A new music school is opening just minutes from Horizon West, but for founder Jeff Hanson, Musicology Winter Garden is about much more than teaching kids how to play an instrument.
After decades in the music industry, including discovering and managing multi-platinum rock band Creed and working in artist development with artists including Paramore, Sevendust and Alter Bridge, Hanson is bringing that experience home to Winter Garden.
On September 1, 2026, Hanson will officially open Musicology Winter Garden, a contemporary music school and after-school community designed to give kids and teens a place to learn music, build confidence and find their people.
And in many ways, Hanson is creating the kind of place he wishes he had growing up.
“I kept thinking about what I would have wanted when I was a kid,” Hanson said. “A place where you could learn your instrument, find your people, build confidence and experience what making music with other people actually feels like. That place didn’t exist for me. Musicology is our opportunity to build it.”
From Discovering Creed to Developing the Next Generation
Hanson’s path to opening a neighborhood music school is anything but traditional.
His career began as a DJ, concert promoter and venue owner in Tallahassee. In 1997, he discovered Creed performing at his venue, Floyd’s Music Store, and went on to manage the band. His career would eventually include decades of experience in artist management and development, working in the world surrounding artists including Paramore, Sevendust and Alter Bridge.
He also founded Orlando-based independent record label and artist-development company Silent Majority Group in 2006.
Through it all, Hanson had a front-row seat to what it takes for a musician to grow. Talent matters, but so do confidence, mentorship, discipline, collaboration and having the right people around you.
Those lessons are now becoming the foundation of Musicology.
“Music has an incredible ability to build confidence,” Hanson said. “A kid learns something they couldn’t do yesterday. Then they play with somebody else. Eventually, maybe they get on a stage. Those experiences become much bigger than simply learning an instrument.”
For Hanson, the goal isn’t to create the next generation of professional musicians. It’s to give young people a place where music can help them discover what they’re capable of.
More Than an After-School Music Lesson
For local families, Musicology is being designed to fill a space between a traditional music lesson and a full after-school community.
Students of different ages and experience levels will be able to explore:
- Guitar and bass
- Drums
- Piano
- Voice
- Violin
- Brass and woodwinds
- DJing
- Songwriting
- Recording
- Music production
- Bands and live performance
But learning the technical side of music is only part of the vision.
Hanson wants Musicology to be somewhere students are excited to spend time after school, surrounded by instructors, mentors and other kids who share their interests.
For one student, success might mean playing their first song. For another, it could be performing in front of an audience, joining a band or writing an original song.
And for the student who dreams of someday working professionally in music, Musicology offers something especially unique: access to people who have actually worked inside the industry.
Bringing the Real Music Industry Into the Classroom
Hanson’s experience also allows Musicology to introduce students to the much larger world that exists around music.
Beyond performing, students can gain exposure to songwriting, recording, producing, DJing and the business of music, as well as careers behind the scenes including management, engineering, videography and other creative roles.
Hanson is also drawing on his relationships throughout the industry to create additional experiences for students, with plans for guest speakers, artist appearances, studio visits, music-related field trips, workshops and mentorship opportunities.
The goal is to let students see that there isn’t just one path in music.
Musicology’s team brings its own impressive industry history, too. Jay Stanley, a part owner of the school who is expected to teach guitar, was a guitarist in Orlando band Tabitha’s Secret, which included Rob Thomas, Brian Yale and Paul Doucette before the three went on to form Matchbox Twenty. Stanley is also credited as a songwriter on “3AM.”
The school has also recruited longtime vocal coach Mark Goff and plans to incorporate instructional programs developed by guitarist and music educator Troy Stetina and drummer Carmine Appice.
A Place to Build Confidence and Find Community
Despite the music-industry connections, Hanson keeps coming back to a much simpler purpose: creating a place where kids feel like they belong.
Musicology is intended to be a positive, trusted after-school environment where students can develop skills that extend far beyond music.
Confidence. Creativity. Discipline. Teamwork. Friendship.
Music becomes the vehicle for all of it.
“Not every kid who walks through our doors is going to pursue music professionally, and that’s not the point,” Hanson said. “If they leave here more confident, with great memories, new friends and a love for music, we’ve done something meaningful.”
For parents, Hanson wants Musicology to become somewhere they feel comfortable sending their children after school.
For students, he wants it to become somewhere they can’t wait to return to.
Musicology Isn’t Just for Kids
While young musicians and after-school programming are a major focus, Musicology is also being created for adults.
Hanson said interest has already come from adults and retirees looking for a place to practice, improve their skills, connect with other musicians and potentially perform locally.
The school also plans to provide opportunities for musicians and bands to rehearse and develop their work.
That broader vision could make Musicology more than a school. It could become a new hub for the local music community in Winter Garden and Horizon West.
It All Starts in Winter Garden
Musicology’s first location will open at 15504 Stoneybrook West Parkway, Suite 130 in Winter Garden, serving families throughout Winter Garden, Horizon West, Windermere and surrounding Central Florida communities.
For Hanson, opening the doors represents an opportunity to take everything he learned during decades in the professional music business and put it toward the next generation.
“Whether someone’s goal is playing their first song, finding friends who love music, earning a scholarship or someday touring the world, there should be a place that helps them take that journey seriously,” Hanson said. “That’s what we want Musicology to become.”
Get a First Look at Musicology
Before lessons and fall programs officially begin, families can experience Musicology during a three-day Open House from August 28–30.
The weekend will give parents and students the opportunity to tour the new school, meet Hanson and the Musicology team, explore instruments and programs, enjoy live music and learn more about the after-school options available.
The Open House is also expected to include live performances, artist appearances and opportunities to win a guitar, drums and free music lessons.
Families will also be able to reserve preferred lesson and program times for the fall schedule.
Musicology Winter Garden Open House
August 28–30, 2026
2–9 p.m.
Official Opening: September 1, 2026
Location:
15504 Stoneybrook West Parkway, Suite 130
Winter Garden, FL 34787
Phone: 407-347-5160
For Horizon West families with aspiring singers, drummers, guitarists, producers, or kids who simply haven’t found their creative outlet yet, Musicology is bringing something new close to home: a place to learn music, build confidence and find community.
Visit MusicologyOrlando.com to learn more about programs and reserve a preferred lesson time.
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