S HINE A LI GHT
HITTING A HIGH NOTE IN THE HEART OF D.C. By Michelle Loeb
When Lindy Campbell opened Music on the Hill in July 2013, she had no business training or experience, and no idea how valuable her store would become to the music community of Washington, D.C. Campbell had studied music education and classical percussion, and previously worked at Middle C Music as a sales associate and as a teacher, doing both private drum classes as well as developing a curriculum for early childhood education. Based on that background and experience, Campbell originally conceived of Music on the Hill as a private lesson business, originally located in a second-floor walkup. The space consisted of four rooms for lessons and a waiting room. “The retail footprint consisted of sheet music and accessories designed to support a lesson program, but we had immediate and strong demand for more retail,” explained Cambpell. “People wanted to buy ukuleles and guitars and rent band and orchestra instruments right away.” Quickly finding that her modest space lacked the size, accessibility and signage necessary for proper retail, Campbell found a centrally located, two-story former townhouse that became Music on the Hill’s new home in November 2015. “It featured a beautifully designed front room with an exposed brick wall, which we hang our
Music on the Hill 801 D St. NE Washington, D.C., 20002 (202) 733-3158 www.musiconthehilldc.com Mon. – noon – 6 p.m. Sun., noon – 4 p.m. Lindy Campbell, Owner
Lindy Campbell with “Uke-n-More” students.
Lindy Campbell
36
One of Music on the Hill’s guitar teachers jamming.
An outdoor “Uke-n-More” lesson with COVID-19 safety precautions.
Owen Campbell receives a pedal demonstration from a Music on the Hill employee back in 2018.
MAY 2021
