Community & Celebrations

Jun 10 2026

🎸 Local Musicians You Should Know: Powell’s Rising Stars (Round 1)

At Music Royale, we’re more than just a music store — we’re people who play music.

We’re proud of our community. We believe in local live music. And we’ve seen firsthand how music can shape lives — building confidence, discipline, creativity, and connection.

Local live music doesn’t just entertain — it strengthens a community’s mental health, fuels creativity, and creates real opportunities for the next generation of musicians.

Our teachers don’t just teach — they live it. They’re on stage, in studios, writing songs, and showing students what’s possible. Our students take those lessons and turn them into something real — original songs, performances, even careers.

And behind so many of these musicians? Parents who get it. Many of them are musicians too. They know what it means to have someone believe in you — a teacher, a mentor, someone saying keep going.

This is Round 1 of the incredible musicians in our extended Music Royale family. These are the people keeping music alive in Powell and beyond.

🎤 Emily Graham

A Music Royale student writing and performing original songs, Emily is already carving out her own sound. She’s putting in the work, creating, recording, and sharing her voice — exactly what it’s all about. Visit her website!

🎸 Dan Thompson

A Music Royale parent, customer, and deeply active musician, Dan Thompson is the definition of someone who never stepped away from the music. While supporting the next generation, he’s still out there playing, collaborating, and contributing to the local scene in a big way.

Dan plays bass with Donna Mogavero and is connected with a wide range of local talent, performing alongside and collaborating with artists like The Castros, Mark Gonzalez, Shawn Brooker Dammit Band, Holly Moretti, and Molly Winters.

From high-energy bands to singer-songwriter projects, Dan’s involvement spans multiple styles and stages — helping keep the local music scene alive and thriving. He represents what Music Royale is all about: community, consistency, and a lifelong love of playing music.

🎶 The Castros

A local band bringing their own energy and style to the scene, The Castros are part of the heartbeat of local live music — writing, recording, and performing original material.

🎵 Mark Gonzalez

A dedicated musician contributing to the local scene with his own performances and musical projects.

🎤 Shawn Brooker

A true personality in the scene — writing, performing, and building a presence that blends music with raw, authentic expression.

🎶 Holly Moretti

A vocalist and performer sharing her talent through live performance and video, bringing emotion and artistry to everything she does.

🎵 Molly Winters

A singer-songwriter keeping the tradition of storytelling alive through music, connecting with audiences through original work and performance.

🎸 Todd Clemmer

A Music Royale parent writing original songs, proving it’s never too late to create and share your voice.

🎤 Hollywood Shine

Featuring Eryn Reynolds, one of our very own vocal teachers, this group brings professional-level performance and experience straight into our community.

🎻 Paul Baker

A seasoned jazz bassist who has written six original jazz albums, Paul brings depth, experience, and serious musicianship to Music Royale.

🎸 Scott Gorsuch

An original artist with multiple albums, a project called Bloodthirsty Virgins, and even his own custom-built guitar design — Scott embodies true musical innovation.

🎶 Lightning Express (Everly Brothers Tribute)

Featuring Music Royale’s own Jesse and Ron, this band keeps the spirit of classic rock ‘n roll alive with a tribute to the Everly Brothers.

🌙 The Moonbats

Another project from Jesse alongside Rob Cave, The Moonbats bring a fresh, energetic sound to the local scene.

🎸 Rob Cave / The Pretty Filth

Rob continues to make waves with The Pretty Filth, delivering gritty, high-energy rock that keeps the underground scene alive.

🥁 Step Back 3

Featuring our drum teacher Brent Badger, this group shows what happens when skill meets groove — tight, experienced musicianship in action.

🎶 The Digs

With Greg Sharp and Troy Kunkler involved, The Digs are another example of Music Royale talent extending into the real world of live performance.

🎸 Lex Bauman

A standout Music Royale student writing original music, filming music videos, and recording in places like Nashville and LA — already turning dreams into reality.

🎤 E & D Acoustic

An acoustic duo featuring Music Royale teachers Deanna Sweeney and Eryn Reynolds — blending experience, harmony, and live performance excellence.

