Over the years, Gary Rhum has played music across the state of New York, Charleston, S.C., and even Alma, Mich.

And every place he’s ever played, the Kokomo man says he kept hearing the same phrase: “There’s nothing to do here.”

He’s heard it time and again in Kokomo over the years and it’s wrong, Rhum says.

“There so much to do,” he explained, “if only you’d open your mind and not limit it.”

For those fellow musicians — and for anyone who enjoys music — the guitar player and teacher is attempting to open minds and ears by giving musicians a place to come together and explore their talents together.

Rhum has opened the Rhum Academy of Music and Fine Arts Center in 7,000 square feet on the second floor of the old City Building, 102 N. Washington St.

While the academy offers individual instruction in several areas, group guitar classes and guitar sales, the centerpiece is the large former city courtroom-council chamber that he will use to offer live performances.

“That’s going to be great for Kokomo. We’ve needed something like that,” 17-year-old Jake Walden said. “I can’t wait to perform in there.

“It’s been his vision to do it. He’s come through and done everything he said he was going to do.”

Jaro Mayda, one of Rhum’s guitar students, believes it “is going to be a welcome addition to the community.”

“I think he’s bringing people from different cultural and instrumental backgrounds together, culling them into a group with a lot of creative potential,” the Kokomo surgeon said. “Music is the universal language. There is always a way to communicate with another person.

“You get a great feeling of personal and community well-being when people get together and make music. Harmony comes with interaction. Gary has been able to provide that and a place for people to do that.”

The performance area “is the most exciting thing,” Rhum said.

The room — with considerable natural lighting from windows on three sides — completely covers the north end of the second floor. A stage is being built in the east end of the room and Rhum plans a recital for his students there Aug. 15.

“We can bring together guitarists, bass players, drummers, vocalists and let them work together and be creative,” he said. “It’s an open, free and beautiful place to be creative. Just playing my guitar in here is amazing. I want people to be inspired by playing music and becoming a part of the community.

“Kokomo has got some great musicians and artists. I want to give them some recognition. I want this to be a place where musicians can talk and hear positives about other musicians.”

The sound system will be top notch as well.

“The sound will be pristine clear. That’s important. It doesn’t have to be loud, but it has to be clear,” he explained. “The bottom line is how do you sound. If you sound good, it doesn’t matter how loud you are.”

The room will seat more than 300 people and Rhum is working to get a coffee shop that will serve non-alcoholic beverages.

Yet, he won’t let the sounds of the crowd and coffee shop interfere with performances.

“You won’t hear a coffee grinder going off during performances, or things clanking around,” Rhum said. “We’ll ask that the crowd respect the musicians during performances. We want them to be respectful to the artists and enjoy what the artist has to provide.”

Rhum wants a place where people can perform in a good environment and where the music will cover any genre.

“I wanted it geared for people to come in and enjoy themselves,” he said.

Most shows will start at 7 p.m. and be over by 9 p.m.

“Hopefully, this will add to the community,” Rhum said. “After we’re done, we’d like it to encourage people to go see bands playing at The Other Side, Sycamore Marketplace or wherever else.”

For the musicians, it offers an opportunity like nowhere else in Kokomo.

“I think he wanted to make a spot where people could come and work off of each other. Someone could say, ‘Hey, I’m working on this. Check it out,’” Walden said. “This allows people to get together and collaborate, work on improving and become more refined.

“You’re going to get the experience of playing with other people than you would cooped up in a basement.”

Mayda, who played flute in a chamber group while he was in college, has been playing guitar for two years and is in one of Rhum’s guitar classes.

“I like the fact he brings out the good things in my playing ability, which is unique in a teacher,” he said. “He brings together people with different talents and levels of performance and we’re all able to work together. It’s a good feeling.”

Rhum first saw the room while playing for an Indiana University Kokomo graduation party.

“I’ve never been struck so much by a room, by how beautiful it is,” he said. “I gave a little prayer at the time asking God if I ever got the chance, I’d love to turn it into a place to perform.

“I never thought about it again. Really it just happened.”

The building is owned by D.J. and Leslie Bolinger and Rhum had given her son Zach guitar lessons.

“D.J. and Leslie have really helped me out. It’s wonderful that to have professional people who understand the artistic side of the world,” Rhum said.

Instructors at the academy include Rhum; his wife, Jessica, who teaches piano, guitar and voice; bass instructors Eric Hyman and Eddie Bousum; and drum instructor Zach Shook. Those interested in classes may contact the academy at (765) 236-0567.

Hyman and Bousum are two of his former students.

“They took what little I taught them and went on further,” he said.

In addition to individual lessons for more than 70 students, Rhum is also teaching beginning to advanced guitar classes. Masters classes are expected to begin in six months.

He also will offer recording classes, do live sound reinforcement and sell four brands of guitars.

Having taught guitar for 30 years, Rhum knew what he wanted.

“Typically a teacher gets stuck in a broom closet,” Rhum said, “and that’s not inspiring for the student.

“Here, retail sales help the bottom line, but the bottom line is the musicians. I want the students to come to be creative, learn and be inspired.”

He’s also working with Amanda Douglas of IU Kokomo’s Art Gallery to bring in art works to show. Rhum would like to arrange for local artists to show their works there as well.

“I want it to be about art.”

John Dempsey may be contacted at (765) 854-6739 or by e-mail at john.dempsey@kokomotribune.com