Golden School of Music

We participated in the 3– to 5-​year-​old intro to piano class as offered through the county rec department, and it was fine. A little over half the class was learning the parts of songs (notes, beat, etc.) and using different devices (balls, shakers, and even stick horses) to play while sticking to the rhythm or beat. The other ¹⁄₃ of the class was learning notes on the keyboard. Our teacher was patient and kind with the little kids, though lack of parent interest and ability to keep the kids on task made the whole class a bit chaotic.
The school was founded by Mrs. Dourado, and she runs classes along with her adult children. Parking nearby is on-​street or in a municipal garage about a block away. I can’t comment on the merits of instruction for older children, but the program is a good introduction to music instruction for preschoolers.

There are several things you need to know about this place:
1) Parking is on the streets nearby and some meters allow one hour while some allow two. These are the old-​fashioned meters so bring lots of quarters!
2) The website references teacherS (plural) but only provides a bio for one (and no pic).
3) It is MANDATORY for a parent (or guardian) to be with their child for the duration of the music lesson (1 – 1.5 hr depending on level). Note: unless you have been a kindergarden teacher, it may be disconcerting to hear 30 different kids banging cymbals, toy drum sticks and other «musical instruments» all at (or close to) the same time!
3) The teacher is a Brazilian woman who has traveled extensively, studied and taught music for much of her life. She is great with small kids (1 – 4 yr old) but in the 5 – 10 yr old group it’s a different story: She has a VERY LOUD voice and sings the notes at the top of her lung capacity as she plays them on the piano (C C D D E E E E!!!). The children follow along by playing the corresponding notes on their (individual) keyboards. Unfortunately, and w/​o any warning, the teacher will keep singing her notes but then EXPECT the children to play something different (ie. melody or «accompinament» as she calls it)…BUT w/​o giving any instruction to do so!
4) Class times are «approximate» since I’ve been told 3 different start times, none of which were accurate!
5) The cost is $ 15 for about ½ hr. of group piano instruction (beginner level) and is sold in a package of $ 225 for 9 lessons.