CONTRIBUTED

With the opening of Gail's Music Studio Inc., a nonprofit music school in Moore County, local residents now can afford high-quality music lessons - because lessons are offered free of charge.

Gail's Music Studio (GMS) held its grand opening Sept. 15, with a promise to provide training to musicians of all ages and skill levels in a well-rounded musical environment that includes lectures, classes, workshops and performances, a news release said.

"I used to teach piano and voice privately but have always had a burden to see that anyone, no matter their race, religion, economic status or musical ability, can have music lessons," said Gail Summers, executive director of the music studio. "In July of this year, I gave up private teaching to open Gail's Music Studio Inc. Being nonprofit, all of the music classes are free.

"Of course, it takes money to run the school, so Gail's Music Studio does ask for donations. But I do not want lack of money to be an issue if someone wants to learn music."

Summers said she wants people to know that "every penny goes back into the school - no one, not even me, receives any money for their time."

GMS has piano and voice classes as well as private lessons. It also has music and movement classes, and music appreciation and flutophone (recorder) lessons.

All of these classes are for children or adults. There are classes offered for home-schooled children to help fulfill their music requirements.

The "After-School Music Camp" offers children the opportunity to pursue musical studies through classes, singing in a group setting and participating in supervised informal "fun" activities, such as watching music movies, Wii music, arts and crafts as well as a quiet area if the child needs to do homework.

Wii music is provided every Thursday afternoon from 4:30-6:30, and music movie time is on Friday afternoons from 4:30-6:30.

GMS is most excited about the choirs that have been started, Summers said. Too many times parents want their young children in "formal" voice lessons, but their vocal cords are too immature to pursue formal training, she said.

The three choirs, for children ages 6 to 18, will not only provide an outlet for singing and embracing their love of music, but also basic singing skills such as correct breathing, stance, enunciation, pronunciation. Some basic theory and note reading will be taught, Summers said.

The choirs are held in two sessions, usually September-November and January-May, with performances planned at the end of each session. There is also an adult choir that meets on Thursday evenings as well.

Gail's Music Studio is located at 10327 N.C. 211 East in Aberdeen, next to Jim's Gems and Gold. The phone number is (910) 783-8863. Summers can be reached by email at gailsmusicstudio@yahoo. com.

More information is also available on the GMS website at http://pianist-gail.tripod. com/gailsmusicstudio/.