Meet the Founder
Michelle Schodowski
Founder, Michelle Schodowski, has a BM in Piano Performance (University of North Texas) and an MBA in Business Management with a focus on Innovation (University of North Texas). The inspiration for Radda was a result of her experience living in a rural area and having to connect with high level teachers via Skype. She has had opportunities to study with esteemed professors throughout the United States and abroad in private lessons and masterclasses, such as Adam Wodnicki (University of North Texas), Chih-Long Hu (University of Tennessee), Rebecca Penneys (Eastman School of Music), Nelita True (Eastman School of Music), Howard Na (Shaanxi Normal University), Randall Faber (Author of the Faber Music-Adventure Series), Matti Raekallio (The Juilliard School), Alexander Peskanov, and Carol Stone. Her musical studies have taken her to Tennessee, Kansas, Florida, North Carolina, Canada, and Italy where she participated and performed in classical music festivals and competitions. With her background in Piano Pedagogy and Performance, she currently maintains a piano studio in Dallas, Texas in addition to running Radda.
“While completing my MBA at the University of North Texas in 2019, Radda’s foundational idea was born, marked by a victory at the Ed Tech Ascend Business Pitch Competition. The essence of Radda is a culmination of my passions for music and entrepreneurship, and the initial vision draws from my piano journey with Alexander Peskanov. Before we embraced the world of Skype, our lessons were a dance of mailed recordings – I’d send my performances, and he’d reply with invaluable critiques. Throughout my academic years, my experiences continued to highlight the profound impact of diverse feedback and the importance of constantly striving for growth. Harnessing this philosophy, we introduced the first Radda Rise Competition in 2020. More than just a competition, it became a beacon of mentorship, guidance, and career development. Looking forward, Radda remains dedicated to fostering the musical goals and dreams of aspiring artists.”