Best Music Schools in Pasadena

88 Keys Music Academy endeavors to see their students become emotionally and intellectually connected to the music and instruments they learn and see them develop as a musician. Located in Arcadia, CA, the studio has over twenty instructors available that specialize in individual private sessions. They offer instruction to adults and children in voice, piano, violin, cello, flute, and viola, as well as clarinet, oboe, bassoon, percussion, and all forms of guitar. Their teachers also provide classes for small groups covering an eight-week span that focus on one individual instrument, music composition, or voice, and their associates administer some of the leading music examinations for students, including the Certificate of Merit. For all prospective students, 88 Keys Music Academy offers a free 30-minute free trial lesson to learn more.

In their state-of-the-art facility, the Alhambra School of Music seeks to provide comprehensive music lessons while making learning an enjoyable experience. Located in Alhambra, CA, and serving students within the neighboring communities, their university-trained instructors offer monthly lesson packages for individuals with no long-term commitment. Among the many instruments they instruct with, they specialize in piano, guitar, violin, drum, bass, and trumpet, as well as oboe, tuba, clarinet, and trombone. The Alhambra School of Music also offers voice lessons and instruction in musical theory, recording, and aid with exam preparation. In addition to private lessons, they also offer group classes, low-pressure music recitals in both traditional and rock styles, and provide interested clients with instruments for rent on a monthly basis.

Working with students on an extensive array of instruments, Altadena Academy of Music seeks to make learning how to play music an enriching and enjoyable experience. Based in Altadena, CA, and serving students from the greater San Gabriel Valley, their instructors teach both children and adults how to play piano, guitar, violin, viola, and cello, as well as ukulele, recorder, drums, and banjo, in addition to offering singing lessons. They hold classes throughout the year on a month-to-month package basis or as a single lesson. A multiple winner of Pasadena Weekly’s Reader Recommended award and a member of the Pasadena Arts Council, Altadena Academy of Music offers a free introductory lesson to all prospective students.

Based in Glendale, CA, and working with students from throughout the surrounding communities, the American International Music School strives to assist children and adults to excel in meeting their goals. Their instructors specialize in many musical areas and provide lessons in violin, piano, flute, clarinet, and saxophone, as well as accordion, guitar, drums, and most brass and woodwind instruments. They also provide instruction in music history, composition, choir, and solfeggio. Their core program consists of one 45-minute instrumental class per week and two additional complimentary classes in music theory and choir. The American International Music School provides students with the opportunity to perform in concerts and exhibitions, and endeavors to prepare students for the Certificate of Merit examination offered by the Music Teacher’s Association of California.

Established in 2008 in Los Angeles, CA, Bloom School of Music and Dance emphasizes their philosophy that part of learning comes from creating and works with students to instill confidence in their abilities. With a staff of university-trained instructors, they offer private lessons on piano, bass, guitar, harp, recorder, and flute, in addition to violin, cello, clarinet, and saxophone. Their team also provides voice lessons, songwriting training, and guide students in music production, while offering group classes for choir, violin, and rock instruments. For clients interested in dance instruction, their staff holds lessons in jazz, tap, ballet, hip-hop, contemporary and creative dance, and musical theater. In addition to early childhood music development classes, Bloom School of Music and Dance provides recitals and performance opportunities for all interested students.

Based in Pasadena, CA, since 2013, and instructing students from throughout the Los Angeles region, Dancing Fingers Music Academy strives to see their students excel at learning all aspects of a new instrument. The academy emphasizes high standards for itself and requires all of their trained instructors to hold a minimum of a master’s degree in music. Their teachers offer private lessons in piano, violin, viola, cello, guitar, and voice, as well as instruct group classes with various skill levels for twelve-week sessions. The group courses cover note-reading, rhythmic skills, technique, ear training, sight singing, and ensemble performance, with each session ending with a formal recital. Dancing Fingers Music Academy also works with interested students toward California's Certificate of Merit exam, National Guild test, and English Royal exam. For each lesson and course, they list all rates upfront via their website and offer a discount to students registering online.

Locally owned, Dave’s Accordion School & Caballero Dance has over 45-years of experience with instructing students in accordion and a variety of instruments and dance from their Los Angeles, CA, studio and shop. Founder and owner Dave and his wife Veronika work with adults and children on a monthly basis providing lessons for accordion, violin, mandolin, guitar, bass, beginner’s piano, and music theory. They also offer classes for dance enthusiasts in jazz, tap, ballet, and flamenco styles. Group lessons and workshops are available at various times throughout the year, and Dave and his wife work with adult students to provide custom scheduling options. For students and interested customers alike, Dave’s Accordion School sells pre-owned accordions and an array of accessories, including straps, cases, and instructional books.

Located in Pasadena, K Music Academy is committed to helping students excel in the music industry. The school offers a wide range of music lessons, including classes in piano, ukulele, voice, drums, guitar, and cello. The company also holds private and group lessons on music theory. K Music Academy offers flexible class schedules to cater to clients with different jobs and situations. Its team of music instructors is dedicated to customizing lessons in accordance with each student's strengths and weaknesses.

Founded in 2015, Los Angeles Music Teachers offers individualized lessons for nearly every instrument to their students in Burbank, CA, and the surrounding communities in the San Fernando Valley. All of their instructors hold a minimum of a master’s degree in their field and at least five years of teaching experience. In addition to voice instruction, they offer lessons in nearly a variety of instruments, including piano, violin, guitar, saxophone, and clarinet, in addition to viola, cello, drums, and flute. Most of their instructors travel to a student’s home and offer Skype sessions, with in-studio classes additionally available. Their teachers often combine instrument training with further lessons in dictation, note reading, improvisation, and sight singing. For all instruction, Los Angeles Music Teachers offers a refund if a student isn’t satisfied and provides the option of trying another instructor.

Opus Music School seeks to make learning an instrument a fun endeavor for students of all ages and abilities at their Hacienda Heights, CA, studio. The founder and chief instructor, Theresa Chen, earned her master’s degree in piano pedagogy from California State University, Fullerton, and has over a decade of private teaching experience. She oversees a team of professional instructors specializing in tailored lessons for voice, piano, trumpet, violin, drums, and guitar for students with all levels of ability at the school's state-of-the-art facility. Lessons are one-on-one and are available in thirty, forty-five, and sixty-minute increments, and Opus Music School offers a free first trial lesson to assess a student’s skill.

Established in 2006, the staff of experienced instructors at Royal Academy The Sound of Music believe in bringing music to the everyday life of students and the Montebello, CA, community they serve. They emphasize their belief that a private lesson plan working in conjunction with public performances leads to success in mastering an instrument. All of their instructors earned master’s degrees or attended doctoral programs in music from leading universities across the world and provide lessons in piano, violin, and flute, as well as cello, guitar, drums, and voice. They also hold group studies for music theory, choir for children, and lessons in approaches to rock band. With over fifteen instructors available, they offer all prospective students a free demonstration class to learn more.

Opened in 2011 in La Crescenta-Montrose, CA, Yung-mee Rhee Music Academy provides customized private music lessons to students from throughout Los Angeles County who come from different backgrounds, ages, and skill. Founder Yung-mee Rhee graduated on scholarship from Indiana University’s famed music school and performed as a piano soloist with the Indianapolis Symphony and L.A. Chamber Orchestra. She and her team of experienced instructors cater to their client’s abilities, interests, and personality with weekly lessons available for piano, cello, viola, violin, and guitar, in addition to oboe, flute, and clarinet. The academy’s faculty are active members of the Music Teachers Association of California and are available for consultations by appointment to speak with prospective students.