Local musician and Monroe County firefighter Luke Ptomey has big plans for Island Music School, which he and his wife, Melissa, are launching this August.
The school will be offering music classes to children from first grade through high school. But Luke sees the organization developing into a place where older kids will learn to record and perform locally, professional musicians can stop by to give a seminar to fans of all ages and — hopefully, after obtaining nonprofit status — scholarships are given out.
“I want to make music attainable for everyone,” Luke said.
Melissa said the couple had noticed that the Upper Keys homeschooling community didn’t get a chance to study music like the public school kids do.
“The homeschoolers did not have a lot of options — maybe piano lessons — to study music,” she said, noting that even with some public schools, offerings have been getting smaller due to cuts in funding.
“And that needs to be filled,” she said.
Then opportunity knocked. The Ptomeys heard that a space had opened up next to the Old Road Gallery at MM 88 and realized that Luke could arrange his firefighting schedule so he could teach regular classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. And with that, Island Music School was born.
Venus Haugen, their longtime friend and Upper Keys Kids Clubhouse owner, was thrilled about their new venture. She agrees that the area is in need of more music.
“Their passion for music and high values for a quality education will make this school an absolute hit,” she said. “I’ll be enrolling my own children.”
Luke has loved music since he was a Keys tyke. He recalls being curious about drumming since age 5 and was given a drum kit at 13. At Coral Shores High School, he was in both concert and marching band for all four years.
Luke started to excel. He had a devoted band director, Robert Sax, who gave interested students music theory classes; using this knowledge, Luke would create the percussion score for selected pieces of music.
Then, at age 16, he began hitting stages as a professional. Local music fans will recognize some of the names he has jammed with: Steve Venini, David Feder, John Bartus, Adrienne Zolondick, Micah Gardner and, of course, Jimmy Buffett. He has also performed with groups like Baga Tricks and the Stone Crabs.
Islamorada Community Entertainment (ICE) awarded Luke music scholarships, which he used to attend the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. The school has famous alumni including John Mayer, Steven Tyler and Quincy Jones. He received a bachelor’s in professional music and, along the way, became comfortable with playing marimba, world percussion, keyboard, drums and ukulele, as well as vocals.
And now? He’d like to pay it forward.
“I’m bringing my Berklee education to the Keys,” he said.
While Island Music School will offer private instrument lessons on a limited basis, the focus will be group musical literacy classes, with topics from ear training to vocal exercises.
“The aim is to get kids to understand music more, rather than to play just a few notes,” Luke said. “I equate it to algebra. People say, ‘Oh, I’ll never use that.’ But studies have shown that just by taking algebra, synapses are created in your brain. And music is like that. Even if kids don’t go farther in their studies, they get a spark and are able to access a different part of their brain.”
Also: Music is fun. Luke will give access to a few instruments, so students have a chance to gravitate toward one that truly calls to them.
“I want kids to feel excited to come,” he said. “The last thing I want is to see kids dragging their feet into our class.”
Melissa notes that the fact that her husband is a trained EMT/firefighter is a bonus.
“Parents can feel safe with him,” she said.
Luke eventually wants to have “more classes, more teachers involved — where it’s not just me.” He has been reaching out to venues and organizations, such as David Feder’s ICE, for student performance opportunities.
And he would love for readers to donate any old instruments or study materials. After all, it’s for a good cause: “Everyone deserves music.”
Island Music School will be hosting an open house on Aug. 15 from 4 to 6 p.m. The first semester will begin Aug. 29; limited spots are available. Classes will be offered during the daytime and after school, on three Tuesdays and three Thursdays every month, through mid-December 2023. One-hour group music classes are $45 each and will be held at 88975 Overseas Highway, Tavernier (in the building by the Old Road Gallery).
For more information or to reserve a spot, go to Islandmusicschool.org, email islandmusicschool@gmail.com or call 305-304-9228.
