlando, FL
"You have a gift of taking complex topics and breaking them down in innovative ways while giving us efficient methods for practice.
I can’t wait for your next course and teaching!"
Ayelet Rose Gottlieb
Vocalist/composer/educator, Montreal, Canada
"I’ve been practicing with Brenda’s courses for a couple of months and I feel the different in my playing. She is methodical and clear and has been really helpful in guiding me beyond my inner invisible wall with the instrument. Thanks Brenda for your grace and contributions!"
The Versatile Musician Membership
You get EVERYTHING shown below:
Over 27 hours of video lessons PLUS 500+ pages of print content.
New material added monthly!
After creating 7 best-selling courses and serving hundreds of students worldwide, I've learned a thing or two.
I've learned that:
People excitedly purchase courses and quickly lose motivation to follow through
There is a strong demand for a one-on-one customized experience
Marketing new courses takes a lot of time and energy away from building more amazing content.
(And we all know which one I’m better at…)
With the membership:
- You will have the opportunity to create customized content created for YOU
- You will get access to more material for a smaller financial investment
- You will have a partner in your journey (ME!)
- If you become a founding member, you get all of this with the much-request Rhythm Workout, which you’ve been waiting for.
Need more proof?
Justin DiCioccio
Former Dean of Jazz
Manhattan School of Music
A real knowledgeable, step by step procedure that addresses in a clear and easy to understand process the essential elements necessary for vocalists and budding pianists to be a successful player accompanist and teacher, leading to a career and life in music.
Robin Streiner
Singer and voice teacher
Sunshine Coast, Australia
"They are absolutely fabulous courses Brenda.....it is so great that I can watch and re-watch the videos over and over. I have learnt so much and my skill level is increasing in leaps and bounds."
Andrea Wolper
Vocalist, Composer and educator
"Piano Improvisation for Everyone is an obvious choice for pianists who are curious about improvising, but it’s just as valuable for someone like me, whose primary instrument is not piano. I’m already noticing a positive impact on my facility at the keyboard! Highly recommended!"
About me:
Pianist and vocalist Brenda Earle Stokes’ career has garnered international acclaim for her work as a performer, composer and educator. Her performance career has taken her across the US, Canada, New Zealand and Australia, playing at venues like the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, the Toronto Jazz Festival, performing as a band leader and side musician with artists such as Wycliffe Gordon, Maurice Hines and the DIVA Jazz Orchestra. Described as “absolutely stunning” by One World Music, Brenda has released six albums as a leader, showcasing her masterful piano playing and expressive vocals. Brenda’s versatility as an artist has made her a sought-after educator, sharing her knowledge across the world with every imaginable group of musicians, from aspiring high school students to inspiring professional artists.
Folks are RAVING!
Mel Lathouras
Singer and voice teacher
Brisbane, Australia
"I think I'm genuinely obsessed with this course! No joke! Thanks so much for making it.
I can't tell you much it is doing for my musicianship and confidence!
Thanks Brenda!!"
Maiko Andreo
Singer/Voice Teacher
Berlin, Germany
"I cannot thank you enough for the effects I am experiencing with your Solfege Crash Course. One of my students had such intonation issues and we have worked through your Solfege course and it did wonders for her."
Meredith Colby
Chicago voice teacher, speaker, blogger, author of Money Notes: How to Sing High, Loud, Healthy & Forever
This is a fantastic course an an absolute game-changer for voice teachers. Seriously. If you piano is just for scales and you're convinced that you can't learn to play, think again. You don't have to be a brilliant pianist to accompany your students! Thank you Brenda!"
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this membership for?
The courses and videos in this membership work great for musicians of any genre or level. Singers and instrumentalists will find loads of material to study and practice. Music educators will find a myriad of ideas to use with their classes and private students.
What if I am unhappy with the membership?
You can cancel at any time by logging in, clicking on your profile picture, clicking “manage subscriptions” and then clicking “cancel” on the subscription. Your membership will be withdrawn at the end of the current billing period. Read our policy (in 'Terms of Use') from the link at the bottom of this page.
How much does it cost?
Founding members will pay only $49 per month for EVERYTHING. (The price will soon go up to $79 a month so jump in now!). That’s just $12.25 a week! That is less than half the cost of ONE private lesson and a mere fraction of what a college music course would cost.
What results can I expect?
The methods in these courses have evolved over 20+ years of private teaching and they have been tested and refined on hundreds of students from a wide range of backgrounds and experience levels. They are not magical, however.
For best results, you should commit to a daily practice schedule. The good news? I have oodles of practice guides and tips throughout the entire library!
What if I need help?
You can ask questions directly in the Teachable platform, by typing them in the box marked “comments.” These comments are immediately emailed me and I generally respond within 48 hours. Your membership also gets you an invitation to a private Facebook forum where you can ask questions and share your progress with other members. AND - once a month Brenda hosts a live Zoom call where you can ask her questions!