ABOUT US
In April 2001, The Music Center came to The Market Place in Howland. The goal was to treat customers how we would want to be treated and give them a great deal! The goal worked and quickly The Music Center outgrew its Howland location. Today, The Music Center is located at 5836 YOUNGSTOWN-WARREN RD in NILES(OHIO), near The Eastwood Mall. We focus on guitar, bass, drums, recording gear, PA systems, keyboards, band instruments, microphones, an entire selection of accessories, and much more! We offer layaway, financing, lessons for most instruments, and rental of band instruments.
John Churman, founder of The Music Center, was a longtime musician in the Warren area playing in the JOHN CHURMAN COMBO, CUSTOM 3, and THE MINT, often being showcased at THE TIKI LOUNGE, THE PATIO, TOWN & COUNTRY, THE RANCHO VILLA, and private parties throughout NE Ohio. In 2001, John decided to fulfill his lifelong dream ... and THE MUSIC CENTER was born! Only one thing is different about The Music Center today ... sadly, John passed away on January 2, 2008 after a courageous battle with cancer. He may no longer be a visual part of The Music Center, but his spirit is still strong.
Today, his daughers are carrying on his dream and vision. Our goal here has never changed ... the customers are treated like family and the deals are unbeatable!
(1949 - 2008) JOHN CHURMAN, founder of The Music Center.
CURRENT STAFF
CINDY CHURMAN, co-owner of The Music Center. From an early age, music has surrounded my life. As young as 2, I can remember "jamming" on my toy guitar and singing along with my dad as he played his guitar and sang! I played the clarinet from elementary school to marching band, and dabbled with the piano. After receiving my BA from Kent State University and living out of state, I returned to Ohio to help my dad with the store as it started to expand and grow. I love and appreciate all kinds of music and enjoy the excitement of hearing it live. Today I'm learning to play the guitar, while continuing my dad's dream with the same passion and values as it was started with.
KATHY CHURMAN, co-owner of The Music Center. Growing up, music was always in our home! I become creative with percussion, piano, and saxophone as a young child. However my true passion was performing vocally. In high school, I was a member of the acapella choir, often participating in competitions. In college, my focus was business, studying at Kent State University and DeVry University. Today, I love to get out there and listen to live music and sing a little karaoke! Working with the public can be such a joy ... I think it's awesome to watch a child recieve their first guitar, or to see a person reconnect with the instrument they let go many years ago. It's a true honor to continue my father's dream and passion, and I hope we can share that passion with you!
DJ DEPANICIS - part-time sales. As a sophmore at Youngstown State University's Dana School of Music, he has played guitar since the 4th grade. In addition to guitar, he is also fluent in acoustic 12-string, electric bass, upright bass, mandolin, banjo, dulcimer, and hand bells. He has been a member of the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, marching band, Orchestra, and Jazz Ensemble. Currently, he is a member of the Cortland Community Band, Niles First United Methodist Adult and Youth Hand Bell Choir, and a guitar soloist and accompanist at his church. In addition to volunteer work around the Valley, he performs solo or as a duet at local venues. His goals include teaching music and continuing to perform in classical, jazz, and other creative settings.
RICK HARTLEY - part-time sales. A native to Warren, he has loved music all of his life. He took piano lessons as a child, then switched to drums for a brief period of time. He started his love affair with the guitar at age 15, and they've been inseparable ever since! He studied music for 2 years at Kent State University. His main influences are Bach, Scott Joplin, Gershwin, Phil Keaggy, Bernstein, and the Beatles. He has liked and played all kinds of music; there is no genre of music that he categorically dislikes. He has been with The Music Center for 7 years, first as an instructor and now as a member of The Music Center's sales team!
RODNEY SCHOFILED - guitar and bass instructor. For the past 18 years, he has been learning guitar in his room, the recording studio, and in various bands. He attended the Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University for 2 years where he learned the fundamentals of music theory and studied classical guitar. He studies and teaches all forms of music, from classical to country to rock, etc. Some of his personal favorite musicians include the Beatles, XTC Roger Miller, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zepplen, Dream Theater, and Weird Al Yankovich. He has taught at The Music Center for the past 4 years, during which time he has taught children as young as 7 and adults as young as 60 - it's never too late to start!
DJ DEPANICIS - guitar and bass instructor. As a sophmore at Youngstown State University's Dana School of Music, he has played guitar since the 4th grade. In addition to guitar, he is also fluent in acoustic 12-string, electric bass, upright bass, mandolin, banjo, dulcimer, and hand bells. He has been a member of the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, marching band, Orchestra, and Jazz Ensemble. Currently, he is a member of the Cortland Community Band, Niles First United Methodist Adult and Youth Hand Bell Choir, and a guitar soloist and accompanist at his church. In addition to volunteer work around the Valley, he performs solo or as a duet at local venues. His goals include teaching music and continuing to perform in classical, jazz, and other creative settings.
DINA GRAZIANO - guitar and bass instructor. Joining our staff in January 2010, she has 25 years of guitar study with 15 years of vocal study and performance. She has performed in various halls, clubs, and venues across New Jersey with a full band and as a solo artist. As a Music Education major student at Montclair State University (New Jersey), she studied classical, blues, and jazz guitar. She believes her patience is her greatest attribute as it allows her to work especially well with beginners of any age. She plans on passing both her knowledge and creativity onto her students, while watching each student develop into a player!
DUSTIN MAY - percussion instructor. As a current student at Youngstown State University's Dana School of Music, he is working toward his Jazz Performance degree with an emphasis in percussion. Dustin graduated in 2008 with honors from Westerville North High School, being the section leader and center snare for their drumline. He has received several honors and awards, including the Toni Leonardi Jazz Scholarship, Talent Scholarship in Percussion, and Senator Harry Meshel Scholarship. Dustin is very excited to teach drum set and percussion to a variety of students and to share his knowledge and love of music!
ABBY CLINE - clarinet, oboe, flute, trumpet, and baritone instructor. As a current Warren G. Harding student, she is the high school marching bands student conductor, marching and symphonic band section leader, and IB instrumental music student. Her musical abilities has lead her to receive the 2008 Leaders of Tomorrow Nominee, the Future Section Leader Award, and the BW Scholar's Award / Scholarship. She will be attending Baldwin-Wallace College after graduation, with an anticipated minor in music.
REBECCA MARTIN - piano instructor. As a new addition to our teaching staff, she has been playing piano since the age of 7. She is a graduate of Bohecker College and was part of the Mahoning Valley Pianists in Lordstown. There she attended national Federations and Guilds and became proficient in music reading, playing, and theory. She is very excited to begin teaching students of all age groups!
GARY LUCAS - piano and vocal instructor. As a graduate of Berklee Music School and Heidelberg College, he received a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Pedagogy and a Specialist Certificate in Music Production and Home Recording. He is currently the keyboard accompanist for Unity Church Centre and a keyboardist and cantor for St. Rose Church. He has worked with TNT Productions as the sound effects producer and drummer for several performances. He has been a music instructor since 1991, as well as being active in community and college bands and choirs.
