Nina Young, 13, of the band Pins and Needles, performs on stage.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Sarasota
Neighbors
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When Music Compound hosted its Back to School Bash last year, the new space was not yet fully decorated, said the music school's owner Jenny Townsend.
However, she said this year's version of the event, held Aug. 23, was able to showcase the space, which opened on Aug. 12, 2024, "in a way it wasn't showcased before."
In fact, a ribbon-cutting ceremony preceded the start of the event, which welcomed the public for musical performances by students of varying ages, local vendors offering activities, a bounce house, and other offerings.
She noted one important part of the event was the opportunity for families to meet the school's teachers before signing up for lessons.
She said the venue, which serves both Sarasota and Manatee counties in contrast to the two previous separate locations, has served the school and its staff well.
"It's been really great to have the entire team under one roof," she said. "They all can work together and we can be a more united team."
Skylar Menard, 17, gives Luc Drage, 14, a chance to introduce the song as the band Solar Apocalypse performs on stage.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Nina Young, 13, of the band Pins and Needles, performs on stage.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Music Compound band member Evan Archambeau, 16, performs as Solar Apocalypse takes the stage.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Gabriella Yates, 10 and Ayat Mezroub, 9, dress up at the Drama Kids International.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Nora Roux, 5, performs an art experiment with Children's Art Classes.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Mila Ostrovskiy, 8, assembles a collage of colors at the table by Theory of Play, alongside her mother Anna Ostrovskiy.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Jonah Eiseman, 7, plays the drums.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Michael Baldini and his wife Heather Baldini talk with My Gym Sarasota owner Angela Delo.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Pins and Needles members Liam Stevens, 14, Liam Geske, 15, and Christian Bathori, 13, perform on stage.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Sophia Rios, 15, delivers a vocal performance.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Fiona Krick, 5, spins the wheel at My Gym Sarasota.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Daniel Garcia, 4, plays the drums.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Olivia Roux, 10, makes a jellyfish at te table of Children's Art Classes.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Matthew Varley, 16, plays the keys during the performance by Solar Apocalypse.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Carrie Collins and her son Kerin Collins, 7, visit the Siesta Wellness Institute table where Kerin held a ukulele.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Graham Harrison, 10, plays the keyboard.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Rebekah Miller, 8, learns about how the trumpet works from David DeWitt.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Leo Stuart, 4, plays with the props at the Drama Kids International station.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Music Compound staff hold a ribbon cutting for the current location.
Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.
