Founded in 1997 by husband and wife music educators Buzz Gravelle and Jessi Spike Gravelle, the Academy began with private piano and guitar lessons and a steadfast commitment to high quality music education for students of all ages. Thirteen years later, with a teaching staff of fourteen instructors, the Academy now teaches over 300 students weekly and continues to grow. Private instruction is currently offered in piano, guitar, voice, violin (Suzuki and traditional methods), cello, flute, clarinet, saxophone, music theory, ear training, composition, and songwriting. Personalized and supportive instruction and an understanding of the needs of both beginning and advanced students distinguishes the Academy and make it your best choice for your music education needs.

We are helping to keep music education in the schools! The Santa Monica Academy of Music is an advocate for stronger, more comprehensive music programs in our schools. We partner with selected elementary schools to implement such high-quality music programs.

Highlights and features

Songwriting, Keyboard, Kindermusik, Mandolin, Cello, Music Theory, Clarinet, Violin, Voice, Flute, Piano, Guitar, Saxophone

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Buzz Gravelle

Guitar, Piano, Mandolin

Buzz Gravelle has over twenty years experience as a music instructor. He is the founder, co-owner, and director for the Santa Monica Academy of Music, where he also functions as head guitar instructor. Additionally, he is an adjunct Professor of Music at California Polytechnic University at Pomona

Jessi Spike Gravelle

Piano

Jessi Spike Gravelle began her music studies at the age of four, in Chesaning, Michigan. Her many years of private study, various competitions and performance experience gained her admittance to Michigan State University's piano pedagogy and performance departments, where she studied with Ms. Yong Hi Moon. After transferring to UCLA as a music major in 1990 to study with Dr. Ick Choo Moon, Jessi continued her work in piano pedagogy by opening her own private teaching studio in Santa Monica.

Tim Dolinar

Winds

Tim Dolinar is a versatile saxophonist in the realms of both classical and jazz music. As a classical saxophonist, he toured various cities in Germany and Italy as both an ensemble member and featured soloist with the Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony. He is a founding member and performer with renowned classical saxophone quartets such as The Northcoast Saxophone Quartet, The Cleveland Saxophone Quartet and Fresno Saxophone Quartet.

Ron Aggabao

Guitar, Piano

Ron began his musical studies on the piano at the age of 5, later adding the guitar at age 14. Ron continued his studies in composition, classical guitar and piano under the tutelage of Alex Komodore and Susan Cable at the Metropolitan College of Denver, where he performed in master classes with world-renowned artists such as Manuel Barrueco, David Russell, and Sharon Isbin.

Lindsey Cloud

Voice, Piano

Originally from Dallas, Texas, Lindsey has been singing since she was a child. Lindsey grew up performing in vocal competitions and concerts and went on to receive a Bachelor's in Voice from Rhodes College in Memphis, TN, a prestigious private liberal-arts university on Vocal Scholarship and soloed with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra.

Yosuke Miyoshi

Trombone

Yosuke Miyoshi is currently the director of bands at Paul Revere Charter Middle School in Brentwood, California. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Trombone Performance and Music Education from the University of California, Los Angeles where he also received his Single Subject Teaching Credential. He continued his studies at Point Loma Nazarene University receiving a Master of Arts in Education.

Allison

Aug 10, 2022

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We are very pleased with our instuctor, Ms. Neal (piano). Her personality fits well with my daughter. She motivates without discouraging her, her directions are explicit, and she is also funny and easy to talk to

Caroline

Aug 10, 2022

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Ms. Felicetta (piano) has completely restored my daughters love of learning music. My daughter came to the Santa Monica Academy of Music ready to quit after four years of instruction and is now once again very enthusiastic about playing the piano.

Nicole

Aug 10, 2022

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The teachers at the Santa Monica Academy of Music are some of the best teachers ever! They teach you how to play music wonderfully. All of the teachers are really patient--if you make a mistake, or if you have trouble somewhere in the music-- they will work with you so you can understand it better.

Scott J.

Jun 26, 2013

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Our two daughters have taken piano lessons here for 5 years. It's been a great experience for both of them, and for us as parents. The teachers and staff take their work seriously and they are very good at what they do, yet they realize that kids need to be kids and accommodate their need for fun (within reason). Our teacher took time on a Saturday to help us shop for pianos--we got a better piano than we would have otherwise and it has made a huge difference in their playing skill. The academy holds recitals twice a year that are well-organized and fun, and showcase the many talents of the students. I can't recommend this place strongly enough!

Santa Monica Academy Of Music