Patrick Boylan

Cofounder of MuseFlow

Patrick Boylan is a skilled multi-instrumentalist with a deep passion for self-education. Despite eight years of traditional piano lessons, Patrick found the repetitive nature of practicing the same pieces uninspiring. Like many music students, he struggled with the conventional approach. However, when his teacher retired, Patrick began exploring his parents' sheet music on his own, selecting phrases he enjoyed and improvising around them. This self-directed experimentation not only reignited his interest in music but also led him to uncover the foundational elements of musical theater.

Today, Patrick can sight-read virtually any musical theater composition. His experience with traditional music education, combined with his innovative spirit, inspired him to co-found MuseFlow, a cutting-edge music edtech startup often referred to as "The Duolingo of Music Education.”

MuseFlow revolutionizes music learning by emphasizing the development of bite-sized skills through sight-reading—enabling students to read and play music at first sight—rather than relying on repetitive practice. After students master a new skill through sight-reading, they can apply that skill to songs that get unlocked. This approach to skill-acquisition makes learning music more engaging, effective, and rewarding compared to traditional methods.

The platform is customizable to each student's preferred learning pace and skill level, allowing the user to adjust the tempo and complexity of the music, ensuring that they remain challenged but not overwhelmed. MuseFlow’s unique method involves students playing levels designed to teach specific skills, such as new notes, rhythms, or time signatures. The system generates novel sheet music, focusing initially on the new concept in isolation, and gradually integrating it with their existing knowledge throughout the level. Students continue practicing until they achieve a 95% accuracy rate over four consecutive phrases, at which point they have mastered the new skill.

Patrick has been featured on podcasts such as Mystery Team Inc.'s "The Biggest Thing In The Universe," where he shares his insights on the future of learning, edtech, and underappreciated Sondheim musicals. He is passionate about educating audiences on self-teaching sight- reading and guiding parents and teachers on how to leverage MuseFlow to help students achieve a flow state, enabling them to master a new instrument with greater accuracy and enjoyment.