Sam is a super energetic teacher! She is great with the kids and really knows how to get them…read moreinvolved and learn! She always creates a fun environment for the kids to learn in.

My daughter has had 2 incredible years at little Mozart. She can read music and notes. Sam is an…read moreamazing instructor! Your child will immensely benefit from little Mozart.

Renee is an incredibly talented vocal coach who helped get me show ready in the spring. With my…read morereflux, Renee knew what I needed vocally and mentally to get performing in 8 weeks. I highly recommend her for vocal injuries or fatigue. She is a super talented teacher who can meet any client where they're at and help them develop their voice technically and artistically.

My son and I both take private lessons at Sharp. I am studying voice with Sydney and my 11 year old…read moreboy studies drumming with Elliott. I just love what we are both learning! Low-pressure, high-attention to detail. Just my style. Sydney is really helping me, a 50 year old woman who NEVER SANG and would never dream of doing it in front of anyone, find my natural voice and it's starting to sound pretty good! I also like that Elliott plays accopaniment to Sebastian's drumming so they are making music together that gets him excited beyond the basics. They also have a beautiful location.

I study singing with Sydney and my 11 year old studies drumming with Elliott. We love our lessons!…read moreThey are both so knowledgeable and encouraging. I have studied with many teachers of performing arts over the years and these are very special teachers! Beautiful location,too!

Here's the thing about Gianni Staiano: he claims to be a piano teacher; however he is infinitely…read moremore than that. I first happened upon Gianni and his love affair with keyboards at a local venue called The Crepe Place. His Funk Trio, 7 Come 11, was almost literally sucking people into the front door and gyrating the floor beneath their feet. I bounded towards the front to see the instrumentation. Well, my eyes ended up glued to Gianni's fervent-foot and handwork on the hammond organ for about 2 hours. As a kid, I had learned some classical piano and listened to rich and multifarious musical styles. In the back of my mind I had been searching for someone to resuscitate my relationship with the piano. I thought, "I found the doctor." Fast forward to one year later and I am grappling with scales, chord voicings, baseline rhythms, ear training, sight-reading, chord progressions, and new songs in Gianni's studio. At this point, honestly, I felt frustrated. This guy is giving me every tool in emporium and I am just NOT a musician, I should give up. ...I'm giving up. Well, I voiced this concern to him and he earnestly reasoned that I was growing as an artist and musician. I just wasn't ready to hear it at that point. I quit for about 6 months, all the while recalling Gianni's simpatico encouragement. My life circumstances changed and I decided to give the piano, music, and Gianni another try. Returning was like sipping an outstanding scotch with a clean palate after having tried it before with a mouthful of soap. Music has a way of defying definition. Gianni continues to patiently help me wrap my head around constellations of musical concepts. His teaching helps me feel that music and life govern each other. The tools he provides allow me to face the truth of who I am as an artist and musician. One of the greatest gifts of Gianni's teaching is self-acceptance, the reminder to love ourselves where we are at this moment and keep working towards our greater goals. Three years later I am preparing for a performance, singing and playing, writing my own music, and showing up at Gianni's studio every week for more. It really makes a difference taking lessons from a performing musician. While I can't say that lessons with Gianni has instantly turned my hands into the likes of Art Tatum, Vladimir Horowitz, or Chopin, I can say that I call myself a piano player, musician, and artist with growing confidence. You can certainly take lessons from him and take his teaching as a literal guide to playing the piano and you will glean numerous playing tips and learn new songs; however, I recommend learning between the lines and trust that the really juicy stuff will digest and give you a rich takeaway in time. So, a 5 isn't enough. I have an infinitude of stars and gratitude to post for Gianni's nurturance of a really, REALLY important part of my life.

My daughter wanted a piano teacher who would nurture her love of music beyond learning scales &…read moremusic theory. Gianni has introduced her to jazz, blues & latin rhythms. She has developed the confidence to take on new music by recognizing the chords & patterns within each piece of music. Gianni has an engaging personality along with his creative teaching style. Each lesson provides guidance & a deepening connection with music which inspires her to keep playing.

