Music classes offer attendees a place to heal and grow

At Memory Lane Music, Michael Cooney enjoys teaching his senior students how to play piano.

"I hear so many people say it was on their bucket list," Cooney said. "That's kind of a catch phrase around here. We can teach anybody how to play."

Cooney said many students who come into Memory Lane Music , 10960 S. Eastern Ave., are just looking for a hobby.

"It beats watching (television) or staying at home," Cooney said.

Usually, people hear about the studio through word of mouth from other students.

Cooney has students who have been taking the class for about 10 years.

"Music is like golf or other similar hobbies," Cooney said. "There is always a perpetual challenge -- in a good way, that is. No matter what achievement you have gotten, there is always another level to take it too."

Anthem resident Ken Sharp, 79, joined after his wife died in 2008.

"She told me when she went I could go play golf every day," Sharp said. "I told her I couldn't play every day."

One day at a Christmas event, he and a friend were commenting on the music when she asked him to check out Memory Lane Music. Sharp declined.

"I don't have any musical background," Sharp said. "She later called me and asked me again to come check it out. She said, 'What do you have to lose?' I already lost everything -- 37 years I've been married. I guess I didn't have much else."

But that was three years ago, and Sharp has been attending ever since.

"I moved from the beginning class to the intermediate class," Sharp said. "I think I've done pretty good."

Cooney has been told by students that his class has helped them remain strong after loved ones have died.

Cooney instructs his students on how to play Broadway show tunes or favorites from that student's era.

"It is something they might listen to on the radio or play on the iPod," Cooney said. "It could be the Rat Pack or music from the '50s and '60s like the Beatles or the Beach Boys for the baby boomers."

Sharp has learned to play everything from Johnny Cash to Latin songs.

"I played my first gospel song ever," Sharp said.

Each week, the students learn a new tune.

At the beginning of the next class, students can play what they've learned .

"I never make them perform if they don't want to," Cooney said.

As much as people want to learn, Cooney said people take the class to become more social.

"In school, there would be no talking in class," Cooney said. "That's not the case here. Socializing is part of the class. People tell jokes or talk about their grandkids. Socializing is part of the class."

Sharp has remained social and made several friends, including a special "lady friend."

Cooney said the class is like a family environment that meets up to take field trips, go to movies or just simply hang out.

"Even if we don't have an event, often times people will stop by and just say 'Hi,' " Cooney said.

One event Cooney puts on is the Memory Lane Music Concert at 9:30 a.m. every Tuesday. He plays music and serves a free breakfast. Cooney said it depends on how many have signed up to attend.

"I usually like to have at least 15 people reserve a spot," Cooney said.

Memory Lane Music memberships are for those 55 or older and are $45 a month for unlimited classes and, if needed, one-on-one tutoring .

"Anywhere else you will see it is $40 to $60 for one hour," Cooney said. "Not just private music lessons, but personal training or anything like that. It is usually in that range."

For more information or to reserve a spot for the Tuesday concerts, call 629-6704.

Contact Henderson and Anthem View reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@viewnews.com or 387-5201.