Mark Newstetter, who runs Balboa Guitars at Balboa and 41st Avenue in San Francisco, is a wonderful…read moreguitar teacher with an amazing grasp of theory and an eclectic effective approach to learning the entire fretboard, rather than focusing on first position. Also a really kind person.

I took lessons as a beginner from Mark for almost 2 years, and he also setup my guitar/bass during…read morethat time. A great teacher (especially for getting proficient with theory on the fretboard), a knowledgeable and skilled luthier, with very fair prices!

Very helpful and professional helping me find a banjo instructor. Sent him a text and he responded…read morein 5min with contacts, helping me find that last minute Christmas gift. Thank you, James for connecting me to your musical network! Much appreciated.

I just finished my first guitar lesson with Jimmy and I can't wait to go back! I was a bit nervous…read moregoing in, but he made me feel at ease right away. He showed a few things about technique and chord voicing and we were already playing tunes together by the end of the hour. I had a good time, learned new things, and now have a list of things to work on at home. What more could a girl want from her first lesson? 2-thumbs way up :)

Everyone at Blue Bear Music is like family! No matter what type of music lessons you are looking…read morefor you can find them all here! All the teachers and staff are amazing. I would highly recommend Blue Bear to learn a new music skill or for a new creative outlet to balance out your work life. You will make life long friends here.

Wonderful way to sing and play an instrument with professionals guiding the way...my personal…read morefavorite is the Blues Roots workshop led by Randy Clark, terrific guitar player and singer who creates a really positive atmosphere for the musicians to play.

What can I say about Kit that hasn't already been said.... He's an icon of the SF music instructor…read morescene and can often be found in local bars, cafes, and theaters playing the music he teaches. He's got a great attitude and exuberance and brings to bear a sisyphean patience and resolve when guiding me through the world of the guitar and music theory. Five years now. Thanks Kit!

I have seen Kit play out in local clubs all around San Francisco for years, fast forward to January…read more2020 I scored a studio in a building where he teaches. Recognizing him, I started taking lessons with him and don't have enough great things to say about him. He's a killer guitar player, a great teacher and an incredible resource for any and everything guitar and live music. I cannot recommend him any more highly!!

This is a great spot in Noe Valley to study music. I have been taking 30-minute piano lessons once…read morea week with Oliver Levy since January. For the previous two years, I had been relearning piano on my own after a couple decade hiatus. But getting back into study mode with a teacher launched my playing further than I ever expected. Oliver put challenging pieces in front of me to learn that I probably wouldn't have sought out on my own. In particular, he turned me onto Chopin's Nocturnes, and helped me go from "there's no way I'll ever be able to play this" to "is it considered obsessive to play this seven times a day because I'm addicted to the way it gives me chills every time?" 5/5, would recommend. PS: There are some pretty harsh reviews for this business, but I never once experienced any negative vibes. All around great experience for this guy, a happy customer excited to continue growing into the best musician I can be.

Please be aware of the ongoing fraudulent activity from Russo Music School. They have deducted…read moremoney constantly and I Have lodged an official Better Business Complaint. Next step: Complaint with Consumer Affairs California to Shut your business down permanently. For all those who have had ratings like mine do not hesitate to act on the spot and take legal action as you see fit. Thieving behavior that was reported as fraudulently changing the business information and retaining financial information to deduct money long after the cessation of classes is called Theft in broad daylight. This is in addition to her persistent efforts to disparage my son not that she's anything worth paying for! She failed at her job as a music teacher the only skill set she has she cannot perform properly and cannot inspire students to learn. What she is good at however as are the remainder of the chosen music teachers is to act uptight and rude and baseless and change their identity to commit financial theft. This is despite the blocks I put on my bank end and they advised me that Nicole Russo mostly changed a few details so that the information she had saved about my card she deducted on an erratic basis in exorbitant disproportionate amounts. Please refer to the files or evidence to support my review. I am sure those of you out there who experienced this can relate to me. Also, be sure to collaboratively issue complaints with BBB and Consumer Affairs California and I am sure if they see a red flag, Russo Music School Should be permanentlY SHUT DOWN for theft, misrepresentation, identity tampering, abusive work environment, and the barrage of violations that are being committed. Looks more like the Russo School of Theft to me! I Have the evidence to back that up (attached) and more! NOTE TO OWNER: ANY REPEAT OFFENSE AT ATTEMPTING TO STEAL MONEY WILL BE MET WITH ME ISSUING A POLICE COMPLAINT OF THEFT.

