Rob Melton, owner of Opus School of Music, plays a jazzy tune on the piano at the Ridgefield campus of the music school on Wednesday, Dec. 11. While he enjoys playing the piano, his favorite instrument to play are hand drums.
Instructor David Kinch teaches his student, Jack, about the workings of a clarinet. Along with putting the instrument together, Kinch and Jack worked through how to hold the instrument, correct mouth posture and how to play on the woodwind.
Simon, a student at Opus School of Music, plays violin with his teacher during a lesson on Wednesday, Dec. 11.
When walking into Opus School of Music in Ridgefield, the sounds of many different instruments fill the air as people of all ages learn something new from their instructors. Whether an individual is brand new to an instrument, knows basic skills or wants to hone in on a new technique, Opus School of Music offers a Christmas gift that will stick around for years to come.
“These kids will be music lovers for a lifetime,” said Rob Melton, owner of Opus School of Music. “They’re going to support the arts and they, in turn, will share it with their kids. They will remember these music lessons for the rest of their lives, little minds are so impressionable. It’s a joy to see their smiles and watch them progress and be proud of themselves.”
Melton spoke heavily on the benefits of music lessons for young minds. From teaching discipline to understanding culture, Melton said music lessons are more than just learning a new instrument.
“Children play music and it makes them happy,” Melton said. “It gives them pride, builds a new skill and they learn a new language, the universal language.”
Along with enjoying playing the instrument, Melton said the benefits of music on the mind are “huge.”
“Our ADHD and autism spectrum students thrive,” Melton said, explaining how students with ADHD find playing the piano and drums to be calming for them. “On the piano they’re moving a lot and it’s enough for them to be calm … Once they can learn to read music, it’s a ton of stimulus for them and they become some of the best pianists.”
Other benefits of music lessons include expressing emotions and becoming comfortable with making mistakes. Melton describes playing music as a “low consequence way of learning how to make mistakes.”
He also said how playing music gives shy people the experience needed to play and talk in front of a group of people.
“In our lifespan there is going to be a circumstance that will require you to get up in front of a group of people and say your name,” Melton said, adding that it’s important to get practice speaking and performing in front of people while still young.
While Opus School of Music offers private lessons for all age groups, Melton said the school also has more focused classes for younger kids.
“We also have what is called team lessons,” Melton said.
He described the lessons as a group effort to learn together. The school offers lessons in most instruments and voice.
Along with lessons, Opus offers band combos for people to get together and play in a band under the direction, instruction and amplification of Opus music. Bands are open to all ages and will be invited to play concerts and gigs around town with Opus. Opus also offers instrument rentals for those who want to try out music lessons before they buy an instrument.
As for holiday specials, Melton said Opus will waive the $30 registration fee for all those who give the gift of music for the holidays.
“If parents want something physical they can put under the tree, we offer physical gift certificates and sell instruments,” Melton said.
Along with the Ridgefield location at 414 Pioneer St., Opus operates a sister campus in Camas at 726 NE Second Ave., Camas.
For more information visit opusschoolofmusic.com.
