I attended Jon's music class with my 4-year-old for about six months or so, and it was such a wonderful experience for both of us. Jon is kind, fun and weird in the most delightful way. He exudes enthusiasm and positivity. He also has a clear gift for making music fun and accessible for young kids. He uses little toy doggies, dinos, and action figures to teach musical concepts like how "D the dog lives inside the two black notes". I also remember him getting into this weird story arc about how a monster was trying to eat him and the kids needed to play the right note to save him. Jon brought in a variety of real instruments for the kids to explore during class -- electric guitar, a mini cello, some woodwinds, and more. This is in addition to the many instruments that are in class every week. The drum set was definitely my kid's fave. Jon was thoughtful about including every child in the activities and he had a gentle way of encouraging the shyer kids to participate without pressuring them. He'd end each class with a dance party and a call and response: "I am so proud of you!" and the kids would respond "That's me!" After class, Jon would play with the kids out on the playground, and they would laugh and laugh and chase Jon around and then get chased around by him. My son absolutely adored him to the point where he would incessantly wrap himself around one of Jon's legs when they were playing.. It's not often you get to see someone doing a thing that seems so perfectly tailored to their deepest selves, but that is definitely the vibe you get watching Jon at Jon's School of Music. It is a great time playing music with a great guy. Highly recommend :) read more

I have noticed that class since I started taking my LO to Totland. My LO was showing signs of curiosity every time he was doing his class. However, I must say that those parents who want to take their children to his class, you need to make sure your LO follow John's instructions. I have noticed that John has good chemistry with bigger kids, since I saw him many times playing with them after class. If your kid is extrovert, energetic, social and good at following instructions, his could be a nice place for your child.I have been in the child care field for two decades taking babies and toddlers to private class in music, sports and even art classes and I have never experienced a teacher who had less empathy specially for those who does not have similar personality like him. I am pretty sure that he doesn't know how to work with smaller children: how can you make a baby or toddler follow instructions if this is a phase when they want to be free to explore and LEARN? This was my experience, one day my LO and I were in Totland as usual and John came to us and invited us to go to his class for a trial. I did t ask and he offered his trial class. The first thing he asked was that my LO pick musical instrument. She picked one and started to play it for a few secs and then he asked her to change the musical instrument (thing that my LO didn't want to do because she was 2.5 and was very curious about the instrument in that moment and didn't want to change). It has not passed even 30 secs and my LO got very upset and he "invited" us to leave the class!! Can you imagine that? You got invited and after even 30 secs you had to leave?? I was very disappointed and frustrated. I left the room hearing him saying: " I am sorry, you have to leave" . I was so confused, how a teacher I'm up you and your little to enjoy his music class and then ask you to leave in 30 secs. It didn't make sense to me.I am not saying that he is not a good teacher but he does not know how to approach to LO or toddlers. I must say that John is better with bigger kids (probably kindergarten and up) in my 20 years experience in child care, I have never saw a lack of empathy in a teacher and that situation happened to my own little one broke my heart! Just be aware ! If you think your child can follow instructions and be straight the whole class go for it. But if not, please don't do it , because John doesn'tt know how to manage the situation and your kid might have a bad impression with music classes. He must be a good musician but that day show me a ZERO knowledge of child development. If he reads this, please take some ChDevelop classes... urgently! Not all adults have the same chemistry with all children's ages! And every child is different and different way to learn, each one has their own pace. read more

