Music, Art, Community, & Mindfulness in the Everyday
The benefits are far reaching and cultivate an appreciation for the things that make life a little lighter on the shoulders, a little more beautiful, and a little more balanced.
Ah Tempo was born from a simple belief: that everyone deserves a place to pause. We realized that as adults, we rarely give ourselves permission to be beginners or to chase a passion outside of our 9-to-5. We created this space to be that opportunity. We aren't just a business; we’re a community dedicated to enjoyment, discovery, and the art of the hobby.
Our Story
Ah Tempo started as music lessons in a major tech company; one teacher, two instrument offerings, one on-site location. Since 2022, we’ve grown our offerings, our team of creatives, and our understanding of the daily grind as it pertains to this type of employee: highly successful, dedicated, driven, but also tired, and on the verge of burnout. Initially, music lessons were a way to connect with a different student but it quickly became more than that for both student and teacher.
The processing that happens while struggling through a challenging section at the piano goes far beyond the space and deep into the brain, organizing thought, and bridging the gap between dilemma and creative problem solving. The benefits are far reaching and cultivate an appreciation for the things that make life a little lighter on the shoulders, a little more beautiful, and a little more balanced.
The Ah Tempo Philosophy
At Ah Tempo, we approach the challenge of employee performance differently. We strive to enrich and improve the quality of work-life by creating an environment centered on enjoyment, discovery, and respite.
As professionals, many of us lose access to something essential: the opportunity to be beginners again—to explore a hobby, develop a passion, or engage in something that isn’t tied to performance or outcomes. By providing structured opportunities for mental reset, creative exploration, and personal growth, we help organizations:
Reduce burnout and cognitive fatigue.
Increase creative problem-solving and innovation.
Improve employee engagement and retention.
Strengthen overall workplace culture.
Why It Matters: Beyond the Output
The reason this approach is vital is simple: High-performing employees are the engine behind an organization’s success, but sustained high output without adequate support comes at a cost.
Most employees spend their days “on” from 9 to 5, operating in a constant state of output and expectation. By the time the workday ends, mental energy is depleted, and the weight of unfinished tasks and lingering stress follows them home. Over time, this creates compounding mental fatigue—what looks like commitment in the short term quietly becomes exhaustion in the long term.
The Business Case for Well-Being
This isn’t just a workforce issue; it’s a strategic business risk. Organizations that ignore this dynamic risk losing the very qualities they rely on most: creativity, curiosity, and innovation. Conversely, the data shows that investing in the "human" side of the employee pays dividends:
The ROI of Wellness: Research shows that for every $1 invested in employee wellness, organizations see an average return of $4+ through improved productivity, reduced absenteeism, and lower turnover.
A Strategic Advantage
People don’t stop being people when they come to work. They are individuals who happen to excel at their roles—but their value extends beyond their immediate output. When companies create space for employees to reconnect with themselves—to think differently, explore, and reset—they unlock something far more powerful than short-term productivity.
The companies that outperform their competitors aren’t the ones that push employees the hardest—they’re the ones that enable their people to sustain high performance over time. Investing in employee wellness isn’t a perk; it’s a strategic advantage.
In-person and remote options
Our home base is in the Windy City of Chicago but we have creatives everywhere! We can develop programming for your workforce offered on-site or virtually.
Our Creatives
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Angela De Venuto
FOUNDER | VOICE | PIANO
(she/her)With a vision for building something meaningful, our founder brings a blend of big-picture thinking and hands-on experience.
She sets the tone for everything we do. -
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Leo Radosavljevic
PIANO | MUSIC HISTORY
(he/him)Juilliard-trained, avid performer with a friendly disposition and passion for all types of music. An unabashed music history nerd and Beethoven scholar.
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Kristin Lelm
PIANO
(she/her)A professional vocalist and piano instructor with over 18 years of experience teaching students of all ages. Her ultimate goal is to foster a lifelong love of music and true musicianship through a fun and tailored learning process.
