Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Staples Bell.
Hi Susan, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Hi! I’m Susan Staples Bell, a lifelong pianist, piano teacher, and composer. I’ve loved music for as long as I can remember. I grew up in Corpus Christi and started piano lessons at age six. Like many students, I began with traditional classical training — but somewhere around middle school, I started to lose interest. That’s when my parents introduced me to Red Camp, a retired professional jazz musician who completely changed the way I saw music. He opened my eyes to improvisation, chord symbols, and the freedom to be creative — a whole new world compared to the strict, “proper” classical point of view I’d known.
Around that same time, I joined band at Cullen Jr. High, under the direction of Mr. Ram Chavez, who wrote and arranged music for our band. He showed me that music isn’t just something written centuries ago by composers with powdered wigs — it’s alive, evolving, and still being created today.
Those two teachers were monumental influences in my life. They taught me that an inspirational teacher can completely change the path of a young musician. That lesson has shaped everything I’ve done since.
After earning my degrees in Music Education (Trinity University) and Music Composition(UT Austin), I began teaching piano and discovered how rewarding it is to help students unlock their creativity. Over the years, I noticed how students light up when they connect emotionally with the music — they don’t just want to play notes; they want to tell a story. That realization inspired me to start composing music designed specifically for students — imaginative, skill-building, and genuinely fun to play.
What began as a few custom pieces for my own students has grown into a full-fledged composition business. Today, I create and publish piano music and teaching resources that reach students and teachers all over the world — all with the same goal: to spark excitement, creativity, and confidence at the piano, one piece at a time.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Like most creative journeys, it’s been full of twists and turns! I quickly discovered that a degree in Music Education doesn’t come with courses in marketing, website design, or e-commerce — yet those became essential skills once I began sharing my compositions. Running a creative business means wearing a lot of hats: teacher, composer, editor, designer, tech support, and sometimes even video producer. It’s been a constant learning process, but one that’s helped me grow in ways I never expected.
One of the biggest turning points came during the COVID shutdown. When studios and schools suddenly had to move online, teachers everywhere were scrambling to find digital materials that still inspired their students. That’s when many teachers started discovering my music. It was such an unexpected blessing — in the middle of uncertainty, I was able to enable teachers stay connected to their students through creative, engaging piano pieces that worked beautifully for virtual lessons.
Looking back, the challenges have been just as valuable as the successes. Every obstacle — from learning new technology to figuring out how to reach teachers around the world — has reinforced why I do this. I want to make learning music exciting and accessible for everyone, no matter where they are or what the circumstances.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Today, my work centers around creating imaginative piano sheet music and teaching resources that inspire creativity in both students and teachers. I write music for all ages and levels — from beginners to advanced students — with the goal of making every piece engaging, story-driven, and educationally sound.
Teachers often tell me that my music “just works.” It’s so fun to play but still teaches essential skills — rhythm, phrasing, technique, and especially creativity. Many of my collections are built around imaginative themes like Castle Tales, Adventures on the High Seas, Mission: Intrigue, and Keys to the Wild West, so students feel like they’re part of an adventure, not just playing another piano piece.
I’m especially passionate about encouraging students learn to improvise and play from lead sheets, because that’s what first lit the spark for me all those years ago. My method books, like Exploring Improvisation, Easy Lead Sheets, and Exploring Chord Progressions through Lead Sheets & Improvisation; give students and teachers tools to become creative, confident musicians — not just note readers.
What I’m most proud of is hearing from teachers all over the world who say, “My students can’t stop playing your music!” Knowing that something I created in my little studio in Garden Ridge, Texas can light that same spark in students everywhere — that’s incredibly rewarding.
I think what sets my work apart is that it’s written by someone who still teaches every week. I understand what keeps students motivated and what teachers need to make their lessons successful. My goal is always to blend imagination and pedagogy — music that builds skills but also builds excitement.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I fell in love with San Antonio back in 1981 when I first arrived at Trinity University. It’s a city that immediately wraps you up in warmth — the people, the culture, and yes… the food! I had my very first taste of Blue Bell ice cream at Olmos Pharmacy, I loved late-night runs to the original Taco Cabana on San Pedro and Hildebrand, and I enjoyed weekend walks on the Riverwalk – always stopping by for enchiladas at La Paloma.
Mariachi music was always present in my early days — it’s joyful, rhythmic, and so full of life. That vibrant spirit has inspired several of my own piano pieces, including Bailar al Sol and Paseo del Rio.
These days, I live in Garden Ridge — close enough to still feel connected to the city, but surrounded by the quiet beauty of the Hill Country. The only downside? The traffic! Between I-35 and the endless construction zones, driving into town can feel like a full-contact sport! But even so, when I venture back into San Antonio, I feel that same spark I did years ago — it still feels like home.
Pricing:
- Prices for music resources listed on website.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.susanstaplesbellmusic.com/sheet-music
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susan.staples.bell.composer
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SusanStaplesBellMusic
