We have been taking lessons for almost a year. I have 3 children ages 8 (Isabella), 6 (Peirce is autistic), and 5 (Campbell). Isabella is a wonderful smart girl, this past school year was a real struggle due to bullying. She has struggled with being able to push through a challenge and allow herself to fail, but to keep trying. Last fall we decided to put the kids in music lessons, drums. The second class for Isabella the teacher used a Metronome to help Isabella keep the beat. After about 30 seconds she told him I have to stop, I'm getting a tummy ache. Sam asked why she was struggling and she said I can't keep up, I'm afraid I won't be able to do it right so I think I need to stop. That wonderful man, Sam, sat there and talked to my daughter about how music is art and there is no imperfection in art. He explained to her that music lessons are just a means of teaching her how to use the instrument to create her own art. We transitioned and added another teacher so that all the kids could take lessons simultaneously, Peirce and Sam had a really good report so we let Isabella switch to take lessons from Tony. Sam updated Tony regarding Isabella's struggles with perfectionism and the anxiety over making a mistake. Tony has been amazing taking over for her. He is pushing her to learn the fundamentals, but encouraging her to push outside of her self. She has actually started writing her own beats to take in to show him. Sam has been a dream with Peirce who's Autism can cause some challenges. Sam rolls with all of it and is truly loved and trusted by my son. After going to a Phillip Phillips concert Peirce is a huge fan, Peirce told Sam He wanted to switch to a guitar. Sam didn't miss a beat, he took Peirce over to pick a guitar to borrow for the lesson and began teaching him to play that day. I love love love our music teachers at Guitar Center they are incredibly supportive and positive with my children. They support and encourage my children's love for music and most of all they nurture the kids' self-esteem to grow. I could not have taught her the wonderful lesson that Sam taught her to let go of the idea of perfection and just feel the beat. Tony with Isabella, Sam with Peirce, and now Ryan with Campbell are extremely important in the process of teaching our children to overcome hard things. About a month ago Isabella and Tony came out of the lesson early because she said her hand hurt too bad to play, she might have had a paper cut, Tony was encouraging her but she just wasn't budging. That was a week that he changed to a more challenging beat. She was intimidated and wanted to quit. I talked to her about the drummer for Def Leapord, yes she knows and likes their music, lost his arm. We talked about the fabulous thing about drumming is that you can use your feet. In no time Tony had her back on the drums using her feet, and she totally rocked!!! I thought I was sighning up for music lessons, but because of the incredible teachers at Guitar Center my kids are learning so much more, they are building confidence, learning that it's ok to have a plan change but also to not fear imperfection. I love that these teachers encourage their creativity rather than trying to force them to only play other people's music. They encourage my kids to be kids, none of the stern lectures or critiques that I remember from my childhood music teachers. Hands down some of the best $$$ we are spending. I don't care if my kids become fabulous musicians, I care that their confidence in all things grows from doing this one thing that they love. read more