“The Celina location has been a pipe dream that we've talked about for the last five years,” said Iris Meneley, co-founder of Texas Amps and Axes. “This location has been our goal for 2024. We're gonna jump into this journey and commit fully. We're gonna have a Celina location at some point in 2024, come hell or high water.”
The Meneleys opened their school in 2016 with five studios and began expanding shortly thereafter due to its wild popularity with families. By 2021, the Prosper location underwent its most recent expansion, bringing it to a total of 20 studios serving over 700 families per week.
But throughout that time, the Meneleys, who live in Celina, yearned to open a location in their local community, where they were deeply involved and already sponsoring the local marching band and drill team. The desire was intensified by ongoing requests from families and Celina-based students to bring the programs to the area.
Opening a Celina location
Earlier this year, the Meneleys decided it was time to open a second location, but they dreaded the daunting process of selecting and securing a suitable space.
“It's heartbreaking to dream up [ideas for utilizing] a space and then lose it,” Meneley said.
The team faced major hurdles throughout their search, and after receiving a landlord’s meeting request within minutes of Texas Amps and Axes submitting a lease agreement, the Meneleys braced for a rejection that would dash all hopes for bringing their school to Celina. Fortunately, they were wrong.
“[The landlord] showed up, and he said, “This is a dream come true for me,’” Meneley said. “I just wanted to cry. His mom and his sister were both musicians, so he was like, “This is a dream realized for me. I'm so excited about this. I wanted to come and meet you guys personally.’”
Now, with permits in the works and construction slated to begin soon, Texas Amps and Axes aims to open the new school by early 2025 at the latest. Meneley also hopes to throw a grand opening party and welcome the surrounding community to mingle and check out the school’s programs and services.
More about the studio
Texas Amps and Axes has blossomed into a thriving musical education hub, and the Meneleys take incredible pride in watching its students grow and achieve. With the new Celina location on the horizon, Texas Amps and Axes is set to extend its warmth, enriching programs and love for music education to the local community.
Texas Amps and Axes provides instruction to students of all ages on a number of instruments, instrument families and musical pursuits, including:
- String instruments: acoustic guitar, banjo, bass guitar, cello, guitar, electric guitar, upright bass, violin, viola, ukulele and mandolin.
- Wind instruments: clarinet, flute and saxophone.
- Percussion instruments: drums
- Piano lessons and voice lessons
- Production and recording lessons
- Musikgarten Program: This early music education program is for young children from newborns to age eight, where students learn through active play, fun theory learning and beginner piano in a group setting.
- Amplified Program: This performance program provides a fully encompassing and authentic band experience where students learn about improvisation, train their ears and practice working with fellow musicians.
- Homeschool Music Academy: This collection of programs provides enriching opportunities for homeschool students.
While some students attend for the pure enjoyment and therapeutic aspect of musical education, others are intent on pursuing a career. Some students have even fulfilled their dreams of being accepted into Berklee College of Music and The Juilliard School.
To learn more about the school and stay updated on the Celina location, including plans for a grand opening event, visit the website today.
The above story was produced by Community Impact's Multi Platform Journalist Jacquelyn Chorush with information solely provided by the local business as part of its "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
