New business tunes in to the needs of the community

MILLERTON — “OK, just drums and bass to start with,� stipulated the keyboard player, counting off the rhythm on one hand for the drummer before working out an electronic version of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean� on the other.

Soon a saxophonist, two horn players and another two percussionists joined in, grooving through the MillertonKnights’ version of the King of Pop’s classic in the new studio space in Millerton, dubbed The Music Cellar.

Located on the corner of Main Street and South Center Street, directly beneath Parlour and sharing a wall with the Hanback Gallery, The Music Cellar is a new venture by local musicians Jon Grusauskas (the aforementioned keyboard player) and Kealan Rooney.

It’s a music school and rehearsal space wrapped up in one, or rather, wrapped in the numerous tie-dyed tapestries and posters that cover the walls of the one-room location.

Open for about two weeks now, The Music Cellar is already the new practice spot for the Knights, a local collective of elementary school musicians led by Grusauskas, who started the group through his work at the North East Community Center. It’s also a place to jam for the Berkshire Stompers, another collective of nearby musicians letting loose in the spot that Grusauskas and Rooney hope will become a centerpiece of the local music scene.

“The music scene is definitely growing here,� Rooney said. “There are more and more kids picking up instruments, and then the adults see that and join, too.�

“There’s a lot of local talent,� added Grusauskas. “If we can help foster that and raise awareness about musical education — that’s what the Cellar’s all about.�

The Music Cellar is available to rent for practice space for local bands or groups traveling through the area for gigs, at $45 per hour. Music lessons are also available, on every instrument except bowed instruments like violins, at $40 per hour or $25 per half-hour for solo lessons, or $15 per hour for special group lessons, which currently include “Sunday Samba,� “Toddler Jam� and “Acoustic Song Swap.� But all prices operate on a sliding scale, based on what the musician can afford.

Technically it’s by appointment only, as The Music Cellar doesn’t have any concrete operating hours, but chances are you’ll hear some tunes coming from the Cellar as you’re walking through the village in the evening. Drop right in, the guys say, and say “hi.� They’re also looking for donations to the music school for children who don’t have instruments.

Book an appointment by calling Grusauskas at 860-806-1442 or Rooney at 203-232-3924.

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