Ryson’s studio marks eight decades of music on Saturday

It makes perfect sense to mark 81 years in business with a celebration Saturday, says Ryson’s music studio owner Anne Deyme.

Aug. 17 is the day Tony Ryson first opened his store back in 1938. And it’s the date Deyme and her husband, Don, took it over 38 years ago.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., teachers and former students as well as polka legend Walter Ostanek will be at the Court Street store in St. Catharines to reminisce and share all kinds of music.

Deyme said the store has always been serious about providing a solid musical education to students.

It also gives young students the opportunity for exposure by forming bands like Hammer Quest and formerly, the Golden Hammers, and getting them playing dates around the region.

All teaching is done to Royal Conservatory of Music standards, students must learn to read music — not just play it — and they are encouraged to achieve certification.

“It’s like once you leave high school or go on to university, if you don’t have those papers behind you nobody knows who you are,” Deyme said. “And that’s who we are.”

She said James Bryan McCollum of the Philosopher Kings and Prozzac, as well as Dallas Green of City and Colour both studied at Ryson’s.

“I’m at the point where I want to retire, but I want to retire and have them keep me on without pay,” she said, adding she would only sell to someone with a passion for continuing Ryson’s standards of teaching young musicians.

“I want to be part of it, because these families are very important.”