Meet the Owner: Calverton Woman Lives Musical Dream

Debbie Biglin of Calverton was not always a small business owner: she spent years as a substitute music teacher in a public school district. But she has always been musically inclined, she said. She can recall listening to her grandmother, professional violinist Edith Rain, from a very young age, and she began her musical training at age 10 learning how to play the violin.

"My very first memory, I remember being propped up on the couch and hearing the violin. It was kind of beautiful," she said.

In 1986, Biglin and friend Jim Tooher bought a long-standing business then called Heywood's Music in East Setauket, and re-introduced it to the community as Three Village Music Shoppe.

Surviving through rough spots when the economy dips or the competition rises, the business is now entering its 27th year. The biggest change, they said, has been the internet. But Biglin said the competition can't always compete. "I think that people still long for the personal attention that we give here," she said.

While people do like to hold musical instruments in their hands before making a purchase, that's not what is hurting the business the most. "Sheet music and books, even though they have to pay shipping on them, that’s the biggest end of it," Tooher said.

That's where the other parts of their business come in: In addition to selling instruments and sheet music, Three Village Music Shoppe also offers music lessons and instrument repairs. The 2,700-square-foot store features four music studios and a full repair shop in addition to the retail space. The shop employs eight part-time music teachers who offer lessons in vocal technique and nearly every instrument commonly found in orchestras and bands; about 60 to 80 students take lessons there each week. Their business to a degree relies on the local school districts' music programs: the store rents approximately 600 instruments per year and sells the sheet music that students and teachers often use in the classrooms.

Biglin teaches piano, violin and voice lessons, and also places orders for sheet music.

"I do love what I do...it's well worth it," she said, adding that the business has developed friendships over the years with both the teachers at the studio and the folks who come in as regular customers. "You can’t really say in a lot of jobs that you have friends at work, but I do have friends among the teachers that teach here and among the teachers that come in to buy their music."

Tooher and Biglin said they feel fortunate to be able to have a business with such longevity.

"When you start a business you never know what’s going to happen," Tooher said. "Twenty-seven years later, it’s been a very enjoyable, rewarding experience."

For students who are just learning, Biglin offered some advice based on her own experience.

"Listen to your teacher," she said. "Always believe that you can learn something new. And practice a lot."