Ben with one of his students. Photo provided

By Brittany North - Boreal Community Media - May 15, 2025

Ben Nichols's love for music started as a kid in elementary school choir class, and he knew it would lead to a full-fledged career in music. “I always enjoyed music growing up—elementary music classes, choir, and theatre. I think having that as an enjoyable experience growing up kind of sparked me to get more involved as I grew into middle school and high school,” he says. What started with playing by ear on piano, then formal lessons, eventually led to a college degree in musical theatre. From there, he found himself directing, teaching piano, and working with youth theatre groups.

Fast forward to 2019, Ben moved to Cook County—and then, like everyone, the pandemic changed everything. “COVID hit six months after I arrived, and I started teaching private lessons. Four years ago, I opened my studio, and that’s when things really took off,” he explains. Since then, he’s taught private lessons, run youth workshops, taught at GES, and launched group classes like the popular Music Together family program. For Ben, music has become more than just a career—it’s a way to build meaningful connections. “I’m really excited to be living in the community, it’s a really special place. I’m really grateful to be bringing music education to the area,” Ben says.

That sense of connection will be front and center at a spring recital, this Sunday, May 18, from 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. The concert will be held at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts for the first time. “It’s our third piano recital in Cook County, but our first in a big space like this. Now there’s room for all the students and their families—and anyone else who wants to come!” The event will feature a grand piano, rented from Duluth, with costs generously donated by Doug and Mary Sanders. “ACA is making sure everything sounds top-notch,” Ben adds.

Accessibility is a big part of Ben’s mission. Last spring, he started a scholarship fund to help more families participate in his programs. “It started when some families wanted to join Music Together but needed help with the cost,” he explains. Since then, local donors have stepped in to support families, and Ben is working on formalizing the scholarship fund with help from a local nonprofit so larger gifts can eventually be tax-deductible. Attendees at Sunday’s recital can contribute to the fund with a cash or check donation. Others can reach out through his website's contact page, www.scaredycatmusic.com, to learn more or make a contribution.

As for the name Scaredy Cat Music? It started in a music class where a student playfully referred to another student as a scaredy cat, but Ben found it captured something deeper. “There's this preconceived notion that if you’re not gifted at music or immediately good at it, it’s not for you. The number one thing I’ve found with students is the fear of failure.” In his teaching style, Ben focuses on helping students get comfortable and lean into taking risks, even when they’re nervous. “We have to learn how to continue to pursue things, even if we’re afraid of them. That to me is a primary skill in becoming a mature human.”

This summer, Ben is inviting students—new and returning—to explore music in a fresh, low-pressure way. Alongside summer classes, he’s offering a giveaway: a full season of lessons, valued at $300, for free. “Summer is the perfect time to try something new—guitar, singing,” he says. A short form on the website helps Ben understand what people want to learn and when they’re available. This helpful information helps Ben create even more accessibility for students. “So far, only current students have responded—I’d love to hear from others, too.” The deadline to enter is May 19th, with more details available at the recital and on the website.

For Ben, music is about much more than mastering notes. It’s about helping students develop a sense of self that they carry far beyond the keyboard. “I want them to gain confidence, to feel empowered in their own creative decisions,” he says. He builds relationships with his students beyond lessons—talking through challenges, creating schedules together, encouraging self-reflection, and offering support. “A lot of times, it’s their first one-on-one relationship with a trusted adult who isn’t a parent. That can be powerful.”

Ben hopes each student walks away not only with new skills but also with a sense of purpose. “Music for a better world” is the motto of Scaredy Cat Music. He wants students to learn self-confidence, self-assurance, and self-determination from music—to help make the world a better place with these skills. Ben also wants students to use music as a vehicle to learn thought-provoking questions that are good for themselves, like “What do I want, and how do I get there?” 

Whether through a recital performance, a summer class, or a quiet moment of discovery at the piano, Ben’s goal remains the same: to create a space where music feels welcoming, empowering, and deeply human. As Scaredy Cat Music continues to grow, so does its impact—one student, one note, and one fearless step at a time.

Join the spring recital this Sunday, May 18th, from 4–5:30 PM at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts. It’s free and open to all, with an opportunity to contribute to the Scaredy Cat Music scholarship fund—cash and check donations will be accepted at the event, or you can visit www.scaredycatmusic.com to learn more or make a gift.