![[the square] Portland's creative hub](http://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68f9dad1d76b7d3c7ff3b85f/be2b5ac8-8bb3-4037-ab1f-6ac35da5020c/The+Square+logo+transparent.png?format=1500w)
PORTLAND’S COMMUNITY STUDIO.
RECORD • REHEARSE • LEARN • CONNECT
welcome to [the square].
WHAT
can you DO at
[the square]?
RECORDING & MIXING
REHEARSALS
EVENTS
WHO’S AT [THE SQUARE]?
Get to know our talented engineers & producers…
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Sam Monaco: Studio Owner/Director, Musician
Portland-raised musician, studio owner, and nonprofit arts leader with a decade of NYC performance experience, including national touring and multiple album releases; founder/director of Monaco Studios, Equal Measure Arts, and [the square], and Executive Director of DocSong; supporting emerging artists and creative communities across Maine.
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Kosta Johnson: Engineer, Producer, Musician, Educator
Five-time Grammy-nominated engineer with 10+ years of professional studio experience, plus years of on-location live sound and experience as a performing artist; offering any support needed with engineering, production, recording, and education at [the square]
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Matt Perry: Engineer, Producer, Performer, Educator
Apple Certified Logic Pro producer; specializes in commercial audio, voiceover, & podcasts; credits include ESPN, Simon & Schuster, & NPR; offering production, educational training, and remote-directed recording sessions at [the square]
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Genius Black: Producer, podcast host, author
Runs musical collective GEM CITY; hosts Maine’s Black Future podcast; political analyst for NewsCenter; board member of Portland Media Center & Portland Ovations; offering beat-making sessions at [the square]
[the square] COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Monaco Studios is a Falmouth-based music studio established in 2020, offering solar-powered recording sessions in a scenic farmhouse setting with lodging available on-site for destination sessions. Known for their high-quality audio & video productions, as well as community events, they’re thrilled to bring all that and more to downtown Portland at [the square].
Equal Measure Arts was founded in 2024 at Monaco Studios to make professional music production more accessible for students and other emerging artists. Now headquartered at [the square] to increase that access even further, the nonprofit harnesses community support to subsidize recording time & education for financial aid applicants.
Documentary Songwriters (DocSong) partners with musicians and communities to transform real stories into original songs that foster empathy and understanding. Through community workshops, teaching artist trainings, and collaborative songwriting projects, the nonprofit creates space for people to share lived experiences and have their stories heard — using music as a tool for healing, belonging, and connection.
One Longfellow Square is one of Portland’s most charming and versatile non-profit performing arts and concert venues, and [the square] is thrilled to be supporting the inaugural year of their LEAF program! The Longfellow Emerging Artist Fellowship (LEAF) is a bold new initiative created to support early-career, Maine-based musicians in building sustainable, fulfilling lives as working artists. Find out more here!
Maine Academy of Modern Music (MAMM) has been a close collaborator in developing educational programming with Equal Measure Arts & Monaco Studios—in fact, their Studio Recording 101 workshop series was a major driving force behind the founding of [the square]! Now that workshop series is expanding, with enrollment now open for February 2026 classes serving teens & adults! Enroll here.
JMG is the largest statewide education nonprofit in Maine, and is an enthusiastic supporter of the subsidized studio time & career training programs provided by Equal Measure Arts at [the square]! JMG serves more than 13,000 students a year in communities throughout Maine’s 16 counties, with specialists on-site at public schools to offer career prep resources based on the needs of their students.
Contact Us
