Our Preschool & Kindergarten program provides basic music fundamentals for age 3-5 from teachers schooled in Yamaha, Suzuki, and Kindermusik methods. Group classes and individual lessons are provided for beginner through advanced levels of piano, voice, guitar, drums, violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, saxophone, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, tuba, banjo, and ukulele. Jazz improvisation and composition classes also are offered for beginners through college level.We provide music lessons and performance opportunities for all ages in the Arcadia CA area. It boasts of some of the highest quality music performers around, each with a passion for teaching. With a staff that holds doctorate and masters degrees in education, performance awards, and high rated recordings, we provide a wealth of playing experience and excellent instruction.
Highlights and features
- Banjo, Bass, Brass, Cello, Clarinet, Drums, Flute, Guitar, Kindermusik, Piano, Saxophone, Trombone, Trumpet, Tuba, Ukulele, Viola, Violin, Voice
People
Voice
Kathryn Christie
Attended the University of North Texas where she earned her Masters degree in Jazz Studies and Vocal Performance. She is a singer, songwriter and teacher who is versed injazz, pop, classical, and broadway genres. Kathryn works with all ages from young children to adults, and loves teaching vocalists to be great singers as well as great musicians.
Peter Huerta
Percussion, Drumset
A charismatic teacher and performer, Peter has played on SNL, David Letterman, Good Morning America, Ellen Degeneres, Jimmy Kimmel Live, MTV TRL, Teen Choice Awards, and with Gwen Stefani. He has been the Toy Soldier in the Disneyland parade, and recently on America’s Got Talent finals with “All That.” Serving as a percussion instructor to various high schools throughout the southland, Peter brings a lot of personality, accomplishment, and care to the studios.
Carolyn Iga
Owner
Reviews (9) I. V.
Jun 14, 2022
John K.
Jun 02, 2021
A wonderful local music shop that has it all! I found them after coming across their YouTube channel and was impressed with how much more they do than just teach music. They put on a ton of performances and recitals in the community and even have their own student rock band! Passionate people, you can tell they love what they do. Great place to get music supplies and they have Mandarin lessons too!
Nina Leung Itsazooathezoo
Jun 22, 2019
Chris Owens
Jan 02, 2019
I recently signed my daughter up for violin lessons with an instructor at Neighborhood Music School in August. Upon signing her up, I filled out all of the requisite paperwork and was given the name of an instructor who would be responsible for teaching my daughter. I did not get to meet the instructor that day, which was not a problem. The following day, I went back in to confirm the name of the instructor and get his contact information so that I could book my daughter's first lesson.
The staff had a difficult time locating my paperwork so that the registration fee and lesson fee could be paid for (which was inconvenient, but not a major problem). The staff member was able to locate my paperwork and then schedule my daughter for a lesson. That week I was contacted by the instructor, Albert Romero. He confirmed our appointment for Sunday, September 2nd at 1:00 p.m.
On Sunday, Mr. Romero canceled my daughter's lesson at 9:40 a.m. via text message stating that he needed to cancel the lesson due to the Labor Day holiday. I responded and informed him that I needed at least a twenty-four hour notice from him if a lesson needed to be canceled to accommodate my schedule. I also asked him when we could reschedule my daughter's first lesson. Mr. Romero did not respond to that message until today (I do not recall him contacting me since our exchange on Sunday, September, 2nd). Mr. Romero informed me today that he would no longer be teaching for Neighborhood Music School and that I should look into possibly retaining another instructor for my daughter.
I informed Mr. Romero that I had canceled my daughter's lessons with Neighborhood Music School. I also let him know that in the future it would behoove him to keep in better contact with his clients. He responded by saying he did not need my advice and thank you. I responded in return by telling him that due to his erratic communication pattern, he actually did need my advice.
His next text said, "I hope you find what you are looking for." I texted him back and told him I hope he treats his clients better in the future. As I mentioned before, I went and canceled my daughter's lesson with Neighborhood Music School this past week before my unfortunate exchange with Mr. Romero. I do not know the name of the gentleman who assisted me with the cancellation of my daughter's lessons, but both times I had dealings with him, he was very pleasant and did his utmost to make my experiences positive.