This is the early childhood music class you're looking for. This is the one. I am the proud father of a very musically-inclined 4-year-old. We've tried just about every music program around that's aimed at pre-school aged kids (including the early childhood music program offered by a certain prestigious private school). What we wanted was a program where our son would be learning musical fundamentals and getting real, hands-on exposure to instruments and concepts, but most importantly HAVING FUN while doing it so that he would have a positive association with music education and each class would leave him wanting to explore further. It took us long enough, but we finally found Jon's School of Music. It was the last stop on our journey to find the perfect music class for younger kids, and we've been going for over a year now--with no plans of stopping any time soon (our youngest will soon be enrolling as well). This is exactly what we were looking for. My son absolutely COMES ALIVE in Jon's class; it's his favorite part of the week. I can see him growing musically week-over-week, I can see his creativity blossoming, and again, most importantly: I can see the JOY he is experiencing in his journey with music. Because that's what it's all about (or should be, in my opinion). Music should be FUN. And at Jon's School of Music, it's a full-on riot. Jon is highly engaging and the kids adore him; the class is full of goofiness and fun--but Jon also sets limits and boundaries for them (teaching them to respect the instruments/handle them properly, keeping them on task, and enforcing some basic rules), which I think is not only appropriate, but IDEAL and super helpful for kids at this developmental stage. Kids respect Jon and they listen to him, and developing the skill of being able to take direction from someone other than a mom or dad is REALLY critical for young kids--it's an underappreciated side-benefit of this program. Seeing a couple of the negative reviews here, I can't help but wonder if they're just coming from a place of adults who aren't used to having any limits set for themselves or their children. From my perspective, Jon is running an exceptional and unique program and has learned from many years of experience what works and what doesn't, and how he needs to structure things for the greatest impact. So, yes. There are rules. They're simple & easy to follow, and in NO WAY take away from the fun. But if you're looking for a free-for-all where kids and parents alike can just sort of do...whatever, whenever...this isn't that. Jon's class may look like chaotic fun from the outside (by design), but there's an actual program here. I think 99.99% of the parents who try this class understand and appreciate that structure. I can (and do) wholeheartedly recommend Jon's School of Music to anyone who wants to put their child on a lifelong journey of finding joy and excitement in music. 10/10 read more

I love Jon's School of Music! I have been taking my son to classes here on and off for two years. My son and I play at the park where classes are held and were immediately drawn in with the fun, joyful music coming with vibrance from the classroom. The classes are geared at the age of the students, so I was relieved to be able to participate along with my toddler. Other classes we have taken expect you to know the songs ahead of time, and we rarely do, so this is delightful. I'm actually learning music theory elements I recognize from my college class: notes, scale, melody; actual components of learning music. Lots of songs are improvised or directed by the toddlers themselves. The first half of the class is songs and lessons while the second half you rotate between different types of instruments. My son likes switching between the different instruments and the games where he is encouraged to get loud and dance silly. Jon himself is a wonderful person with impressive teaching skills. He is a natural children's entertainer/musician and it is clear he just loves interacting with kids and parents. Heads up, this is a drumming centered class, so if you all don't like banging and drumming, not a fit for you. My son loves Jon and his classes! I'm so happy Berkeley supports businesses like this. It's nice to learn along side my toddler but in a relaxed, fun way! read more

We joined "Teacher Jon" (that's what my kiddo calls the instructor) this fall at one of his outdoor classes. Jon is quirky, fun, musically talented, accommodating, flexible, and kind. He is in tune with each kid's reaction to the activities and makes appropriate adjustments to maximize the learning opportunities and experience. But most of all, Jon ensures that the classes are fun and interactive for the children (and adults too!). My two-and-half-year-old was born at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic so he is a little shy and not completely socially exposed. However, he asks to go to the music class every week and repeats the scales and crescendo at home. At the end of the three-month class/season, he opened up to Jon and even started to have conversations with him. As a parent, it is satisfying to witness your children grow. Jon's music class has been a huge contributor to our kiddo's development. We highly recommend every parent to experience the classes on your own with your little ones. We will for sure continue the class with Jon. Hope to see you out there! read more

I've been taking my three y/o to Jon's classes every week for four months and we both love the classes. Jon is very cool and funny and all the kids adore him. Jon leads the class through familiar kid tunes, lots of drumming games, and exercises that teach even the littlest kids concepts like crescendo and scales. The highlight of the class is when each kid gets to play drums (on a kid size drum kit) while Jon sings an awesome song. My son loves class and the drum set so much we were inspired to get a little set for home. It's the best class. We have so much fun and I hope everyone gets a chance to try it out. read more

