True music education goes far beyond technical excellence; it actively inspires confidence, builds meaningful relationships, and creates lasting opportunities for every learner. As the education landscape embraces innovation, institutions that balance modern teaching methods with genuine human connection are setting new standards for student success. Minnesota School of Music has emerged as a recognized leader. The institution has earned accolades ranging from Best Place for Guitar Lessons in Minnesota to national recognition alongside the country’s most respected music schools.
At the heart of this transformation is Eric Nehring, Founder, Owner & Principal of Minnesota School of Music, whose leadership journey reflects resilience, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to student-centered education. Guided by values of connection, empowerment, and service, Eric has transformed personal sacrifice into a thriving educational community where every student is encouraged to pursue their ideal life. His belief that authentic relationships will always outweigh technology continues to shape the school’s philosophy, making him a respected voice in the future of music education.
A leap of faith that changed everything
For Eric, the journey to founding the Minnesota School of Music began as a simple daydream during graduate school in 2012. He completed his Master of Music in Guitar Performance at the University of Minnesota. While pursuing his Doctor of Musical Arts degree, he also taught evening lessons as part of his assistantship. Although he had already spent nearly nine years teaching, his university experience sparked a deeper passion for pedagogy. This led him to minor in Music Education and devote countless hours to studying teaching methods and instructional philosophy.
A defining moment came while preparing for a jazz composition lesson. When Eric Nehring shared his dream of opening a music school, his professor offered unexpected advice that changed the course of his life. Instead of encouraging him to complete his doctorate, he urged Eric to leave the program and pursue his vision, believing practical experience would better prepare him for his purpose.
After months of reflection, Eric made the difficult decision to walk away from more than eleven years of higher education. By the end of 2012, he had resigned from the program to commit himself to building the Minnesota School of Music. He transformed an ambitious dream into a mission centered on exceptional teaching, meaningful relationships, and lasting student impact.
The foundation built on resolve
The most significant challenge Eric faced as an education leader came during the early years of building the Minnesota School of Music. He officially registered the business in July 2013, just two weeks after the birth of his second child. With two infant children and no income, he and his family faced extraordinary financial hardship.
They cut every possible expense, often living on toast for breakfast and buttered noodles for dinner. Eric even cut his own hair and accepted donated items that he could sell at local pawn shops. At the same time, he personally hung flyers in coffee shops to introduce the school to the community. In September 2013, he enrolled the first student, and the school’s first month generated just $210, scarcely enough to buy diapers, let alone food.
Despite these challenges, Eric Nehring remained fully committed to his vision. Inspired by Robert Herjavec’s Shark Tank comparison that a new business is like a baby requiring everything to keep it alive, he dedicated himself completely to building the school. The experience taught him that meaningful leadership demands resilience, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to a vision, even when success seems far away.
Leadership mantra
Every leader is guided by a set of principles that influence decisions, inspire teams, and shape lasting impact. These beliefs reflect the values, mindset, and legacy that define Eric’s approach to leadership.
Leadership quote
“People will forget what you said, will forget what you did, but will never forget how you made them feel.”
Maya Angelou
Leadership style
- Connected
- Exhorting
- Empowering
Core values
- Audience First
- Own Your Part
- Play the Score
- Follow the Conductor
- Stay in Tune
Book that shapes leadership
Traction by Gino Wickman
Legacy
“To give every student, parent, and employee the confidence to pursue their ideal life.”
The human side of music education
As music education continues to evolve, Eric Nehring believes the most effective learning environments embrace innovation without losing sight of educational purpose. Digital platforms, artificial intelligence, and interactive learning tools have expanded what is possible in the classroom, creating new ways for students to practice, communicate, and access resources beyond weekly lessons.
Rather than viewing technology as a replacement for traditional teaching, Eric sees it as an extension of it. At Minnesota School of Music, modern tools are incorporated where they improve efficiency, reinforce learning, and support student progress. However, every technological decision is evaluated through a simple question: Does it help students learn better?
By combining structured instruction with carefully selected digital resources, Eric has created an environment that respects both innovation and proven teaching methods. His approach demonstrates that while technology continues to reshape education, its greatest value lies in supporting thoughtful instruction rather than becoming the focus of it.
A day in Eric Nehring’s life
Every day is built around faith, family, leadership, and personal development. By balancing operational responsibilities with learning and service, this routine reflects a commitment to leading with intention.
- 6:00 am: Bible reading, daily planning, breakfast, and school routine with the kids.
- Late Morning: 45–60 minute cross-training workout.
- Early Afternoon: School commute, cleaning, and office work.
- Evening: Teaching, customer service, or parenting.
- Throughout the Day: Recruiting, training, systems improvement, vision planning, clarity breaks, and leadership reading.
Creating opportunities beyond the classroom
For Eric Nehring, music education is about far more than developing technical skills; it is about helping students recognize opportunities they may never have imagined for themselves. He believes that a leader’s role extends beyond teaching, encompassing mentorship, advocacy, and the ability to connect people with life-changing experiences.
One such opportunity emerged unexpectedly in 2015 when a representative from a local beauty pageant visited Minnesota School of Music in search of a young female performer. Without hesitation, Eric recommended a 15-year-old student who was interning at the school while recording her first three-song EP under his guidance.
The performance became a turning point. Following the event, the organizers encouraged the student to compete in the pageant circuit. Within a year, she progressed from having no prior interest in pageantry to being crowned Miss Minnesota’s Outstanding Teen.
For Eric, the achievement was never about winning a title. It was about recognizing potential, creating opportunities, and empowering a student to pursue a path she had never considered. Experiences like these reinforce his belief that meaningful education extends beyond the classroom, equipping students with the confidence to embrace new possibilities and succeed wherever life leads them.
