Marathon’s newest center for music education and recording is just over a year old, and it’s still full-steam ahead.
Opened in March 2022 by Jeff and Patty Dalton, Sunrise Studios offers classes to kids and adults interested in learning music. In addition to lessons for a variety of instruments, it offers vocal lessons, music reading, songwriting and even an upcoming toddler drumming class.
“We started Sunrise Studios about a year ago to bring music education and a professional music studio to the Keys,” said Jeff. “I noticed a lack of opportunity, especially for young students, to learn about music and recording.”
Dalton is a professional musician, and when he’s not working at Sunrise Studios he plays in Marathon and Key West, including at the Little Room Jazz Club, Hog’s Breath and the Green Parrot.
Dalton calls himself a “lifetime musician” and said Sunrise is a “retirement job” of sorts for him.
“I grew up in a folk music version of the Partridge family,” he said. “We performed all over. I started so young that I thought everybody did that. As soon as school was over, we’d pack up and travel to play. My father and brothers were all music teachers, and I learned a lot about teaching and working with young students. I went to music school and learned the technical side of music, and this brings it all together.”
Dalton combines his experience in multiple aspects of music in his teaching, but wants his studio to offer “total music training,” he said. “Yes, we teach guitar, piano, bass, singing, drums, but also music reading and music theory. Kids get full music theory experience, including learning to write music.
“We’ve really focused on the depth of music, not just learning songs on guitar, which is good, but really getting an in-depth music education. This way students can also switch instruments, and we have a number of students who learn two or three different instruments.”
In addition to providing professional recording services, the studio side of Sunrise can help students learn fundamentals of rhythm and recording. Professional artists in Key West have come to record in Marathon, as well as students working on songwriting, or even creative gift givers seeking a unique and special present for loved ones and friends.
For people who might be interested in learning music, but find starting daunting, Dalton said, “There is an instrument out there for you, and I will help you find what that is. We take older students and younger students. If anyone is not sure where they fit into the musical collage, we can help.” He said some students “try something different each week” as they explore various options, but “there’s something for everybody.”
“Not everyone needs to be a concert virtuoso, you just need to enjoy it,” he said. “We’re here to bring the joy of music to the community. We’re here to help everyone who wants their kids to get the benefit of music, or adults who have the dream to play music for fun. We’re teaching in a kind and safe manner that students are comfortable with and can really enjoy.”
Sunrise Studios is in the midst of creating more potential classes – a musical theater class with performance opportunities, for one, or a “school of rock” class to put together a band and a concert. The Daltons are looking for people available to teach kids and open more lessons, and are taking new students and people interested in recording. Sunrise Studios is located at 5192 Overseas Highway, Marathon. More information is at sunrisestudiosofmarathon.com/ or via email to lessons@sunrisestudiosofmarathon.com.
