by Chris Vance, Founder and CEO of Playground Sessions
Great businesses often start with a simple observation. For me, it was standing in Target, eyeing a Casio keyboard, and realizing that, despite all our technological advances, learning piano in 2009 still relied on traditional books and private lessons. Like 90% of people who attempt to learn an instrument, I was probably destined to fail.
That moment became the spark for what would eventually become Playground Sessions, a company I later built with legendary producer and musician Quincy Jones.
The Journey to Entrepreneurship
My path to becoming a music education entrepreneur was far from traditional. After starting my career at Goldman Sachs and later P&G, I moved to ZAG, the brand incubator at BBH, a global advertising agency that had just launched Google Chrome. At ZAG, we focused on identifying spaces where consumer interest outpaced brand activity. Data revealed that while people didn’t just love music, they were eager to learn and express themselves through it. Simultaneously, online platforms like YouTube were exploding in popularity, signaling a shift in how people consumed educational content.
Having recently refreshed my Spanish using Rosetta Stone, I had a firsthand understanding of how effective digital learning platforms could be. The opportunity was clear: leverage modern digital tools and top-tier instructors to make learning piano accessible to millions.
When Fast Company featured our story in an article titled How to Build a Brand from Scratch in 7 Steps, it caught the attention of Quincy Jones’s team. Quincy, at the time, was looking for what he called the “Rosetta Stone for music.” He was so intrigued by our concept of combining technology and gamification to teach music that he became a partner early on. His involvement brought more than just star power — it brought wisdom.
During a challenging period, when I shared our struggles, Quincy reassured me with, “We’re on a dirt road, but I dig a dirt road!” He shared how producing Michael Jackson’s Thriller was fraught with challenges, yet through relentless effort and grit, he turned it into the best-selling album of all time.
The Startup Reality
Starting Playground Sessions was like building a puzzle while simultaneously inventing the pieces. From hiring the right people and raising funds to refining our product, testing assumptions, and establishing distribution, every day brought new challenges. I went from leading established companies to being “the little guy” trying to orchestrate countless moving parts — most of which didn’t work as planned.
Our darkest moment came when we lost our head of technology, Sean Thayne, who tragically died while heroically trying to save a mother and daughter from a swollen river. We were at a breakout point, preparing multiple language translations and launching an Android app. The thought crept in: “Maybe this is the end for Playground Sessions.”
But Sean’s passion for our mission — to use technology to bring happiness through music — gave us the strength to move forward.
Flipping the Script on Music Education
Our breakthrough came from a fundamental insight: instead of teaching people to “learn to play”, we needed to help them “play to learn”. By gamifying the experience and incorporating instant feedback, visual cues, and scoring, we made the process of how to play piano for beginners both effective and enjoyable. Today, Playground Sessions averages over 10 million practice sessions per month, with more than 3 billion notes played.
This success has enabled us to forge remarkable partnerships. Harry Connick Jr. joined as a piano teacher and brand ambassador, simplifying complex concepts for learners. We partnered with Yamaha and Casio to expand distribution and built strong relationships with music publishers to license popular songs for our platform.
Key Lessons for Entrepreneurs
1. Connect to a Higher Purpose.
Having a mission beyond profit is vital for navigating tough times. For us, the joy users experience as they master songs and express themselves through music keeps us going.
2. Build for the Long Term.
We delayed launching our mobile app by 24 months to perfect our education methodology on desktop first. This decision slowed growth initially but created a scalable and robust platform. Prioritizing long-term success often means making short-term sacrifices.
3. Invest in Core Talent.
Your early hires can define your startup’s culture and trajectory. Sean Thayne not only excelled but also trained his successor, ensuring continuity. Hire people who share your passion and align with your mission.
4. Draw Inspiration Across Industries.
Platforms like Rosetta Stone inspired us to break music education into digestible, progressive steps. Cross-industry insights can spark innovative approaches in your own field.
5. Forge Strategic Partnerships.
Quincy Jones brought emotional depth to our “play to learn” strategy, while Harry Connick Jr. made complex musical concepts accessible. Strategic partners who align with your mission can amplify your impact.
6. Focus on Solving the Core Problem.
Our primary goal was to make music education accessible and effective. Every feature, partnership, and decision revolved around this objective. Stay laser-focused on your core problem even as you scale.
7. Embrace Innovation with Purpose.
Technology should serve your mission, not the other way around. Gamification and digital tools weren’t just about innovation — they made learning more engaging and effective.
Looking Ahead
As Quincy’s teacher Nadia Boulanger once said, “The music you play can never be more or less than you are as a human being.”
That philosophy applies to building a company — it can only be as strong, focused, and authentic as the people behind it. The path from corporate brand management to creating a music education startup wasn’t obvious, but it proved that with the right insights, a dedicated team, and a focus on solving meaningful problems, you can build something impactful — even in industries you never expected.
[Main photo credit: Depositphotos.com]
Chris Vance is the Founder and CEO of Playground Sessions, a piano learning app co-created with Quincy Jones. It offers an innovative approach to music education, delivering a fun and effective way to learn piano online. Chris is passionate about making music education accessible and empowering teachers with tools to keep their students engaged and practicing independently.
