Nevada City’s Greenhouse School of Music holds grand opening

Our family thoroughly enjoyed going to the grand opening of the Greenhouse School of Music in Nevada City on Tuesday night.

It was heartening to see a new venture get underway despite the recession. Not unlike the nearby Stonehouse Hospitality Academy, it is a program aimed at training our youths — the future of our aging, declining population. We’re all for that.

The school’s doors just opened March 1. The teachers are accomplished musicians and accept students wherever they are in learning to play, sing, drum or write songs.

“Music is a universal language. Devoid of socio-economic barriers, it has the capacity to soothe and stimulate, to enchant and inspire,” as the mission statement goes. “At Greenhouse School of Music we believe that the powers, passions and pleasure of music should be available to all of Nevada County’s children — regardless of financial constraints.”

The location is at 138 New Mohawk Road, not far from the county Railroad Museum. The 5,000-square-foot facilities include two practice rooms, six group class studios, two large performance studios and an early childhood music room. Artwork from Mowen Solinsky Gallery is on the walls.

The group hopes to land donations to help equip a computer lab, state-of-the-art video and recording studio and provide more instruments.

Civic, elected and business leaders were present, as well as many residents. Students played music, and tours were offered.

The school noted that music education has been shown to:
•Improve the academic performance of K-college students.
•Increase critical thinking, creativity, problem solving and teamwork.
•Increase tolerance and being open.