Jon's School of Music - Most of our classes have been held outdoors, but Jon has access to an indoor space. The kids took turns on an electric bass! Cute and cool! - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Our son joined Jon's School of Music when he was 11 months old. He is now 2 and he continues to enjoy and have fun in class. The music classes are outdoors and Jon does a good job of keeping the children engaged. He really cares that all children participate throughout class, respecting each child's comfort level. Our son loves that towards the end of the class he gets to play the drum set in front of the other children. I highly recommend checking out Jon's School of Music. read more

My kids attended Jon's school of music on and off before and after the pandemic between the ages of 2 and 8. Most recently this summer in a rock band with about 6-8 kids of similar age ranges. The teacher is very gifted and knowledgeable in music, also very passionate, intuitive and energetic. I appeciated him getting to know my kids, keeping the class very fun and wacky and identifying and encouraging their musical strengths. He writes his own songs as a way to help kids learn notes and cords. My kids got digital copies and homework to practice between lessons. I appreciated and was open and ok with the balance of formal and informality with a fun, silly, entertwining instructor who cares deeply. Thank you Jon for the years of music and sharing your creative talents and quirkiness with Berkeley! read more

We've attended Teacher Jon's school of music for about 6 months and both of my daughters (2 and 5) really enjoy the classes! I love that they play small versions of "real instruments" and learn a mix of made up/new-to-them songs and also, some classics. Most importantly, the music and the format of his classes really seem to foster a lot of confidence in the kids. Being able to hold a microphone and sing and learn different instruments really builds confidence in themselves. Even my husband who has been attending as the adult/parent participant loves it! Of all of the "toddler/small kiddo" music classes I've seen, this one has been the best for us! read more

I met Jon teaching a group glass at Willard Park a few months into the pandemic, when the playgrounds and the libraries were all closed. There weren't a lot of group activities for toddlers, and we were bored. I appreciated his small business moxy to find a way to continue doing things in a safe way when the bureaucracies wouldn't. He struck me as a washed-up barfly, but, you know, harmless. Whatever. The kids were having fun and we needed something different to do. We started attending his classes in November 2020, when Tommy was just 18 months old. A little over a year later, we are committed enrollees. Tommy gets so excited about the music class he can hardly contain himself, and calls himself a "music guy," and adores every musical instrument we've shown him, and has gotten really good at asking for the songs he love for singing and dancing and playing the drums, both the kid stuff and the adult songs that we love, from Yo-yo Ma to Frankie Smith and Lady Gaga. During the early months, when Tommy was as shy and quiet in a group setting as all the other year-and-a-half-year-olds, Jon was incredibly patient and enthusiastic about Tommy's every little audible expression, or rhythmic movement, and kept teaching important concepts like "louder" and "softer" and and "higher" and "lower"  and "faster" and "slower" and a lot of other rhythmic concepts and how to recognize a "D" note, along with a little bit of musical terminology like "decrescendo" and "12-bar-blues" (we sing a lot of BINGO). Somehow being in the class has also taught me a lot musically. As someone who has no musical training or background beyond hanging out with a few musicians and dancing in a lot of clubs when I was in my 20s, I have a better definition now of the music I like and the things that are going on in the music I listen to. I'm also a lot better and more confident at carrying a tune with a group or drumming out a rhythm. It's been great to find intellectual stimulation in the class setting & at-home practice while taking care of Tommy. But the really special thing is Jon's capacity for composing new songs, with and about the children, maybe 5 or 6 jingles each class, some of which Jon sends out for later listening & practice. And then a couple of them end up as professionally produced recordings on Spotify. The kids at that age are so creative, when they are just starting to master words and language, and their ears are still open to which sounds are interesting and significant. I am really grateful to find a professional who can hear and record and extend the special musical knack that young ones express in their early years, so that it doesn't have to disappear.  It's been really pretty great to get into the inner workings of how to make a song. It's true, Jon is a strange one, rather moody and socially awkward. His sudden honesty with the parents can sometimes feel a bit stark or harsh. He also has solid good intentions, and he's careful to reflect those in his actions. His technical skills and musical experience are real - the conservatory education & punk rocker background aren't bullish** - and he pours all of that out into connecting with the little ones in a reliably unique way each week. The classes have been the highlight of most weeks, and probably our year. read more