🎶 Bourbon Legend

Featuring Megan Wetzel, this band brings a full, rich sound rooted in live performance and strong musical chemistry.

🎵 9 Castle Close

An established band, featuring Megan Wetzel creating original music and continuing to build their presence with recordings and live shows.

🚀 Move Your Music Forward

A platform dedicated to helping musicians grow, develop, and take the next step — aligning perfectly with what we believe at Music Royale.

🎻 Columbus Cultural Orchestra

A hip-hop youth orchestra featuring our own Megan Wetzel and Aaron Pearson — pushing boundaries and redefining what orchestral music can be.

🎷 Sydney McSweeney

A talented musician connected with the Jazz Arts Group, representing the next generation of serious, skilled performers.

🎸 Thane Leshner / Why Omen / RK Maroon

A Music Royale teacher actively creating and performing across multiple projects — from teaching to recording to releasing original music.

🎨 Tim Perdue

A multi-disciplinary artist blending music with visual creativity — showing that artistry doesn’t stop at one medium.

🎭 Jack Walbridge

Connected with Shadowbox Live, Jack is part of a professional performance world that blends music, theater, and live entertainment.

🎤 Nancy Hughes

A vocalist sharing her music and performances, contributing to the richness of the local scene.

🤘 Why This Matters

This is what a real music community looks like.

It’s not just lessons.
It’s not just gear.
It’s people creating, performing, supporting, and growing together.

From first-time students…
to working musicians…
to parents who never stopped playing…

This is the ecosystem that keeps music alive.

And it all starts somewhere.

Sometimes… it starts in a friendly neighborhood music store.

May 27 2026

Discover Your Child’s Musical Journey with the Instrument Petting Zoo

Choosing your child’s first instrument is an exciting moment and at Music Royale, we believe it should also be easy, affordable, and fun.

That’s why we’re proud to partner with Sweetwater Sound to bring the Instrument Petting Zoo to festivals, schools, and community events across Central Ohio this summer. Students and families can get hands-on experience with real band and orchestra instruments in a relaxed, welcoming environment designed to spark curiosity and confidence.

These are not toys or low-quality starter instruments. Students will have the opportunity to try brand-new instruments from trusted brands like Yamaha, Eastman, E.S. Shires, and more. These are the same quality instruments recommended by music educators and school programs nationwide.

Flexible Rental Options Designed for Families

Starting music lessons shouldn’t feel overwhelming or expensive. Our rental program is designed to make trying an instrument simple and stress-free.

With a small initial deposit, your student can bring home an instrument for a two-month trial period. This gives families time to discover whether the instrument is the right fit before making a long-term commitment.

If your child decides to continue playing, every rental payment applies toward ownership of the instrument. Need a larger size or want to switch instruments later? No problem. Your accrued equity carries over when exchanging instruments through Music Royale.

We also strongly recommend adding the damage waiver for extra peace of mind because accidents happen, especially with young musicians.

Instruments can be conveniently shipped directly to your home or delivered to Music Royale for in-store pickup.

Try Instruments for Free This Summer

The Instrument Petting Zoo will be available at the following community events:

Asian Festival — May 23
Columbus Folk Festival — June 6 & 7
GCAC Arts Festival — June 13 & 14

Families are encouraged to stop by, ask questions, and let students explore instruments at their own pace, completely free of charge.

Bring the Instrument Petting Zoo to Your School or Program

The Instrument Petting Zoo is also available for free bookings at schools, after-school programs, summer camps, and community organizations.

If you’re an educator or program director interested in scheduling a visit, contact Music Royale to learn more.

Parents and guardians are also welcome to schedule a free in-store instrument exploration experience for their students.

Start Learning Before School Begins

Students do not need to wait until the school year starts to begin their musical journey.

Private lessons provide individualized instruction that helps students build strong fundamentals from the very beginning. Early guidance can prevent bad habits, improve confidence, and help students progress faster, which often leads to more enjoyment and long-term success with music.

At Music Royale, we believe music education should feel encouraging, accessible, and community-centered from day one. Whether your child dreams of joining their school band, performing on stage, or simply learning something new, we’re here to help them get started.

