Whippet Tales May 2013 Edition 1 VOL.1, Issue 1, May 2013 | Page 3

Music studio opens across
the street from Legends
By Rachel Brumenschenkel

Children and adults who have the desire to
dance or learn how to play a musical
instrument now have the opportunity to get
lessons close to home. Kayla Rounsevell, a
young resident of Shelby, recently opened The
Melody Within on Main Street.
"...[The Melody Within] has been a dream of
mine since I was eight years old. When I was
little, my parents had to constantly drive me to
my lessons, so I wanted to bring something
back to the area that would allow me to pass on
the opportunity that I had," she said.
Miss Rounsevell graduated from Otterbein
University where she received her Bachelor's
degree in Jazz Vocal Performance with a dance
minor. She took advantages of many
opportunities that came her way, including
choreographing musicals and performing
alongside other musicians and dancers.
After graduation, she moved back to Shelby
and worked on opening The Melody Within.
"When I came across my old drawings from
when I was a kid of studios I designed, I took
that as my sign to open the studio, as well as a
lot of prayer. I had the opportunity to dance in
the United States and Russia for six months but
turned it down because of that sign."
Some dance classes that Miss Rounsevell
teaches are ballet, jazz, tap, and ballroom
dancing. Music lessons include voice, guitar,
piano, organ, drums, violin, and viola.
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Kayla Rounsevell sits at her piano in one of the practice
rooms at The Melody Within.

"I had to overcome a lot of obstacles. It was
challenging, but I learned that you must never give
up," Miss Rounsevell commented.
She also has plans for future endeavors. At
some point, she would like to expand into a
recording studio.
Opening The Melody Within was a big task, but
the hard work definitely pays off. "I love watching
the students succeed. If I see a struggling student
work and work until they break through, it's
rewarding to see the look of confidence and
accomplishment on the student's face," she stated.

Whippet Tales 2.0

For more information, please visit
http://melodywithin.com.

May 2013