Students take the stage during Back to School Bash at Music Compound

By Ian Swaby
| 5:35 p.m. August 15, 2026

Chase Scott, 16 (front), Skylar Menard, 18, Sophia Emmons, 16 and Liam Geske, 16, of Pins and Needles, hang together after a performance.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Liam Geske, 16, said when he started lessons at Music Compound a few years ago, he was looking for a good place to take guitar lessons.

He has stayed with the school ever since a teacher recommended Music Compound, and lists his favorite aspects as the concerts he gets to perform with one of its bands, Pins and Needles, along with the improvement he has seen in his skills.

“I always love performing, like any chance I get to play fun songs, challenging songs," he said. "It just makes me want to keep going with the guitar."

On Saturday, he had the chance to take the stage during the music school's annual Back to School Bash.

In addition to music performances, the event also included free music lessons, crafts, and activities inside its facility on Bell Road. As the public turned out for the event, some of the attendees included devotees of the school.

"I just love the environment, the teachers, and my daughter, she loves it,” Fabiana Crespi said.

Her daughter, Nicoletta Bober, 9; has been attending since age 4, starting with its Kidz Rock rock band. She is currently focusing on piano and vocals.

During the event, she joined older students on stage with the band Heartbreaker.

"I just love everyone here: It's like family," Crespi said. "This is the only place we come for extracurricular activities. I drop her off and I can relax because I know she's safe here, that she's learning, that she's happy."

Luc Drage, 15, of Solar Apocalpyse, performs on stage.

Rebekah Miller, 9, Joanna Miller, 7 and Isaiah Miller, 11, play games of checkers and tic-tac-toe.

Blaze Ransbottom, 6, adds some color to a bookmark.

A series of bells are lined up in the space for Prodigies, the newest class at Music Compound, which emphasizes learning music through interactivity for young kids.

Nicoletta Bober, 9, takes to the stage during a performance by Heartbreaker.

Sebastian Zerbini, 6, takes a turn on the drums.

Skylar Menard, 18, and Andrew Basler, 17, of Solar Apocalypse, bring their energy to the stage.

Gia Rasso, 4, finds the beat with the drums.

author

Ian Swaby

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.