May 07 2026

Give Your Child a Summer They’ll Never Forget 🎸☀️

There’s something magical about watching a child discover music for the first time.

The moment they hit a drum and feel the rhythm.
The second they recognize a melody they can sing back.
The spark in their eyes when they realize… “I can do this.”

This summer, Music Royale is opening the doors for young musicians ages 5–8 to jump into a week of creativity, confidence, movement, and music at our Children’s Music Exploration Summer Camp — and spots are officially open.

A Week Full of Noise, Creativity & Discovery 🎶

This isn’t a “sit quietly and take notes” kind of camp.

This is hands-on, high-energy, music-making fun designed specifically for curious kids who love to move, explore, and create.

Throughout the week, students will:

Learn rhythms through games and movement
Sing (or use hand signs for quieter students) while learning the C Major scale
Play music together using Boomwhackers
Explore life-sized board games and outdoor music activities
Try EVERY band and orchestra instrument at our Instrument Petting Zoo
Enjoy indoor and outdoor play time next door at Recreations Outlet

And at the end of the week?
Parents are invited to a Friday concert where students will perform the songs they learned together.

That confidence boost alone is worth it. 🔥

Why Parents Love Music Camps for Young Children 🧠🎵

Music is more than a hobby. Especially at this age.

Studies consistently connect early childhood music education with:

Improved memory retention
Increased cognitive development
Better language processing
Enhanced creativity
Stronger confidence and social skills

But honestly?
The biggest benefit is simpler than all of that.

Music gives kids a place to express themselves.

And sometimes all it takes is one week… one instrument… one song… to start a lifelong love of music.

Meet the Teacher: Megan Wetzel 🎻

The camp is led by Music Royale instructor Megan Wetzel, who teaches violin/fiddle, viola, beginner piano, and intro to music.

Beyond earning a Bachelor of Arts degree, Megan has dedicated her life to music education through teaching, performing, and community leadership. She serves as Executive Director of the Columbus Cultural Orchestra, performs in multiple bands, and brings years of experience working with children through both music and youth programs.

Most importantly?
She knows how to make learning music FUN.

A Team Built for Young Musicians 🤘

Campers will also work with an amazing support staff who genuinely love helping kids explore music:

Megan P., a multi-instrumentalist Music Royale intern who assists behind the counter, Rock School and Instrument Petting Zoos
Myah, an 8-year Music Royale student heading to Ohio University for Music Production, who brings creativity, energy, and experience working with children

This camp is designed to feel welcoming, encouraging, and exciting for every student — whether they’re outgoing rockstars or shy first-timers.

Camp Details 📅

Children’s Music Exploration Camp

Ages: 5–8
Dates: June 8–12
Drop Off: 8:30–9:00 AM
Pickup: 3:00 PM
Aftercare Available
Bring: Lunch & snacks

Spots are limited, and camps like this tend to fill quickly once summer schedules lock in.

Because once parents hear about a week where their child can:

play instruments,
make friends,
run around,
create music,
and perform in a concert…

…it doesn’t stay a secret for long. 🎸☀️

Registration is officially open now:

Feb 13 2026

Music Royale Goes to NAMM – 2026

Music Royale had the incredible opportunity to travel to Los Angeles and experience something that every music store dreams about: NAMM — the heartbeat of the music industry.

From legendary landmarks to unforgettable moments with fellow music educators and retailers, the trip was a reminder of why we do what we do… and who we do it for.

A Little Hollywood, A Lot of Music History

Of course, being in LA means soaking up some iconic sights. Taking in the view from the Griffith Observatory, capturing the classic Hollywood sign moment, and exploring the energy of the city felt like stepping into a place where art and culture never stop moving.

And no music-centered trip would be complete without a stop at one of the most famous music destinations out there:

🎸 The main Guitar Center on Sunset Boulevard.

Walking through that space is like walking through decades of rock n’ roll history. It’s loud, inspiring, and filled with the kind of creative buzz that makes you want to go home and practice immediately.

(And yes… LA traffic is absolutely real.)

The Music Community Is Alive and Thriving

One of the most meaningful moments of the experience was attending the NAMM Retail Awards.

