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Cornerstone Music Studio provides new musical experience in Lebanon

Aug. 11—Walking along S. Lebanon Street here, pedestrians may be able to hear the faint sound of a baby grand piano playing a catchy tune, and who knows, the next Beethoven or Mozart could be keying along.

According to a 2019 study from the American Psychological Association (APA), students who take some kind of music course, score significantly better on exams in math and science than their non-musical peers.

Owner of the newly-opened Cornerstone Music Studio, Cati Ferguson recently moved back to Lebanon after living in the Orlando area for 11 years and says she's very glad to be home.

Since she was 9 years old, Ferguson's life has involved some form of music. She grew up in Lebanon, just a short walk from her new business. She and her siblings were home-schooled and that's where she found her love of music.

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Ferguson said she tended to be a copycat of her sisters and once her sister took an interest in percussion, she did as well. During a trip to a local music store, Ferguson's siblings were getting their instruments and, long story short, she said her parents didn't want to have that many drum sets in the house.

"They told me to get a year of piano under my belt just to get the basics," Ferguson said.

She said she's gone back and tried playing percussion and doesn't enjoy it as much as she does piano, so she feels like she found the right choice for her.

"[Being homeschooled] really helped me because in high school, I took piano, guitar and violin lessons and I would have my own practice routine," Ferguson said. "I could do an hour of piano, then switch to guitar for an hour and a half, then go to violin. Then I was able to teach private lessons when I was 15."

Ferguson was able to teach those private lessons through a now-defunct student teacher program at Family Music Studio with Barbara Walters.

"It really helped me to have her support," she said.

After high school, Ferguson knew she wanted to do something music related but couldn't nail down her path.

"I went back and forth on whether I wanted to do music education or do music in the church," she said. "I went to a small Christian college and they offered both."

Ferguson eventually graduated from Johnson University Florida in 2015 with a degree in Bible and musical arts and then from the University of Central Florida in 2017 with a masters in music with a focus in piano pedagogy.

Although she's still a part of music within the church, she realized she didn't want to do it full time.

"I knew I would want to still be a part of that, but I didn't know if I wanted that to be my career," Ferguson said. "God showed me and it became more defined that teaching was my calling."

Since she was still involved in the music program at her church, Ferguson was around quite often and its where she met her now-husband Brian.

Her faith also played a factor in the naming of her studio. For her, Christ is her cornerstone, a foundational piece in her life, but it also has a double meaning because her studio is on the corner of the street.

Now back in Lebanon, Ferguson is able to offer music lessons in the place where she fell in love with music. She has more than 15 years of teaching experience and can teach students from age 3 to retirees. Cornerstone Music Studio offers private lessons in piano, guitar, violin and ukulele. She also offers small group lessons in ukulele as well as five skill levels of piano.

Lessons range in price from around $20 to $30, depending on time and whether its private or in a small group.

To schedule a lesson with Ferguson, visit the website at cornerstonemusicstudio.com.