The little sign in the window at 158 West Pioneer Ave., Suite F, advertises “socks, books, music.” That diverse offering sums up what you can expect when you step inside Lindianne’s Music Garden.
There is, indeed, music, with Lindianne Sarno offering instruction in fiddle, guitar, piano, mandolin, classical composition, popular songwriting and music theory. On a recent rainy Saturday afternoon, with the moving-in process still underway, Sarno took out her guitar and began playing as she talked, filling the room with a warmly inviting come-on-in atmosphere.
In addition to Sarno’s teaching, Marjo Cardon offers bass guitar and Winto offers lessons on woodwinds.
Sarno’s students reflect the Music Garden’s diversity. Since arriving in Homer from Tucson, Ariz., in 2010, Sarno’s roster has grown to 20 students. They come with all interests, abilities and ages, with the oldest somewhere in the 70s and the youngest a 6-year-old.
“I like starting beginners correctly with scales, arpeggios and chords,” said Sarno of her approach.
“Music Garden students wind up reading music and playing by ear,” said Sarno.
Aiming for what she calls “bardic competency,” Sarno said her advanced students “make their audience laugh, make their audience cry and put their audience to sleep.”
“I like creating shows that have purpose and meaning,” she said. “I like to encourage students to perform as soon as they’re able.”
A student recital will be held at Bunnell Street Arts Center at 2 p.m. Nov. 17.
“The public is invited,” said Sarno.
Projects on the Music Garden’s list include composing a chamber music score for readings of Bumppo Bremicker’s new book, “Everlasting and the Great River — Adventures of an Alaskan Dene Girl,” orchestrating “Arctic Child Suite” and composing a musical, “Lost Child and the Medicine People.”
On the shelves behind Sarno’s desk are completed projects that are available for purchase. They include the 463-page “Greensleeves — an Historical Novel of the First Irish Diaspora” and three CDs: “Variations on Greensleeves and Nine Original Songs for Folk Piano,” recorded by Sarno in Tucson, Ariz.; “American Man — Freedom Songs From the Peace Line,” recorded at LoveLifeMusic Production in Homer; and “Lindianne At the Piano — Arctic Child Suite,” also recorded at LoveLifeMusic Studios.
“Arctic Child Suite” was composed for “Arctic Sun,” a video documentary created by Jean Aspen and Tom Irons that focuses on the 15 months they spent in the Alaska wilderness with their son, Lucas. Following Lucas’ death in 2012, Aspen and Irons remade the documentary as a memorial to Lucas, and asked Sarno to compose additional music for the score.
As the sign in the front window indicates, however, there is more than music in Lindianne’s Music Garden. She also provides a point of contact for the newly organized nonprofit Homer Area Trails, as well as Truth, Justice and Reconciliation and the Kachemak Bay Wooden Boat Society.
Sarno speaks enthusiastically and knowledgeably on each of those three areas of interest. She is passionate about developing trails on the southern peninsula. Referring to Truth, Justice and Reconciliation’s “Freedom Files,” Sarno describes the healing that occurs when someone is able to talk about abusive treatment by law enforcement and the legal system.
When it comes to the Kachemak Bay Wooden Boat Society, Sarno’s comments focus on the group’s education component.
The Wooden Boat Society’s theme for the coming year is “Build Your Own Boat.” Using 158 W. Pioneer as its base, the society’s boat builders will offer boat-building and paddle-carving workshops and classes through the winter, with an emphasis on teaching the skills to Homer youth.
“Currently we are compiling small boat designs from our roster of boat-builders,” said Sarno.
And when it comes to books available at Lindianne’s Music Garden, in addition “Greensleeves,” Sarno also has copies of Bremicker’s recently published “Everlasting and The Great River.”
True to the sign in the window, Sarno’s handknit socks also are for sale.
“Public service” is how Sarno sums up her broad perspective. It is an emphasis illustrated by her teaching philosophy.
“I take a view of the whole human being and teach to the whole human being,” said Sarno.
“I’m not there to shape. I’m there to help them be as perfect as it’s possible for them to be.”
McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibben.jackinsky@homernews.com.
Lindianne’s Music Garden
Owner:
Lindianne Sarno
Address:
158 W. Pioneer Ave., Suite F
Phone:
235-2628 (BOAT)
Hours:
1-6 p.m.
More info: In addition to music lessons, this small office provides a contact point for Homer Area Trails; Truth, Justice and Reconciliation; and the Kachemak Bay Wooden Boat Society. Oh, and you can get some of Lindianne’s handknit socks, too.
Info for Lindianne Sarno at lindianne.com
Info for Kachemak Bay Wooden Boat Society at kbwbs.org
Photo by McKibben Jackinsky, Homer News
