FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT INSTRUMENTS DO YOU TEACH?

We offer music lessons in piano, guitar, voice, drums, bass, DJ, music production, ukulele, violin, viola, trombone, saxophone, trumpet, flute and clarinet.

DO I NEED TO BRING AN INSTRUMENT TO MY TRIAL LESSON?

You don’t need to bring anything to your trial lesson. You are welcome to bring your instrument or any other lesson materials, if preferred but it is not necessary.
 
DO YOU ACCEPT BEGINNERS?
 
Yes, absolutely. Most students start lessons with us as beginners. 
 
DO YOU PROVIDE INSTRUMENTS FOR THE LESSONS?
 

Yes, you never have to bring your instrument to your lessons unless you want to.

DO YOU OFFER IN-PERSON / VIRTUAL LESSONS?

We offer both in-person and virtual lessons.

WHERE IS THE SCHOOL LOCATED?

We are located at 2982 E Colorado Blvd #111, Pasadena, CA 91107

IS PARKING AVAILABLE AT THE SCHOOL?

Yes, we have plenty of free parking available.

HOW MUCH ARE LESSONS?

  • 30min weekly private lessons $196/month (best for students 7 years old and younger)
  • 45min weekly private lessons $294/month (best for students 8 years old and up)
  • 60min weekly private lessons $392/month (best for teenage and adult students)

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE TUITION?

  • 4 lessons per month on average
  • Office staff available to you 7 days a week
  • Level Up program, lesson materials, wristbands and certificates
  • Free participation in our biannual recitals
  • Free participation in our “Tomorrow’s Rockstars” band workshop
  • Unlimited Private Make-Up Lessons
  • Annual picture day with professional photographer
  • Month-to-Month lessons. No long term contracts

WHAT IS THE COMMITMENT ONCE I REGISTER?

No long-term commitments. All students are on a month-to-month basis.

CAN I SCHEDULE A TRIAL LESSON BEFORE SIGNING UP?

Yes, we offer free trial lessons. To schedule your trial lesson, please click HERE

DO YOU OFFER MAKE-UP LESSONS?

Yes. You’ll be able to cancel and reschedule your private lessons through our online student portal without even having to contact us. If you prefer, we are happy to reschedule lessons for you as well.

HOW OFTEN DO LESSONS TAKE PLACE?

All programs include one lesson per week

SHOULD I TAKE 30MIN, 45MIN OR 60MIN LESSONS?

We recommend 30min lessons for kids ages 7 and younger. 45min lessons are best for kids ages 8 and up. 60min lessons are best for teenage and adult students.

DO I NEED TO PURCHASE BOOKS OR OTHER MATERIALS IN ORDER TO ATTEND MY LESSONS

You are not required to purchase any books or lesson materials. However, oftentimes your teacher might recommend certain books or materials that would be helpful for the lessons.

DO YOU OFFER PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR STUDENTS?

We organize two recitals each year, usually held at the beautiful Boston Court Pasadena. Recitals act as a goal for students to work towards as well as a place to showcase their talents for friends and family alike. 

WHAT IS THE “TOMORROW’S ROCKSTARS” BAND WORKSHOP?

Throughout the year we offer a free band workshop to all our students called “Tomorrow’s Rockstars”. This unique program aims to give students the experience of playing in a band with their fellow aspiring musicians, a crucial element of their musical education. This workshop has been a complete success with both students and their families. Our students have a blast playing songs they love and building friendships with their bandmates. Most importantly, we see their confidence and motivation grow immensely through this special program. Many of our beginner students participate after only a few months of lessons. The dates of the free band workshops are announced in advance.

WHAT IS “LEVEL UP”?

“Level Up” is a program designed similar to the martial arts belt system, but for music lessons. Level Up is 10 levels of achievement, each with 10 songs and challenges customized by your music instructor. We designed this to make the entire learning process more fun, more motivating to practice and to show structured progress to the parents as well.

CAN I OBSERVE MY CHILD’S LESSONS?

Yes, absolutely. We have an open door policy, meaning you’re welcome to join your child’s lesson at any time. All of our rooms have observation windows as well (with the exception of our drum rooms, due to sound proofing).

