Meet Kaylee Jackson | Owner and Drum Instructor of the Casa Grande Drum Academy

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kaylee Jackson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kaylee, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
What was your thought process behind starting your own business?

I started The Casa Grande Drum Academy because I saw a need in the community. There weren’t many people in Casa Grande teaching drums, especially for kids who were interested in learning. I realized there were students who wanted the opportunity but didn’t necessarily have a place to go for lessons, and I thought, “Why not step in and provide that?”. As a teenager, I had received my own lessons and I realized how important a mentor can be.
At the beginning, it wasn’t about making money from a hobby. My goal was simply to teach and create a space where people could grow musically. I wanted to give students the opportunity to become the kind of musicians they wanted to be.
Teaching also pushed me to become better myself. If I expected my students to improve, I knew I had to hold myself to that same standard. I started taking lessons again, practicing more consistently, and making sure my rudiments and technique stayed sharp. When you’re teaching someone, you have to be prepared and knowledgeable, so it really motivated me to keep improving as a musician.

What is the social impact of your business? How does it help the world?

I wouldn’t say my goal was to “change the world,” but I do believe what I do has a meaningful impact on the people I work with—especially kids. Drumming brings a lot of joy and excitement to them. When you see their faces light up while they’re playing or learning something new, you realize how powerful that experience can be.
Through community programs like recreation center classes, homeschooling groups, and private lessons, I’ve been able to give kids a place where they can express themselves, have fun, and feel proud of what they’re learning. For some students, those lessons become a real bright spot in their week.
Music also gives kids something deeper than just entertainment. It gives them direction and a sense of purpose. Whether they’re practicing for recitals, performing in community events like parades, or working toward a new skill, they’re learning discipline, confidence, and teamwork. Those experiences create a sense of community and help them feel like they’re part of something meaningful.
For me, that’s one of the most rewarding parts of teaching. Drumming gave direction and meaning to my own life at one point, and I love being able to share music with others and help them discover that same excitement and purpose.

In relation to risk-taking, what is your philosophy? Do you take many risks in your business, and what role has risk played in your life and career?

I wouldn’t describe myself as a natural risk-taker. I tend to be pretty cautious, especially when it comes to financial risks. Starting this business wasn’t really about gambling on money or trying to make a big profit. The bigger risk for me was actually social.
Teaching requires you to stand in front of people, communicate clearly, and put yourself out there in ways that can feel uncomfortable at first. There’s always the possibility of embarrassment—saying something awkward, making a mistake, or simply feeling exposed in front of others. For someone who isn’t naturally drawn to that kind of attention, that can feel like a real risk.
But I chose to take that risk because teaching also pushes me to grow. If I’m going to expect my students to improve, then I have to hold myself to that same standard. Starting the academy created a level of accountability for my own development as a drummer. It motivated me to practice more, refine my skills, and continually improve.
In that sense, the risk has been very positive. It challenged me to step outside my comfort zone and grow both as a musician and as a teacher.

If you’re a parent, what do you think is the greatest impact this decision has had on your children?

One of the biggest impacts my business has had on my children is that they’ve been able to see my consistency and work ethic up close. They see me on my best days and on my worst days, and they understand that sometimes your best simply means doing everything you can to stay afloat.
Running an at-home drum academy isn’t always easy. There are moments when life and work collide—like when my kids burst into a lesson unexpectedly and I have to pause, excuse myself, and manage the chaos of home life before returning to teach. Those moments require patience, flexibility, and a lot of determination to keep things moving forward.
My children may not fully understand yet the impact the academy has on my students or the joy it brings to other kids. What they do see, though, is the daily effort behind it. They see that I show up, that I keep going even when things are difficult, and that I’m committed to something meaningful.
If anything, I hope what they take from that is the value of persistence and responsibility. They see firsthand what it looks like to work hard for something you believe in. Even if they don’t fully grasp it now, I believe that example will stay with them as they grow.

What is the most important factor behind your success?

The most important factor behind my success is my desire to improve people’s lives. That’s really what motivates me. It may sound simple, but what matters most to me is helping someone have a better day when they leave than when they walked in.
When students come in for lessons, I don’t just focus on teaching drums. I take the time to talk with them, ask about their week, and understand what’s going on in their lives. Over time, I get to know them as individuals. I see them grow not only in their skills but also in their confidence and enthusiasm.
Watching that improvement week after week is incredibly rewarding. The students come in excited to share what they’ve been working on or to talk about what’s happening in their lives. In many ways, I try to be a mentor to them. I listen to them, encourage them, and help guide them as they learn something new.
When you show students respect and genuine interest in who they are, they respond with that same respect and trust. That relationship is a huge part of why they keep coming back year after year, and it’s a big part of what I consider success.

