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Music Mines opens first location on Ridge, second planned for former Puzon’s Music

Franklin family to “mine for creativity” through variety of lesson options

By Josh Bootsma

LANSING, Ill. (May 27, 2021) – The thump of speakers, melody of piano keys, crack of a snare drum, and snipping of scissors were among the sounds emanating from 3238 Ridge Road on Wednesday as Music Mines, a “creative arts school” opened its doors for the first time.

Family, friends, Chamber of Commerce members, and others gathered in the sunshine on Wednesday morning to watch the Franklin family cut the ribbon in front of their new storefront on Ridge Road. Music Mines plans to start offering music lessons of all types, including instrumental, vocal, and DJ lessons.

Lansing strikes a chord with the Franklins

Dr. La Kisha Franklin and her husband Dr. Joe Franklin grew up surrounded by music and are excited to bring their expertise to Lansing. Joe Franklin grew up in a family of twelve sibling musicians. Two of his brothers own and operate two music stores — one in Chicago and another in Park Forest. After the Franklins helped with a music camp at their church in Lynwood — where they live — they decided to bring more music opportunities to the Lansing and Lynwood area.

“We said, ‘Wow, people love music in this area,'” said Joe Franklin, “and there was the one school, Puzon’s, and he mentioned he was going to go out of business. And we said, ‘Wow! Let’s keep the dream going.’ You know, this is a great area.”

Joe said his wife La Kisha was riding her bike down Ridge Road and saw the 3238 Ridge Road building and thought it might make a good location for a music shop. After months of planning, pandemic delays, and making the space their own, the high-visibility storefront is now home to Music Mines.

music mines
From left to right: Music Miners La Joya, La Kisha, Joe, and Jeremiah Franklin. (Photo: Josh Bootsma)

Mining creativity

The music shop’s name comes from the idea of mining valuable minerals from the earth. The Franklins view the mind as a wealth of valuable creativity, just waiting to be mined.

“We view the mind as being the most precious commodity and so we are digging deep into the recesses of the mind to pull out those creative gifts and cultivate those gifts,” La Kisha Franklin said.

Continuing the Puzon’s Music legacy

Though Music Mines has just opened, expansion is already on the horizon. The Franklins said they will be turning the old Puzon’s Music — at 3151 191st Place in Lansing — into a second location. The private rooms at the location are ideal for individual lessons, Joe Franklin said.

“We’re very excited about that as well, [Marty Puzon] established a great legacy …  so we’re just honored to be able to even step into the place where they established and to continue a legacy,” La Kisha said.

The location is currently being renovated and the Franklins hope it will be open this summer.

Lessons, instruments, and more

Music Mines will be mining for all sorts of musical talent through lessons that include: Piano, percussion, woodwind, brass, violin, viola, cello, guitar, bass, voice, DJ, comedy, music history, and music theory.

Music Mines
The Franklin family is ready to get to work mining minds. (Photo: Josh Bootsma)

Although the Franklin family is musically talented, they employ some other professionals in their network to help teach lessons. Their bass teacher, for example, used to play with Stevie Wonder.

La Kisha mentioned that all students ages three and up are welcome, with some discounts available for seniors. Joe explained that the lack of an instrument shouldn’t keep someone from wanting to learn, and Music Mines will help aspiring musicians obtain the instrument they want to learn.

For rates and more information, visit musicmines.mymusicstaff.com. Music Mines is located at 3238 Ridge Road.

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Josh Bootsma
Josh Bootsma
Josh is Managing Editor at The Lansing Journal and believes in the power and purpose of community news. He covers any local topics—from village government to theatre, from business openings to migratory birds.