1950s building comes alive with Radiance Music Studio ribbon cutting set for September 4

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For more information, contact
Clarisse Tobia, Radiance Music Studio
608-206-7297

1950s building comes alive with Radiance Music Studio ribbon cutting set for September 4
Open house scheduled for September 14

A former auto repair shop building constructed in the 1950s but reborn as a music studio will complete its transformation when Radiance Music Studio — located at 400 W. Main St. in Sun Prairie — hosts a Sept. 4 ribbon cutting and a Sept. 14 open house.

Although the former Prairie Foreign Motors building underwent extensive renovations in 2017 when the south facing service doors were replaced with a full glass front giving the building an open, sunlit ambiance, the space was leased beginning in May 2024.

“We spent all of May doing cleaning, construction, inspections, and decorating, so that lessons would be able to have all studios ready by July,” said Clarisse Tobia, owner of Radiance Music Studio.

Blue Terra Design and Kirchstein Drywall acted as professional contractors and did an outstanding job, Tobia said, “but I really appreciate the amount of work that was done by my family members who helped me get things ready. Even my 88-year-old grandfather came out from New Jersey to help paint!”

The buildout for the Radiance Music Studio retains the high ceilings and open area of the structure and includes three named studio rooms:

Radiance Theatre — Most prominent, the Radiance Theatre is comprised of a large 15-by-25 foot space with a baby grand piano. The theatre has a chandelier and stage lights, making it a perfect space for music instruction, recital gatherings, and other performances.

Sunlight Studio — Facing south and enclosed in glass on three sides, Sunlight Studio provides a warm and bright respite for music during Wisconsin’s long winters.

Starlight Studio — Featuring a namesake starlight fixture, Starlight Studio provides a unique space for music instruction and practice.

Tobia said each studio space is equipped with pianos manufactured by Kawai Piano company. While the Radiance Theatre has a baby grand piano, the Starlight and Sunlight Studios have upright models.

In addition to individual instruction, the vision for Radiance Music is to provide Sun Prairie with space for group music instruction and small musical performances in a professional environment without having to travel to Madison. “We have a few group class options currently available for registering, including Mini Musicians- a group music exploration class for children ages 3 ½ -5 years old taught by Brenda Weavers, and group ukulele classes for both adults and children taught by Katie Swank,” Tobia said.

A vocalist, pianist, and composer who began playing piano and composing music at age 3, Tobia began her formal training as a singer when she was 12 years old. She graduated with a degree in vocal performance from Illinois Wesleyan University where she studied in all three pursuits, voice, music composition, and piano. After graduation, she began privately teaching along with continuing to perform and compose music. Instructors at the studio including Tobia, Weavers, Swank, and Diane Falk all have educational training in music and extensive musical instruction experience.

Radiance Music Studio will host its ribbon cutting Sept. 4 at 4 p.m. An Open House Event will take place from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14, featuring free goodie bags and performances from Radiance music instructors.

Learn more about Radiance Music Studio online at https://www.radiancemusicstudio.com.