ROCKLAND — Midcoast Music Academy recently received a $50,000 Community Development Block Grant, and with it, Tom Ulichny, founder of the Academy, plans to double the size of his facility, create an ensemble room with a small stage, add more instructors, add more lesson options, and bring some of his programs from their satellite locations back to the office.

At the heart of it all is the love for music, and the human connections it fosters.

Three and a half years ago, Ulichny started a business teaching music by himself in a space above E.C. Moran Insurance Company with one student.

Today he directs six instructors, 90 students, and maintains a list of 20 to 30 people, ages four to retiree, awaiting admittance to his music school.

As quickly as Ulichny’s business outgrew the first two-section room above the insurance company, it also outgrew its current suite next to the Park Street Grille on Main Street in Rockland.

MCMA has been in this current suite since June 2014. Ulichny sound-proofed the three lesson rooms for the benefit of the chiropractic office on the adjacent wall, and opened to a community of music lovers.

As Ulichny sat in the waiting area of the Academy, decorated tastefully with musical instruments, he described his joy of seeing strangers become friends as a result of a shared interest.

“It’s really kind of amazing to see folks coming in, and they’re chatting, and now they’ve met each other, and now their kids are playing together.... It’s fun to watch friendships develop. That’s a big part of what music does. It breaks down barriers, and lets people connect,” Ulichny said.

About a year ago, former Rockland Economic and Community Director John Holden mentioned the grant option and conveyed that MCMA was great candidate.

Ulichny said Holden saw the Academy as community-oriented while providing what Ulichny describes as an “outstanding music education.” Still, the two agreed that the school, though full of potential, was not highly profitable, and needed a way to become more sustainable.

With the security of the grant money, Ulichny has negotiated the lease for the suite’s expansion within the same building. Everything else, including awaiting word from the economic oversight committee and securing equipment, is still in the planning stage. Ulichny hopes to start the remodel in November and use the new space by the end of the year.

While all that is going on, the school will continue with its pilot music program offering an off-site, after-school rock and pop ensemble for the students of RSU 13. 

The Academy has scheduled an open-mic night for its middle school instrument and voice students, Oct. 16, 6 - 8 p.m., at Rock City Coffee.

And, as usual, the Academy will continue with its recitals, workshops, master classes, and camps.