The Move the Air, Move the Mind drum school is seeking to open at 1217 Butler Pike in Conshohocken (Whitemarsh Township). To do so, the school is seeking a zoning variance to allow a “music school” as a non-confirming use within the B-Residential District. The issue is before Whitemarsh Township’s zoning hearing board on October 4th (agenda).

The property involved is the building that is behind the office building at 1207 Fayette Street that is home to Coldwell Banker Realty. The smaller building in the back has long served as office space.

The school intends to have three studios that would be soundproofed. This is necessary, not just for the neighbors, but to allow multiple lessons to occur at the same time. However, if you are familiar with the property, the building in question is set back from the street and mainly borders Old Saint Matthew’s Cemetery and Conshohocken’s “B” Field.

We spoke with the school’s owner, Michael Killela, who currently provides instruction in Harleysville. The addition of the Conshohocken location will allow the school to grow its student base and offer a second location for students who travel from throughout the Philadelphia region.

Killela has played drums for more than 50 years and teaching percussion for more than 25 years. He has I experience with all modern styles of music, and is trained in classical and drum corps/marching band techniques. When not teaching, he travels along the eastern United States playing in the southern rock tribute band High Noon.