Grosse Pointe Music Academy Is Moving to a New Location – April 16th Opening

We are excited to announce that Grosse Pointe Music Academy will officially open its new location at 19443 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Woods on Monday, April 16th.

Our new space was designed with efficiency and comfort in mind, offering improved facilities for students, families, and staff. It is centrally located within the Grosse Pointe community and features ample parking. The surrounding area is home to many great businesses within walking distance, including Caribou Coffee, Burrito Mundo, and The Pointe After, located right next door. The building previously housed the second location of Village Cleaners.

Grosse Pointe Music Academy began in 2005 as a one-room guitar studio and shop on Charlevoix in Grosse Pointe Park. Within a year, we expanded to include piano, drums, bass guitar, and voice lessons. By year three, we had added string and band instrument instruction. In 2009, we relocated to 17012 Mack Ave., where we continued to grow. Now, with our continued development, we are proud to transition into a space specifically built to meet the needs of our expanding programs and student community.

Our mission has always been to provide high-quality music education to the Grosse Pointe area and beyond. We are deeply grateful to all the parents, students, teachers, staff, and supporters who have helped us grow into the academy we are today. Your dedication and love for music inspire everything we do.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to share them in the comment section. We look forward to welcoming you to our new location and continuing this exciting new chapter together.

New Address (Effective April 16th):
Grosse Pointe Music Academy
19443 Mack Ave.
Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236

Warm regards,
Henry Bahrou
School Director
Grosse Pointe Music Academy

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We’re excited to announce that Grosse Pointe Music Academy will be relocating at the end of March. Beginning April 16th, all classes and operations will take place at our new facility located at:

19443 Mack Ave.
Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236

Originally established as Guitar Union Music Shop on Charlevoix Street in Grosse Pointe Park, we expanded in August 2009 to our current location at Mack and Cadieux. What began as a place for guitar lessons and accessories has since evolved into a full-service music school offering instruction in guitar, piano, drums, voice, violin, bass guitar, and more.

Today, we are proud to have a team of over 25 university-trained instructors who are dedicated to providing high-quality music education to students of all ages and skill levels across the Metro Detroit area.

Whether you’re a beginner, a hobbyist, or a seasoned player, our mission is to help you reach your goals with personalized lesson plans, supportive instruction, and a welcoming environment. We work with both children and adults, and we believe that anyone with a willingness to practice and learn can experience success and joy through music.

Construction will be underway at our new space throughout March. In the meantime, we’ll continue operating from our current location without interruption and will ensure a smooth transition to our new facility in April.

If you’re interested in starting lessons, you can register anytime—we’re happy to help you get started! 

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If you’re looking for an easy and powerful way to write, share, and collaborate on music online, we highly recommend checking out Noteflight. Noteflight is a versatile, web-based music notation software that empowers musicians, composers, and educators to create and share sheet music easily across the internet.

Why We Love Noteflight:

• Create and Share Music Effortlessly: Whether you’re writing for piano, guitar, orchestra, voice, or any combination of instruments, Noteflight offers intuitive tools for composing and arranging music online.
• Free and Accessible: Noteflight’s basic service is completely free and, according to their FAQ, will always remain free. This makes it an excellent option for beginners, hobbyists, and even seasoned musicians who want a convenient way to notate music.
• Premium Features Available: For even greater functionality, Noteflight offers a premium plan for individuals at just $49 per year. They also provide specialized packages for teachers and institutions to enhance classroom learning and collaboration.
• Community and Collaboration: Think of Noteflight as the “YouTube for sheet music.” You can browse thousands of publicly shared scores, collaborate with other musicians, and embed your compositions directly into websites and blogs.

Additional Features for Guitarists:
Guitarists and bassists will particularly appreciate the ability to write tablature, notate chords above measures, and share arrangements with fellow musicians instantly.

About Noteflight (From Their Website):

“Noteflight was founded with the vision of making it simple for everyone to create and share musical ideas online. Users can create, view, hear, and print music; share and collaborate with others; and even integrate music notation into educational settings. Whether you’re composing, teaching, learning, or performing, Noteflight offers something for everyone.”

Ready to explore what you can create? Visit www.noteflight.com to get started today!

Join Our Guitar Ensemble at Grosse Pointe Music Academy!
Grosse Pointe Music Academy is proud to offer a Guitar Ensemble class for guitar and bass students of all ages. Traditional school programs often leave out guitarists when it comes to ensemble experience — we are here to change that! Our Guitar Ensemble gives students the valuable opportunity to play together, developing essential musical skills such as timing, harmony, and group dynamics. Whether you play acoustic, electric, or bass guitar, you’ll find a welcoming community and enriching experience in our ensemble.

Contact us today to learn more about joining the Guitar Ensemble at Grosse Pointe Music Academy!

