Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Walsh.
Hi Megan, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
It was my experience as a teaching assistant that truly gave flight to both the Frost Preparatory Program and my teaching career.
When I arrived in Miami in 2003 to pursue my Doctor of Musical Arts in piano performance and pedagogy at the University of Miami, I was awarded a full scholarship and asked to oversee the Frost School’s Keyboard for Kids lab. The program enlisted graduate students like me to teach young piano students. I loved the work immediately, but I was surprised that the program only served about 35 children and that there were so few comprehensive pre-college music opportunities in South Florida.
Before moving to Miami, I earned both my undergraduate and graduate degrees in music and business from the University of Notre Dame. As a child, I had attended the preparatory program at Carnegie Mellon University, and that experience left a lasting impression on me. It showed me what a vibrant, comprehensive pre-college music community could look like and how deeply it could shape a young musician’s confidence and sense of belonging. When I settled in Miami, I kept thinking about how transformative that model had been for me. I saw both a need and an opportunity to build something similar here.
What began as a small keyboard lab started to grow organically. Families would ask what might come next for their children. As students advanced, their interests expanded beyond private lessons. Some wanted ensemble experiences. Others were curious about different instruments or contemporary styles. I listened carefully and responded thoughtfully. Over time, we introduced strings, guitar, rock band, chamber music, additional performance opportunities and more. Each new addition reflected the evolving interests of our students and the belief that the program should grow with them.
When I graduated with my doctorate from the Frost School of Music, the university created a full-time position for me to formally launch and lead what would become the Frost Prep Program. That moment was incredibly meaningful. What began as an idea during my assistantship became an institutional commitment to building a true pre-college music community.
Today, we serve over 500 students and maintain an extensive waiting list. Our youngest students begin at just four months old in our early childhood division, and the program now extends well beyond age 18 with adults of all ages joining us. Students come not only from across South Florida but from out of state as well, with some participating virtually through Zoom. While not all pursue professional careers in music, many remain with us through high school. They leave with confidence, discipline, poise, and a lifelong appreciation for music that carries into whatever field they choose.
Now in my 22nd year, one of the greatest joys has been seeing students who began with me in the early years of the program return as teachers. There is something incredibly special about welcoming them back as colleagues. I also treasure hearing from former students who followed other professional paths but still keep music in their lives. Many tell me they sit down at the piano after long workdays to decompress or play simply for personal joy. Knowing that music continues to be part of their daily lives is just as meaningful as seeing those who pursue it professionally.
I have never viewed my role at the University of Miami as simply a job. It has always been a passion. To build something out of love, to mentor so many teachers, and to impact thousands of young musicians is an extraordinary blessing. I feel incredibly fortunate to spend my life doing what I love.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has definitely had its challenges, but I would describe them more as opportunities in disguise than obstacles. One of the harder parts has been losing teachers when they graduate from the Frost School of Music and move out of Miami. Each teacher becomes like family to me, and it’s always bittersweet to see them go.
Another ongoing challenge has been space. With over 500 students and an extensive waiting list, we often find ourselves wishing for more room at the university to serve more students and offer more programs to the community. It’s a logistical puzzle, but one that keeps me motivated and creative. Maybe one day we’ll have a building dedicated entirely to Frost Prep, where we can expand more and grow with our students.
Overall, the ride over the past 22 years has been one of opportunity, growth, and learning. Every challenge has pushed me to think bigger, dream bigger, and keep putting the students at the center of everything we do.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
The Frost Preparatory Program at the Frost School of Music offers music instruction for all ages, from infants to adults. Our programs provide a comprehensive, experiential learning path designed to grow with each student, whether they are starting at just four months old in our early childhood division or joining as adults.
We offer instruction in all instruments, including piano, strings, guitar, percussion, and more, along with ensembles and performance opportunities. Lessons take place on the University of Miami Frost School of Music campus, where students benefit from state-of-the-art facilities, opportunities to work directly with Frost faculty, and inspiration from observing Frost students practicing and performing around them.
What sets Frost Prep apart is the combination of high-level instruction, individualized attention, and a strong sense of community. Students not only develop technical skills and musicianship but also confidence, discipline, and poise. They have many opportunities to perform both on and off campus, sharing their talents with the broader community.
I am most proud of the culture we have built. Frost Prep is more than a program; it’s a family where students, teachers, and parents feel supported, inspired, and connected. Our goal is to instill a lifelong love of music while offering the highest quality instruction, guidance, and performance experiences possible.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
There are many ways to work with, collaborate with, or support the Frost Preparatory Program. We are always looking for new locations and opportunities to share our students’ musical talents with the community. Whether it’s a retirement home, a museum, a special fundraising event, or any other venue, we love finding ways to bring joy and inspiration through live music.
We also welcome partnerships and support that help make music education accessible to all. Scholarships and donations allow families who might not otherwise have the opportunity to participate in our program to receive high-quality instruction, experience the joy of performance, and develop their skills. Every contribution helps us expand our reach and continue offering meaningful, transformative musical experiences.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://prep.frost.miami.edu/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frostprepprogram/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/frostprep/
