The Music Collective: Westport’s Newest Gig

In 2022, Elisa Gabriele heard about The Gig Center. She’d always sung; the opportunity to join an adult band seemed intriguing.

It took her a year to summon the nerve to email the Post Road East business, which in addition to forming groups also offered lessons and instrument rentals.

Summoning the courage, Elisa took voice with Steve Sasloe. She joined a Tuesday night classic rock band, and a weekend country-ish one.

Today, she owns the place.

Literally.

This summer Gabriele — a Westporter since 2005 — bought The Gig Center. Renamed The Music Collective, it’s keeping alive the chance for kids and adults to play and sing with bands.

And it keeps the laid-back vibe that attracts musicians — experienced and aspiring — of all ages.

Gabriele had no experience running a business. A Vanderbilt University business school graduate who worked in marketing for L’Oréal, she had stepped away to raise her daughters.

She was very involved with their PTAs, and ran the Westport Softball program. But when her oldest headed off to college, Gabriele had a bit of time for herself.

The Gig Center looked intriguing. Still, taking the step from voice lessons to the stage was daunting.

Once she began singing though, Gabriele realized: “People like me!”

She was hooked.

Elise Gabriele with her Tuesday night band. From left: Rick Solazzo, Chris Cass, Seamus Monschein, Barry Urich, Steve Sasloe.

Fronting a band “is nothing like the other parts of my life,” she notes. “I’m not doing laundry or cooking. This is completely for me.”

That appeals to many adult performers. Some are retired. Others have young kids. One is a massage therapist. All are looking for a creative outlet.

So when the Gig Center’s owners were ready to move on, Gabriele was determined not to let it close.

Ready to rock.

She knew nothing about taking over a business. But she found a lawyer, Doug LoMonte at Berchem Moses. He recommended a CPA.

She ran the numbers. They worked. She was on her way.

Gabriele changed the name to The Music Collective, to better reflect that there’s more there than just playing, like instrument rentals and repairs.

Sasloe — who had created The Gig Center out of the Westport Music Center, a longtime hub for lessons, rentals and repairs, musical books and accessories — and fellow instructors Chris Cass, Josh Auchterlonie, Mike Gurge, Glenn Mariconda and Drew Willmott are still there.

Steve Sasloe (left) and Josh Auchterlonie.

July was a good time to take over. Summer is the slow season. She spruced up the space — the former Kidville store, opposite the new Delamar Westport hotel — and eased into ownership.

An open house earlier this month introduced The Music Collective to youngsters ages 6 to 18 (and their parents).

Gabriele looks forward to reinvigorating the youth program — and perhaps offering something for the under-6 crowd too.

Steve Sasloe teaches piano.

The Music Collective is similar to School of Rock, but with a different model.

“They’re all about performance,” Gabriele explains. “We offer lessons, and you don’t have to be in a band. But if you are in one, you decide here what the music will be. It’s a very social experience.”

With lessons on everything from piano, guitar and drums to brass, banjo and voice — and no experience needed, “just desire” — The Music Collective rocks.

(The Music Collective is at 1572 Post Road East. Click here for the Facebook page; click here for the Instagram.)

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