Sing It Proud, Play It Loud

Denver is a growing, thriving community, and if you haven’t recently ventured to Lake Norman’s western side, you’ll be surprised at the increased activity along Highway 73 and N.C. 16 Business North, where new restaurants, retail stores, health centers and medical facilities, among the many varied enterprises, serve the needs of east Lincon County’s rising population. All that growth comes in response to the popularity of living on the western shores of the lake, and this is where Gary Espin and Mike Luce saw the need and the opportunity to open Lake Norman Music School — a much welcome alternative to driving to Charlotte or to the eastern side of the lake for quality music instruction.

Both Espin and Luce have long-standing musical backgrounds. Espin, a realtor, grew up singing in his high school choir, playing guitar and singing lead vocals in Christian rock and heavy metal bands. Luce, a book broker for libraries and a Kansas native, spent his youth learning to play the guitar, focusing on rock and roll and heavy metal. Moving to Charlotte at 23 years old, Luce auditioned for Espin’s country rock band, 13th Door, and the duo have been making music together for more than two decades.

Norman Music School welcomes budding musicians

“We have a passion for the same things,” says Luce, “family, career, the school. We complement each other well.”

Espin and Luce first evaluated the need for local music instruction in 2019, but the pandemic postponed further plans until February 2021 when Lake Norman Music School opened its first studio. “We sectioned off a four-room music school within a portion of my real estate office,” says Espin. “We soon realized that running two businesses within those tight quarters was less than perfect.”

Only a year and a half later, acquiring additional space was mandatory. The result was relocating to a vacant insurance office across the parking lot, which is where Lake Norman Music School now operates. The current facility houses seven rooms for music instruction, with classes offered in piano, electric and acoustic guitar, bass guitar, drums, banjo, ukulele, violin, voice, singing and performing. As word spread of Lake Norman Music School’s student successes and their top-notch instructors, it became obvious that expansion was once again on their radar.

“We realized, only eight months in at this location, that we would outgrow this space,” says Luce, “so we began looking for a spot where we would design and build our own facility.” www.portcityclub.com

The duo delivered 300 letters to business owners along N.C. 16 Business, hoping there was land for sale which would accommodate the future Lake Norman Music School. Eventually, through personal contacts and subsequent introductions to potential sellers, Espin and Luce acquired a two-acre lot adjacent to the Denver Library. Espin and Luce see the location having potential for a mutually beneficial partnership between the two entities. The new building — with the tentative opening sometime in the fall of 2024 — will be a 10-room facility with two large rooms in the center of the building sharing a movable partition that, when retracted, will open a larger space for ensembles and performance training.

“We’re also designing a front porch that will serve as a stage,” says Espin. “Providing outdoor performances is one of our goals.” Espin and Luce are energized by the effort and potential demonstrated by their students and are often amazed and inspired by burgeoning talent. With vetted instructors sharing their expertise (background checks are mandatory), the school offers personalized, quality music instruction. To further enhance the daily lessons, Espin and Luce often make extra time for students to share what they’ve learned and to jam with them. Espin emphasizes that all the classrooms have glass-front doors, and the school’s open-door policy welcomes parent and guardian visits.

Best Breakfast

Famous Toastery, Mooresville* 134 Mooresville Commons Way, Suite H, Mooresville www.famoustoastery.com

Best Coffee Waterbean Coffee*

19420 Jetton Road, #105, Cornelius www.waterbeancoffee.com

Pkwy., Suite F, Huntersville www.eezfusion.com

Best Italian Cuisine

Pellegrino’s Trattoria* 275 N. Main Street C, Troutman www.pellegrinostrattoria.com

Best Seafood

The Waterman Fish Bar LKN* 9615 Bailey Road, Cornelius www.watermanclt.com www.epicchophouse.com

Best Burger North Harbor Club 100 North Harbor Place, Davidson www.northharborclub.com

Best Salad Epic Chophouse 104 S. Main Street, Mooresville www.epicchophouse.com

Best Pizza

Brooklyn South Pizzeria* 19400 Jetton Road, Cornelius www.brooklynsouthpizzeria.com

Best Lunch Spot

The Pickled Peach 202 S. Main Street, Davidson www.thepickledpeach.com

Best Bakery

French Market Café & Gourmet Shop 20920 Torrence Chapel Road, Cornelius www.frenchmarketcafeandtearoom.com

Best Brewery

Ghostface Brewing 215 S. Broad Street, Mooresville www.ghostfacebrewing.com

Best Wine Selection Epic Chophouse 104 S. Main Street, Mooresville www.epicchophouse.com

Best Date Night & Cocktail Epic Chophouse* 104 S. Main Street, Mooresville www.epicchophouse.com

