On Sept. 1, Charles’ Music Center will open in Old Lyme, offering private music lessons, sales, rentals, and group programs for interested musicians along the shoreline. Currently the owner of Charles’ Music School in Centerbrook, Conn., Charles Domler is excited to bring Old Lyme its very own music hub.
A former architect, Domler opened his music school two and a half years ago, ready to compete with the other music schools in the Essex region. Now, the school has seven music instructors, offering private one-on-one lessons for a wide range of band and non-band instruments, including guitar/bass, flute, clarinet, oboe, piano, drums, trumpet, saxophone, violin, and even voice.
After his time in Centerbrook, Domler decided to move his business to Old Lyme, where he believes he is best suited to help music students by providing fun, affordable music lessons that are close to home. He hopes to inspire students to pursue music as a hobby, and maybe even as a career.
While predominantly a school as of now, Domler plans to expand his retail division to accommodate needs of students, especially those in Old Lyme. Without a local store, members of the Lyme-Old Lyme (LOL) High School and the LOL Middle School bands are forced to trek to Niantic to buy supplies and rent instruments. With Charles’ Music Center, this will all change. Domler is happy to support such promising, young musicians.
Furthermore, Domler would like to work closely with the LOL Regional School District to help enhance the music program. In the past, he has teamed up with Haddam-Killingworth and Deep River schools to offer after-school group lessons. He is confident that LOL schools will be receptive to the idea, and hopes that he can work together with the band and chorus teachers to help students.
Charles’ Music Center will be located at 78 Halls Rd. in the Big Y plaza, replacing the old Comcast store. Private lessons start at $25. Fall registration is free.
For more information, call 860-460-9183 or visit www.charlesmusicschool.com.
What exciting news! Good luck to him–Stewart’s Music has had a monopoly with local schools for too long!!