We’re Passionate About Music
We believe in the power of music and that’s why we’re building a mobile app to help musicians learn faster while having more fun.
About Us
Music teachers say quality of practice is the defining factor in success – but almost nobody is practicing efficiently. Modacity changes that by combining spaced repetition, flow states, smart organization, and social dynamics to help musicians practice more effectively.
We’re musicians and music enthusiasts who recognized the lack in a good practice tool. One that not only keeps you organized, but helps you focus, tracks your progress, and even provides a resource to get advice.
We created Modacity because we want everyone who decides to learn an instrument to succeed. By helping musicians be more effective at practice we’ll help you get the results you want, while keeping you encouraged and motivated to stick with it and reach those goals – however big, or small, they may be.
Modacity, Inc. is a Delaware C Corporation launched in 2017 at Founder Institute San Francisco. Download our press kit.
Founding Members
Michael Propper
CEO / Founder
"And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music."
— FRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE
Long before he knew what a startup was, Michael Propper felt bass move through his chest, voices wash over him, and guitar pin him in place — and knew music wasn't a sound, but a portal.
He spent the next decade building companies. Five of them. (His therapist calls this a “pattern”. Michael calls it research.) The last one didn't just fail — it took him with it. For weeks he couldn't get out of bed. Not wouldn't. Couldn't. What brought him back wasn't a plan — it was guitar strings in an empty New York room in early spring.
He sat down and played whatever came out, and the months that followed at Juilliard's Evening Division taught him something no accelerator ever had: that progress you can't feel isn't progress at all. That was the gap.
Then came Modacity — and a thousand support tickets he and his cofounder Jared read together, each one some version of the same confession: I don't know if I'm getting better. He knew exactly what they meant.
He rebuilt the app around that truth and relaunched in 2026. He calls it soul-market fit — the difference between those who were seen dancing and those who could hear the music all along.
Jared Davis is a music educator, multi-instrumentalist, and co-founder of Modacity, where he helps musicians turn practice into real, measurable progress.
Based in Lexington, Kentucky, Jared brings nearly two decades of teaching and performing experience. His philosophy aligns closely with Modacity’s mission: great practice isn’t about time spent—it’s about intentional, focused work that leads to clear progress.
As a teacher, Jared focuses on making practice both effective and enjoyable for students of all ages and skill levels. His goal is to help musicians consistently show up, build confidence, and actually hear their improvement over time. He has taught as a faculty member at Camp Encore/Coda, served as a clinician at multiple high schools, and maintains an active private studio.
As a performer and songwriter, Jared works across rock, jazz, blues, country, and bluegrass. He performs and records regularly, including with the bands Wicked Peace and Magnus.
Jared studied at Morehead State University, where he trained in multiple styles of bass and studied tuba under Dr. Stacy Baker.
Whether he’s working with beginners in the studio or supporting advanced musicians through Modacity, his goal is the same: make practice more structured, more rewarding, and more effective.
Marc Gelfo
Original Founder
Marc has been practicing music for 30+ years. After applying cognitive science & computer science to French horn, Marc became an internationally touring symphony musician. His experience includes teaching and performing with thousands of musicians around the world, including the San Francisco Symphony. Modacity is a direct expression of Marc’s dedication to integrating science, music, wellness, and technology through meaningful & large scale collaborations.
Jared Davis
Head of Community / Co-Founder
Andrea Nysen
Co-Founder (Original Team)
Andrea is a founding team-mate at Modacity. Often referred to as the “Swiss army knife” for startups, Andrea is in charge of branding, marketing, design, and even UI/UX for the Modacity app. With a background in theatre, and a growing guitar habit supported by Modacity, Andrea is a long-time lover of the arts and creativity in general. Her career started in musical theatre and then onto martial arts before settling down in the business world in various roles including: Senior Designer, Senior Marketing Manager, Head of Brand, and Creative Director.
Get in Touch
Shoot us an email at hello@modacity.co, or fill out the form and we’ll be in touch!