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Middle C strikes a chord with Tenleytown

Sales Associate Elizabeth Ennis says the store’s pet, Mozart, is a favorite among children. Photos by Danielle Nahabedian

WASHINGTON — “If they want to be a rock star, we have someone who does that,” Elizabeth Ennis says of the clientele of Middle C Music Corporation.

Nestled in the heart of Tenleytown and tucked behind a patch of trees lies Middle C, owned and operated by Myrna Sislen and a cast of friendly characters.

Among these is aspiring costume designer and American University alum Elizabeth Ennis. A sales associate of almost five years, Ennis shared the impact this store has on the community and beyond. Middle C is a thriving, independently owned business that capitalizes on its convenient location in Tenleytown and the exclusivity of their trade, she said. 

The store hosts music lessons run by a variety of teachers who appeal to aspiring musicians from 3 to 80. Ennis estimates that about 40 percent of the students are adults, who study a myriad of instruments ranging from piano and guitar to the harmonica and the ukulele. Beyond the appeal of lessons, the store allows local musicians to sell their work and offers special discounts to piano teachers.

This store has proved itself essential to the community.

“Myrna always says, ‘We wouldn’t be here if the community didn’t want us to be here,’” Ennis said.

This especially rang true when a local Best Buy wanted to have a music section, which could potentially put Middle C out of business. The community rallied around Middle C to maintain their musical presence in the area. “The community fought to protect the store,” Ennis said. Consequently, Best Buy does not carry music in its store in Tenleytown.

Middle C also has made its mark outside the United States through its work with the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay. In this culturally and economically deprived country, this organization creates instruments out of trash and provides them to underprivileged children. Middle C donated 40 factory-made instruments to the program to allow the children the opportunity to work with professional-grade instruments. The orchestra recently visited Tenleytown and attended a reception held by the store.

The Top 100 Award is displayed proudly near the register.

Middle C was recently named one of the Top 100 music stores by the National Association of Music Merchants. The shop received an award for its special event with the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay. The award is displayed proudly near the register of the store.

The store even has its own mascot, a cockapoodle named Mozart, who is popular with all the children. Ennis said, “It’s more than just a store.”

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Steel and String: dynamic duo at the market

steel and string
MJ Lee and Kevin Kihara take a break after a morning of performing at the Berkeley Farmers’ Market.

Typically customers at a farmers’ market are grasping for their favorite organic produce. The fruits and vegetables excite the sense of smell and sight, but rarely does anything at the market capture the sense of sound like the musical duo of Steel and String. The unique, shield-like instrument and melodic violin create a harmonious blend of sound.

The combination of the rare Hang instrument and classical violin contribute to the couple’s distinct musical style. Comprised of Kevin Kihara and MJ Lee, Steel and String has been together since Spring 2014 and have been performing as street entertainers at the Berkeley Farmers’ Market for three weeks.

Hang instrumentalist and vocalist Kihara has been playing the unusual instrument for one and a half years. He describes the instrument as the “evolution of the steel drum.” It was invented by Swiss company PanArt in 2001 and 100 to 200 were produced annually. Today, however, production has ceased, which contributes to the Hang’s rarity.

Singer-songwriter and violinist Lee has been playing been playing violin since she was 4 years old. She plays both independently and collaboratively with other artists in the San Francisco area, according to her website,

Referring to the creation of Steel and String, Lee said, “I saw him playing and was impressed with his skills an musicality, so I asked him whether he might be open to playing with a violinist. The rest is history!”

Lee describes the duo’s style as a type of “free-flowing improvisation.” This makes every performance special to those who view their performances. She emphasizes that it is “quality over quantity in terms of audience.” Although massive crowds may not form, to hear feedback from those who do view the duo’s performances makes performing so rewarding for the pair. They are looking to expand their venues where they can play to include schools, restaurants, outdoor festivals and others.

Lee said, “This is a new and exciting venture for us both, and we’re excited to see where it goes!”