City Music LLC is a locally-owned family partnership originally started by Marc Rines and Nancy Karuzis. It is now owned by Marc Rines and his son, Stephen.
Marc is a long-time local musician who’s been composing and performing since he was 18. Marc had worked for the local music store, Acton Music Center, where he gained experience running and maintaining music programs and product lines. After working more than 20 years in the music business, and with much support, Marc launched his own company, City Music, in 2003. The first location for the store was in Gardner, MA which proved to be quite successful. In 2006 a second location was opened in Leominster, MA with a hands-on approach and a real knowledge of what both up-and-coming and working musicians need.
Stephen Rines is a graduate of UMASS Amherst with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business. Prior to college, Stephen attended Parker Charter School on Devens where his Senior Project was to create an online business. Ten years later, working with Marc, it has become quite a robust online presence for City Music shipping over 100 musical products a day all over the world. Stephen has also developed a strong presence with City Music Annex on eBay, Reverb and Amazon. Stephen was also nominated and sent to Las Vegas, CA as part of the Best of eBay competition in 2017.
The goal from square one has always been to make City Music your local music store. We wrestle the vendors to get you the best pricing, and keep an eye on our internet competition. Our lesson studios host many of the areas most talented and credentialed performing musicians, teaching a variety of instruments and styles. We host several events and recitals each year, giving growing musicians an opportunity to demonstrate their work.
We are grateful to the ongoing support of our Gardner and Leominster communities, and we have strived to return that support by contributing to the music programs of the local schools. Since 2005, we have been hosting the FutureStars Showcases, giving teen musicians an opportunity to perform for family and friends at a concert venue. The proceeds from these events – more than $25,400 as of 2019 – have been donated to the Leominster and Gardner public school music programs. And we are proud to say that some of the young musicians that first played on our FutureStars stage have become professional performers; Jack Babineau, Jordan Racine, and Crashdown among others.
We thank you for the opportunity to become YOUR local music store.
Marc & Stephen Rines