It's not yet ready for Carnegie Hall, but it's music to the ears of Mary Ann Blackmon every Tuesday and Thursday night.
The sound of jazz, gospel, and classical are mixed in with occasional reinforcement from a devoted piano teacher.
Blackmon teaches 24 students . And she does it free of charge. But she considers herself the lucky one.
"I just love it. If I don't feel well I can just come in here with these children and they give me all the hugs and make me laugh. And when I leave here I feel much better," said Blackmon.
The 72 year old retired school teacher remembers her own introduction to the ivories. She heard her father play in a jazz band.
Now, decades later, she's passing on the love of music to middle and high school students; some who, otherwise, would not be able to afford it.
"We're told to love god and people right? so I think I just have a love for people and for children, and I want to make a difference," said Blackmon.
Her studio is modest. She has just two previously-owned pianos and an electric key board. But it's enough to give her students what they need.
"Piano is a way for me to express myself," said students, Victoria Murray.
Just as in music, there's a time to be soft. And there's a time to raise the volume.
Blackmon says the discipline taught in this room transcends every other area of the students' lives.
"It helps you relieve stress. If you're having a bad day you can get on the piano, and you're just feeling better instantly," said student, Victoria Morrow.
Blackmon said, "students who do well in piano almost always do well in school. It helps them to organize. They have to use both sides of their brain to play."
Blackmon says she doesn't know how much longer she'll do this. But for now she's keeping time to the music.
