Musical Beginnings Music School

Horrible experience this week.
After witnessing the teacher for the second time in two week display unneccessary force on the children we will not be going back. My daughter attends the Wednesday morning music class with other toddlers. They are primarily there to socialize, have fun and learn. There is absolutely NO REASON why the teacher should be MAN-​HANDLING anyones child, especially my own. If you want her to sit, and she is standing… ask her or ask me. Simply putting your hands on her and «MAKING» her sit is UNACCEPTABLE.
We will be adviising our friends not to go there. Also, we will not be going back!

Linda Silva is such an amazing teacher. It’s rare to find someone who takes really young children who is as dedicated to music as Linda is. She is kind, supporting, and very patient with all of her students, which of course only makes the learning process more enjoyable.

We started taking our 2 year old to Musical Beginnings as a Saturday Daddy-​daughter activity and it has been one of our best parenting decisions. Teacher Linda is incredibly skilled at «managing» little ones (and their often tone-​deaf, inhibited parental partners) at a pace that works perfect for every kid, from super-​mellow to mega-​high energy. Every session is always different, with some recurring songs/​activities, which we love to practice later at home. They also use a large variety of instruments (many fascinatingly obscure) and other equipment that ensures the students (and parents!) never got bored or even restless. I’ve been most impressed by the pace — 45 minutes seems to go by in a flash and there is no lag time between each activity. Teacher Linda will always be our favorite, but she makes sure her other teachers are just as competent (I think my daughter had a little ‘crush’ on Teacher Tom). I was especially touched on the day that Linda’s teen-​aged daughter helped with class, which shows the strength of their family values. Our kid now already has a strong musical background thanks to Musical Beginnings, and we’ll encourage both of our children to stick with it, learn to play instrument (s) and read music (something that is already in my wife’s background and that I always wished for myself). Not to forget that they are also learning social and listening skills, patience and how to better take direction. All this, combined with affordability, flexibility and an obvious true love of what they do, translates to a wonderful experience for you and your child to share. Just be warned that after attending, you’ll definitely want to have a home hand-​held soap-​bubble blower, because our class highlight is always when it’s time for, BUBBLES!!! We can’t give a high enough recommendation to Musical Beginnings!

I am so glad that Musical Beginnings exists. My children (6 and 4 years old) come here for their beginners music class (Foundations — it is recommended for children with no musical training; it prepares them for individual instrument/​voice lessons). The class is perfect for little ones — it teaches them music (notes, tempo, tone, etc) in a fun and interactive way. At home, my kids often spontaneously sing the songs they learn. It happens so often I find *myself* singing the songs.
As opposed to other activities we have done, my kids look forward to going to the class. Linda, the Director, is very responsive and has a good sense for the needs of the children and the appropriateness of certain classes. She’s also a great teacher.
The place is a bit small so the waiting area can be tight with the kids coming in/​out of class and the folks waiting for them. However, it’s a cheery place with books and toys for waiting siblings — to boot, there’s a great pizza place right next door so that you can grab a bite to eat/​a soft serve/​a coffee before/​after/​while you wait for the kid’s lesson to end… there’s also a licquor store, a dry cleaners, and a Vons next door so get all your errands done in one stop! Fabulous!

Our daughter has been taking music lessons at Musical Beginnings since she was a pre-​schooler. Twelve years later, she is an accomplished pianist who couldn’t imagine life without her weekly lessons. Recital opportunities — both casual and formal — are plentiful. The teachers are of the highest caliber and are incredibly supportive.