About
Bass players Pamela Cole and Leigh Maples knew what it was like to go into a music store and feel out of place. Being ignored, being directed to beginner models, and not being able to find an instrument that fits your body were all-too-common experiences. And they knew music lessons have a positive impact on lives. They had a vision of a music store where everyone can feel comfortable, no matter their gender or age.
In 2009, Cole and Maples made that vision a reality by starting Fanny’s House of Music. More than a decade later, Fanny’s has earned its reputation as Nashville’s most comfortable music store. Fanny’s is regularly voted one of the “Best Places to Buy a Used Instrument” by readers of the Nashville Scene. In an era where community spaces are disappearing, Fanny’s is a place where new skills are gained and relationships are formed.
Fanny’s is more than a music store: it’s a mission. And Fanny’s current building has limited the number of students who can be served and programs that can be offered. So in 2020, Cole and Maples formed a 501(c)(3) organization and launched a capital campaign to build a separate building for the next phase of the mission: Fanny’s School of Music.
Fanny’s School of Music will be an inclusive space for music education, music therapy, community programs, and performances. Like the store, Fanny’s School of Music will provide opportunities for education and empowerment in an accessible, welcoming, and inclusive environment. The school will offer lessons for everyone, regardless of skill level or ability to pay. Talented music instructors will teach and earn pay for their work. Women and girls will have opportunities to collaborate and congregate, and boys will have opportunities to learn music from female instructors.
With your help, Fanny’s School of Music will be a place where everyone can experience the healing power of music.