Texas Tech University

close
Hide Contact Us

Please enter the information below and a representative from TTU K-12 will contact you shortly.

If the form fails to load, it can be viewed here.

Austin Chatfield posing in the lobby of his second home, Septien Entertainment Group.

Austin Chatfield posing in the lobby of his second home, Septien Entertainment Group.

New Kid Gets His Schedule in Sync with TTU K-12

Austin studying in the green room at Septien.

Austin studying in the green room at Septien.

By Leslie Cranford, Media Relations Coordinator

June 8, 2018

Justin Timberlake. Nick Jonas. Bobby Brown. Jordan Knight. Harry Styles. Ricky Martin. Austin Chatfield. Wait, who?

Austin Chatfield. If you haven't heard of this future boy-band star, you may soon. Austin, a Dallas-area eighth-grader, spends most of his time practicing and prepping his performance skills for a solo career and with his boy band, LevelUp. The rest of his free time is spent online taking middle school classes through TTU K-12.

Austin studying in the green room at Septien.

Austin studying in the green room at Septien.

Theresa Chatfield, Austin's mom, says he started exploring and performing music when he was very young. “When he got into middle school he got involved in a program that demanded more time in the afternoons. We did a lot of research. Being in the entertainment industry, there are quite a few homeschool options,” she said.

She talked to other moms who have kids who are acting and dancing. “My concern was, what about going back to public school? How easy would that transition be? TTU K-12 is an accredited school. That makes a difference in the possibility of going in and out of public school and being prepared for college.”

Austin Chatfield playing piano in the Septien Entertainment Group lobby.

Austin Chatfield playing piano in the Septien Entertainment Group lobby.

Austin Chatfield playing piano in the Septien Entertainment Group lobby.

Austin Chatfield playing piano in the Septien Entertainment Group  lobby.

Austin attends lessons and classes at the Septien Entertainment Group (SEG) a music artist development studio. SEG boasts alumni such as Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, Kacey Musgraves, Jessica Simpson, Ashlee Simpson, Kidz Bop, Ryan Cabrera, Cameron Mitchel, Kevin McHale and a multitude of others who have appeared on television series and music competition shows.

“Septien is the one-stop shop for everything you need music-wise, from acting to singing, to guitar, dance, songwriting, even branding. I've been taking classes and lessons there for three years,” Austin said. “I needed a way to make my school schedule more flexible. I want to perfect my craft, and to do that, I just needed a little more free time, and this just gives me the perfect schedule.”

Austin said that even on days he does stay home, he still tries to practice two, three, maybe four hours a day.

“Other days I just go straight to Septien, and I pound in some vocal lessons, guitar lessons, song writing lessons, dance lessons throughout the day. When I'm at SEG in lessons, I can go from one hour a day to 10. Any time I can, I fit in my schoolwork. Sometimes I have one or two hours between lessons, I re-energize and catch up on school. Spanish, English, history, science, algebra,” he said.

When asked the requisite question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Austin immediately replied, “A musician, to bring what I create to people. I've always loved music, and as I've grown deeper and deeper into my career, my love for music has been growing and growing. Every time I hear, create, sing, play that perfect song, it just fills me with joy – and that's what drives me. I want to share the feeling with everybody. Right now I'm still finding myself as an artist, whether I'm going to be a pop star, a country singer, maybe even a rocker.”

Austin singing.

Austin singing.

Austin singing.

Austin singing.

Linda Septien, founder of the Septien Entertainment Group, says it's Austin's personality that makes him unique, but his dedication that will help him be successful.

“On stage, what I think will really capture audiences is his wit. When he's interviewed, he still has that wit. He doesn't get tongue-tied or anything. He just comes up with clever things. And his dedication is obvious – he's here every day! I see him out in the lobby, waiting for his next class. When you find someone like him who is here and doing it, and practicing and going after it, he has this attitude that's amazing.”

Austin's guitar coach, Carlo Decanini, has worked with Austin for nearly three years and has seen him develop his talent by leaps and bounds. He believes Austin has every reason to succeed.

“This business is really hard, and few people are willing to tell you that you may not amount to anything; everybody and their mother and their brother wants to do this, and there are so many people that don't make it,” Decanini said. “Our motto here is ‘hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard.' We preach that all the time.”

Decanini explained that everyone has what they call a “talent ceiling.”

“Everyone is naturally good to a certain level. And a lot of people, when they hit the talent ceiling, they become complacent and they stop. You actually have to work to get past that. With Austin's work ethic – literally every week he gets better. He's a very likable person. He's a very bright kid with a really great future if he sticks with it.”

Austin's guitar lesson with coach Carlo Decanini.

Austin's guitar lesson with coach Carlo Decanini.

Austin's guitar lesson with coach Carlo Decanini.

Austin's guitar lesson with coach Carlo Decanini.

And having a flexible school curriculum helps in sticking with it, says Austin's mom. “There are many times when Austin has to work all weekend, at rehearsals and shows that they have. Between shows he can get online and do the studying he needs to do or take a test if he needs to. We really like the flexibility of it.”

Theresa also appreciates the support from the TTU K-12 staff. “Our counselor checks in when he needs to be doing more lessons, or just to see if he needs anything or is having any issues. He can email teachers when he has questions, and they usually respond within 24 hours. We do have a local tutor for algebra, but that's just because it's HARD,” she said.

She also admonishes other parents to do their research. “The accreditation that Texas Tech offers, which includes the state's STAAR testing, is super important. Many kids who are homeschooled try to get into college and they can't figure out standardized testing. Texas Tech focuses on the academics that they need to go to that next level of education.”

All in all, Austin says his experience with TTU K-12 is going well.

“It's actually become a really convenient option,” he said. “One thing I have learned is, you have to be self-disciplined. I would recommend TTU K-12 because there really is no deadline except when you need to get your semester finished. If you want to do your schoolwork at 1 a.m. because you're busy all day, do it at 1 a.m. No one is stopping you!”

And nothing, not even a crazy schedule, is stopping Austin from pursuing his dream.

Watch his original song “Sugar Sand Summer,” and follow him on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and his YouTube channel.

Watch more of Austin's story on our YouTube channel.