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Pop music is an ideal entry point for new guitarists. It’s accessible, rhythmically engaging, and loaded with valuable musical concepts that lay a solid foundation for any style of playing. In our classes, students learn popular chord progressions, strumming techniques, and picking patterns used in today’s top songs. From acoustic ballads to upbeat electric grooves, the guitar’s role in pop music is as versatile as it is exciting.

Our instructors tailor each lesson to the student, whether you’re a complete beginner or someone looking to improve your playing. For adults returning to music or picking up the guitar for the first time, our one-on-one sessions offer personalized pacing, real-time feedback, and a judgment-free environment. For teens, lessons can include improvisation, songwriting, and performance preparation, helping them express themselves and connect with peers.

Learning to play pop music on the guitar is not only fun—it’s deeply rewarding. Students build rhythm, coordination, and musical literacy while gaining the confidence to perform. And yes, we offer performance opportunities through recitals for those who want to take the stage!

🎸 Explore Private Guitar Lessons
🎸 Book Your First Class Today

Join us in Grosse Pointe Shores and take the first step toward learning the songs you love. Your guitar journey starts here.

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Since frets are usually made of nickel alloy, which is a softer metal, they tend to wear and require replacement. Not unlike the tires on your car, frets continue to function as they wear, so it may take some time before the degradation becomes noticeable. Eventually the playability and feel of the instrument will degrade to the point that it does become noticeable. The most common symptoms of fret wear are buzzing and decreased playability, but because fret wear proceeds so slowly, it may take a long time before the player notices the change. Usually, the wear will become visibly noticeable under the first and second string of the regular guitar first. This is because the steel used for the strings are harder than the nickel that is used for the frets. It takes longer to wear the frets under the other strings, because they are wound with either brass or bronze, which are both softer than the frets. There is an exception to this tendency for players who often use capos, as a heavy capo user will tend to wear out their frets more rapidly, and more evenly under all of their strings. Just as you notice the improved “handling” when you replace the tires on your car, you’ll notice your guitar playing much better when worn frets are replaced. Some players are more sensitive to this feel and may chose to replace their frets more frequently than others who are less sensitive.

It is difficult to say exactly how long one should go before replacing the frets on their guitar. The pressure applied on the frets by the player varies greatly between players and styles. It really depends on how you play. If you play your guitar one hour a year (unlikely), you could never wear out the frets, but if you play one hour a day, you probably will. It’s not uncommon for a professional guitarist who plays a nightly gig to wear out a full set of frets in a year. If you have high action and a hard grip, you’ll wear frets a bit faster. If you “choke” or “bend” notes, you’ll scrape the skinny steel strings across the frets and wear them much faster. While frets can be leveled a few times before requiring to be replaced, eventually they are going to wear to the point that even the most skilled repair technician will not have enough metal wire left to level. At that point, they will require replacement. This is usually the point where the fret height is one third as tall as it was when installed. Most people will probably have to replace their frets every ten years or so. A professional musician will have to replace them more often.

By: David Bolla

Certified Luthier

Grosse Pointe Music Academy Staff

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Commentary by Grosse Pointe Music Academy Staff

At Grosse Pointe Music Academy, we often meet parents who wonder: Are piano lessons worth it for young children?
The answer is a resounding yes — and not just for musical reasons! Piano study provides children with lifelong skills that go far beyond music.

Here are just a few of the benefits that piano lessons can offer:

1. Piano Study Supports Academic Success
Research has consistently shown that learning piano strengthens areas of the brain tied to math, science, and critical thinking. Students who take piano lessons often perform better in school, particularly in math skills involving ratios, patterns, and fractions.

2. Learning Piano Builds Confidence and Resilience
Every new piece mastered at the piano reinforces a child’s ability to work through challenges. Overcoming mistakes, preparing for recitals, and seeing their own improvement helps children develop a positive, can-do attitude that stays with them for life.

3. Piano Lessons Improve Coordination and Fine Motor Skills
Unlike many instruments, piano playing demands that each hand often perform independent tasks. This strengthens coordination, sharpens focus, and builds complex motor skills that can benefit everything from sports to handwriting.

4. Piano Encourages Concentration and Focus
Learning to read music and translate it instantly into sound exercises a child’s ability to multitask, concentrate, and think creatively — essential skills for academic and personal success.

5. A Lifelong Appreciation for Music
Piano lessons expose students to a wide variety of musical styles, from classical masters like Bach and Mozart to jazz and contemporary music. Many students who start young develop a lasting love for music — whether they pursue it professionally or simply enjoy it throughout their lives.

While the early stages of learning piano may come with the sound of a few clunky scales and missed notes, the long-term rewards are truly priceless.
At Grosse Pointe Music Academy, we believe music education is an essential part of a child’s growth — just like sports, academics, and the arts.

