Christopher Prestia has a passion for music, and it shows. It shows in his knowledge of the subject, in his talent on multiple instruments and in his new home, which is furnished with four organs and a piano in his living room. And now, lucky for Columbia residents, Prestia is sharing that passion with others. He recently opened The Columbia School of Music on the first floor of his home, 401 Walnut St., Columbia.

Prestia started playing the piano at age 6. He also plays the cello, the flute and the organ, and he sings. When he's not teaching private lessons or getting his school off the ground, he works as the organist and choir director of Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Lancaster.

Although Prestia has been a musician most of his life, he didn't immediately envision opening a music school when he moved into the property in November. While working on renovations of the Victorian home, Prestia began brainstorming ideas for what to do with the space on the first floor. The living area of the home, including the kitchen and bedrooms, is upstairs, leaving Prestia with options for the lower level. "I considered an art gallery and then I thought, 'You're a music teacher. Make a music school,'" he said.

He has decorated the first floor of his home with some of his most prized instruments, all of which he has named. The front room houses a 1900s reed organ, which he named Viola. Edy is a portable folding organ dating to 1907 and Kathryn is a 1930s pipe organ, although the pipes are currently in storage. Prestia plans to one day install them in the basement so music from the organ can play up through the vents. Esther is a late 1800s Grand Salon pump organ. "There are fewer than five of those in existence," he marveled. Ivy, a baby grand piano, rounds out the room.

Prestia is currently looking for more pianos, and he's also looking to expand his school, which is accepting new students.

"My vision for this school is for it to truly be a part of this town," he remarked. "I want to hear this town ringing with music. I want to get to know the musicians who are already here and have things grow organically from there."

Although the school's physical address is on Walnut Street, Prestia has plans beyond the building. "I don't see this being a school with walls," he commented, adding that he hopes to partner with Columbia School District and local churches as well. "I want to be out in the community."

Outside of work, Prestia loves to stay active with cycling and running, and he's a hang-gliding pilot. But most of all, he wants to share his love of music with everyone, no matter his or her skill level.

"The word 'amateur' is derived from the word 'amore,' which means 'love,'" he stated. "That's what music is to me. It's joyful. Most people are looking for something that brings them joy, and that's what I'm trying to do."

For more information on The Columbia School of Music, visit http://www.csmusic.school.