“The Gift of Proper Guidance: Benoit’s Journey”
One of the most powerful things I witness inside Ridley Academy is what happens when a student receives the right guidance — personalized, thoughtful, and rooted in genuine care. Benoit’s journey is a beautiful example of this.
From the moment he joined the Mentorship Program, he discovered something essential: the extraordinary advantage of having a competent teacher who is deeply invested in his progress. Rex, his mentor, did what great teachers do — he saw Benoit’s potential immediately and helped him believe in it too.
That belief changed everything for him.
Benoit shared that he now feels fully confident in his ability to reach his piano goals. Not eventually. Not “maybe someday.” But truly — and for the rest of his life.
“Rex convinced me I will be able to reach my piano goals. Now I am very confident about my capabilities.”
What struck me most is how clearly Benoit understands one of the core truths of becoming a musician:
It’s not just what you practice — it’s how you practice.
The method matters.
The structure matters.
The intention matters.
And Benoit experienced firsthand how learning the correct way to practice accelerates growth in ways that guessing, copying tutorials, or trial-and-error never can.
Another milestone in his journey was learning to play from chord sheets — a step that unlocks freedom, creativity, and musical expression. Rex and I emphasize this because it allows students to move beyond the rigidness of the page and into the living side of music.
Benoit didn’t just understand this — he embraced it.
He even began creating his own arrangements in the refrain of one of his songs.
“To me, it’s important not to be limited by the notes written on a music sheet.”
That is the mindset of a musician, not just a student.
On top of this, Rex guided him through harmony, chord suites, and the inner workings of music so he could learn songs faster and understand them more deeply. Knowledge creates speed — and Benoit is now moving with clarity.
One of the things he enjoys most is something I believe deeply in: communication.
Weekly group classes with Rex, yes — but also as many video exchanges as he wants. He asks questions, receives tailored feedback, gets drills created specifically for him, and grows through a relationship built on trust and precision.
That level of personal attention is what transforms people.
It’s why Mentorship exists.
And hearing Benoit say this means everything:
“I am very happy I took the mentorship program.”
His growth is not accidental.
It’s the result of dedication, guidance, and belief — both ours, and now his own.
Benoit’s story is a reminder that when you understand how music works, and when someone truly cares about helping you grow, your entire musical future changes.
You can read Benoit’s full story. And if her journey speaks to you, maybe it’s time to begin your own
It’s never too late to begin again.
With gratitude,
Stephen Ridley
