Mike Risko Music School

General Excellence

Mike Risko Music School is about all things music. The company offers voice and instrument lessons in state-of-the-art studios. It rents band and orchestra instruments to kids all over Westchester. It sells boutique instrument brands. And the National Association of Music Merchants named it one of the top 100 music retailers in the world in 2014 and 2015.

Mike Risko started the shop in 1995 with two lesson rooms. In 1997, he invited his friend and bandmate Miriam Baily to teach at the store. Their partnership steadily grew and blossomed into a romance, and the two married in 2000. “We attribute our success to loving what we do and each other,” says Miriam, noting that they built the business from scratch. “There were no investors or financial support, just a dream and a love of all things music.”

The company is now celebrating its 20th anniversary, and it’s still run on the firm belief that there is something musical for everyone. Two years ago, the Riskos started a musical theatre camp. Last year, they renovated the school to include a stage—complete with cool lights and décor—for rock music lessons. And, this year, they launched a band and orchestra boot camp. The next idea could come at any time, says Miriam: “One of us might wake up in the middle of the night and say, ‘I have a great idea for the business,’ and suddenly we are brainstorming at 3 am.”

Our Best of Business event is October 30!

Our CEOs & Business Leaders Golf Outing is August 5!

Our Best of Westchester Party is July 24!

Our Westchester Home Design Awards event is June 26!

Our Wine & Food Festival returns June 4-9!

Our Wunderkinds event takes place on May 23!

Our Best of Business Ballot is open through May 15!

Our Healthcare Heroes Awards event takes place on May 9!

Our Westchester Home Builders Awards take place on April 4!

Our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Forum is March 14!

Unveiled: A Boutique Bridal Brunch is February 25!

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