It was an honor to see Music Royale recognized among so many outstanding independent music stores across the country. Being included in that space was a powerful reminder that neighborhood music shops still matter — and that music education is being championed everywhere by passionate communities.

The nominees and winners in every category were inspiring. The heart behind what they do matched exactly what we believe in:

Music changes lives, and local music stores help make that possible.

The NAMM Show: Ideas, Gear, and Big Energy

The NAMM Show itself is a world of sound, innovation, and connection.

Time was spent learning at the NAMM Idea Center, exploring what’s next in music education, and gathering ideas that can make Music Royale even better for our students and families back home.

The convention floor was packed with new gear, new voices, and that unmistakable feeling of being surrounded by people who live and breathe music.

It’s exciting. It’s overwhelming in the best way. And it’s deeply motivating.

Bringing It Back to Powell and Columbus

As incredible as LA is, the most important part of the experience is what comes next:

Bringing that inspiration back to Powell and Columbus, Ohio.

Music education is strong in our community, and Music Royale is here to keep it growing.

We’re here to help students:

take their playing to the next level
prepare for auditions
succeed in Solo & Ensemble
stay confident in school band and orchestra
discover what they truly love about music

Because music isn’t just an extracurricular.

It’s a lifelong skill, a creative outlet, and a source of confidence.

We’re proud to represent our community with a friendly attitude, neighborhood support, and a whole lot of rock n’ roll spirit.

Thanks for being part of the Music Royale family.

🎸 Rock on.

— The Music Royale Crew

Jan 23 2026

Spotlight on Powell: Why We Love Being Your Neighborhood Music Store

Friendly Neighborhood Music Store — https://musicroyale.com

At Music Royale, we’ve always believed music should feel alive! Loud, fun, and full of heart. For the past 23 years, we’ve had the honor of calling Powell home, and let’s just say it: this community rocks.

Powell isn’t just where we’re located, it’s who we are. The town itself is a beautiful blend of family-friendly vibes and small-business grit. Local spots like Noctera’s live music nights, Powell on the Green, and the always-buzzing Local Roots create the perfect soundtrack for a community that loves to come together. Visit Powell has been an incredible partner, always championing local events and shining a spotlight on businesses like ours. And when we team up with other hometown legends like Big Mouth Egg Rolls and Mrs. Turbo’s Bakery, you know it’s going to be a good time.

23 Years of Music, Memories, and Community

For over two decades, Music Royale has been Powell’s friendly neighborhood music store, the place where you don’t just buy gear, but where you have a community. Whether you’re grabbing a new guitar, renting an instrument for band or orchestra, or stocking up on accessories like strings or straps, our shop has been the go-to spot for musicians of all levels.

But Music Royale is more than instruments and equipment, it’s about education, inspiration, and creating a space where music thrives. From private lessons and recitals to our Rock School program, open mic nights, and workshops, we’re here to keep music alive and loud in Powell.

What Our Community Is Saying

The real proof of what makes Music Royale special? The voices of our students and families:

Tara B.: “My kids have been taking music lessons at Music Royale for the past 5+ years and we absolutely love the program. The instructors are highly skilled, motivated and flexible. This school has really developed both their talent and their love of music!”
Macrina G.: “I’ve taken keyboard lessons from Music Royale for several years. I love that the lessons are personalized for my unique needs and the instructors are highly trained musicians with real-world experience.”
Riley L.: “I always enjoy learning more about how the creation of songs and chords works. Working with Sara is awesome, she always points out the details I would have missed when I play, and is patient and kind whenever I make a mistake. She knows what she is doing and is good at teaching.”

These aren’t just testimonials—they’re reminders of why we do what we do. Music Royale isn’t just a business, it’s a stage for future rockstars, composers, and lifelong music lovers.

Here’s to Powell (and the Next 23 Years)

From our first guitar string sold to our latest open mic night, every milestone has been powered by the support of this incredible community. Powell has given us a home, and in return, we’re committed to making music accessible, exciting, and a little bit loud for everyone.

So here’s to Powell: the small town with a big sound. Thanks for letting Music Royale be your friendly neighborhood music store. We wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.