Story and Photos by Sunayana Prabhu
RED BANK – A new hub for music education and performance has opened within the historic Red Bank Catholic Fine and Performing Arts Center. The team at Lakehouse Music Academy celebrated with a ribbon cutting Sept. 25. Mayor Billy Portman and members of the borough council attended.
Located at 51 Monmouth St., Lakehouse sits across the street from School of Rock and a block away from Count Basie Center Turner Academy of the Arts. “This is a nice addition” to music and arts education in the area, said Portman, who sang the ’80s hit “Our House” by Madness at the opening event. Portman has been singing in a local band since 2010.
Lakehouse features two floors, nine private lesson rooms and three large ensemble rooms and caters to students of all ages and skill levels. The facilities also include recording studios for students to further enhance the learning experience.
Students also have the freedom to choose the songs they want to learn and perform, whether it’s chart-topping hits or hidden gems.
“We really want people to feel welcome, to have an opportunity to take a tour, even if they’ve never played and whether they’re adults or kids,” said Jon Leidersdorff, founder of Lakehouse Music Academy and veteran music industry executive.
Lakehouse Music Academy established its first location in Asbury Park before expanding to Red Bank. It focuses on band dynamics and collaborative music-making. The program emphasizes putting students together in bands to foster a sense of community and camaraderie.
In addition to the bandbased curriculum, the academy also offers private lessons with a structured, instrument-specific curriculum. Led by industry veterans, these lessons cover music fundamentals, theory, and the ins and outs of reading and writing music.
But the school goes beyond just teaching the technical aspects of music. “What’s it like to be independent? What’s it like to be an artist? What’s it like to be a writer or music producer or a professional side musician?” Leidersdorff said, noting that the academy intends to hone well-rounded students.
The academy will host an open house at 3 p.m. Oct. 5 and 6.
The article originally appeared in the October 3 – October 9, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
