Longtime Hollister School District instructor to open Mr. O’s
Academy of the Arts
Longtime Hollister School District instructor to open Mr. O’s Academy of the Arts
When Joe Ostenson started teaching at the Hollister School District more than 46 years ago, he had planned all along to open his own music store, a place to buy instruments and other accessories, once he retired.
That retirement as a music instructor for the local schools – where he rose to iconic status with so many connections and so much mentoring over the years – happened in 2010.
Of course, times are a lot different than they were in the 1960s.
“The music store business being what it is today, all those instruments can be purchased on the Internet and stuff,” said Ostenson, known by most students and colleagues as “Mr. O.”
For someone looking for a retirement gig, though, it doesn’t hurt to have an alternative based on 45 years of experience. After more than a year of planning and construction work, Ostenson and wife Frances are opening Mr. O’s Academy of the Arts – a business focused on music lessons and other arts offerings – next week. He has recruited 10 local instructors who will help with the endeavor and teach the traditional band instruments.
As he recently walked through the completed renovations to the downtown site, he noted how the varying rooms tend to get larger as you move to the back of the building, which includes a recording studio and larger performance area. Ostenson praised the many people who assisted them in getting the business open – for which there is a grand opening and ribbon cutting scheduled at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, with the first day of lessons Monday.
He pointed to several people in particular – such as David Huboi, Mino Valdez, Chris Nolan, Ray Pierce and the Hoyle family that owns the building – as being crucial in the project.
He even previously taught music to the Hoyle family members who he worked with in leasing the building space.
“They were very supportive, and we just want to dedicate this to them,” Ostenson said of the family members, adding how their late parents were “strong supporters of the arts.”
Support for the arts and music in particular has been top of mind for Ostenson, even in retirement. With the Hollister School District’s recent budget problems, proposals to completely cut the elementary music program have been withdrawn due to efforts from the Mr. O’s Save the Music Drive, which raises funds to keep the schools’ classes going.
“We still support 110 percent the Save the Music program here in town,” Ostenson said. “My name’s involved in that and this is an extension to that. It’s not to replace it.”
Added his wife Frances, “This is all after school, so we’re not going to be competing with the schools.”
As Ostenson reflected in preparation for the opening, he underscored that Mr. O’s Academy of the Arts is for people of all ages. With 45 years of experience, and plenty of photos on the walls to prove it, there were few jitters before the business opens.
“I’m not worried about it. I think it’s going to happen,” he said. “I think there’s a lot of interest in the community. The joy is to watch the young people, people in these pictures here, who are now in their 50s or 60s, and I’ve had a chance to work with their kids.”
Mr. O’s Academy of the Arts
Address: 360 Sixth St.
Phone: (831) 636-3813
Email:
ba************@ya***.com
Hours: mostly noon-6 p.m. Monday through Friday
Teachers
Abbie Dietrich
violin
Timothy Duffy
drums
Joaquin Gallegos
piano/voice
Bruce Gilsenan
guitar
Becky Miser
piano
Leslie Pierce
alto sax
Noelle Sladon
piano/voice/guitar
Steve Sladon
piano/voice/
baritone horn
Jennifer Ulett
flute/piano
Mark Johnson
banjo
