The importance of music in daily life is clear when talking with Maggie Prisco, co-owner of Saratoga Mystique.
The business owner and her husband Mike opened Saratoga Mystique on Broadway over the summer and just found a place to open a second shop in Wilton Mall that will offer a full line of orchestral instruments and music and voice lessons. A temporary location was established last week and they will move into a permanent location when the space becomes available in the next month.
To Maggie, opening the store was the culmination of a plan to not only do what she and her husband love to do, but also to promote and enrich the arts in people's lives.
"Music programs are being cut left and right which makes it so important to make sure we can give people access to affordable pianos and lessons," she said. "We have large quantities and styles of pianos for every budget. Anyone should be able to afford a piano; it should be a blessing, not a burden."
Maggie and Mike have always worked with their hands, previously restoring old houses, yachts and other works made of wood before Mike learned how to rebuild, refurbish and restore pianos, most notably Mason and Hamlin pianos, by being mentored by Angelo Andino, a master piano rebuilder who rebuilt the grand piano in The White House.
"He taught me as much as he knew about the craft. Working under the hands of a master I was taught all the secrets of the Mason and Hamlin pianos - I know all there is to know and today I am one of just a handful of factory authorized dealers in the country," Mike said.
Saratoga Mystique offers full service on any piano; rebuilding, refinishing, refurbishing, renting, tuning and more. The work that is done on a piano is always recorded and the owners of the piano have the option to watch Mike at work on their instrument through alive video feed streaming on the Internet.
The Priscos even rent out their facility for recitals and banquets and host larger events next door at the Saratoga Springs City Center.
Maggie received her Bachelor of Science degree in psychology with a minor in voice and is currently working on a master's degree in music therapy.
"I have a passion for pianos; they are so beneficial - for youth especially - but for everyone. The music brings joy, reduces stress and anxiety and even certain keys affect us in different ways. Stroke victims can re-learn to walk by listening to waltzes and songs can help trigger memories in Alzheimer's patients. Music, especially from the piano, aid in every field emotionally, psychologically and behaviorally," Maggie said. She added that she loves working with children and has started a scholarship program through the store that will give a scholarship toward college to students who many not be majoring in a music field but have a passion for playing an instrument or singing.
"We celebrate the arts and want to make sure they keep going. We encourage the students to keep music in their lives because it is just so important," she said.
Saratoga Mystique offers lessons to people of all ages in beginner or intermediate stages. For parents who are thinking of having their child take lessons, age four is the optimal age to get them started, Maggie said.
Saratoga Mistique is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and are always open by appointment. For more information about the services that Saratoga Mystique provides, visit http://saratogamystique.com or call (518) 701-0308 or (518) 210-4505.
To Maggie, opening the store was the culmination of a plan to not only do what she and her husband love to do, but also to promote and enrich the arts in people's lives.
"Music programs are being cut left and right which makes it so important to make sure we can give people access to affordable pianos and lessons," she said. "We have large quantities and styles of pianos for every budget. Anyone should be able to afford a piano; it should be a blessing, not a burden."
Maggie and Mike have always worked with their hands, previously restoring old houses, yachts and other works made of wood before Mike learned how to rebuild, refurbish and restore pianos, most notably Mason and Hamlin pianos, by being mentored by Angelo Andino, a master piano rebuilder who rebuilt the grand piano in The White House.
"He taught me as much as he knew about the craft. Working under the hands of a master I was taught all the secrets of the Mason and Hamlin pianos - I know all there is to know and today I am one of just a handful of factory authorized dealers in the country," Mike said.
Saratoga Mystique offers full service on any piano; rebuilding, refinishing, refurbishing, renting, tuning and more. The work that is done on a piano is always recorded and the owners of the piano have the option to watch Mike at work on their instrument through alive video feed streaming on the Internet.
The Priscos even rent out their facility for recitals and banquets and host larger events next door at the Saratoga Springs City Center.
Maggie received her Bachelor of Science degree in psychology with a minor in voice and is currently working on a master's degree in music therapy.
"I have a passion for pianos; they are so beneficial - for youth especially - but for everyone. The music brings joy, reduces stress and anxiety and even certain keys affect us in different ways. Stroke victims can re-learn to walk by listening to waltzes and songs can help trigger memories in Alzheimer's patients. Music, especially from the piano, aid in every field emotionally, psychologically and behaviorally," Maggie said. She added that she loves working with children and has started a scholarship program through the store that will give a scholarship toward college to students who many not be majoring in a music field but have a passion for playing an instrument or singing.
"We celebrate the arts and want to make sure they keep going. We encourage the students to keep music in their lives because it is just so important," she said.
Saratoga Mystique offers lessons to people of all ages in beginner or intermediate stages. For parents who are thinking of having their child take lessons, age four is the optimal age to get them started, Maggie said.
Saratoga Mistique is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and are always open by appointment. For more information about the services that Saratoga Mystique provides, visit http://saratogamystique.com or call (518) 701-0308 or (518) 210-4505.
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