Why We Build Every On-Stage Product with the Classroom in Mind

R. Connor Taylor Product Manager, The Music People

The On-Stage Team

Before I ever worked in product development, I spent more than a decade in music education. I taught one‑on‑one lessons, ran group seminars, and even helped students start bands, rehearse, and book their first gigs. What that experience taught me — very quickly — is that good gear can make or break a learning environment. When equipment is reliable, intuitive, and quick to set up, students stay focused on what really matters: learning their instrument, exploring new software, understanding theory, and building confidence.

That perspective has shaped the way I approach my work at On-Stage.

For over forty years, our company has built practical, problem‑solving tools for musicians. Today we offer more than 700 products across nine categories, used in classrooms, rehearsal rooms, and stages around the world. That growth didn’t happen by accident — it came from paying attention to what real educators and students need. And after starting my career in the classroom, I still look at every stand or mount through the eyes of a teacher trying to keep a room running smoothly.

One thing I appreciate about SoundTree is how clearly they understand the realities of modern music education. They emphasize that technology is now “the standard way of delivering instruction in today’s classroom,” and that students are preparing for careers that haven’t even been invented yet.

That lines up exactly with what I used to see as an instructor — and what I hear from teachers today.

At On-Stage, our product development team approaches every project the same way I approached lesson planning: start by listening. Teachers tell us what slows them down, what wears out too quickly, or what doesn’t quite fit the way their classroom moves. From there, we focus on building solutions that are durable, flexible, and easy to use — because in a busy classroom, anything complicated becomes an obstacle.

That’s why some of the gear we make has naturally become classroom favorites. Our Workstations and Guitar Workstation help teachers create functional, adaptable setups without eating up valuable floor space. Our Tripod-Base Music Stands and Music Stand Carts keep classrooms organized and ready to transition between activities — something every ensemble director appreciates. The Percussion Table gives students a reliable surface for all the little tools and accessories that otherwise end up on the floor. And our Tablet/Smartphone Holder has become a simple but essential tool now that so many classrooms incorporate learning apps, notation programs, and digital assessments. Even our 12U Wall-Mount Rack supports teachers working with audio interfaces, playback devices, and classroom tech that needs to stay secure and accessible.

Our strong factory partnerships help us take ideas like these and turn them into products quickly, test them thoroughly, and support them long-term. That hands‑on process is part of why we’ve stayed adaptable for so many years. And it’s why I feel so strongly about the gear we make: I know what it’s like to need equipment that just works so students can keep learning.

SoundTree talks about helping educators create “dynamic and engaging classrooms” through the right tools and support. I share that belief completely. For me, designing stands and accessories isn’t just about the hardware — it’s about giving teachers more time to teach and giving students more freedom to explore.

If our products help a classroom run even a little more smoothly, help a teacher transition between lessons faster, or help a student feel more confident with their setup, then we’ve done what we set out to do.

---

R. Connor Taylor

Product Manager, The Music People