Music Compound to celebrate its 10th anniversary

When fifth-generation Sarasotan Jenny Townsend was a student at the University of South Florida - Sarasota-Manatee, she needed to develop a business concept as a final project before earning her Bachelor's degree. Her "big idea" was inspired by conversations she had while waiting tables: many of her co-workers were musicians who lamented a lack of places to practice or jam. Her project – which included market analysis and a business plan – turned into the roadmap for Music Compound, a music school with rehearsal and performance spaces, and a place that fosters community across generations, musical genres and levels of expertise.

Music Compound, which was originally located in a strip mall on Cattlemen Road, was officially born in 2016. Townsend began with one teacher and four studios. Now, at her new state-of-the-art, 10,000-square-foot facility on Bell Road – where the business recently celebrated its first year there in August – there are 20 private lesson rooms, five group studios for jamming and rehearsals, a larger concert space that features a pro stage, sound equipment and lighting, and lounges for students and parents to relax, connect and recharge.

Over the past decade, Townsend and her dedicated team have touched thousands of lives. Since its founding, Music Compound has served over 5,000 members, from children to seniors; had numerous young members accepted into top music programs, including Berklee, Belmont University School of Music (Nashville, Tenn.), Full Sail and various in-state music programs; employed nearly 200 total team members, with 38 experiencing their very first job at the company; given back $115,000 to our community through donations, scholarships, and support; partnered with scores of other businesses and organizations on a wide variety of community events and initiatives; encouraged area children to read more than 20,000 books through its Rock Your Summer Reading program; covered – through its rigorous Album Ensemble program – some of the world's most critically acclaimed albums by some of the most famous bands in history; and hosted music clinics with expert musicians, such as last year’s clinic with world-renowned drummer Nic Collins, son of the famous Phil Collins of Genesis and solo fame.

Music Compound will celebrate its (first) decade of impact with its 10-Year Anniversary Celebration on Friday, January 30, 6-10 p.m. at The Grove (10670 Boardwalk Loop, Lakewood Ranch). The event – which is open to the public – will feature dinner, dancing, and the anniversary celebration. Tickets are $40/adults, $20/children and are available at bit.ly/MC10YearCelebration.

“Back in my college days, I never imagined that a class project would turn into a successful and fulfilling professional passion project. Our incredible team has enabled the business to achieve so much; I think the thing I’m most proud of is that we’ve become such a thriving, vibrant hub for music education and community engagement," said Townsend. "We have also facilitated inspirational intergenerational experiences that have profoundly impacted the participants. I can’t wait to see what the next 10 years will bring for Music Compound!”

A few of Music Compound’s more prestigious honors include: being recognized with the Music School Business Breakthrough Award by Build a Music School in early 2025; earning the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce's "Small Business of the Year" award in 2019, in the Professional Services category; and, in 2024, being nominated in the “Woman Owned Business of the Year” category in the Chamber awards. Townsend was also a Business Observer “40 under 40” winner in 2015. Townsend mentions that a professional highlight for her was when one of her students bands warmed up for Tim Reynolds (longtime guitarist for the Dave Matthews Band) during My Hometown Fest in 2021.

Along with the party on January 30, Music Compound will celebrate its anniversary with a new logo and a new tagline, “A Decade of dreams, impact and music.”

The Music Compound, located at 775 Bell Road in Sarasota, provides an environment to inspire, collaborate and educate children and adults in pursuit of their love of music. Private and group lessons are available on a wide variety of instruments as well as programs such as Kidz Rock (ages 4-7), Junior Rockers (ages 8-11), ukulele and guitar groups (ages 8-12), the Musical Theatre Program (ages 7-14), Songwriting Series (ages 15+), Adult Jam Sessions, the Gulf Coast New Horizons Music program for adults ages 50+, and more.

Visit musiccompound.com for more information.

About Music Compound
The Music Compound (775 Bell Road, Sarasota) provides an environment to inspire, collaborate and educate children and adults in pursuit of their love of music. The goal is to transform dreams into reality by providing a contemporary and influential environment for musicians of all ages. For more information, visit musiccompound.com.