October 26, 2006 Issue                                       

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©2006 The Chestnut Hill Local

G’twn music studio expands to the Hill
by BETH A. BROOKS

Rich Rudin, at the recent Fall for the Arts Festival with Sandra Day (singer) and Susie Alexander, Rose Gannone and Elizabeth Burns, all from Intermission. (Photo by Beth Brooks)

Long a staple in Maplewood Mall in Germantown, the Maplewood Music Studio has expanded and opened a second location on the second floor of Intermission, 8405 Germantown Ave. The original location will remain open.

Rudin, musical director of the Maplewood Music Studio, says the new location will allow him to “more easily serve Chestnut Hill and the surrounding area.” With several private music teachers in or very close to Chestnut Hill, it’s no secret that not many Chestnut Hill area parents have wanted to take their kids to lessons in Germantown. Maplewood, long known for its diversity of musical offerings, will continue to offer lessons in classical, jazz, blues, rock and folk music.

There is also diversity in the age range of Maplewood students. Though the majority of students are ages seven through 50, students as young as two are welcomed in “Fun with Music” while four to six year olds often enroll in piano classes. “Seasoned citizens,” who sometimes have time during the day to pursue a musical passion, often return to music lessons they had as children or fulfill a lifelong wish by taking lessons.

Maplewood offers “student centered” lessons. Students can work on songs, repertoire, technique, music theory, reading, improvisation, etc. Each studio at the Intermission site will be furnished with brand new Cunningham brand pianos (except for the one studio with drums). However, students who choose to study piano can practice at home on an electric piano or keyboard. For those students who already play an instrument, ensembles are a way for students to learn and share the joy of music making: jazz workshops and classical chamber ensembles are offered.

As Rudin enters his 27th year at the helm of Maplewood, he sees this as “a very exciting time to be offered this opportunity to partner with Intermission.”

According to Greg Reaves of Intermission, “After the former owners decided to close Intermission and retire, Ken Goldenberg, a long time Chestnut Hill resident and Intermission customer, bought the store because he believed that Intermission was an important part of the economic and cultural fabric on the Avenue. With that in mind, Ken also set out to revive and expand upon Intermission’s roots as a store dedicated to music, performing arts-themed gifts, Broadway merchandise and great selections for kids. Ken contacted Rich to discuss coming to Intermission to create an integrated program that combined music instruction, performance and retail.”

Already, Rudin has played to Chestnut Hill crowds: at AbZOOlutely on September 16 with clarinetist Paul Butler and at the Fall for the Arts Festival on October 1 with singer Sandra Day - both times right in front of the store. For more information, call 215-848-8353.