June 14, 2024

A family-owned music business has opened a new location in Harrisburg.

Tilghman’s Academy of Music offers music lessons — online and in-person — and music supplies. The new location is at 220 S. Cliff Ave., Suite 104, on the north end of Harrisburg.

“We are always a family business for families,” co-owner Kaitlyn Tilghman said. “Other music shops can feel very formal and industrial, so we have a focus on families with things (like a) waiting room designated for kids and host family events.”

Tilghman and her husband, Chris, have been creating music together for years. They met in high school band, and both studied music in college. Together, the couple opened their first studio in 2018.

“It is so nice to bring people together through music,” Tilghman said. “We’ve had group student classes, a jazz band before, and it’s nice because you have people from different ages and schools who can come together.”

The Tilghmans also give their students the opportunity to produce music.

“We’re releasing our third studio student album in June or July,” Tilghman said. “We have the goal of doing a once-a-year album with students.”

The Tilghmans have a wide variety of music education between the two of them. Chris has done many performances and studied music theory and composition. Kaitlyn taught middle school band and orchestra, and received a master’s degree in music education.

Between the two, they can teach strings, piano, woodwind, brass and flute. They also have hired teachers for drum, violin and voice lessons.

Previously, the Tilghmans had a different studio location. During COVID, the music academy went online. In the past few months, they have reopened with a new storefront in Harrisburg to offer lessons and sell music supplies.

“We have a good mix of adults and kids,” Tilghman said. “We’ve had students as old as 85, down to toddlers.”

As numbers fluctuate during the summer months, the academy is taking new students.

A summer music talent show also is scheduled for Aug. 4 for performers age 2 to 17. The talent show is free to enter, and the winner will receive a trophy.

“It is such a fun experience for us getting to see people grow up and create that community environment through music,” Tilghman said. “Whether you like listening or playing, we welcome that community.”

The Tilghmans plan to grow their business and hire more teachers. They also recently started an internship program with Harrisburg High School and are allowing high school interns to sit in on lessons or co-lead classes.

“We believe music is for everybody,” Tilghman said. “You don’t have to be talented. Music is both a therapeutic connection and creative opportunity for everyone.”