During the cancellation process, he sincerely apologized for Mr. Romero's erratic and irresponsible behavior, and offered me the opportunity to look into another instructor for my daughter. I declined his offer (because Mr. Romero's behavior did not particularly reflect well on this business, so I will look elsewhere). He immediately refunded my payments for the registration and lesson fees and e-mailed me a receipt of the transaction with an additional apology.
He apologized for the inconvenience and Mr. Romero's behavior once again before I left the store and thanked me for my business. While I was not pleased with the overall result of my experience at Neighborhood Music School, I was very appreciative of the service that I received from this gentleman. He was very professional and concerned about my experience and did his best rectify the situation.
I do not want this review to unnecessarily sour anyone's opinion of this establishment. Up until I had to deal with Mr. Romero's casual attitude about cancelling my daughter's lesson and then not contacting me until several days later, my experiences here were very routine and pleasant. I would hope in the future that Neighborhood Music School will be a little more proactive in the way they monitor how reliable their instructors are and how serious they are in meeting the needs of their clientele.
The staff had a difficult time locating my paperwork so that the registration fee and lesson fee could be paid for (which was inconvenient, but not a major problem). The staff member was able to locate my paperwork and then schedule my daughter for a lesson. That week I was contacted by the instructor, Albert Romero. He confirmed our appointment for Sunday, September 2nd at 1:00 p.m.
On Sunday, Mr. Romero canceled my daughter's lesson at 9:40 a.m. via text message stating that he needed to cancel the lesson due to the Labor Day holiday. I responded and informed him that I needed at least a twenty-four hour notice from him if a lesson needed to be canceled to accommodate my schedule. I also asked him when we could reschedule my daughter's first lesson. Mr. Romero did not respond to that message until today (I do not recall him contacting me since our exchange on Sunday, September, 2nd). Mr. Romero informed me today that he would no longer be teaching for Neighborhood Music School and that I should look into possibly retaining another instructor for my daughter.
I informed Mr. Romero that I had canceled my daughter's lessons with Neighborhood Music School. I also let him know that in the future it would behoove him to keep in better contact with his clients. He responded by saying he did not need my advice and thank you. I responded in return by telling him that due to his erratic communication pattern, he actually did need my advice.
His next text said, "I hope you find what you are looking for." I texted him back and told him I hope he treats his clients better in the future. As I mentioned before, I went and canceled my daughter's lesson with Neighborhood Music School this past week before my unfortunate exchange with Mr. Romero. I do not know the name of the gentleman who assisted me with the cancellation of my daughter's lessons, but both times I had dealings with him, he was very pleasant and did his utmost to make my experiences positive.
During the cancellation process, he sincerely apologized for Mr. Romero's erratic and irresponsible behavior, and offered me the opportunity to look into another instructor for my daughter. I declined his offer (because Mr. Romero's behavior did not particularly reflect well on this business, so I will look elsewhere). He immediately refunded my payments for the registration and lesson fees and e-mailed me a receipt of the transaction with an additional apology.
He apologized for the inconvenience and Mr. Romero's behavior once again before I left the store and thanked me for my business. While I was not pleased with the overall result of my experience at Neighborhood Music School, I was very appreciative of the service that I received from this gentleman. He was very professional and concerned about my experience and did his best rectify the situation.
I do not want this review to unnecessarily sour anyone's opinion of this establishment. Up until I had to deal with Mr. Romero's casual attitude about cancelling my daughter's lesson and then not contacting me until several days later, my experiences here were very routine and pleasant. I would hope in the future that Neighborhood Music School will be a little more proactive in the way they monitor how reliable their instructors are and how serious they are in meeting the needs of their clientele.
Karen Mcgarry
Dec 11, 2014
Ak Shiau
Nov 26, 2013
My kids have been taking music lessons here for a few years now, my daughter takes piano lessons and my son take guitars lessons. They both love it and enjoy playing, the instructors are kind and great non-pressured environment. I would recommend it highly, they are flexible to different instructors because every child is different to who they are compatible with.
Dora Lin
Dec 29, 2012
Crystal S.
Jul 19, 2012
Scott H.
May 09, 2008
What a nice place to discover just south of Huntington in the heart of downtown; music instrument lessons by day and fun weekly Friday night concerts by a nice mix of talented local musicians and sometimes their students. And the Friday night admission includes all-you-can-eat desserts and drinks. Owner Carolyn Iga deserves your support for this nice new shop.
