Performing Arts Music opened its doors in November of 2012 as not only a music lesson studio, but "a place to rock, roll, and grow" as a musician. The instruments taught at Performing Arts include, but are not limited to, voice, piano, guitar, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, all strings and all band instruments. Although the current majority of the students that take lessons at Performing Arts are school aged children, there is something for everyone of all ages. Owner Samuel Marabella states "We have a program called Musicking for students ages 2-7 in which they are taught the basic principles of music and apply those principles to several different instruments over the course of their lessons. We also insist at Performing Arts that it is never too late to learn an instrument and we will give you all of the instruction that you need to accomplish your musical goals." The mission statement reinforces this notion stating "At Performing Arts we have an unconditional commitment to developing the talents, gifts, and abilities to everyone that participates. It is through the arts that we share the highest achievements of every culture and find a universal language which allows communication among people. As such, the arts are an all-inclusive essential component of a complete education."

The facility is comprised of 8 different lesson rooms of various sizes, including two guitar rooms, two piano rooms, two drum rooms, a large room for group lessons and a multipurpose rock band room. The main room in which retail is sold doubles as a performance space. Recitals are performed on the "main stage" very often, in which students demonstrate their efforts to an audience. 

When students are taking lessons at Performing Arts, they are considered a member and are therefore able to come to monthly clinics and events free of charge. Although these clinics tend to vary month to month, some of the most prominent include a guitar restring and setup clinic in which students are shown the proper way to maintain their guitar, "Bluegrass Junction" in which students come together in a group to play basic 3 chord songs, and "Open Mic Night." "Minecraft Convention" is a newer program at Performing Arts in which people participate by bringing their portable electronic devices and connect with other users to create their own virtual world. 

One of the main programs offered at Performing Arts Music is "Rock Band 101" in which students of the same age range and skill level are brought together several times a month to play music with one another as a band. Under the direction of a lesson instructor, these students are able to create a band name, learn about different genres of music and learn to play different songs together. When the band is ready to present their efforts, Performing Arts books shows at various locations, including Hard Rock Cafe, to showcase them in a live performance. 

Throughout the course of the summer, there are multiple camps offered to students. "Rock Band 101 Camp" is essentially a more intensive version of the "Rock Band 101" program in which students have only one week with a band instructor to learn 4-5 songs as a group and put on a show. Drama camps are also offered to students between the ages of 7-15 in which the actors will learn to audition for a show, memorize and project lines, convey different emotions. At the end of the drama camps, the students put on a final performance for their friends and family. 

Performing Arts has had the opportunity to team up with Music is Art for several different events including the annual Music is Art Festival and it also serves as a drop off location for all donations to Music is Art. Marabella also announced that Robby Takac, founding member of the Goo Goo Dolls and President of Music is Art will be kicking of the Distinguished Speaker Series at Performing Arts Music.

Performing Arts Music is different to most other music lesson studios because the programs there are geared towards developing the students as well rounded musicians and performers. The lesson instructors are all experts in their field and are employees of Performing Arts, meaning that their primary focus is to simply provide the best possible instruction to the students. 

For generations, Buffalo has had a very strong music presence. Places like Shea's Performing Arts Center, Darien Lake's Performing Arts Center and Kleinhans Music Hall are all exceptionally well known performance spaces in Buffalo that promote the advancement in music. Without well rounded and passionate musicians, these historic musical monuments will likely disappear. 

This BufWiki page was created by Adrianna Hyman for Maria Pabico's COM336 class as a school project.

The pictures were taken at Performing Arts Music by Adrianna Hyman on 2/20/2015.

The pages that were used to create this wiki include:

Performing Arts Music

Shea's Performing Arts Center

Helium Comedy Club LocalWiki