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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Mingchun F. profile picture
Mingchun F.
July 18, 2026
Yelp star 1Yelp star 2Yelp star 3Yelp star 4Yelp star 5Verified
My boy has been taking lessons at PMA since 2024 and he's learning and his instrumental skills improve so much. His drum teacher is Ardem and guitar teacher is Tracy. Both of Tracy and Ardem are the best, talented, patience, fun with kids and first time learners. My boy built up strong musical foundation thanks to them!
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Megan G.
July 16, 2026
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Only good things at PMA! My daughter began taking lessons in the late spring with Marcella and has made such tremendous progress, not only with her vocals but also stage presence and performance. A few weeks into lessons, Marcella recommended my daughter sign up for the recital. On the day of the recital our family was shocked at the progress made - she received a standing ovation! All thanks to Marcella! My daughter really enjoys having her as a vocal coach/instructor and looks forward to each session. She's patient, engaging and has built up my daughter's confidence, all while teaching technique, developing vocal skills. The front desk at PMA are also incredibly helpful and easy to contact, whether by phone, text or email. I appreciate how easy it is to book makeup lessons and change schedules online. My daughter also enjoys seeing Marcella's feedback and thoughtful comments posted after each lesson.
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Rev T.
June 28, 2026
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We've had an amazing experience at PMA! Ardem has been an incredible drum teacher--patient, encouraging, and inspiring. Our son has grown so much as a drummer and genuinely looks forward to every lesson. We're grateful for everything Ardem and the PMA team have done and highly recommend them to anyone looking for great music instruction.
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Jesse G.
June 7, 2026
Yelp star 1Yelp star 2Yelp star 3Yelp star 4Yelp star 5Verified
I started my daughter at PMA on the recommendation of a friend who is a musician, and we have been so happy with our experience there! My daughter has been taking voice lessons with Ms. Kris for a few months now, and she absolutely loves them. From the moment she walked out of her first lesson, my daughter was begging to keep taking lessons with her. My daughter didn't even want to skip her lesson on her birthday, and that says a lot. What more could you want as a parent?
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California L. profile picture
California L.
May 30, 2026
Yelp star 1Yelp star 2Yelp star 3Yelp star 4Yelp star 5Verified
My son LOVES his teacher, Daniel. He's a grumpy 13 year old boy, but he lights up when he sees Daniel. He's learning to love and enjoy Piano. This school is great at communication, scheduling make-ups, etc. We are very happy here.

Why Do Students Choose Us?

Dedicated, Experienced Instructors

Our teachers are active musicians who love what they do. Every lesson is thoughtfully personalized to each student’s age, skill level, and musical goals. From guitar and piano to brass, voice, and music production, our school offers lessons for every interest and age group, including adults.

Motivating Level Up Program

Our optional Level Up program helps students stay excited about learning. With 10 milestone levels, students earn wristbands, stickers, and certificates as they progress through the program. The program is nationally recognized and completely free for enrolled students.

Flexible Scheduling With Unlimited Make-Ups

Busy week? No problem. Students can cancel or reschedule lessons at any time through our online portal or with the assistance of our friendly staff. We offer unlimited make-up lessons to make scheduling stress-free for students and families.

Recitals That Inspire Confidence

Students are invited to perform in our biannual recitals at Boston Court Pasadena. These concerts are a fun way for students to showcase their progress, build stage confidence, and celebrate their achievements with friends and family.

Comfortable, Modern Facility With Convenient Parking

Our space is designed for comfort and community. Parents can relax in our cozy waiting area, which includes:

  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Complimentary coffee, tea, and water
  • Magazines and coloring books
  • Massage pillow and device charging station
  • Free parking is also available right outside our doors.

Friendly Staff Available 7 Days a Week

Our office team is available every day to assist with scheduling, answer questions, and address any other needs you may have. Expect quick, caring, and professional support when you learn music with Pasadena Music Academy!

No Long-Term Contracts

We keep things simple with month-to-month enrollment for all students. Continue lessons as long as you’d like–no long-term commitment required.

A Local Favorite Since 2011

Hundreds of families choose Pasadena Music Academy every week. With a reputation for quality instruction and outstanding service, we’ve proudly served the community since 2011. Check out our Google and Yelp reviews to see what families are saying!

Focused on Student Safety

We go the extra mile to provide a safe learning environment with:

  • Thorough background checks for all staff
  • Security cameras in each classroom (footage stored for 2 months)
  • Observation windows in every room (except soundproof drum studios)
  • An open-door policy for parents and caregivers

Annual Picture Day Fun

Every year, we host a free professional picture day where students can pose with their instruments and capture a fun keepsake. Adults are welcome to join in, too!

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Josh Lee
August 10, 2026
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
My son has had drum lessons with Mr Lucas. The school is easy to work with. My son has enjoyed his lessons and looks forward to his lesson after each session.
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Kristen Hansen Brakeman profile picture
Kristen Hansen Brakeman
July 9, 2026
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Great music school and teachers. I'm an adult taking lessons for the first time and feel very comfortable doing so. The recitals are well done and they focus on making the students feel at ease.
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Norma Bayan
July 3, 2026
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The recital was really nice
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Cuiyan Mei
June 30, 2026
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My son took his first drum lesson back in 2021. As someone who played percussion in my college orchestra, I always hoped he would discover the same joy and excitement that I found behind a drum set. We started with a trial lesson with Matt Battle, and that one lesson turned into five wonderful years of learning. Throughout the years, we've had such a positive experience—not only with Matt, but also with the amazing substitute instructors like Ardem, Jevin, Mann, and many others. Every instructor we've met has been incredibly kind, patient, professional, and knows exactly how to make lessons fun and engaging for kids. They've not only helped my son develop his drumming skills, but also built his confidence and love for music. Beyond the excellent instruction, we've also been impressed by how well the school is run. The online portal is intuitive and incredibly convenient, making it easy to manage billing, cancel or reschedule lessons, and book makeup classes. The front desk and administrative staff are equally wonderful. Whenever we need to coordinate a schedule change, ask a question, or get help with anything, they are always friendly, responsive, and quick to assist. We truly appreciate everything the instructors and staff have done over the past five years. Their professionalism, dedication, and genuine care have made this an outstanding experience for our family, and we highly recommend them to anyone looking for quality music instruction.
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Noel Saavedra profile picture
Noel Saavedra
June 27, 2026
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
We went to to see my family member to play 🎹 piano recital. They give us water n juice and free ice cream. We had a beautiful bless good time together. Hug