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Date: 12/18/2018
WEST SPRINGFIELD – What started as an operation out of Ellen Buoniconti’s basement, the Music Cellar is now celebrating 35 years of business.
The Music Cellar is a music studio located at 103 Cataumet Ln. in West Springfield and offers private lessons for piano, violin, viola, cello, bass and guitar.
Buoniconti, who owns the studio and specializes in piano, says she aims to give her students as many opportunities to perform as possible, and believes music is an educational experience that can aid in all aspects of life.
“I try to give them as many different options as they can have because it’s such a solo sport,” Buoniconti shared. “I think giving them the opportunity to have something that is theirs and that they can carry for the rest of their life is so important. This is something they have learned, they have created and can carry it and contribute to the things they’re doing later in life.”
She added that parents are welcome to sit in on the lessons at her studio, making the experience more “conducive” for learning.
Buoniconti’s students have opportunities to perform with the Springfield Symphony, the Holyoke Symphony and in Boston.
In January, she is sending six of her students to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
The studio owner, who has been playing the piano since she was 10-years-old, told Reminder Publishing the concept for her studio initially started 35 years ago in her basement.
“I decided I had extra grocery money and said, ‘I think I’ll teach.’ I started with five students in my basement when we lived in Agawam, and my girlfriend said, ‘Just call it the Music Cellar,’ and I said, ‘Ok, fine. How long is it actually going to last,’” she said. “The first week I had five students, and then in the second I had 25.”
Now, Buoniconti has nearly 200 students, and has relocated to West Springfield. Although the studio is still attached to her home, it is no longer in her basement.
The Music Cellar is currently celebrating its 35th anniversary.
“It’s surreal. I can’t believe it’s been 35 years. I can sit here and think of the very first day where I sat at the desk and opened up the filing cabinet next to me,” she stated. “At the moment, I thought it would never be full. I never anticipated it to be what it is now – by the grace of God.”
Buoniconti said she has openings for new students and teaches all ages. She explained her motto at the studio is “Where music meets education.”
For anyone interested in lessons, contact Buoniconti at 747-0339.