Skaneateles residents interested in learning to play piano or getting one-on-one piano or vocal instruction now have an option available without leaving town.

As of Aug. 1, Stenuf Music Studio is open for business in Skaneateles. Owner and instructor Marlene Stenuf specializes in piano and voice lessons and takes students of any age or experience level.

After spending 10 years in Camillus and 20 years in Marcellus, Stenuf said she moved her business to be closer to her home (in Skaneateles) and also to fill a need that she saw in the community for music instruction.

Her new location is at 27 Fennell St. in the village, accessible from the rear of the building that houses CVS Pharmacy.

“I wanted to come to Skaneateles to afford the community an opportunity to take lessons from a highly-trained, well-educated professional,” she said.

The daughter of Austrian immigrants, Stenuf is a graduate of Syracuse University, where she earned a master’s degree specializing in both music performance and music education, an ideal combination for a music teacher, she said.

Though she studied under a number of renowned instructors and has performed in ensembles over the years, she said she no longer is interested in performing and wants to focus more on teaching.

The one-room studio used to be an office space but was refurbished to be more suitable for music as well as relaxation, Stenuf said.

Having a lifestyle that involves playing an instrument and appreciating music on a daily basis should be something everyone does, Stenuf said.

“I cannot imagine getting up in the morning and not enjoying music in my life. It’s so enriching; it’s so beautiful” she said.

Playing music has been shown to improve performance in school as well as overall critical thinking in people of all ages, she said.

She has had students whose music skills earned them a scholarship for college. Some schools even offer scholarships for students who minor in music and major in another discipline, she said.

Currently she has students ranging from ages 6 to 86 and says that it is never too late to take up a new instrument.

In fact, many of her students are adults who use playing piano as a way to relax and forget about their stresses and frustrations from work.

A typical class schedule for a beginner is one half-hour session per week, though more advanced students sometimes receive instruction for longer. The types of music the student studies are up to them too. Stenuf said she has students who play jazz, ragtime, classical, showtunes and contemporary pieces for piano and voice.

She also offers special group classes to teach seasonal music for Halloween, Christmas and other holidays and she teaches specialty programs such as music composition.

Stenuf offers classes Monday through Friday. Anyone interested in scheduling a class or learning more about lessons, can reach her at 685-8244 or 554-8114.

Joe Genco is the editor of the Skaneateles Press. He can be reached at [email protected].