Thursday was the first time Susie Shortt and Tim Boykin had jammed together, even though they have taught music lessons at the same place for several months.

Shortt and Boykin join Jenica Gillies as music instructors at Gardendale Music, which opened in the Garden Grove Office Park in October.

Shortt gives violin and fiddle lessons; Boykin teaches guitar and bass; and Gillies, the owner of the business, teaches piano.

All three musicians teach students of all ages and skill levels.

Joining them soon will be Sandy Jackson Marks to give voice lessons.

The musicians are very experienced. Boykin does session work, including recording music for commercials. He also plays in several bands.

Shortt also does session work and she travels nationally to play at weddings.

Gillies has taught piano lessons for 12 years. Gardendale Music is a dream come true for her.

“I’ve always wanted a place like this,” she said. “It’s been my goal since college. … It’s very rewarding, seeing kids advance and grow up over the years.” Shortt added that for many adults, learning to play the fiddle is a “bucket list” item that she enjoys seeing people tackle.

The studio is smaller than what Gillies had always envisioned, but she, Shortt and Boykin are happy with the location.

“I just knew it was the right thing. I felt it,” Gillies said about opening the business.

Boykin has taught lessons in other places, such as guitar stores, and said the Gardendale location is ideal.

“There’s no noise or foot traffic, and it’s free of distractions,” he said. “It’s a place of music and learning.”

Shortt also likes the spot, calling it an “intimate area” for her and the others to teach music one-on-one.

In July, Gardendale Music will give summer camps for people of all skill levels. Shortt will give a fiddle camp July 16-27 and Gillies will teach a music theory camp July 2-13.

There will also be a recital on Sept. 30 for all students taking lessons at Gardendale Music.

Looking ahead, Gillies plans to incorporate a project studio, which Boykin said will allow musicians to make multi-track digital recordings.

In addition to giving lessons, Gardendale Music sells music books and gift certificates, and will soon start selling guitar picks and strings. The business also rents violins to students who are not ready to purchase an instrument.

Gillies said the business, has been well-received in Gardendale, adding that one resident even donated a copying machine.

She said the business would gladly accept other donations such as used guitars or keyboards, music stands, guitar picks, computers or other equipment.

Gardendale Music is a member of the Greater Gardendale Chamber of Commerce. It is located at 2603 Decatur Hwy., Suite 204 (near Latta Plumbing).

To learn more, call 914-7175, email to info@gardendalemusic.com, visit gardendalemusic.com or on Facebook.