Today we’d like to introduce you to Jillian Morrisini.
Hi Jillian, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My husband and I met performing an opera, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, in 2013. We spent a number of years performing, and teaching across the country—living the artist life, with all its joys and unpredictability. Eventually we decided we wanted to create something of our own. We envisioned an educational space that felt like an opera: collaborative, creative, and full of different kinds of artists working together. We also wanted a space for professional artists where they could find stability, earn a living wage, and be in an environment where they were able to further pursue their art.
We decided to settle in Oviedo, where I grew up, and we opened Songbirds in 2017. We started small: just the two of us, a handful of instructors, a few music studios, one dance room, and a teeny-tiny art room. But the energy was there right away. People showed up. Word spread. Our community grew.
Today we have 10 music studios, 2 dance rooms, a full art studio, 11 weeks of summer camps, a retail floor, an instrument repair shop, an instrument rental service, over 30 incredible instructors, and an amazing administrative team helping us run the show. We’ve expanded our footprint in the plaza we rent from and are actively looking for a larger space we can call home.
Along the way, we’ve become more and more rooted in our community—starting by volunteering in local schools and, more recently, organizing Oviedo’s first annual Halloween Parade. These connections enable us to bring joy and creativity to people’s lives in a meaningful, accessible way.
There’s an adage in opera: it’s easy to get your first gig—but getting hired back is what really speaks volumes. It means you’re not just talented; you’re someone people trust, enjoy, and want to work with again. I’m so proud that many of our students and instructors have been with us since day one. We’ve watched them grow into confident, expressive individuals, and it’s a joy to cheer them on as they soar (pun always intended).
We’ve built Songbirds to feel like home—for our students, our staff, and ourselves. We’re warm, welcoming, and just the right amount of weird. There’s art everywhere, music floating through the halls, and a real sense of belonging. Whether you’re here for your very first lesson or your hundredth performance, you’ll be seen, supported, and celebrated—possibly with snacks. Probably with puns. Definitely with heart.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has definitely had its bumps. In the beginning, we ran into a lot of financial issues. Everything cost more than we had budgeted—despite building in what we thought was a solid buffer. We chipped away at that debt slowly, and just as we were about to become profitable… COVID hit.
My husband and I had just welcomed our first child and purchased a fixer-upper—about two weeks before the state went into lockdown. Suddenly, we were trying to transform our very in-person business into a virtual one, while holding a newborn, standing in a half-renovated home, and recovering from surgery. Every one of our instructors lost their performing gigs overnight, and we quickly became their only source of income. I couldn’t stomach the thought of leaving anyone without work, and we knew that for many families, Songbirds was a source of joy and stability. So we pushed through—with a lot of help from our families, and a lot of stubborn determination.
I’m incredibly proud that we made it through. We stayed connected to our students and stood as a little beacon of joy in the community.
Since then, we’ve grown a lot—but space has been a constant challenge. We love our current location, but we’ve definitely outgrown it. Finding a large, affordable space in Oviedo has proven incredibly difficult. When we’ve found promising properties, they’ve been scooped up by cash buyers. It’s a good problem to have, but it still keeps me up at night.
This past year we also faced a sudden and steep rent hike—our landlord tried to more than double our rent based on surrounding new commercial developments. After a lot of negotiation, we settled on a 30% increase. It was still a big jump, so we had to raise our prices, but we worked hard to stay accessible and fair to our families.
Of course, we’ve made mistakes along the way. But we try to learn from them, grow, and always do better for our staff, our students, and ourselves.
My mom always teases me that I seem to choose the path with the most obstacles—becoming an opera singer, opening a small business. She says she could never handle the stress of being responsible for so many people’s livelihoods or the feeling of never being able to clock out. And I get that. It is a lot. But I wouldn’t trade it. I love Songbirds, and I love the people who walk through our doors too much to imagine doing anything else.
We’ve been impressed with Songbirds Music, Art, & Dance Center, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Songbirds is a full-service creative arts center offering music lessons, art classes, dance classes, summer camps, retail, instrument rentals, and repair services—all under one colorful, joyful roof. We’re known for being a warm, welcoming, and slightly quirky space where students of all ages can explore their creativity in a supportive, professional environment.
What truly sets us apart is our community and our people. Our instructors are absolutely phenomenal. They’re not just highly trained educators (some with doctorates)—they’re working artists, passionate mentors, and genuinely kind, welcoming humans. Some have been with us since the very beginning, and our students stick around too. When they move on, it’s because they’re achieving their artistic dreams. We’re proud to be the kind of place people want to stay—a home base for their creative journey.
We’re especially proud to provide a space where artists can earn a living wage and feel part of a collaborative, supportive community.
We specialize in creating connection—between students and teachers, between families and the arts, and between artists and opportunities. Our summer camps are consistently rated the best in the area, and our classes and lessons have received multiple “Orlando’s Best” awards. We don’t just teach—we nurture confidence, imagination, and a deep sense of belonging.
Songbirds feels like home. Yes, it’s full of art, music, and movement—but also laughter, encouragement, and real connection. It’s a place where you’re greeted by name, where your child can find a second home, and where adults feel comfortable rediscovering a creative passion they haven’t touched in years.
We’re most proud of the community we’ve built—a place where people of all ages and backgrounds feel safe to express themselves, try something new, and be supported every step of the way. Whether you’re here for a single class or become part of our family for years, we want you to feel seen, celebrated, and inspired.
At the end of the day, Songbirds isn’t just about what we do—it’s about who we are. And we’re incredibly proud of that.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Our best advice: try to be creative everyday. Make the weird art. Dance even if you think you have two left feet. Play the note, even if it’s the wrong one.
At Songbirds, we believe creativity is for everyone—not just professionals or prodigies. If you’ve ever wanted to express yourself, connect with something joyful, or just do something fun and different, we’re here for it (and for you).
And if your kid is constantly humming, dancing through the living room, or covering every surface in glitter glue— they’ll probably love it here.
Mostly, we want to say thank you. To our community, to our students, to every person who has cheered us on or walked through our door—you’re why we do this. And if we haven’t met you yet, we can’t wait to. There’s always room for more at Songbirds.
Pricing:
- Music Lessons (ages 5+): start at $36/lesson (free trial)
- Music Together (ages 0-4): $110/6 week semester (free trial)
- Art (ages 4+): $20/art party or start at $100/ semester class
- Dance (ages 2+): $70/month for a weekly 60min class (free trial)
- Summer Camp (1st-8th graders): $295/full week 9a-4p
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.SongbirdsOviedo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/songbirdsmadcenter/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/songbirdsmadcenter/
