Dearborn Music School Gives Students Creative Outlet

With Dearborn less than 10 miles from Motown, the city is no stranger to musical talent. Now residents have the opportunity to learn from industry greats without leaving town.

The Dearborn School of Music opened its doors in January at 22031 Outer Drive. The school offers lessons in guitar, piano, drums, woodwind instruments, brass instruments, vocals and strings, among others.

"We teach everything," owner David Petrie said.

Petrie and 12 other professionally trained musicians share seven studios and offer private lessons for beginner, intermediate and advanced music theory students. Lessons are offered for a half-hour each week at a rate of $18 per session. Tuition is paid during the last week of the previous month.

Since opening the school, Petrie said business has been booming, with some teachers forced to put students on a waiting list.

"It's a good problem to have," he said. "We're working hard to add more classes to accommodate the demand."

Petrie himself has more than 18 years of teaching experience with a bachelor and master's degree in music composition from Wayne State University. He's also performed and toured around Michigan with several indy rock bands.

Petrie said he decided to open the school after noticing that similar schools around Metro Detroit operate within a music store.

"It's always been a dream to teach music, but without the corporate structure," he said. "I wanted to create a place where people could feel comfortable coming to take lessons without feeling pressured to buy something."

In addition to private lessons, Petrie said students perform together in two recitals and have the option of attending workshops with industry icons. Recently Dakota Dave Hull and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame musician Billy Davis — who played for Jimi Hendrix and Elvis Presley — taught a workshop on guitar.

"We try to make lessons fun," Petrie said. "If you want to learn Nirvana, we will teach you how to read chords and notes and then gradually transition you into the music that interests you."

One program he is particularly proud of is called "Music for Little Mozarts." The class gives students ages 3 to 5 a chance to learn the basic elements of music with their parents. 

The school offers lessons for older adults, too.

"You are never too old to learn an instrument if you have the passion and willingness to practice," Petrie said. "We had one senior who never picked up a guitar before who signed up for lessons in March; it's now October and he's doing very well."

Future plans include adding a class on basic studio recording to allow students to record and mix their own CDs.

For information on the Dearborn School of Music, or to view a class schedule, visit www.dearbornschoolofmusic.com, or call 313-769-5105.