Empire Music, 719 Washington Road, is expanding.

Workers are putting the finishing touches on Empire School of Music in the space next door.  Joe Ravita, Empire owner, hopes to do a soft launch sometime in October.

Ravita originally aimed for a January opening. However, the former primary care physician’s office became available sooner than he thought. “The space is always a concern because Uptown doesn’t have a ton of vacancies, so when something pops open, if you don’t take advantage of it, then it’s gone,” he said.

Plans are to expand Empire Music’s current lesson offerings and get back into teaching piano and voice, in addition to guitar and bass, while branching out into band instruments as well.

Group guitar lessons are on the agenda, as well as an expansion of Strum Together, lessons for kids and their parents. “We want to give people the opportunity in a fun format that they can do with their kids,” Ravita said.

As for group lessons, Ravita pointed out it’s a way to learn an instrument without feeling like you’re committing to a hardcore pact. “Getting the opportunity to make music with other people is ultimately the gap we’re trying to fill,” he said.

By January, you should be able to book classes through an Empire School of Music website that’s currently under development. In the meantime, check Empire Music’s current website for updates.