Musician, Teacher and Author, Liesel Soley Shares A Life Of Music

Music teacher Liesel Soley pulled a padded, wooded stool a foot away from student Augustus Deshler. He flips the music book to a new page and straightens his back before playing his violin.

Soley listens intently, stopping him for teachable moments and praising him when he nails it.

“Do your G with a G string, move it a tiny bit lower. What do you hear? Can you do that again?” Soley asked.

Augustus doesn’t miss a beat. He takes the suggestion and plays the note again.

“Good, good, yes, you corrected it,” Soley praised.

A graduate of Juilliard School of Music, Soley's teaching style mixes precision with kindness and fun.

It’s a skill that makes Soley a favorite among her students and parents.

“She’s very good with children,” said Desiree Deshler, whose two children take weekly private lessons with Soley.

In addition to teaching violin, viola and chamber music, Soley also teaches an afternoon program at Shorecrest Preparatory School.

“She expects a lot out of children, but she knows they can do it," Deshler said.

A year and a half ago, Augustus searched for a local music teacher. A Google search and a musical coincidence led her to Soley.

“I found a couple of music teachers in the area, but I found her name interesting. It’s not a run-of-the-mill kind of name,” Deshler said.

“It’s [Liesel] the name of the eldest daughter in ‘The Sound of Music’,” said Soley with a smile.

Her private, home studio is beautifully decorated. A leather coach and chair create a cozy sitting area by the living room’s large window.

Soley’s framed art work lines the walls. A black stand and music books take center stage by the dining area and kitchen.

It's purposeful and pretty.

In the center of the living room, Soley’s newest creation decorates a round, glass table: her first book, Can YOU Be An Artist? Soley wrote and illustrated the children’s book to inspire everyone to explore their creativity.

Soley, 74, started writing at a young age. She fiddled with drawing, showcasing a talent in sketching horses. At 30, she delved into painting again.

Her book is a culmination of her loves: music, writing and drawing. The story highlights three children pursuing their artistic journey.  One wants to be a musician, another a dancer and the third wants to paint.

The book is primarily for children, but the underlying message will touch anyone who wishes for an artistic journey.

“It’s for people to know ‘I can make art. I am an artist’. People can contribute,” Soley said.

Her book signings are at local libraries and big book retailers. Soley juggles book promotions with her busy teaching schedule.

“This is what’s neat. At my book signings, my kids play. It makes such a nice event,” Soley said.

With the economy’s lows, she has learned the art of promotion. 

“With the depression, I actively searched for students. Violin took a dip. People’s interest in strings dropped a little. It’s a tough instrument. It’s rare, not like guitar or others,” Soley said.

Soley was also a Fulbright Scholar. She’s performed internationally including being the solo violinist in the piano trio, Trio Viva.

Soley’s teaching career has spanned prestigious New York and Tampa Bay schools. She has taught at the Manhattan School of Music, St. Petersburg College and Pinellas County Center for the Arts.

She lives a life of music, and it’s one she wants to preserve and share with generations to come.

“There’s noise that’s loud. I find it very disturbing. But to have classical music is exceptional,” Soley said.

The Deshler kids are part of the new generation of kids attracted to the classics. Augustus has been playing violin since he was five. He also plays piano and trumpet.

His sister, Sofia, 7, started studying the violin a year and a half ago. She also plays piano and the harp.

It’s evident that the kids love Soley. They retell stories of lessons and times they found funny. They’ve drawn pictures for her and given her birthday cards.

“She’s friendly,” Sofia said.

“I wanted to find a teacher my children would love. They love her," said Deshler, "And I love her."

When Augustus struggles to reach the necessary strings, Soley stops him. She stands up next to him and shows him how to stretch his fingers to reach the note. He models her example.

“You keep these fingers close to the string. Yes, that’s the idea, good. Now way up, that’s it, and back," Soley said.

“What was that note?”

“Programming error,” said Augustus with a sly smile.

She murmurs his phrase, laughs and tussles his hair.

“What’s a C to a C?” she asked.

“It’s an octave,” Augustus said.

“It’s a fingered octave. It’s high, and it’s hard. But you can do it,” Soley said.

Deschler could never have imagined how their lives have changed by their decision to take Soley’s music lessons.

She credits Soley's teaching skills in taking her children's musical interests to a professional level. Both kids have won coveted spots in local symphonies and orchestras.

Deschler has also discovered that Soley's teaching reaches far beyond learning musical notes.

“She’s not just a teacher. She’s a model for their life. They see how she conducts herself. She loves the arts, she’s kind, she eats good,” Deshler said.

“She’s perfect.”

For more information on private music lessons, contact Liesel Soley at 727-532-4016. For information on Soley's book, visit her website, Liesel Soley.