Arbor Village is home to Delian Music, one of Inglewood’s most outstanding music stores. You might have noticed the shop driving down Manchester Boulevard near the 405 freeway; it’s not far from Randy’s Donuts and close to the fairly new Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles.

Delian Music has been in business for over 65 years. The store’s current owner is Candace R. Blankenship, who is simply known as “Candy.” Her father purchased the store in 1967 from a couple named Delia and Arnie Arvidson. They had established Delian Music in
1947.

When Blankenship’s parents purchased the store, it served a dual purpose: music lessons and band instrument rentals. Her mother, Alberta, ran the store with successfully, and helped the people in the community realize its musical talents.

Candace started out working part-time. In 1977, her father passed away and she devoted a full-time career to the store. Three years after Delian Music moved to Sepulveda Boulevard in Westchester. This was when things started to change for the music store.

After the move, Delian Music started becoming a more competitive music store. It was the first music store to receive the Yamaha DX-7 synthesizer for sale. In the
1980s, the music scene became much more popular; another move was necessary.

She moved to Culver City after nearly 10 years at the Sepulveda location. Things went well for more than 15 years at the music store’s home in Culver City.

By this point, the store was focusing on accessories, mu-sic lessons and sheet music. One day the landlord handed her an eviction and Delian Music was suddenly without a home.

One year later in 2005 Delian Music made its way to Inglewood. Blankenship is an Inglewood native and is proud to have her store located in her hometown. In the course of her life the store has made a full circle.

The move to Arbor Village has been a good one. Students have studied their whole lives at Delian, and many dedicated individuals still hone in on their musical talents at the music store.

Blankenship is proud of her store being in Inglewood and is passionate about helping eager minds to learn music.
“Music teaches you discipline and how to think, it helps kids excel in math and science classes. Music can be a social endeavor; anyone can go play a guitar in the street or park and people can enjoy the music being played,” she said.

Blankenship is only one of the professional teaching staff at Delian. There is also Rick King, Greg Brown, Jorge Taylor, Edward Krzyzaniak, Brad Hubisz, Chris Vasquez,
Abe Curammeng, Derek Bomback, Ontario Alexander, Joel Herr, Steve Crane and Andrew Goodloe. And yet there is currently a need for a violin instructor!

The neighborhood music store gives back to the community as well. The Delian Music Education Foundation was created in 2004 and aims at helping aspiring musicians generate funds to pursue their musical careers. This non-profit foundation is a financial resource for music lessons, lesson books, music supplies and even instruments at times.

You can learn more at their website .