Silverlake Conservatory of Music

This is a REAL 5 stars. We consider this resource to be one of the reasons to live in the neighborhood. Silver Lake has a musical legacy to be proud of and the school represents that beautifully. I have nothing but respect for the school, their mission, their teachers, and the benefit they bring to the community. The school is a rallying point for the entire east side, bringing diversity, art, and love to a city that needs integration. We have loved all our son’s teachers, including the summer camps and enrichment classes they offer to the community. This school is a jewel.

Pretty awesome. Hopefully more and more kids introduce their selves to music.
Also here for the wrist band

My review is a little mixed. I liked this school, BUT didn’t love it as much as I should have.
Pros:
–Parking was easy.
–Private Lesson Rooms were professional and clean.
–The lobby and waiting area was well kept and comfortable.
–The front desk staff was pleasant.
Cons:
— You don’t get to meet the instructor or audit a lesson before committing. (So my first lesson was mostly just talking about goals. Which is important, but didn’t feel fulfilling).
— I don’t think this was common, but a couple of my lessons had to be rescheduled do to admin errors and facility issues on their part.
— Two of my lessons began late. (I’m an easy going guy, but it’s not fun to wait around).
My Experience:
It’s hard for me to judge this school because four weeks of lessons is just the tip of the iceberg. With them rescheduling and starting late, I never truly got into a rhythm with my instructor. It felt like we were getting to know each other for the first time at each lesson. She was pleasant and easy to work with, but I will never know how much potential we had together because of the given circumstances.
*note: I didn’t name my instructor because she was nice and some of the circumstances were beyond her control.

Do not attend Silver Lake Conservatory of Music. Except for one teacher who was excellent (who has since left), the remainder of the teachers are mediocre at best. In addition, they will not provide you with a refund if you are not happy with their classes. If you do decide to take a class here, make sure you sit in on several classes and watch the lesson.

I have been coming to the Silverlake Conservatory of Music on and off for over 4 years — more off than on, I’m afraid due to my own work conflicts.
As a non-​profit arts administer by day, I truly appreciate the mission of the Silverlake Conservatory of Music — offering music classes to those who either lack access or the funding one would normally need for private sessions — as well as being an active voice in the community.
As an EXTREMEMLY amateur musician, I am most grateful to the faculty here, particularly Mike Uhler for his patience with my scheduling conflicts as well as his way of tailoring the classes to my ability and musical needs.

After taking about a 15 year break, I am now playing piano again. I am taking lessons from Edan and he’s awesome! I’m learning to play the blues and jazz. When I was younger my teacher would make me play classical music and told me that I had to «master» classical before I could move onto any other forms. I think that made me drift away from playing piano. I love listening to classical piano, but I really wanted to learn to play other forms.
During my first lesson with Edan, I expressed that I wanted to learn jazz. He got me going right away with proper technique and theory. After my first lesson, I learned how to play some blues and improv. I feel like I learn much faster with his approach. I’ve been taking lessons from him for a couple months and I’ve learned so much. I take a 1 hour lesson per week. I’m actually playing what I want to play and I’m having fun! I haven’t taken piano from any of the other teachers at this school, but I can definitely say that Edan is a great, supportive, and encouraging teacher that can improve your skills.

This review is of the camp only. They offer three 2-​week sessions of summer camp. My child did one of the sessions this summer. Since I could not find much info about this camp online, I thought I’d pipe in, no pun intended. While my child didn’t love this camp, I think it was a good experience. It was a diverse group of kids coming in with different levels of experience as players. They were put into groups (bands) and also worked on some all camp numbers. The camp was held at Micheltorena Elementary School, not far from the conservatory. My child’s main gripe was the monotony: doing the same songs over and over. I explained that this is sometimes what it takes to get something really good. I do wish that the instructors who, in fairness, were enthusiastic and silly and positive and very talented musicians, took a few more minutes at the start to gauge the abilities of kids who already have familiarity with instruments. I think there is room for improvement there so kids can be a bit more challenged. But I also realize this is summer camp and designed to be fun. I’m not sure how many guest performers came in. The official camp paperwork leads one to believe there would be outside people coming in every day. But no matter: the kids were introduced to many different instruments and some basic musical terms. They did a fun performance the last day for the parents. I think in retrospect, my kid would say this camp is «pretty good.» But she didn’t exactly wake up eager to go every morning. Still, I would send her back next year.

I have been taking lessons here for about four years and I love them. My teacher is cool and friendly and has helped me improve over the years. The location is right in the middle of sunset junction which makes parking hard but it is also extremely fun walk around after a lesson.

