Pete Lewis of Muse Performance Space, A Home for Creative Music in Lafayette

Since opening its doors in 2018, Muse Performance Space in Lafayette, Colorado has become one of the most unique live music venues in Boulder County. Founded by professional musicians Pete Lewis and Clare Church, the space was built with a simple but powerful vision: create an intimate, acoustically rich environment where the focus is entirely on the music. In this Community Spotlight, Gary Gutierrez of The Lesson Studio talks with Pete about how Muse came to life, the artists who have shaped its stage, and why building community through music continues to drive everything they do.

Q and A with Pete Lewis of Muse Performance Space

Gary: Tell me a little bit about when the space opened and what inspired you to create it.

Pete: My wife Clare was playing a gig in New Mexico at a small venue, even smaller than the Muse, and that is where the seed was planted. She thought “I want to do something like this someday.” When we started thinking about retirement, we began looking for spaces that could bring that idea to life.

This location opened up, and we felt like it could work. Clare’s mom had sadly passed and left us some money, and we decided to invest all of it into building the space. We remodeled, bought a grand piano, built the stage, and just decided to go for it. We officially opened in late summer of 2018. Our first concert had one person in the audience, so we definitely had a moment of wondering what we had gotten ourselves into.

Gary: Was the original vision always to be a performance venue?

Pete: Yes, that was the main focus. We also originally planned to use the space during the day as a homeschool enrichment program, but our plans changed at the last minute. That forced us to rely more on concerts and eventually rentals, which became an unexpected but important part of the business.

Now, rentals make up about a quarter of the income. It was not the original plan, but it has helped sustain the space.

Gary: Can you share a bit about your musical backgrounds?

Pete: We are both professional musicians and have played with a wide variety of artists and ensembles. We have backed groups like The Temptations and The Four Tops, performed with orchestras like the Colorado Symphony and Philadelphia Orchestra, and played in jazz settings like the Playboy Jazz Festival.

We also spent many years as music educators in Boulder Valley schools. Teaching has always been a big part of our lives, and we have always brought that professional performance experience into the classroom.

Clare had to shift away from saxophone due to a condition that affected her embouchure, but she transitioned to drums and vocals and continues to be an incredible musician.

Gary: You have hosted some amazing artists. Who stands out?

Pete: There have been so many meaningful performances. Ron Miles was a very special one. We also hosted the Matsiko Children’s Choir from Liberia, which was an incredibly powerful experience.

Artists like Eddie Gomez, Hazel Miller, Ken Walker, René Marie, and Eric Gunnison have all played here. We have also had an all female mariachi group perform, which was incredible. It has been a mix of local, national, and international artists, all bringing something unique.

Gary: Where do you see Muse Performance Space heading in the future?

Pete: We want to continue being a place where creative music is the focus. The emphasis is on listening and enjoying the music, not on having to sustain through food and beverage sales. That was one of the motivations for starting the space. We wanted a venue where people come specifically for the music.

We hope to bring in more national artists while continuing to support local musicians. At the same time, we want to stay true to original and creative music. We do not focus on cover bands. There are other venues that do that well, and we wanted to fill a different niche.
Most importantly, we want to keep building the community. It has been growing steadily, and we have learned that it takes time.

Gary: What keeps you motivated to keep doing this?

Pete: It is really about building community. Bringing musicians and audiences together and creating shared experiences.

There are moments that remind you why you are doing it. When people leave and say that was an amazing experience, or when a performance is truly moving, it makes everything worth it.

We have hosted concerts that bring people together in meaningful ways, including fundraisers for musicians in need. That is what keeps us going, even with the challenges.

Learn More and Get Involved

• Muse Performance Space: Intimate live music venue in Lafayette, CO focused on creative performance. Explore upcoming shows, rentals, and booking information.
• Connect with Muse Performance Space: Instagram and Facebook
• The Lesson Studio: Performance based music education in Boulder and beyond.