In today's article, I'd like to introduce you to Thomas Gier, one of the co-founders of doozzoo. He's a trained double bassist and a passionate music teacher. Today, I'll be speaking with him about his journey, his passion, and his vision for doozzoo.
Antonio Campeglia: Tell us, Thomas, how did you come up with the idea for doozzoo?
Thomas Gier: It was my wife who initially sparked the idea. Back in 2011, she asked if I had considered teaching online. The apparent advantages of remote learning were evident and becoming the norm in many industries. I began experimenting with platforms like Skype, Zoom, and others, trying out almost all available video conferencing systems on the market. To my frustration, none of the existing systems were suitable for the unique requirements of music instruction, especially due to the lack of sound quality and music apps, as well as the inability to share instructional material effectively and securely with students.
This fueled a strong desire to create a tailored solution. However, I needed the support of a developer. In 2016 , I reached out to my former bandmate, Christoph Pelz, who, after studying guitar, transitioned to IT and was among the first web nerds in the early '90s. Together, in 2017, we founded doozzoo and began its development.
Antonio Campeglia: That's a significant step, especially the decision to not just find a solution for yourself but to create something beneficial for other teachers. What drives you in this regard?
Thomas GierIn a somewhat abstract philosophical sense, I believe that the exchange of information forms the basis of all existence. The internet is a powerful tool that allows for collaboration and communication without physical interaction. When it comes to musical interaction, the exchange of information becomes even more complex. Beyond a regular speech-oriented video conference, music instruction poses greater challenges in terms of sound and video quality, latency, and intuitive usability.
Antonio Campeglia: The doozzoo team believes that digitalization can significantly benefit music education. We now have the opportunity to actively shape the future of music instruction.
Thomas GierMore importantly, we are convinced that music instructors deserve a better tool than the standard video conferencing systems. They need a solution optimized for music, covering the entire spectrum from online and hybrid instruction to blended learning. We prioritize the needs of music educators and musicians. Our team is primarily comprised of musicians or programmers who also play instruments and are passionate about our mission.
Antonio Campeglia: What challenges do you face and how do you overcome them?
Thomas Gier: We notice that skepticism among educators remains high, especially in Germany, where there's still much room for digital growth. Many educators have had unsatisfactory experiences with online lessons, often because they relied on regular video conferencing systems and poor IT infrastructure, which was bound to have issues.
There's a great need for explanations and persuasion. That's why we collaborate closely with other music educators, like yourself, dear Beppe. Together, we are currently working on further developing doozzoo as a classroom solution for general education schools.
This ongoing exchange with practicing educators is invaluable for the meaningful development of the doozzoo platform.
Antonio Campeglia: Do you still teach? And do you use doozzoo for that?
Thomas Gier: Yes, I still teach, although much less than before. Managing a team and the associated responsibilities, of course, limits my time.
For instance, I have an online student from Norway. He's a retired philosophy professor living in a rural area. The nearest music school is too far away, so he looked for online bass lessons and found me. We coordinate our lessons quite flexibly, which suits us both.
Honestly, every lesson reminds me why I do this. Not just for the instructors, but also for students who, for various reasons, can't simply go to a nearby music school. The gained flexibility, increased global reach, and the idea of not having to commute through traffic to get to a music school. These benefits, coupled with enhanced efficiency and a better ecological footprint, are truly rewarding.
Antonio Campeglia: What personal experiences and insights have you gained over the past few years?
Thomas Gier: The past years have been incredibly intense. Developing doozzoo has been a journey that, from its inception to our acquisition by C. Bechstein , has demanded my full attention. Soft skills like patience and persistence have proven crucial. I've found it enriching to work with a fantastic team and to constantly engage with our users, institutions, and musicians, growing together.
Antonio Campeglia: When you're not working on doozzoo, what do you do?
Thomas Gier: Oh, I play basketball and am currently trying my hand at golf. My family is also quite music-obsessed, and we collect vinyl records of our favorite artists. Our collection has grown considerably over the years. We also love vacationing in Italy. On a personal note, I'm very passionate about sustainability and have set up a photovoltaic system which now powers my home office and more.
