In the spring of 1988, Joyce Templeman and Karen Unrau offered a summer music experience including music camps and small group instruction. The classes were held in an upstairs room at Valley West Mall in West Des Moines. The success of that summer created more students than they could teach.

Joyce and Karen were discussing the problem over lunch when they came across the following words in a fortune cookie: “What you think is a problem is an opportunity for growth.” These words nudged them to develop a business plan for Keyboard West Studios.

After ten years as business partners, several moves and continued growth, Joyce retired to the position of Curriculum Director which she still holds today. Karen moved the studio to the current West Des Moines location in 2002. She now serves as the Education Director.

Now under the direction of the Pettit family, Keyboard West continues to thrive. Today, the Keyboard West team is proud to see their dream of a second studio in the Des Moines area become a reality. The new studio opened in August 2006 and is located in Clive.

Please read about the Keyboard West Goals