**UPDATE** I received a PROMPT call regarding this situation from Tatiana who runs Garden Music School. She was very quick to apologize for the situation and was happy to refund the charges. As I stated in the first review, Tatiana has been nothing but awesome to work with! I am leaving the initial review of the teacher, but want to let everyone know they are very customer service oriented. Also, be aware that they will charge monthly because it is NOT a monthly service, it is a yearly service that they charge for each month. It is slightly confusing that they advertise as monthly prepaid lessons with no contract. However, benefit of the doubt is I may have misunderstood this. I would recommend Garden Music as long as you speak to/sit in with your student for a lesson or two, to ensure the teacher/student are a good fit for each other. We just moved to Florida and we're looking to pick up drum lessons again after a year long hiatus. We signed up for lessons with Marcus. After the first 30 minute session he spoke to me about my son as if he was a delinquent who wasn't practicing drums and took it as a personal affront to himself. We came back even though my son said he didn't like him (should have known then). After the second 30 minute lesson Marcus came outside and proceeded to yell (and I do mean YELL) at my son and launched into a bitter diatribe about how my son is sour, is undisciplined, unmotivated, not college bound (odd???) and that he was going to drive away the people in his life (what??). I sat in disbelief listening to a 21 year old utterly tear down a 14 year old (with a learning disability) and could not believe he was still employed as I highly doubt this was the first time he has displayed such behavior. My son was in tears the whole way home (40 minute drive). I felt horrible for my son and have never witnessed a teacher behave this way. My son wants to play for enjoyment, not for a career. As a teacher myself I know the key to creating motivation is a mix of encouragement and critique. However, this approach and the personal offense Marcus took to my son (who is still learning) and his music ability was appalling and we will not be returning. I'm sure the owner (who is very kind) and the other teachers are great but I would not recommend this teacher! **UPDATE** I was charged for lessons for another month, which I did not authorize! Despite being told there is no contract and lessons are paid monthly...I was charged for lessons I did not request! Do not give this place your credit card information. read more

They were rude when i approached with a donation of small instruments. Very dismissive. Couldn't be bothered to assist or give me recommendations. read more

We had rented a student violin from them last school year. I had contacted them in January asking to let me know if a full size one comes in, because I wanted to move my son up. I contacted them again in March saying if a full sized one comes in we wanted to look at buying it from them. They were honestly never responsive. At one point to pick up the violin after having strings break on us and having it repaired, the staff was more concerned about car repairs than helping people standing in front of them. We ended up returning the violin and buying one from another music store that was actually willing to help and give advice. read more

I've been taking my daughter there for about 6 months now. First off, this place is super cool. Lots to do. The drum teacher we started with was great with bringing her up to speed on the basics. Her new teacher is also amazing and is really supportive. It's a total community there. It's a local gem. read more

My autistic 7YO son started taking piano lessons at GMS about 15 months ago and the experience has been wonderful. I highly recommend Marcus as a teacher because he has extensive musical knowledge and is patient yet also firm at the same time. Overall, since he has started at GMS, we have noticed an improvement in his school and home life as well. The staff including the office manager Tatiana have also been a pleasure to work with. I would highly recommend them.... read more

Dropped off an inherited ukulele for renovating and cleaning. I requested that they clean it up as if they were going to put it on the wall to sell and lower the action a little. They promised their luthier would call Wednesday to discuss the details and cost. No call. So I call Thursday to discuss. Restring and lower the action a little. They had it a week and a half. I call to see if ready since I was not called; Yes, its ready. I go to pick up- No, not cleaned, no bridge work was done, wtf?? Basically just a restring on a dingy nicotine covered ukulele is all. Wow, I could have doe that real easy. They promised to let their other luthier do the work, the one guy the salesperson intended to have do it in the first place. Suppose to call me Wednesday (again) and if he doesn't, the salesperson would call me, is the promise. (again) No call from either all week so I show up Saturday am. I refuse to to pay their invoice since promises were not kept. I got no push back and they offered a new set of strings since I told them I was going to have to remove what was there to do the cleaning. They wanted it to go right it just wasn't happening. I was told this is new ownership and they are still working things out. No hard feelings, but it may be a while before I come back. read more

If I could give this location a 0 I would! This is the worst customer service I have experienced, coming from someone who is in the hospitality industry. If you value great customer service, and locations that value the customer experience, DO NOT give them your money! Find another music store to buy/rent your child's instrument .... because my child is now effected due to this location lack of communication. At the end of the day it's about our/your children. read more

My daughter is getting the attention she needs the get to the next level with her instrument. The instructors make her comfortable and help her hone in on the areas where she needs the most help. Great place! read more

I work night shift. I slept today and woke up still tired. Nothing new. Tonight is one of the few appointments I can make. I show up and there is no instructor! Turns out, he never showed up for the lesson before me. To add insult to injury, this guy is the general manager!!! Shame on you Jim! I can see why this place has such a low rating. I took a chance; shame on me! Avoid this place like the plague! read more

Both my sons have been taking lessons here for years and love it. The teachers are great, nice and know what they are doing.

Skip this business & hire a music teacher directly for lessons/repair. Many can come to your house for lessons for same cost & can do repairs quickly & lower cost. We have been visiting here weekly for a month & really wanted to love this business and give it a chance. At the end of the day, what our family found over the course of a month was music instructors & front desk staff who are great. And unfortunately, management who knows music but have business practices & communication style that are disappointing and likely won't work long term to retain either students or teachers. Booking students back to back with no interim forces teachers to be late or quit early in all their appts. Being rude, defensive & dismissive toward client concerns doesn't serve anyone well & word of mouth in such a small community makes a difference. Best wishes to Garden Music in improving their current managerial challenges, we always want to see our local businesses succeed. read more

Great clean place. Good reception. Effective lessons as well. Minus a star because the teachers are a bit irritable.

I took three of my acoustic guitars in to be restrung. I was told the luthier works from 10am-2pm and that I could drop off one day and pick up the next. There was a bit of misunderstanding that because I told the luthier I could not come in WHILE HE WAS THERE, he thought I meant I couldn't come it that day AT ALL. He thought he had a week to work on my guitars. First of all, who takes a week to put new strings on a guitar? But whatever, it's a misunderstanding, ok, it happens. So the luthier says "well we don't have the strings you want anyway so you can just come pick up your guitars." Wow. Granted, they didn't sell the ones I normally use but told him I'd be happy to try the Elixirs. Apparently, they didn't need or want my business. And when I went to pick up the guitars they barely even had an apology. This store keeps going because its the only one in the area when it comes to middle and high school students in band. With unfriendly and slow service, combined with mediocre selection, go anywhere for your guitars and guitar care but here. read more