The philosophy behind lasting student success
Eric Nehring’s teaching philosophy is grounded in years of academic study, practical experience, and a commitment to understanding how students learn most effectively.
Following graduate school, he continued his professional development through an intensive child development psychology program in Austin, Texas, studying under one of the country’s leading experts in guitar pedagogy. There, he explored the educational theories of influential scholars such as Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky while examining how cognitive development, motivation, and learning styles shape student success.
Returning to Minnesota, Eric combined these academic insights with lessons learned from his grandfather’s practical wisdom and his mentor’s hands-on teaching strategies. The result was a comprehensive educational model that emphasizes structured progression, individualized instruction, performance opportunities, and exceptional customer service.
The effectiveness of this approach became evident early in the school’s history. Within its first year, Minnesota School of Music was recognized by WCCO News as the Best Place for Guitar Lessons in Minnesota, validating Eric’s belief that a well-designed educational framework can create meaningful outcomes for students and families alike.
A legacy of excellence and recognition
From industry accolades to national recognition, each milestone reflects a continued commitment to excellence in music education and student success.
- 2013: Best First Year Program Award by a national guitar education program.
- 2014: Recognized as Director of the Year.
- 2015: Named Best Place for Guitar Lessons in Minnesota by WCCO News.
- 2016: Received the Faith, Belief, Action Award at a national music education conference in Charlotte, NC.
- 2022: Finalist for North American Music School of the Year in Memphis, TN.
- 2026: Named Top Music School in Minnesota by Education Insider magazine and nationally ranked alongside Berklee College of Music and the Manhattan School of Music.
The leadership lesson that changed everything
Leadership often evolves through unexpected moments of humility.
For Eric, one of those moments arrived during a routine guitar lesson with a frustrated young student. The lesson wasn’t progressing well. As Eric carefully followed his structured curriculum, the student interrupted with a simple yet profound question:
“When do I get to learn the music I actually want to play?”
Initially, Eric Nehring resisted the criticism internally. Years of education and professional experience convinced him that he knew the correct path toward musical success. But as he reflected later that evening, another perspective emerged. He imagined visiting a restaurant, confidently ordering a steak, only to have the server insist that the chicken would be a better choice because of years of experience. The comparison revealed an uncomfortable truth: expertise alone does not justify ignoring another person’s preferences.
That realization fundamentally transformed his leadership.
Rather than expecting students to adapt entirely to the school’s instructional model, Eric redesigned the learning experience around the individual needs and interests of each student. The result was the introduction of “Musical Free Time,” a dedicated portion of every lesson where students choose what they want to explore. Whether learning a favorite song, experimenting creatively, or pursuing personal interests, students are given ownership of part of their educational journey.
Ironically, the student whose honest question inspired this transformation had already left the school before the changes were implemented. Although Eric no longer remembers the student’s name, he considers the lesson unforgettable. It reinforced a leadership principle that continues to guide Minnesota School of Music today: true leadership begins by listening before leading. By shifting the focus from the instructor’s agenda to the student’s aspirations, Eric didn’t simply improve his teaching methods. He reshaped the culture of an entire institution.
A journey from personal excellence to purpose-driven leadership
Before the leadership journey
- Self-focused
- Teacher
- Performer
After the leadership journey
- Others-focused
- Communicator
- Exhorter
The future still belongs to great teachers
Looking ahead, Eric Nehring believes music education will continue to evolve alongside advances in technology, artificial intelligence, and digital learning platforms. These innovations will make education more accessible, personalized, and efficient, giving students new ways to practice, collaborate, and receive feedback.
At the same time, he believes the role of educators will become even more significant. As information becomes increasingly accessible, great teachers will be defined not simply by what they know, but by how they inspire curiosity, develop confidence, and guide students through challenges that technology alone cannot address.
For Eric, the future of music education is not about choosing between innovation and tradition. It is about thoughtfully combining both to create learning experiences that are engaging, adaptable, and deeply meaningful. By continuing to invest in exceptional teaching while embracing technologies that enhance learning, Minnesota School of Music remains committed to preparing students not only to become better musicians, but also more confident and capable individuals.
An open letter to young teachers beginning their journey
Dear Young Teachers,
When I first graduated from college, I believed my years of education, my performances, and my accomplishments would speak for themselves. I soon realized that none of those things mattered as much as I thought they would.
What truly mattered to families was how I made their child feel. They wanted to know if I could make their child smile, feel encouraged, and receive the quality education they deserved.
My advice to you is simple: focus on your students, not on yourself. Take time to learn their interests, understand their stories, know their siblings’ names, and appreciate what matters most to them. Build genuine relationships before trying to teach.
Once you earn their trust and make them feel valued, you have earned the privilege of making a lasting difference in their lives.
Sincerely,
Eric Nehring
Founder, Owner & Principal
Minnesota School of Music LLC
Leading with purpose, empowering lives through music education
- Leadership Begins with Human Connection
- Resilience Turns Vision into Reality
- Listening Creates Better Leaders
- Education Should Transform Lives, Not Just Build Skills
- Purpose-Driven Leadership Creates Lasting Legacy
| Quick Takes | |
| One tool | Your Body |
| One quote | “People don’t learn by what you tell them; they learn by what you have them do.” Robert Duke, University of Texas, Austin |
| One piece of advice | Burn the ships. If you have a plan B, you’ll find a way to take it. Execute plan A, and don’t look back. |
| One movie or book | Dave Ramsey’s Entreleadership and Gino Wickman’s Traction |