My nine year old takes piano lessons here with Cynthia Law. She’s patient and methodical and my son is learning quickly. He’s really enjoying his lessons and he’s learning to read music. The staff is very friendly. There’s a great vibe– very warm and professional. They welcome all ages.

This is an amazing school! Set up for kids and adults alike the level of teachers is wonderfully talented and kid friendly!
I myself have been in the adult choir for 7 years and it keeps getting better.
Do take lessons here or bring your kids, you will not be disappointed!!!

My son has been taking guitar lessons here for over a year, and we have been so happy with everything. We are not rich people, and started here because it was affordable and had great reviews. We really couldn’t be happier, and my son loves to play and hasn’t grown tired of it.

Music School! It’s not just for kids anymore!
7 years ago I was looking for a music school for my son, who plays clarinet (and now sax too). I looked at Colburn, decided it was a bit intense for our purposes, and somehow found my way to the Silverlake Conservatory. Then my husband started taking guitar lessons. Feeling left out, I started taking voice, then joined the choir, and just recently added piano lessons. My son and husband are also in groups the school puts together, that play alot of jazz, but also Bach to rock.
This is not just the School of Rock, but soooo much more. The dean, who went to high school with Flea (that’s the connection, folks) worships at the altar of Bach, but also plays jazz on more instruments than most folks have ever seen. The teachers are an eclectic bunch, you can find one for every instrument, every type of music, and are happy to teach your 5-​year-​old or you.
The school does not aim to crank out professional musicians, but to get kids lovin’ music — Parents, listen up: your kids will stick with it when they are making music with other kids and having a blast.
The school raises money to give scholarships and instruments to kids who can’t afford it. BTW, their fundraisers rock!
The tiny waiting room is the real heartbeat of Sunset Junction, not the overpriced coffee houses that crowd in all sides.

This is indeed a great place to learn almost any instrument. The staff and teachers are all kind and helpful. And you can’t beat the price.
I’m almost 30 and started taking drum lessons there for the first time a few months back. Yes, it’s true it’s mostly children, so as an adult you might feel awkward. While in the waiting room, I even had one parent ask me what instrument my child was learning! :) But it doesn’t bother me, and I’m having a great time with it.

My daughter used to take guitar lessons here. What a great place! Founded by Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, it’s a non-​profit music school that not only provides music and voice lessons for children at reasonable prices, but also provides funding for those who can not afford it. Every year Flea holds fundraisers for the conservatory, and I would imagine people can make donations all year long.
I loved those Saturday mornings when my daughter went to the conservatory. She would have her guitar case over her shoulder as I dropped her off. Then I’d walk up to Casbah Café for a tart and spearmint tea and then cross the street to the Silverlake farmers’ market; the whole time knowing she was having fun practicing some Pink Floyd riffs.
Also her teacher was great — patient, kind and, yet, straight forward — always telling her the way it was. She was improving, but not practicing enough — he could tell.
She set aside the guitar around the time she started wanting to learn to drive a car. Ahh… I miss those Saturday mornings in Silverlake.
Thanks, Flea! You’re doing great work.

I agree with the previous review! this is a great place! my daughter has been here since the beginning and she LOVES it. Horrrrayyyy to Flea for bringing such a fabulous school to Silverlake!!!

This is the closest thing you’re going to get to the School of Rock. Silverlake Conservatory a non-​profit music conservatory started by Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers fame and his best friend. The school offers music classes every day of the week for all instruments and vocals for $ 25/​half hour. In turn, the school grants a bunch of scholarships to low-​income kids and even runs some sort of partnership program with an area school where kids are able to take music lessons for free. You feeling warm and fuzzy yet?
So long as you don’t mind rocking out along side seven and eight-​year-​olds, as an adult, you can realize (or fantasize) your mid-​life crisis by strumming away on an electrical guitar or banging away on a full set of drums. Don’t get me wrong, there are private music rooms where you take your lesson, but you will definitely mingle with the little people in the waiting room. And if you’re too embarrassed to show your «Grade 1: Guitar for the over-​the-​hill beginner» lesson book, all you need to do is hide it in your ultra expensive, your-​mommy-​will-​never-​buy-​this-​for-​you-​in-​a-​million-​years purse! See?
Seriously, I love taking music lessons at this place and I love what this place stands for. In about five more years, I’ll finally be able to play Stairway to Heaven. Of course, that song became «uncool» about ten years ago. O well, I guess I’m a late bloomer.