How do you know whether to keep going or give up?

That’s a difficult question for me because I tend to put a lot of pressure on myself to keep going. I’m a very reliable person. If someone schedules a lesson with me, I show up. I rarely cancel unless I’m truly sick or there’s something unavoidable.
Even though there are days when I feel tired or overwhelmed and wish I could take a break, my drive and determination is what keeps me going strong. I genuinely care about the students who come through the door, and once they arrive- BOOM- It’s go time. My focus shifts completely into teaching mode. And I do everything I can to be excited about what it takes to help them improve, and make the lesson impactful.
At the same time, teaching is more demanding than people might expect. Some might assume being a music teacher is easy, but it requires a lot of preparation, emotional energy, and attention to each student’s individual needs. I try to remember things about their lives, their interests, and their progress, because that makes a big difference to them. When students realize you remember something important about them, it shows that you truly care.

Work–life balance: How has it changed over time, and how do you think about that balance?

Work–life balance is something I still struggle with. Running an academy, especially from home, can blur the lines between work and family life. Many of my students are only available after school, which is the same time that my own kids have activities and sports. That can make it difficult to balance everything.
Consistency is very important for my students, and I try to be reliable for them. That consistency is part of what makes the academy work well, but it can also mean making sacrifices with my own schedule.
The honest truth is that there are times when pursuing something you care deeply about requires sacrifice. Sometimes that means my family has to adjust around my work. I try to make up for that by being present with them in other ways and spending time with them whenever I can.
I’m still learning how to find the right balance. Taking scheduled breaks, like time off during holidays or school breaks, has helped. Ultimately, I’m realizing that you can’t be everywhere for everyone all the time. You do the best you can, stay consistent, and continue working towards a healthier balance over time.

What makes you happy and why?

The things that make me happiest are my family, music, and spending time with friends.
I love being with my family, even though life can get busy and chaotic at times. They’re a huge part of my support system and a big part of what motivates me every day.
Music is probably the biggest source of joy in my life. Going to concerts with my husband is something we both really love. There’s nothing quite like hearing the drums live and feeling the energy of the music—it’s an experience that really lifts my spirit. After a concert, that excitement sticks with me for a long time. I’ll keep listening to the same bands and reliving that experience through their music.
Music has always had that effect on me. It can completely change my mood and bring a sense of happiness and energy that’s hard to find anywhere else.
I also really value time with friends. Game nights, conversations, and just spending time together create that sense of human connection that everyone needs. Those moments give me a kind of emotional “second wind” that carries into the rest of my week.

How do you define success?

I think success is something every person has to define for themselves.
For some people, success might mean building a large business or achieving financial goals. For others, it might simply mean getting through a difficult day and continuing to move forward.
To me, success is about determination and persistence. Some days everything goes right and you feel like you’re on top of the world. Other days things fall apart and nothing seems to work. But if you keep going—even on the hardest days—that’s success.
You can’t win every day. Everyone has difficult moments. What matters is the willingness to keep GOING, keep trying, and keep moving forward.
That determination—that inner drive to continue even when things are hard—is what I see as real success.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

Why did you pursue a musical or creative career?

Interestingly, I didn’t originally plan to pursue a musical career at all. For most of my life, I thought I was going to follow a completely different path in science and pursue a pre-dental track.
Music was always present in my life, though. I started with piano, then learned trumpet, and eventually discovered the drums. Looking back now, music was always there—it just took time for me to realize how important it was to me.
My dad played drums, and having a drum set in the house made a big difference. I would play on it whenever I could, and that exposure definitely inspired me. I probably wouldn’t have become a drummer if he hadn’t introduced me to it.
In middle school, one of my friends suggested we start a band, and that really pushed things forward. She played guitar, and I started playing drums more seriously.
Teaching drums actually happened somewhat by accident. Someone asked if I could teach their child, and I decided to give it a try. Around the same time, I realized there weren’t many drum teachers in the area, especially for beginners. I saw that need and decided to fill it.
What started as a simple opportunity turned into something I truly love doing. In many ways, I discovered that music had been a hidden passion in my life all along.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give a shoutout first to my family for always being there for me, My students who continue to work to improve every lesson they show up to, and for my friends in Casa Grande for welcoming me here in the best way possible.

Website: https://www.casagrandedrumacademy.com/

Facebook: \casagrandedrumacademy

Image Credits
Photo Credit to Robin Sunny