Megan Friese-Kaufman, 39
Business Owner, Founder/President
Business: The Friese Studio of Music, Saltwater Performing Arts
Lives in: Kingsland
Professional responsibilities:
• Vocal instructor: Training vocalists of any age over 7 years old how to sing using classical techniques.
• Music Theory instructor.
• Artistic Director: Program coordinator, specialized instructor/director recruiter for both The Friese Studio and Saltwater Performing Arts.
• Performing arts event organizer.
• Director and Music Director for theatrical shows for middle school through adult.
• Choral Director for three Competition Show Choirs.
• Employer of 10 professional music instructors at my studio.
• Oversee the management of over 250 enrolled music students.
Accomplishments/Honors:
• 2022 – Nominated President of the North Florida National Association of Singing.
• 2022 – Saltwater Performing Arts SpongeBob the Musical placed 2nd Place at the Georgia Theatre Conference and competed at the Southeastern Theatre Conference – Show Director.
• 2022 – Saltwater Performing Arts Shrek the Musical placed 3rd Place at the Georgia Theatre Conference – Show Director.
• 2022, 2021, 2019 – The Friese Studio of Music Fanfare and Harmonics Show Choirs won 1st Place Superior at the Music USA Festival Competition at Universal Studios – Choral Director.
• 2022, 2021, 2019 – The Friese Studio of Music Rhapsody Show Choir won 1st Place Superior at the Music USA Festival Competition at Universal Studios – Choral Director.
• 2019 College of Coastal Georgia Excellence in Service-Learning Outstanding Community Partner Award.
• 2021 – Nominated Vice President of the North Florida National Association of Singing.
• 2013 Camden County’s Business Woman to Watch.
• 2011-2012 Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneurial Spirt Award.
• Seeing so many of our students get accepted into and receive large scholarships to Performing Arts colleges.
Community Involvement: Not only is Saltwater Performing Arts a community theater, but we reach out to other performing and fine arts organizations throughout the community, including our local schools, to help educate children to the best of our ability in the world of performing and fine arts. We also partner with the Kings Bay Submarine Naval Base to present on educational programs and performances. We are trying to get a grant for our performing arts military children so they can attend our some of our fee-based programs for little to no charge.
Why did you go into your particular field? Middle school was where I fell in love with singing, but it wasn’t until high school when I realized I could make it a career. Once I found out, I never looked back. I had wonderful choral, theatrical and private instructor mentors that helped me succeed in what I wanted to do. I never questioned any other field of study. The only option I contemplated was the possibility of minoring in music business or focusing on my major, which was vocal performance. I decided to focus on Vocal Performance, but I fell into the music business side of the performing arts any way. I received two wonderful degrees from prestigious schools, and the more I continue to educate myself, the more I know that this is who I was made to be.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a pop singer, until I found out I could be an opera singer.
What was your first job? The Corner Bakery in Southlake, Texas.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received? Work hard, stay humble! Stay patient, see it through. If It was easy, everyone could do it.
What’s your favorite thing about your job? Seeing the students succeed. I love performing, and I will always get a personal gratification out of that side of my profession. But, when I see students thrive and get to experience the performing arts in a motivating, exciting and positive light, that’s when everything I do makes sense.
What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started your career? That I needed to pay attention better in my childhood piano lessons, I could be a much better piano player today if I had! Only vocalists will really understand that regret!
Who do you consider to be your greatest mentor and why? My mother, no doubt! Not only have both of my parents been my #1 and #2 supporters for my whole entire life, but my mother has been the person I looked up to professionally since I was young. Both of my parents had professions in Corporate America, but what was really inspiring was when my mother’s job had “bring your kid to work day,” and I got to go and experience the big corporate world. That’s what sparked my interest in having a business. She has always been supportive of my desires and never steered me into a professional path that wasn’t a passion of mine. Some examples of her support: During my high school years in the fine arts department, she became Choir Booster President, while I was president of my choir’s student body. She was the real estate agent who helped me get my music studio’s first physical place of business. And in turn, when my job looked more “fun” than hers, she transitioned from her job as a real estate manager to my office manager at the studio. She has given me all of my favorite pieces of advice and has been a partner through thick and thin. She is my mentor for life.
When you’re not at work, what do you do to relax? I have two young boys, Marshall, 7, and Theo, 4. My time spent away from work is always spent with my husband, Ross, and my children. Most of the time that includes my parents as well. We all enjoy traveling to Fernandina Beach or Jekyll Island for brief day-getaways and beach time.
What is something about you that most people don’t know? I love animals. I especially love Pugs, and one day I aspire to be a crazy Pug lady.
How do you hope to grow in your career? I hope that one day soon, I will have an integral hand in building a regional performing arts center for Camden County that will house The Friese Studio of Music, Saltwater Performing Arts and other fine and performing arts business’ and organizations in our community. I also hope to pursue my doctoral degree within the next five years
If you couldn’t do what you’re doing now, what would you be doing? This may be too hard of a question to answer. Music is my life, so anything that I could do with music I would do. If music was completely out of the question, I would work with animals in some capacity.