Jon's School of Music - Toddler Tommy jamming with Teacher Jon. - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Berkeley, California

As an early educator, I am high demanding when it comes to teaching children and I have done my research on music education too. After a first tlfre trial lesson with Jon, we (me and my son Jeremiah, he was 24 months old when we first started and now he is 2.8 years old) felt so amazed by Jon's professional music talents and passion of teaching music to young kids. Jon uses drums to warm up all children and grown-ups in the classroom, to get everyone excited about the music lesson. With different music games and a variety of musical instruments, children and grown-ups got experienced with a touch of REAL MUSIC. Plus tons of vocal exercise, movement, dancing, music notes, magic games, even combine with literature, he reads/sings a book with different songs to get children to have a full experience of music in many aspects and fully open up all sense of children. Therefore, Jon music got 4 developmental domains cover perfectly: Physical- movement, dancing, eye hand coordination, etc.,; Language/Literature- singing, taking lead, giving instructions, express oneself need and ideas, communication with peers and adults; Cognitive- remember stories, rythmns, songs; Social Emotional- tons of laughers and everyone got excited about the music class, etc., Even though my son Jeremiah has only been to the Jon School of Music for 8 months, his musical abilities & interests have changed and improved tremendously. We are Chinese and we only teach Chinese to Jeremiah at home. So, it was hard for Jeremiah to understand and to have fun in music class at the beginning of the lesson, but Jon is very patient and loving, he keeps encouraging and inspiring Jeremiah in musical fields. Now, Jeremiah eagerly and confidently plays a whole children drum sets & piano and sings Karaoke & dances in front of his classmates and other parents in the classroom without any hesitation at all. Plus, his understanding of English has been increasing greatly, he became more confident and comfortable in the surrounding English environment. And the most important things is: Jon makes us feel that we are important as other native English speakers. We always feel so included and welcome by Jon. Jon is truly a real talented musician and professional music teachers, we love to attend Jon music classes. My son Jeremiah always has a big smile after every visit. Therefore, I am highly recommend Jon School of Music to everyone who is interesting in taking their children to professional, fun and amazing music lessons. read more

Jon's School of Music - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Berkeley, California

I was signed up to start Jon's School of Music with my 2.5 yr old son this spring, but of course that was cancelled, so this is a review for the Zoom version of his class. During shelter in place with daycare and other diversions closed, I tried out a lot of different activities to get my kid social time with people other than me, and a variety of experiences in his days. Most online things didn't go over well - they either didn't hold his attention, or he'd watch yoga or whatever is was without participating. JSOM was an exception. He leads a really dynamic class that keeps the kids engaged and involved. When my son sees his face, he runs to grab his drum. At first he banged his drum and observed, but now he joins in to all the participatory parts, he dances, he sings. If you're looking for an engaging online experience before things totally start to open up again, definitely check this out. read more

Jon is an amazing teacher. I was immediately impressed how energenic he was and able to keep the focus of kids between 1 and 5. There is a lot of consistency from class to class, but also a ton of variety. We've gotten to try new instruments in every single class. My 3 year old kid now knows what a crescendo is and can tell the difference between a scale going up versus down. I highly recommend this class to any parent that wants to introduce their child to music. read more

The last thing I want is my son learning it's ok to treat his mom or anyone the way Jon treated me. I also don't want him learning such poor adult emotional regulation. My husband and I brought our son for his first class. My husband sat with my son. I stood in the back at the door observing quietly. There's a one adult policy per child. The class was half empty. So Jon shut the door in my face saying it messes things up for him to have two parents. Sorry Jon, I'd like to be treated respectfully, like a human being, a mom who wants to enjoy an experience with her child and finally a paying client. I would like my son to learn from someone who treats everyone kindly and I would like to know what kind of class I'm paying for. How about a more tactful approach? Like I have a policy of one adult per child and maybe one of the parents could switch mid class? Instead of kicking mom out? That might be a lot nicer. Based on previous reviews, this is not a one off situation but a pattern for Jon. Jon we won't be attending again and I'll let everyone I can know of my experience. read more

