thank you for an incredible 10-year celebration!
The Lakehouse Block Party on Sunday, May 21st was an absolute blast! Our little party was a huge success thanks to all the sponsors, staff, performers, vendors, and attendees.
10 Years of
Lakehouse
Celebrating a decade of relevant, real-life music education in the heart of New Jersey’s Music capital and beyond.
A look back…
Humble Beginnings
We opened our doors at 619 Lake Avenue on March 2nd, 2013, excited to provide Asbury Park and the surrounding area with musical infrastructure and a creative hub. This would go on to become the place where music lessons were taken, international artists recorded, gear was purchased, merch was designed, and bands were formed.
LhMA was designed to be a place where all students would have the opportunity to work with and learn from seasoned professionals: educated instructors, skilled musicians, expert songwriters, and studio engineers.
Creating a Culture
After expanding our Asbury Park location, our little school grew fast, operating seven days a week, year-round. The incredible instructors and directors worked diligently to achieve comprehensive and engaging curricula for all ages, from toddlers to to adults.
As a result, our student bands were ready to take the stage and show off their skills , and the Big Gig was born! Our student showcase evolved into a weekend-long event where musicians of all ages and styles come together to celebrate their hard work. Over the last decade, LhMA has held 30 Big Gigs, hosted three times each year at iconic Asbury Park venues like the Stone Pony, The Wonder Bar, and the Asbury Lanes, as well as The Vogel in Red Bank.
Music Saved Asbury Park
Over this decade, we have worked in tandem with the Asbury Park Music Foundation to provide inclusive and comprehensive music programs and scholarships to children in the community. The partnership works to deliver the Music Saved My Life youth music education program in the Asbury Park area. These programs provide relevant and engaging music programs. As part of our premier music education program, local kids develop lifelong relationships and interpersonal skills through bandwork.
Through both onsite instruction and offsite classes, the Academy has provided music education to schools throughout Asbury Park. These schools include Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, Sister’s Academy, the Boys and Girls Club of Monmouth County, Hope Academy, Asbury Park High School, Red Bank Charter School, Red Bank Middle School and many others.
unforgettable opportunities
LhMA alumni have gone on to become successful recording and touring artists, professional audio engineers, popular Youtube and social media content creators, and entertainers in the TV and film industry. Both independent musicians and student bands have cultivated dynamic, thriving music careers.
Countless young adult students are currently pursuing their musical dreams at some of the country’s strongest music programs – including Berklee College of Music, Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music NYU, University of the Arts, Rutgers University, and many more.
They have received the opportunity to perform with and learn from a wealth of industry legends such as Wyclef Jean, Jay and Max Weinberg, Rob Trujillo, Bon Jovi, and Bruce Springsteen to name just a few.
From large shows to small street performances, Lakehouse students have been steadily gaining acclaim and growing in skill with each incredible performance. LhMA musicians of all ages and styles have had the privilege of being hired as professional musicians at historical venues like the Count Basie Theater and the Paramount. Year-round, these students have become a staple in community performances, music and food festivals, parades, and on the iconic Asbury Park Boardwalk each summer.
Making Waves
Even Bigger than Big
As the world around us changed in 2020, so did Lakehouse. Our team came together to solve our biggest challenge yet and worked around the clock to bring some normality to our dedicated students. We went virtual, providing lessons online and even conducting band rehearsals. Over the summer and into the next year, we developed LhTV to continue the fun connection experienced at every rehearsal and performance. The show was a hit, and our students reached over 52K viewers!
In the spring of 2021, Lakehouse Music Academy announced an exciting new chapter and partnership with the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank. Located downtown in a legendary stomping ground for notable musicians, Lakehouse at the Basie brings a thriving arts-centered community together with countless events and attractions. This new campus sits within the Count Basie Center for the Arts, alongside The Vogel, and a hop, skip, and a jump away from Monmouth Music Conservatory. Through this new location, the pros at the Academy have expanded their reach beyond Asbury Park, and have formed meaningful connections with musicians of all kinds throughout New Jersey.
In 2022, Lakehouse students and staff successfully accomplished our first-ever two-stage indoor-outdoor Big Gig at Bar Anticipation in Belmar! The number of Lakehouse bands has continued to grow, and we kicked off 2023 by hosting our first ever 5-day Big Gig at the Asbury Lanes and the Stone Pony.
Our team is gearing up to celebrate this milestone all year long with a series of spectacular events: open mics, even Bigger Gigs, new performance opportunities, and a 10-year anniversary block party celebration! We are so excited for what is to come at Lakehouse! We’ve made plans to expand our space in Red Bank and are committed to bringing our unique curricula and programming to the next level.
