Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan And Dwayne (Christian/Adrian) Toler.
Hi Susan and Dwayne (Christian/Adrian), thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The Toler Family (Dwayne, Susan, Christian and Adrian Toler) is BlackBox Music & Arts. We are a team and the business would not exist without each of us doing our part.
BlackBox Music & Arts is the definition of a family owned and operated small business. When they met Dwayne Toler was an EMS Li for the San Antonio Fire Department who played in a band during his off time and Susan A. Toler was a professional graphic artist working with a local publisher while freelancing.
We all have spent years honing our skills, playing music and producing art. Dwayne would conduct church choirs and tutor children and adults on the side and Susan would help family and friends with art ambitions while instructing and supporting the children in visual and performing arts endeavors.
DWAYNE is a retired San Antonio Fire Department EMS Lieutenant with 33 years of service. He was recognized as EMS technician of the year in 2004.
With over 45 years as a seasoned musician and vocalist, Dwayne boasts a rich resumé within the music industry. This includes more than 14 years serving as Minister of Music for a congregation exceeding 2,000 members. A remarkably self-taught pianist, keyboardist, guitarist, and songwriter, he possesses the unique ability to play by ear. His early career highlights include co-founding and co-managing the groups “Friends” and “Master Jam,” where he performed as an opening act for iconic national artists such as Millie Jackson, James Brown, and Sybil, demonstrating significant stage presence and industry insight.
In 2018, Dwayne released the CD “Next Level” and performed lead vocals for “When I Whisper” on the 2019 release RIZE ABOVE by local group Europa Jazz.
Beyond his personal artistic endeavors, Dwayne is a committed advocate for emerging talent, actively supporting youth musicians, community talent competitions, performances, and workshops.
SUSAN is a visual artist and an award winning graphic artist and creative director. She began her career early having completed training in Commercial Art at San Antonio’s Texas Vocational School at the age of 19. She migrated to the Art Institute of Houston where she earned her associates degree and went on to earn her bachelors degree from the University of Arlington where she focused her studies in the major areas of communications and business.
Her graphic work has appeared locally in the form of the Convention & Visitors Bureau, SAWS and San Antonio Water Authority marketing materials, as well as in national print publications such as Cooks Magazine, Essence Magazine, Ebony Magazine and Vibe Magazine. Susan’s AWARDS AND ACCOLADES include: APEX Award 1999 for Sensitivity in Advertising & Marketing in domestic destination print advertising; PRIMA Award1999 for Excellence in Marketing by the American Society of Association Executives; PRAME Award in 1998 and ’99; Silver ADDY Award in 1997; 40 Under 40 Award in 1997 awarded by the San Antonio Business Journal; Voices Along the River San Antonio Poetry Fair 2002 Anthology Honorable Mention. She has served on a number of boards and committees during her career.
Dwayne and Susan have two children who work with us, Christian (a girl) and Adrian (boy). Both spent years developing musicality and artistic skills. Now young adults, (Adrian 25 and christian 28) both are talented, skilled artists and musicians. Christian is a gifted visual artist and teachers piano and vocals and is currently pursuing her masters in music production while Adrian has been his mother’s student, a gifted art pro·té·gé since the age of 3, winning numerous competitions along the way and now teaches art and continues his journey in drums.
In 2015, we decided to put our love for the arts to work and opened a music arts school. We tapped into our personal resources and began building our dream studio. We started in a small space on Potranco Rd and after four years of navigating high rent with limited banking support, we persevered and eventually purchased commercial property sitting on over 2.5 acres of land. The studio is nestled in a peaceful, natural setting. During the spring and early winter, we have students who attend practices as a family simply to enjoy a quiet evening on the grounds. Parents take walks and siblings run freely on the grounds, away from traffic, crowds, and distractions. Deer and other small animals are often spotted on the property. Our opening on the new property was a bit scary as contractors proved unethical and unreliable and ended up abandoning the project. We were forced to hire another contractor to fix the work and complete the job, ultimately spending twice what was budgeted to get the project completed. Additionally, we ended up having to start over as a home based business in our new location as we waited to get our occupancy rating. It took another two years to get the county to answer calls to convert the residence into a commercial business. Each agency consistently referred back to the other as needing to sign off on the project. Eventually after much frustration and continuous phone calls and emails, SAWS finally heard us, and got the process moving.
The pandemic was an interesting time. At first is was quiet and everyone stayed home. Music and art online just didn’t feel the same. A huge part of our business is relationships. We enjoy the social interaction and so do our student families. As the pandemic rules lifted a bit and people were able to come into the studio, we saw more and more people who just wanted to give music and art a try. We understand online teaching is big business – it’s just not our business. Kids are at school all day in a structured environment and parents are at work. Our program is built on a highly social learning model that encourages connection, creativity, and community. Students enjoy full autonomy in what they learn and how they learn it, all while choosing their ideal level of interaction with peers. Whether a student thrives in collaborative, social environments or prefers a more independent, self-paced approach, our program adapts to them—empowering every learner, child or adult, to grow confidently and authentically.
We have continued to grow our business together as a family. Over the years we’ve brought on a number of employees to extend our offerings from art voice guitar and piano to include saxophone, drums, ukulele, textile art and drama. We are excited for the next level as we move forward. We just started construction a BlackBox Music & Arts is creating a brand-new 1,824 sq. ft. performing arts/event center! This space will host recitals, art shows, plays, performances, and private rentals. The event center is projected to be completed at the end of January of 2026.
The recent government shut down hit our student’s families hard given we are a military city. We are seeing students slowly return as we continue to move forward and hold on to the faith that the arts are a necessary part of everyone’s life. As cancer survivors, Dwayne and Susan understand firsthand the incredible healing power of music and the arts. What we offer is more than instruction—it’s enrichment in its truest form, opening doors to imagination, exploration, and expression.
Together, our family remains committed to creating a space where the arts uplift, restore, and inspire our community.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
1. Funding. Financial institutions would not return calls. Claimed they didn’t make “those types of loans’ even though it stated they did on the website. Another took a meeting, but basically just told us we needed to do to start a business, which we already knew and had taken the appropriate steps. Basically brushed us off. We were not taken seriously.
2. Bureaucratic mess. Could not get the business location approved as commercial for two years.
3. The pandemic caused a complete shut down for a while and we had two part-time employees at the time so we qualified for a very small PPP loans.
4. Bad contractors as explained in first section.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Addressed in first section.
We are a family of visual and performing artists.
Our program is built on a highly social learning model that encourages connection, creativity, and community. Students enjoy full autonomy in what they learn and how they learn it, all while choosing their ideal level of interaction with peers. Whether a student thrives in collaborative, social environments or prefers a more independent, self-paced approach, our program adapts to them—empowering every learner, child or adult, to grow confidently and authentically.
What matters most to you? Why?
We care about building community, nurturing relationships, and creating a space where the arts bring people together. Life can be challenging, but music and art offer comfort, connection, and a way to breathe again. Here, you’re surrounded by others who understand—and that makes the journey a little easier. We believe music and art ease life’s stresses and help people feel seen, supported, and understood. We celebrate the idea that our differences make art stronger. Every unique voice, story, and perspective adds richness to our creative community.
Pricing:
- Music lessons start at $150 month
- Voice lessons start at $150 month
- Art lessons start at $90 and $110 month
- Acting Lessons start at $150 month
- Adults and Youth (ages 5 and up)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://blackboxmusicarts.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/black_box_music_and_arts/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackboxmusicarts.sa/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@blackboxmusicarts5192
