Village Music Wellington Named Nation’s Top New Music Dealer Story by Lauren Miró • Photos by Abner Pedraza
Bringing the community together to make sweet music, Village Music Wellington has achieved national acclaim for its efforts. Named the nation’s top new music dealer, the shop is reaching more people with its love of music. Owners Steve and Donna Willey, each accomplished musicians in their own right, have poured their musical passions into the shop, located on Forest Hill Blvd. near Fresh Market, just west of the Mall at Wellington Green. “I’ve always been up for sharing the joy of music,” Steve said. Music brought the couple together, and they have made a life sharing it with others. “We met in 1986,” Steve recalled. “I was a soldier in the U.S. Army, and she was a tour guide in Germany.” Donna has a degree in piano performance from the New England Conservatory of Music, while Steve is a seasoned recording artist with more than 30 years as a guitarist and songwriter, touring across the United States and Europe. They bonded over their love of music, but Steve’s tour of duty finished, and he returned to the U.S. “I thought about her many times over the years,” he said. After reconnecting a decade later in a twist of fate, the couple later decided to relocate from Boston. “I had been operating a music shop in Massachusetts,” Steve said. “She didn’t want to return to a cold climate.” The Willeys were attracted to Wellington for its great family atmosphere and school system. They found Wellington in need of a community music store. “I think Wellington needed a store like this,” Donna said. “It’s a family community. There’s a lot going on for kids, but there was no music store.” Village Music Wellington opened in November 2012, offering lessons, sales and more. Their dedication has earned Village Music national acclaim. In January, Music & Sound Retailer magazine named the store Best New Music Dealer in the U.S., a prestigious annual award. “We are so honored,” Donna said. “It’s an open vote. Anyone who works in the industry — manufacturers or vendors — can vote. To be chosen by our peers is such an honor.” The annual Music & Sound Awards are considered the highest honor a manufacturer or dealer can receive. In January, the Willeys attended the National Association of Music
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August 2014 |wellington the magazine| 10th Anniversary
Merchants convention in Anaheim, Calif., where they were honored for their work bringing music to Wellington. “I think the reason they voted for us is because they saw how dramatic and fast our growth has been,” Donna said. The honor has attracted musicians from all over the area, who come to Village Music to try and buy instruments from top brands. “Buying an instrument is such a personal choice,” Donna said. “You have to hold it.” Village Music Wellington has truly grown in leaps and bounds, attracting more than 250 aspiring musicians to its growing lesson program and countless other musicians who come for the instruments, the knowledgeable staff and the friendly atmosphere. “Wellington welcomed us with open arms,” Donna said. “We’re a true family business. Our shop is full of kids and families. The kids come here to hang out.” In addition to selling instruments for every style of music, Village Music Wellington offers great options for music education. “We offer lessons for just about every instrument,” Donna said. “We have 15 instructors. We’re very selective about our teachers. Most of them have a degree in music.” The Willeys share their love of music with students young and old. “Our youngest student is 4 years old, and our oldest is in her 80s,” Donna said. “We teach music theory, but we try to make it fun. It’s a place parents feel comfortable sending their kids and where kids want to be. But adults also feel comfortable here.” Steve agreed. “It has to be fun, but it has to be structured, too,” he said. “We try to have a laid-back atmosphere.” During the summer, students can enjoy a fun music camp. “They learn nine instruments over the course of a week,” Donna said. “We did them last summer, and they were such a huge success.” Students who are hoping to wow the admissions boards at local arts schools also turn to Village Music to prepare for