If you’ve ever wanted to learn an instrument, or just wanted your kid to have a fun, supportive place to grow their musical talents, Mason Music is about to make that easier than ever. The state’s biggest private music school is opening its very first North Alabama location in Madison, and they’re throwing a big party to celebrate.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, August 9, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the new Midtown Marketplace Shopping Center. There will be studio tours, chances to meet the teachers, PJ’s Coffee refreshments, lawn games, a bounce house, giveaways, and plenty of good vibes. It’s a perfect way to get a feel for what Mason Music is all about.

Mason Music started back in 2012 in Birmingham, founded by Will Mason, a musician and teacher who wanted to build more than just lessons; he wanted a community. Fast forward more than a decade, and the company now teaches over 1,000 students every week at five Birmingham-area locations. This new Madison studio is their first step outside that hometown base.

Will Mason says Huntsville was a no-brainer for their next move. “Huntsville’s music and arts scene has exploded,” he says. “Places like Lowe Mill and Orion Amphitheater have really put the city on the map. We’re so excited to join that community and bring our passion for music education to North Alabama.”

It hasn’t all been smooth sailing. Between 2018 and 2022, Will faced some challenges that paused the company’s expansion plans. “My ex-wife and I started the business together, so when we parted ways, it was a reset for me,” he shares. Then COVID hit, putting everything on hold. But 2023 brought a fresh start; Will opened a music venue and permanent home for the Mason Music Foundation, which helps families afford music lessons.

With that foundation laid, the decision to expand north was clear. Mason Music’s new Madison studio has about 20 team members, mostly local hires, with one manager relocating from Birmingham to oversee operations.

At Mason Music, lessons aren’t one-size-fits-all. They offer guitar, piano, drums, voice, and more for kids as young as three, all the way up to adults. Teachers bring their own unique styles but share the same goal: keeping students motivated and progressing.

Will explains, “We train our teachers on how to connect with students and families, but how they teach is up to them. That means we can match every student with a teacher who fits their style and goals.”

One of Mason Music’s most unique programs is the Rock Band League. It’s basically a youth music league that runs like a sports season. Kids aged 10 to 18 join bands, rehearse weekly with coaches, perform at local venues, and compete in a battle of the bands at the end of the season.

“There’s really nothing like this for kids who want to play rock and roll,” Will says. “A parent once told me, ‘I spend thousands on travel ball for my older son. My younger son loves music. How can I invest in him the same way?’ That really stuck with me.”

Rock Band League isn’t just about music; it’s about friendship, confidence, and community. Some alumni have gone on to join national touring bands or become music teachers themselves.

Will says, “When I first started teaching, it was just me and the student. No community. Opening studios gave us a chance to bring families together, to create connections. That’s what Mason Music is really about.”

Want to check it out? Sign up for a free trial lesson or just come hang out at the grand opening.

Mason Music Grand Opening Party:

Saturday, August 9, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Midtown Marketplace Shopping Center

243 Browns Ferry Road, Suite #102, Madison, AL 35758