{"id":2049272,"date":"2025-09-25T14:25:31","date_gmt":"2025-09-25T14:25:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2049272"},"modified":"2025-09-25T14:25:31","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T14:25:31","slug":"the-music-collective-westports-newest-gig","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/the-music-collective-westports-newest-gig\/","title":{"rendered":"The Music Collective: Westport\u2019s Newest Gig"},"content":{"rendered":"

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In 2022, Elisa Gabriele heard about The Gig Center<\/a>. She\u2019d always sung; the opportunity to join an adult band seemed intriguing.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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

Today, she owns the place.<\/p>\n

Literally.<\/p>\n

This summer Gabriele \u2014 a Westporter since 2005 \u2014 bought The Gig Center. Renamed The Music Collective, it\u2019s keeping alive the chance for kids and adults to play and sing with bands.<\/p>\n

And it keeps the laid-back vibe that attracts musicians \u2014 experienced and aspiring \u2014 of all ages.<\/p>\n

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Gabriele had no experience running a business. A Vanderbilt University business school graduate who worked in marketing for L\u2019Or\u00e9al, she had stepped away to raise her daughters.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The Gig Center looked intriguing. Still, taking the step from voice lessons to the stage was daunting.<\/p>\n

Once she began singing though, Gabriele realized: \u201cPeople like me!\u201d<\/p>\n

She was hooked.<\/p>\n

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Elise Gabriele with her Tuesday night band. From left: Rick Solazzo, Chris Cass, Seamus Monschein, Barry Urich, Steve Sasloe.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fronting a band \u201cis nothing like the other parts of my life,\u201d she notes. \u201cI\u2019m not doing laundry or cooking. This is completely for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

So when the Gig Center\u2019s owners were ready to move on, Gabriele was determined not to let it close.<\/p>\n

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Ready to rock.<\/strong><\/p>\n

She knew nothing about taking over a business. But she found a lawyer, Doug LoMonte at Berchem Moses. He recommended a CPA.<\/p>\n

She ran the numbers. They worked. She was on her way.<\/p>\n

Gabriele changed the name to The Music Collective, to better reflect that there\u2019s more there than just playing, like instrument<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>rentals and repairs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sasloe \u2014 who had created The Gig Center out of the Westport Music Center, a longtime hub for lessons, rentals and repairs, musical books and accessories \u2014 and fellow instructors Chris Cass, Josh Auchterlonie, Mike Gurge, Glenn Mariconda and Drew Willmott are still there.<\/p>\n

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Steve Sasloe (left) and Josh Auchterlonie.<\/strong><\/p>\n

July was a good time to take over. Summer is the slow season. She spruced up the space \u2014 the former Kidville store, opposite the new Delamar Westport hotel \u2014 and eased into ownership.<\/p>\n

An open house earlier this month introduced The Music Collective to youngsters ages 6 to 18 (and their parents).<\/p>\n

Gabriele looks forward to reinvigorating the youth program \u2014 and perhaps offering something for the under-6 crowd too.<\/p>\n

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Steve Sasloe teaches piano.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Music Collective is similar to School of Rock, but with a different model.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re all about performance,\u201d Gabriele explains. \u201cWe offer lessons, and you don\u2019t have to be in a band. But if you are in one, you decide here what the music will be. It\u2019s a very social experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

With lessons on everything from piano, guitar and drums to brass, banjo and voice \u2014 and no experience needed, \u201cjust desire\u201d \u2014 The Music Collective rocks.<\/p>\n

(The Music Collective is at 1572 Post Road East. Click here for the Facebook page<\/a>; click here for the Instagram<\/a>.)<\/em><\/p>\n

(\u201c06880\u201d regularly covers businesses \u2014 new and old \u2014 in Westport. If you enjoy learning about them \u2014 or anything else going on in town \u2014 please click here to support our work<\/a>. Thank you!)<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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