MANSFIELD — Reneta Music’s proudest achievement as a karate instructor is creating a place where children cheer on their peers.
“Every child learns differently, and my goal is to be able to help every child learn to the best of their ability,” said the founder and executive director of Music Academy of Karate & Empowerment (MAKE).
“To watch a child who has learning disabilities accomplish something they didn’t know they could do and have peers that accept and love them cheer them on is where my passion is.”
Music is an eighth-degree black belt, a StrongFirst Certified Elite Instructor in kettlebell, barbell and bodyweight training. She celebrated the grand opening of her karate studio at 44 W. 4th Street in downtown Mansfield on Oct. 4.
Music is a former Mansfield and Shelby YMCA instructor and trainer, and Discovery School gym teacher. She prioritizes empowerment, safety and growth in her studio.
“I want to help people achieve their full potential,” Music said. “Our goal is to teach the skills and knowledge needed for students to become the best versions of themselves.”
MAKE focuses on traditional Japanese and Okinawan karate, emphasizing perseverance, integrity, courage, courtesy and self-control.
more about Reneta’s story
Reneta Music’s interview starts at about the 18:30-minute mark in the podcast episode below.
MAKE offers classes for kids, adults
Music and her husband Gary, both grandmasters, are the academy’s instructors. The nonprofit offers karate classes for students ages 4 to adult.
“I love working with kids who are neurodivergent — they can have a hard time fitting into places and the dojo provides that safe environment where a child feels equal,” Music said. “Watching them overcome obstacles and flourish is my passion.”
The academy’s classes for 4-5-year-olds are 30 minutes long and classes for ages 6 and up are 55 minutes. Kids classes are Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Adult classes are 7 to 8 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays. The Music Academy of Karate & Empowerment is a nonprofit, and Music said she will never turn a child away because of finances.
“We’ll sit down and have a conversation,” she said. “I want to know what they can pay, not what they can’t.”
Want to get involved?
The website musickarate.org supports donations through PayPal or credit card. Tax-deductible contributions support the academy’s mission of providing a safe and nurturing environment for its students.
All class schedules and costs are online at musickarate.org.
Elected officials congratulate MAKE accomplishment
Friday’s ribbon-cutting and open house drew supporters and government officials to the former Buckeye Children’s Museum.
Commissioner Cliff Mears thanked Music for training his son as a child.
“I think the discipline and respect that Daniel learned at the Music Academy has helped him his entire life,” Mears said.
Fifth Ward Mansfield City Councilman Aurelio Diaz said the Music Academy is “helping Ward 5 thrive.”
“When I think of community leaders, I don’t think of elected officials, I think of people who are mentors like Reneta,” Diaz said. “I think this place is in good hands, and I’m excited to see you grow.”
The first floor studio is 5,400 square feet in the former Buckeye Children’s Museum. Music said she wants to have at least 60 students in karate classes by the end of the calendar year.
Also the owner of Hard Style Body, she is envisioning additional offerings for the buildings’ second floor down the line.
“We’ll have a couple machines up there, heavy bags, kettlebells, barbells, and I’d like to make a walking track,” she said. “That’s where we’ll do the kettlebell classes and old-school strength training.”
Music: ‘It’s all about making this community better’
Music, a breast cancer survivor, said karate helped her practice resilience and stamina.
“It’s about perseverance, integrity, indomitable spirit, courtesy and self-control,” she said. “Learning those martial arts virtues helps ground you.”
Music said martial arts virtues teach students to be humble and empowered.
“It’s all about them, it’s about making this community better through these kids right here because they are our future,” she said.
“Kids like structure, and this is a place where they know exactly what to expect when they walk in the door, they know that they’re loved and safe here, and they thrive in that.
“We’re here to encourage them, build their confidence and make them stronger individuals from the inside out.”
The Music Academy of Karate & Empowerment is located at 44 W. 4th Street. Customers can contact Music at 419-405-5711, reneta@musickarate.org and learn more online or on Facebook.
