Sound Hall Studios 'music hub' to open in Henrico in June

Sound Hall Studios, a first-of-its-kind community music hub designed to serve musicians of all ages and skill levels, will open June 29 in Henrico's West End.

The studios, to be located at 2821 North Parham Road, Suite 204 (across from Tucker High School), aim to offer Central Virginia’s music community an integrated, professional music space where amateur and aspiring musicians can rehearse, practice, take and give music lessons, record, attend masterclasses, and perform.

The studios are the vision of co-founder, CEO and President Shannon Loy, who said she developed the concept more than four years ago and has been refining it since. Loy said she observed a gap in the Metro Richmond market between those in the music community and the professional resources they needed. She is a lifelong musician who formerly served as the public relations director for The Tin Pan in the West End, then later in other public relations roles.

“As a musician and music industry professional, I’ve watched access to music slowly diminish — from cuts in school programs to fewer places where musicians can gather, collaborate, and grow,” Loy said. “Music should never feel out of reach, yet for many people, even having a space to play is a challenge. At its core, music is about expression and connection, and we need spaces that allow people to fully experience that — to create, to belong, and to simply be themselves.”

Joining Loy as co-founder is Chris Davis, who will serve as the studios' COO and vice president. Davis also is a music industry veteran, with more than 26 years of experience spanning music education, retail, and business consulting. A graduate of Longwood University with a degree in music education, Davis began his career as a middle and high school band director in North Carolina before spending two decades making a significant impact at Music & Arts and Washington Music Center, where he served as an educational representative and manager.

A focus on amateur musicians

Sound Hall Studios will be built in large part to serve amateur musicians in Central Virginia who are looking to get involved in music or expand their opportunities within the music space, according to its founders.

The facility will feature 10 acoustically treated rehearsal and teaching studios available for hourly rental, a professional recording studio, and The Hall — an intimate multi-purpose space that serves as a co-working lounge, creative hub, and performance space seating approximately 75 guests.

Through Sound Hall’s programming, members and the public will have access to masterclasses and meet-and-greet events featuring professional musicians from across the country, as well as opportunities to perform in a supportive, intimate setting.

Sound Hall Studios will be open to the general public through walk-in access or by membership.

Membership tiers (which will begin at $29 per month) are designed to give musicians of every budget a professional home, according to Loy and Davis — offering discounted room rental rates, priority booking through the member portal, access to member-only programming, and a community of like-minded musicians.

High school and college students will have the opportunity to save on their memberships with a valid student ID.

Founders bring extensive music industry experience

Loy is a 1998 Towson University graduate with a bachelor of science in music education. A classically trained clarinetist and jazz saxophonist, she studied with renowned woodwind professional and Selmer Company clinician Chris Vadala while still in high school.

She has performed throughout her life across a range of musical settings — most recently as a tenor saxophonist with the Richmond Pops Band from 2017 to 2020 – and also served as a middle school band director, private lesson instructor and ticketing professional for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.

Loy also spent a number of ears as a school services representative and retail manager for Music & Arts — the nation's largest band and orchestra instrument dealer.

Davis is the founder of First Note Music Consulting, a firm dedicated to helping music retailers strengthen their sales teams and grow revenue — bridging the gap between the business of music retail and the educators and communities those businesses serve. He also represents Germantown Violin Company.

“I’ve spent my career helping music businesses grow, but Sound Hall Studios is the most meaningful project I’ve ever been part of,” Davis said. “We’re not just opening a studio — we’re building the kind of resource Central Virginia musicians have needed for a long time. The response we’ve already received tells me the community has been waiting for this.”

Sound Hall Studios will operate Monday through Friday from noon to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. A grand opening celebration is planned for Saturday, July 18.

For details, visit www.soundhallstudios.com, e-mail info@soundhallstudios.com or call (804) 629-3678.