Best Place for Live Music

BoatYard LKN* 18418 Statesville Road, Cornelius www.boatyardlkn.com

Best Sports Bar & Beer Selection

The Kilted Buffalo – Birkdale 8625 Townley Road, Huntersville www.thekiltedbuffalo.com

Best Art Gallery

Mooresville Arts* 103 W. Center Avenue, Mooresville www.mooresvillearts.org

Best Event Venue

Charles Mack Citizen Center 215 N. Main Street, Mooresville www.cmccmooresville.com

Best Summer Camp

Lake Norman Tennis Center 205 Overhill Drive, Mooresville www.lakenormantenniscenter.com

Best Dance Studio

Lake Norman Dance Gallery 443 Williamson Road, Mooresville www.lakenormandancegallery.com

Best Nail Salon

Savvy Salon & Day Spa 20430 W. Catawba Avenue, Cornelius www.savvysalonanddayspa.com

Best Place to Pamper Yourself

Carolina Age Management Institute* 16315 Northcross Dr. Suite A, Huntersville www.carolinaagemanagement.com

Best Med Spa

Carolina Age Management Institute* 16315 Northcross Dr. Suite A, Huntersville www.carolinaagemanagement.com

Best Gift Shop

Home, Heart & Soul 20901 Catawba Avenue, Cornelius www.homeheartandsoul.com

Best Home Décor

Lake Norman Antique Mall 467 E. Plaza Drive, Mooresville @lakenormanantiques on Instagram

Best Women’s Boutique

Nina’s Boutique 21714 Catawba Avenue, Unit A6, Cornelius @ninasboutiquelkn on Instagram

Best Men’s Boutique

The Back Room Men’s Clothier 119 N. Main Street, #102, Mooresville www.thebackroommensclothier.com

Best Pet Services

The Dog House Pet Grooming 115 Plantation Ridge Dr., # 102, Mooresville TheDogHouseLKN on Facebook

Best Place to Work Out

Pure Barre Lake Norman 16815 Cranlyn Road, Suite A, Huntersville www.purebarre.com

Best Public Golf Course Mooresville Golf Club* 205 Golf Course Drive, Mooresville www.mooresvillegolfclub.com

Best Boat Club / Boat Rental

Freedom Boat Club 17505 W. Catawba Avenue, #150, Cornelius www.freedomboatclub.com

Best Marina Lake Norman Marina 6965 N.C. Highway 150, Sherrills Ford www.lakenormanmarina.com

Best Cosmetic / Aesthetic Services

L.A. Skin Studio 174 N. Main Street, Mooresville LASkinStudioAltieri on Facebook

Best Dentist Whalen Dentistry 21025 Catawba Ave Ste 102, Cornelius www.whalendentistry.com

Best Lighting Store Knotty and Board Interiors 20700 N. Main Street, Suite 104, Cornelius www.knottyandboard.com

Best Financial Advisor

Sawyer Insurance and Financial Services 224 N. Main Street, Mooresville www.sawyerinsurance.com

Best Attorney / Legal Services

The McIntosh Law Firm* 209 Delburg Street, Davidson www.mcintoshlawfirm.com

Best Interior Designer Lilly & Grace

138 Village View Dr., Ste. 104, Mooresville www.lillyandgrace.com

Best Landscaping & Outdoor Design Lake Norman Lawn Services*

Huntersville www.lakenormanlawnservices.com

Best Jewelry Store

Jewelers on Main 118 N. Main Street, Mooresville www.jewelersonmain.com

Best Hair Salon

Savvy Salon and Day Spa* 20430 W. Catawba Avenue, Cornelius www.savvysalonanddayspa.com

Best Massage Therapy

Serenity Now Massage Therapy*

18147 W. Catawba Avenue, Cornelius www.serenitynowcornelius.com

If you are a waterfront business on the lake that deals with docks and watercrafts, be sure to ask about Commercial Marine insurance to make sure your business and operations are properly covered. An enjoyable day on or by the water can quickly turn into an adverse situation resulting in damage or destruction of property and injury. A loss could easily exceed millions of dollars – a risk you must properly address.

MARINE LIABILITY INCLUDING MARINA OPERATOR’S LEGAL LIABILITY:

Property Damage & Bodily Injury: Marina Operator’s Legal Liability may protect you if you become legally obligated to pay damages resulting from your operations as a Marina Operator. This coverage could cover costs from damages to property, such as other people’s boats, equipment, cargo, or other items on the boat, as well as bodily injury to other people, while the watercraft is in your care, custody, and control whether it be for repair, storage, mooring, docking, hauling, or fueling.

Dock Property Coverage is a type of insurance that you want to have for losses arising from property damage to your dock, pier, wharfs, or boat slips at your waterfront business.

Your needs are unique to your operations, services, and amenities, so it’s important to customize your marina insurance as some of these additional services may require specific insurance coverage.