Interested in getting started?
We offer private piano lessons for beginners through advanced students of all ages — and we welcome parents to visit us for a tour or free consultation.
Let’s help your child unlock their musical potential!

Sources referenced:

• Foundation for Universal Music Literacy
• Pianonet.com
• West Music Company
• Various studies in cognitive development and music education

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Summer Concert
📅 August 7, 2011 | 🕒 3:00 p.m. | 📍 St. John Hospital Cafeteria
🎟️ Free Admission

Guest Soloists:

• Don Baker, Principal Oboe, Detroit Symphony Orchestra
• Laurie Landers Goldman, Violin, Detroit Symphony Orchestra

Program Highlights:

• Oboe Concerto No. 3 in G minor – Handel
• Violin Concerto No. 2 in E major – J.S. Bach
• Violin and Oboe Concerto, BWV 1060 in D minor – J.S. Bach
• Ouverture (Suite) No. 1 in C major – J.S. Bach

 Upcoming Grosse Pointe Symphony Orchestra Events:

📅 April 29, 2012 – Spring Concert
Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church

📅 October 5 – Inner Circle Gala Wine Tasting
7:00–9:00 p.m. at Pier Park, Grosse Pointe Farms

📅 December 4 – Christmas Concert
St. Ambrose Catholic Church

📅 February 12, 2012 – Winter Concert
Parcells Middle School

🎻 Support the Grosse Pointe Symphony Orchestra:
Contact William Hulsker, Board President
📞 (313) 640-1773 | ✉️ wfh@comcast.net

🌐 Visit www.gpsymphony.org for more details.

Posted by Grosse Pointe Music Academy Staff
Private and Group Music Lessons for All Ages

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Secure the best lesson times for September! Families can save time by scheduling multiple students at once.

Private Lessons Available

• Guitar (Electric, Acoustic, Bass)
  Rock, jazz, classical, pop, Spanish styles & more. Teachers have university training and real band experience.
  Recommended starting age: 7+ (or younger with junior-sized guitar).
• Piano & Keyboard
  All styles taught: classical, jazz, pop. Lessons available for beginners through late intermediate students.
  Recommended starting age: 5+.
• Drums
  Learn drum set or percussion with focus on rhythm, timing, and proper technique.
  Recommended starting age: 8+ (trial lesson suggested for younger students).
• Voice
  Private singing lessons covering pop, jazz, classical, and opera. Focus on breathing, pitch, range, and stage presence.
• Violin, Viola, Cello
  Strings instruction for children and adults.
  Violin/Viola: start at age 5+ | Cello: typically 10+ due to size.
• Saxophone and Clarinet
  Private lessons available for ages 8+. Focus on reading, tone development, and performance skills.
• Ukulele
  Quick and easy instrument for beginners to start playing songs they know and love.

Group Classes

• Rock Band Class
  Play in a band! For students with 6+ months experience. Weekly 2-hour sessions with performance opportunities.
• Guitar Ensemble
  Group reading, ensemble playing, and practical skills for guitar and bass players of all levels. Great supplement to private lessons!
• Music Theory & Composition
  Learn the fundamentals of music theory, study great composers, and create your own original piece! Instruments welcome.
• Group Guitar Class
  Fun intro to guitar fundamentals. Classes for ages 8–12 and 13+.
• Group Piano Class
  Beginner piano class covering reading, scales, melodies, and accompaniment. Classes for ages 5–7, 8–12, and 13+.

🎶 Private lessons offered in 30, 45, or 60 minute formats.
🎶 Group classes structured by age and skill level.

📍 Serving Grosse Pointe, Detroit, Harper Woods, St. Clair Shores, and surrounding areas.

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How Everyday Music Making Shapes Early Childhood

Music can be one of the most powerful and natural parts of a young child’s life. In her reflections, Lyn Ransom, D.M.A., describes how simple, everyday moments — singing about dinner, playing piano with a toddler, or letting young children lead playful music-making — build deep musical foundations.

Her experience with her grandson Jackson highlights an important reminder: young children don’t need formal training to benefit from music. What they truly need is the presence of real instruments, real voices, and family members willing to engage. Whether it’s a silly made-up song to ease a tantrum or a spontaneous jam session on the piano, the impact is long-lasting. Music nurtures communication skills, emotional connection, creativity, and even early leadership behaviors as young children take musical “ownership” during play.

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to keep instruments accessible, follow the child’s lead during musical exploration, and invite others — from older siblings to neighbors — to share songs and musical experiences. There is no such thing as “too much” music in a child’s world.

Ultimately, the message is simple: sing, play, and make music part of everyday life. The benefits go far beyond learning songs — they reach into a child’s ability to connect, express, and flourish.

Music Together of Grosse Pointe offers Music Together classes through the Grosse Pointe Music Academy.  Click here to see class times.

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