“I’ve been playing the cello since I was I was six,” David said. “That doesn’t mean I’m any good at it, mind you.” The Pembroke native spends his days working in corporate law, a career he describes as financially fulfilling but soul-draining. “If I didn’t have my music to sustain me, I don’t know what I would do.”

Each week, David gathers with three of his friends to play music together. “Do we have a good time?” he asked. “Absolutely. Are we performance-ready? Absolutely not.” Finding a private place to practice has been problematic for the quartet. “More often than not, we found ourselves cramped up in someone’s living room. I know that’s very traditional and bohemian,  but honestly? A little more space would be a good thing.”

After learning that one of his colleagues had had his basement transformed into a private gym, David was inspired to investigate the possibilities for himself. “If there are companies in Pembroke doing basement renovations of this quality,” he said, “why couldn’t I have my basement transformed into a studio space? We’d be able to play to our heart’s content, without worrying if we’re good enough for anyone to hear.” David laughed. “And our families would be able to enjoy their homes without us in their midst.”

David’s Pembroke basement renovation included adding flooring, a ceiling, lighting and wall panels. “They have this entire system that makes the whole process very simple,” David explained. “You still have all the access you need to your home’s heating system and electrical panels, but those things are concealed, so they don’t take away from the ambiance. When we’re doing there, you don’t really know you’re in a basement. It’s just this beautiful space, designed for us to enjoy our music!”