Student of the Week - Jennifer Pierce
We are proud to announce Jennifer Pierce as this week’s Student of the Week!
“When I met Stephen and found out about Ridley Academy, I was at probably the lowest point in my life. I had fled a terrible marriage as a domestic abuse survivor and found myself in bed for about 4 years due to a car accident I was in. On top of that, I had found out I have a disease that causes hearing loss, and eventually I would be permanently deaf. But despite all of that, my love of music just couldn’t die. “I was hopeless and looking for something—anything. I came across an ad on Facebook about Ridley Academy. Stephen said, ‘Have you ever wanted to learn how to play the piano?’ I was like, ‘YES!’ So I signed up to join his webinar.“I had felt for a long time that my life was over — every day in bed and in pain. But I didn’t want that to be my life anymore… So, I watched the clock count down second by second — until Boom! I was there on the webinar with Stephen and all his positivity. All his pizazz. All his love for teaching… My eyes lite up with excitement. I listened to Stephen talk about how easy it was to learn and how small wins lead up to a great gain. I wanted it, so a few weeks later I joined Ridley Academy. “My musical journey has been a journey to say the least. Before the Academy, I started off trying to learn scales. But, due to horrible memory loss and brain damage from the accident, I’d make progress with my scales, and then the next day it would be wiped clean from my memory. It was definitely a battle. I went from that to finishing the Ridley Academy Masterclass in 3 months, gaining my certification of completion! Now, I have 30 songs of my own copyrighted, and I’m performing at different events. One major one I did was a benefit for the Gabriella Smile Foundation — a charity for children with pediatric cancer. I’ve learned a bit of guitar, a bit of harmonica, and have improved my singing tremendously. Anything can happen with Ridley Academy! “Ever since enrolling, my confidence has risen to an extremely high level. I remember the first week, Stephen asked all of us students to record a video explaining why we joined. I must have recorded that video about 10 times I was so shy, lol, but I ended up winning that contest with Stephen for a personal one-on-one class with him! I was shocked when he said my name. I had never won anything in my life! The greatest thing I remember him telling me was that I had a purpose. It was so incredibly inspiring; it gave me confidence in other avenues in my life. Because of that, I am now working full-time, and I’m writing a book— on top of doing music. It just opened me up to a new me. I would have never been able to get out of bed and gain my muscular strength and mental strength if it wasn’t for the confidence I have gained at Ridley Academy. “Now, I want to do everything. Write my own music, learn how to record my music on production software, everything! It’s just endless. Before, I had never touched a piano in my life. Now, the enthusiasm I get and joy just from playing for myself or someone or a crowd, there is just no other remarkable feeling that can compare. “The Ridley Academy staff are just wonderful people. They are incredibly helpful, encouraging, and like no other place or community I have ever been a part of. Still till this day, after that one and a half hour personal class I had with Stephen, I consider him one of my best friends. He and Ridley Academy changed my whole life because they gave me a life to live. “As for my musical goals, well, I’d love to hone my sound somehow to combine my favorite bands and artists: Red Clay Strays, Mumford and Sons, Amy Winehouse, and Ella Langley. I would be so fulfilled musically if I accomplished that. I’m not completely there yet, but I guess I’m just happy I know what I love and where I’d like to be one day. “Thank you to Ridley Academy and especially to Stephen Ridley. You have been my musical family, and I’m forever grateful for you.”
— Jennifer Pierce, Ridley Academy Student of the Week, 25 September 2026
Very well done, Jennifer!