I've been taking group guitar class with Joe for a couple months and I have learned so much…read more I really enjoy the group aspect because we get to be social, laugh a bit, and work together. Bonus teacher nerd points because as a piano teacher, I learn a lot from Joe about how to conduct a group class-- a rare and little-discussed aspect of music teaching. Joe's years of experience have come through in my playing in a short time. Highly recommend!

My sons have been taking weekly guitar lessons with Joe for over ten years. My older son started…read moreplaying with Joe at age 6 (he is now finishing high school). His younger brother transitioned from the piano to guitar and started with Joe at age 10 (he's now 14). Joe is a patient and supportive guitar and music teacher. He has been a steady part of their upbringing, and he has been a good role model for them. They are good guitar players. More importantly, they love playing and play most days of every week. I credit Joe with developing their love for playing the guitar, which they will carry forward into their lives. I highly recommend Joe.

I've had positive experiences here in getting lessons for my young kids and me. Instruction was…read moregood, and varied -- music theory and different genres and styles are taught. I think at one juncture they were going through a change in ownership and digital scheduling, and the payment engine had a little "tuneup period" but the class content flowed fairly smoothly. I think Mr. Jordan teaches voice, theory, and fretboard instruments. The teachers are an informal, wonderful group to deal with. They are reliable, dependable, and flexible. A couple of times we reciprocated with this flexibility. Unless you're dealing with the Conservatory it seems the scheduling of musical instruction can be an exercise in adaptability. I recommend the music instruction studio of Gregg Jordan, at fairly reasonable rates, for all ages.

Gregg was my instructor for 3+ years and he thoroughly engaged me as a student. I have always…read moreaspired to have his skillset. If your child wants to learn classical/rock guitar from a great chill teacher, he has my vote.

I started taking ukulele lessons with Joe a year ago. I love the group format because not only do…read moreyou need to listen to each other to be a great musician, but I am now part of a wonderful community of people whom I would never cross paths with but are so encouraging in each others progress. My ukulele classmates now invite me over for BBQs, jams sessions, share baby photos, organize Kala tours...the list goes on. One of the students, Sonya, is an exceptional singer so she accompanies our songs which really adds to the musicality of the group of beginners. On occasion Joe will bring in guest musicians to play with us. I have quite a few songs under my belt now and have learned some music theory. Joe encouraged me to take the Jam class this year which means each student learns a song a week and leads the class, which is made up of guitars, ukuleles, the occasional bass guitar, violin or mandolin. You learn to follow your fellow musicians and communicate (non verbally) solo opportunities and how to end your piece. Music is the best thing to share, so do yourself a favor and learn an instrument with a truly talented and encouraging teacher, Joe!

My son has been taking lessons with Joe for almost 4 years. Since the very first day my son has…read moreenjoyed his lessons a lot. Every time he comes home he talks about what he learned and he keeps improving. Today he can play almost every song he wants. He looks it up and practices with what Joe has taught him. Now he also goes to a Jam session were he can play along other musicians and he can't wait each week to go there. Joe is a great teacher, he is very patient, knows exactly how to engage kids (my son started when he was 11 years old) . He also let's him work on the type of music he likes and is very flexible about letting him try new and challenging songs. This has been one of the best investments in our sons life. Thank you Joe!