Love this sister of mine. I've known Sandy since I was very young. She is smart as hell and knows a…read morelot about music. We both played trumpet together in junior high through high school and I had to work hard to compete with her mastery of music. Years later, she is still at it. I found out not too recently that Sandy has played many instruments and has taught them as well. I'm impressed by her ambition to teach those who yearn to learn. Got me excited enough to dust off the trumpet and give it a go. Got a musical itch to scratch?

sandy is such a thoughtful & engaging teacher!! really worked to understand my needs & build a…read moretailored program. strongly recommend!

We purchased our very first piano from here at the beginning of the pandemic. We figured that…read moresince we'd be staying home more often, why not purchase a real piano!? We made an appointment to come in and Ulysses helped us out. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and helped us through the process. He didn't rush us or pressure us to buy a piano, and he was patient in answering all our questions. We went home that same day to think about which piano we wanted to get and returned a week later to purchase a Yamaha upright piano. Overall, it was a great experience and we now have a beautiful piano!

Update: Gary responded to this review... and then deleted his response a day later…read more After reading it, I actually understand and respect the appointment-only business model. If customers want a private showroom experience, that's completely reasonable. Plenty of luxury businesses operate that way. The problem was never the appointment policy. The problem was how a potential customer was treated. I live next door and have been curious about this store for a long time. I finally saw you at the business and thought I'd ask about purchasing a piano. Instead of a simple, "We're appointment-only, but here's my card--I'd be happy to schedule you," I was dismissed while you waited for your DoorDash order. As someone who works in marketing and customer experience, this felt like a textbook example of turning a warm lead into a lost customer. Your original response then spent paragraphs explaining why I shouldn't have expected service, but not one sentence expressing regret that a genuinely interested buyer walked away with a bad experience. That said, I'm adjusting this to a 2-star rating because I did see some effort to acknowledge my post, even if it ultimately fell short. Businesses don't earn loyal customers by proving they're technically correct. They earn them by making people feel welcome. A 30-second conversation could have turned me into a customer. Instead, it turned me into someone who will be buying a piano elsewhere. If you already have an appointment, I'm sure the experience may be perfectly fine. But if you're hoping to stop in, ask a question, or get a feel for the place before committing, don't expect much hospitality. That's ultimately why I'm leaving this review--not because the business is appointment-only, but because customer service begins long before the appointment ever does.

I will be honest: the idea of taking piano lessons for the first time as an adult was both an…read moreexhilarating and frightening prospect. Luckily for me, one of my good friends recommended that I check out the Community Music Center, and overall, I had an excellent experience! My instructor was Erick Peralta, and he covered both music theory and piano technique with patience and great skill. I thought that he paced the classes well, and the only reason I stopped working with him is due to leaving the Bay Area. I also appreciated how he integrated and referenced modern pop music while also making sure I learned piano standards. Finding practice piano rooms can be a challenge during peak instruction periods, but more often than not, I could find an open piano to practice right before my early afternoon classes. There were also some minor communication snafus when I tried to register for classes, but generally, staff at the center were welcoming and friendly.

We've been involved with CMC during various phases in our family. My kids took lessons here but…read moreare not aspiring musicians and one quit after middle school and the other way earlier that that. It's expensive to pay for piano lessons if your child is really not interested and we could've used that money towards kinetic activities which was more in line with what they preferred. Not all the teachers were patient with the kids and our youngest had a bad attitude and went through 3 teachers. The first instructor was a brilliant musician but was curt and impatient with him most of the time. The second instructor, another brilliant musician, asked us not to bring him back on a couple of visits. The 3rd instructor was the most patient with him but it really wasn't his cup of tea and we finally agreed there was no purpose served to keep trying to enlighten him. I have been taking adult choir lessons 4.5 years now with a CMC instructor, Ms. Wilmurt, who is just fabulous and everyone in our group classes adore and love her. She also teaches a young children's choir and the kids love her too. No instructor wants a student who is unmotivated, lacks commitment and is uncooperative. So judge carefully if you think your child or yourself are suited to take music classes. It is a big commitment but well worth the time and effort if you're truly engaged and open-minded to learn music.

Brought an inexpensive alto sax in to see if it needed work. Katia was so helpful. We chatted and…read moreshe did a diagnostic on my sax and found some leaks. Wouldn't take my money. I'd go back here again!!

I called this morning to inquire about finding a cable for my standup bass (to hook up to an amp)…read moreand for some reason, the buy who spoke to me was very impatient and annoyed with me when I asked him a couple questions. I know this is a good store, but it was very off-putting to be spoken to like that.

Overdue review. Started my daughter at their yamaha group with Ms Nicole, and shes fantastic, just…read moreenough firmness and still fun. My daughter completed 2 recitals. Now she is in drums with Henry, another ever so patient instructor, he is also teaching my other daughter who was only 5yrs old when she started.

Super cute music store! They have way more than what you think. I went in on a whim to see if they…read morehad harmonicas, and they had three different types to choose from! I didn't even know there were that many options, but the employee was very knowledgeable, helpful, and nice! Will be back once I've mastered the C-scale harmonica

Angel is an incredible vocal coach and musician. I came in as a total beginner, and he met me where…read moreI was--with patience, insight, and a great sense of humor. His guidance helped me build a strong foundation in singing that I'll carry with me for life. Angel accompanies lessons on piano with such ease and artistry--it makes the whole experience feel rich and grounded. He's not just a teacher, he's a true musician, and it shows in everything he does. If you're thinking about taking lessons with him, do it. I'm so glad I did.

Angel is a great teacher. He is patient and understanding. He takes the time to explain the music…read moreto you, so you understand it. He goes at your pace, not pressuring you but encouraging you. Highly recommend.

I highly recommend Herman as a piano teacher, especially if you are an adult beginner like me. I…read morecame in with zero prior experience and am quite happy with the progress I've made in just a couple of months. Herman has many years of experience teaching students of all ages and differing levels of skill. Therefore, he knows what works and what doesn't. He has thought deeply about piano pedagogy and is able to tailor lessons to each student's needs. On top of that, Herman is extremely kind and patient which I deeply appreciate. Having an encouraging teacher really helps one get over the initial hump of trying something new. Lastly, he teaches in a beautiful studio in Duboce Triangle which is centrally located and easily accessible by MUNI.

I started lessons with Herman about a year ago after an 8-year break from piano, and it's been one…read moreof the best decisions I've made. Coming back after such a long gap, I was honestly a little intimidated because my technique was rusty and I wasn't sure how quickly I'd be able to pick things back up. Herman took the time to really understand where I was starting from and built a plan around that, rather than just handing me a generic curriculum. What I appreciate most is his patience and encouragement. If I'm struggling with a piece or feeling frustrated with my progress, he doesn't make a big deal of it, he just adjusted and kept things moving. Herman finds the sweet spot of balancing encouragement but the right amount of pressure so I will grow, without feeling discouraged. I can't recommend Herman highly enough, whether you're returning to piano after a break or starting new.