Back to School Bash a hit at Music Compound in East County

By Liz Ramos
| 7:30 p.m. August 19, 2023

Music Compound music instructor Alicia Schiavone offers Palmetto 6-year-old Bennett Blumer a beginner's lesson guitar. "He has some type of performer in him, we just don't know how to channel it yet," says Hilary Blumer, Bennett's mother.

East County
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Lakewood Ranch's Bennett Butler sat at a table at Music Compound's Bradenton location strumming away.

After starting guitar lessons only a month ago, he already was practicing Black Sabbath's "Iron Man."

Later, Butler sat in front of a group to demonstrate the new chord he learned during Music Compound's Back to School Bash Aug. 19.

"I like learning all of the chords," Butler said.

The Back to School Bash gave children an opportunity to try various instruments including drums, piano and guitar.

East County 8-year-old Ellie Hatch is considering piano lessons while her 6-year-old sister Lauren Hatch is thinking of participating in the kids' jam session.

Music Compound music instructor Alicia Schiavone offers Palmetto 6-year-old Bennett Blumer a beginner's lesson guitar. "He has some type of performer in him, we just don't know how to channel it yet," says Hilary Blumer, Bennett's mother.

Bradenton's Alexandre Kirkland, who is 7, tries a ukulele. During his tour of Music Compound's Bradenton location, he counted every guitar he saw in the building.

Lakewood Ranch 6-year-old Bennett Butler practices "Iron Man." He started playing guitar a month ago.

Music Compound music instructor Caitlyn Healey teaches Palmetto 6-year-old Jason Kirk how to play a C chord on the piano.

East County's Ellie Hatch, who is 8, competes against her 6-year-old sister, Lauren Hatch, in a game to see who could hit the drums the most times. Lauren Hatch won the first round.

Sarasota 15-year-old Sanvi Thakkar says she was nervous to perform in front of people at first during Music Compound's Back to School Bash, but once she started, she was fine.

Sarasota 15-year-old Sanvi Thakkar performs Radio Head's "Fake Plastic Trees" with Music Compound instructor Patrick Ensslin, who sings the song. Thakkar has been taking guitar lessons since November 2022.

Palmetto 2-year-old Ocean Whay applauds after listening to a song at Music Compound. He has taken an interest in playing drums and guitar.

Palmetto 6-year-old Jason Kirk uses the table to drum along to Nirvana's "In Bloom."

Palmetto's Edward Whay and his 2-year-old Ocean Whay learns about the various lessons available from Music Compound owner Jenny Townsend.

Patrick Ensslin, an instructor at Music Compound's Bradenton location, freestyles on the guitar.

author

Liz Ramos

Managing Editor Liz Ramos previously covered education and community for the East County Observer. Before moving to Florida, Liz was an education reporter for the Lynchburg News & Advance in Virginia for two years after graduating from the Missouri School of Journalism.