- September 15, 2025
Loading
Skylar Menard, 17, gives Luc Drage, 14, a chance to introduce the song as the band Solar Apocalypse performs on stage.
Photo by Ian SwabyNina Young, 13, of the band Pins and Needles, performs on stage.
Photo by Ian SwabyMusic Compound band member Evan Archambeau, 16, performs as Solar Apocalypse takes the stage.
Photo by Ian SwabyGabriella Yates, 10 and Ayat Mezroub, 9, dress up at the Drama Kids International.
Photo by Ian SwabyNora Roux, 5, performs an art experiment with Children's Art Classes.
Photo by Ian SwabyMila Ostrovskiy, 8, assembles a collage of colors at the table by Theory of Play, alongside her mother Anna Ostrovskiy.
Photo by Ian SwabyJonah Eiseman, 7, plays the drums.
Photo by Ian SwabyMichael Baldini and his wife Heather Baldini talk with My Gym Sarasota owner Angela Delo.
Photo by Ian SwabyPins and Needles members Liam Stevens, 14, Liam Geske, 15, and Christian Bathori, 13, perform on stage.
Photo by Ian SwabySophia Rios, 15, delivers a vocal performance.
Photo by Ian SwabyFiona Krick, 5, spins the wheel at My Gym Sarasota.
Photo by Ian SwabyDaniel Garcia, 4, plays the drums.
Photo by Ian SwabyOlivia Roux, 10, makes a jellyfish at te table of Children's Art Classes.
Photo by Ian SwabyMatthew Varley, 16, plays the keys during the performance by Solar Apocalypse.
Photo by Ian SwabyCarrie Collins and her son Kerin Collins, 7, visit the Siesta Wellness Institute table where Kerin held a ukulele.
Photo by Ian SwabyGraham Harrison, 10, plays the keyboard.
Photo by Ian SwabyRebekah Miller, 8, learns about how the trumpet works from David DeWitt.
Photo by Ian SwabyLeo Stuart, 4, plays with the props at the Drama Kids International station.
Photo by Ian SwabyMusic Compound staff hold a ribbon cutting for the current location.
Courtesy imageWhen Music Compound hosted its Back to School Bash last year, the new space was not yet fully decorated, said the music school's owner Jenny Townsend.
However, she said this year's version of the event, held Aug. 23, was able to showcase the space, which opened on Aug. 12, 2024, "in a way it wasn't showcased before."
In fact, a ribbon-cutting ceremony preceded the start of the event, which welcomed the public for musical performances by students of varying ages, local vendors offering activities, a bounce house, and other offerings.
She noted one important part of the event was the opportunity for families to meet the school's teachers before signing up for lessons.
She said the venue, which serves both Sarasota and Manatee counties in contrast to the two previous separate locations, has served the school and its staff well.
"It's been really great to have the entire team under one roof," she said. "They all can work together and we can be a more united team."