Ackerman's Music Hits All The Right Notes

Ray Rosario, owner of Ackerman's Music, received the best disappointing news a little over a year ago.

"My landlord informed me that he was selling our building and the new owner bought out my lease," said Rosario.

At the time, 637 Wyckoff Ave. was vacant and needed a new tenant. Rosario saw this is a prime opportunity to create a truly impressive, updated business, that would appeal to area residents' high expectations.

"Before we renovated our new store, it was a giant shell. It was perfect, because we built six private lesson rooms, a completely sound-proof drum room, and a repair shop for guitars and drums," said Rosario. "All in all, it was better!" laughed Rosario.

For over 20 years, Rosario has played trumpet at high-end private parties in New York City and Northern New Jersey with Craig Scott Entertainment. For the past five years, Rosario has been the owner of Ackerman's.

The main focus of Ackerman's lies mostly in lessons. Repairs and restorations of older instruments are also offered.

"We offer beginner to intermediate level instruments. We are an RS Berkeley affiliate, so we use that high-quality brand for student rentals," said Rosario.

Parents might be familiar with children who express interest in learning a particular musical instrument and then lose interest. For that reason, Ackerman's offers a four-month rental period for students just beginning to explore the world of musical instruments.

Ackerman's has a traditional ten-month rental period to cover school year rentals. "We also supply music books to bands in area high schools," said Rosario.

The business's goal is to impart musical literacy onto its students. Rosario explained that all of his employed teachers are commercial musicians who have experience in different genres of music.

"We have teachers who know classical guitar, jazz, rock, and religious music. All of them hope to create multitalented, well-rounded musical experience for students," said Rosario. He noted that other music schools stress symphonic learning, but Ackerman's teaches overall literacy.

Ackerman's also has a unique way of furthering musical education in schools lacking a music department, called "Music For Life."

"Patty Lazzara has experience teaching music in nursery, private, and parochial schools. She has fantastic organization skills and above all, loves to teach," said Rosario of his groundbreaking program. Rosario worked with Lazzara for over 20 years at their church and knew she would be an excellent fit for his program.

Special to Ackerman's is a newer invention called The Wedge Mouthpiece. This ergonomic, plastic mouthpiece is specially designed to reduce lip swelling for brass instrument players. "This is good for marching band kids...cold metal can be brutal in late fall and early winter," said Rosario.

With its plethora of services, Rosario stressed a simple, important message, "let students explore music that interests them."