I have two elementary aged children who have been taking piano lessons from Beau for a few years…read more Wow, I cant believe the progress they've made! They enjoy seeing him every week and always come out with smiles on their faces. Beau is easy going while also attentive and understanding of where the kids are at and what they need. He keeps them moving at a good pace and gives them a nice balance of progression through their leveled books, in addition to fun options in regards to songs that they get to pick out themselves. He is an incredible musician himself and truly wants every student to succeed, but more importantly, he wants them to find their own love & passion for music. I also appreciate that he's been helpful & flexible with our ever-changing schedules. I'd definitely recommend Beau for any age of learners. My kids and my step dad have all benefitted from his expertise!

Beau is the best piano teacher around! He has taught my daughter for years and she is playing…read moreamazingly. She looks forward to her lessons more and more every week!

As a budding 66 year old beginning violinist, I am pleased to recommend 5 stars to this great shop!…read moreThe shop is very helpful, patient and friendly, and not at all snooty to this neophyte, even when obviously real musicians were shopping there, and where one's lack of experience describing what you are looking for could be noticeably embarrassing. A great local asset for all musicians!

Thomas Musical Instruments is quality and great value. Great service and knowledge. I would…read morereccomend them for service and rebuilds

Tara is a unique and magical educational experience in the redwood forests near Land of Medicine…read moreBuddha. Our daughters attend and are thriving in the elementary and preschool programs. The preschool program is located in the heart of Soquel. The teachers are terrific and the children and community wonderful. While in Soquel proper, they do make weekly trips up to the redwoods to play and explore. It's an excellent program filled with creative activities, traditional Montessori education, and play. The elementary program is located within the Land of Medicine Buddha, nestled amongst the redwoods, where the children hike, play in the stream, and count banana slugs while on their way to the playground. The class sizes are small which allow our daughter to receive more attention and tailored education than in a traditional public school. Montessori-style teaching meets the student at their current level of development for each subject, providing flexibility and ensuring a child is challenged and not left behind or left waiting for their classmates to catch up. The elementary school teachers are wonderful, highly experienced, and a positive influence on our daughter. Lastly, the school ethos of compassion, mindfulness, inclusion, and kindness instill important values in our children and foster a culture of like-minded parents and teachers who share these same values. PS - Refreshingly, there are no screens at Tara. The children learn through their senses and through physical objects, not by the glow of pixels and hum of electricity.

My children have been at Tara since January of 2022 and every year we are grateful to be a part of…read moretheir community. We started at the Village campus and are now at the Redwood campus. Teachers Adela, Bev, and Regina at the Village Campus are so dedicated and passionate about their work. They show up happy to be there every single day. The daily trips to the Redwood campus to be surrounded by the forest, fun field trips, and Montessori teaching approach have been so valuable to my children. Teachers Namasya and Lisa at the Redwood campus have also been wonderful in continuing the Creating Compassionate Cultures curriculum, which at the heart is based on our body's own wisdom. I love the interconnectedness and values they teach at this school: why it's important to be kind and practice gratitude towards plants and animals, how to make a difference in other's lives, the natural elements and how they pertain to us, food sources & cooking in class, how to be a good friend and so SO much more-- these values feel like the true core of what it means to be a happy, healthy & balanced human in the world and I am just so grateful to have my children learn it at such an early age. Grateful to Tara for going on five years of a truly wonderful experience.

The 2 sisters that tutors are wonderful. Both very friendly, positive and patient. We have Hannah…read morewho's helped our child with writing, grammar and spelling. Going twice a week makes it more effective. During the school year, I enjoyed that we can give her the hw and it's done. You can let them know what they need to work on during the summer and the tutor can come up with lesson plans to help catch up if your child is behind. My child's writing and language arts have improved as shown on her report card. We are happy with the results and continue to work with Hannah.

I had been searching for the right tutor for my 8 year old autistic son and I am so happy that…read morewe've found Hannah at Charlie's Porch Tutoring Center. The center is bright, safe, clean, inviting, modern and full of color and personality. My son's tutor, Hannah is kind, patient, empathetic, compassionate and provides just the right amount of structure for my very "busy" son. My son is excited to attend his tutoring sessions each week and I would highly recommend Charlie's Porch Tutoring Center to anyone that is looking for academic assistance and support for their child. Holly, 3rd Grade Parent