My son (2.5) and I have been coming to Jon's outdoor music classes for a year now and it's been serious fun, it's a place to learn and follow rules while being goofy too. Jon puts in a whole lot of effort to engage all the kids who come and It's been great to be out in a park too. Two thumbs up - great music classes for toddlers. read more

STAY AWAY FROM THIS CLASS!!! I just got back from a trial class at JSOM at the Berkeley location. I am shocked, appalled, and feel terrible about how Jon treated me, my son, and the other parents and kids. A few things should have tipped me off right off the bat. First, the class does not start on time. We arrived exactly on time, but no one was there. There was another mother standing outside waiting as well. When we went inside, nothing was set up, so Jon spent time taking out instruments and throwing them on the ground. The class didn't actually start for at least 10 minutes past the listed start time. Second, when the door opened, a powerful odor of MARIJUANA and CIGARETTES wafted out of the studio! Regardless, we decided to try the class since other parents and kids seemed enthusiastic about it. This class is Level 1 and listed for kids from 1 to 5 years old. Clearly Jon does not have children of his own and has very poor social skills dealing with children and parents. He even made something that verged on being a racist comment. After I gave him my name, he said "did you say your name was Claire?" I said, no, it's Janel". And he mumbled something about "you all look alike." (I'm Asian, by the way). I was so thrown off that I ignored it, but on reflection, I can't believe he said that. He snapped at kids and their parents when a child would make a peep or hesitate in following his instructions for one second. One child went to go use the bathroom, and on his way to the bathroom, the boy hesitated a little, looking at the toys Jon had put on the floor. Jon snapped at the boy's mother to grab his hand and admonished the boy for standing still. He also snapped at another boy who was making a little noise (I didn't even notice it until Jon made a big deal about it). Jon admonished my 2.5 year old multiple times for god knows what, and my son wasn't even doing anything distracting. Not to mention, it was his first class, so he didn't know all of Jon's extensive and very strict (and some petty) rules. If your child does any of the following (even once), you and your child will get yelled at: -Talks or makes any sounds not expressly permitted by Jon -Stands up without permission -Looks at a toy or instrument without permission -Puts his or her hands near his or her mouth or face -Touches part of an instrument that Jon did not expressly give permission to touch -Gets out of your lap without Jon's permission -Does not walk in a circle when Jon tells you to walk in a circle -The list goes on. Jon's condescending and rude attitude made things worse. At one point, he told all the kids to march around in a circle. My son hesitated for a moment, and Jon ordered me to pick him up and criticized him. Of course, this made my son upset, so when I went to pick him up, my son said "no". At that point in the class, I realized that the class was not going to work out for us (who wants to spend their weekend morning being ordered around and/or yelled at for any little thing?), so I kindly said, "hey, I don't think this is going to work for us". I did not say it in a way that was critical of the class, but more that my son might not be ready for such a controlled program. Instead of saying "hey no problem", Jon was totally rude. The only thing he said to us was "bye" in a loud and sarcastic tone as if telling us to scram. Then, when I went to put shoes on my son to leave, my son said "no" again. Jon stopped the class and said my son was being distracting. He threw a folding chair out onto the sidewalk outside and said that we had to put our shoes on outside! I was SHOCKED. Needless to say, we finished putting on our shoes inside and left as fast as we could. Thank god we didn't actually pay in advance or sign up for this class. Jon is a control freak and a weirdo. He's temperamental, rude, and nasty. As for actual music lessons, I would NOT feel comfortable leaving my child alone with him. STAY AWAY. read more

My 5-year-old daughter has been attending classes at Jon's School of Music for about a year now and we couldn't be happier. Jon's class is fun, engaging, and he introduces real music concepts in an age-appropriate way. I really appreciate that she is exposed to a variety of instruments -- drums, keyboards, strings, horns, voice -- and really gets to play them. There is attention to learning notes on the keyboard, percussion rhythms, movement, creating music with others (e.g., flubs are a fact of life), and general exploration. I was a little unsure about the parent participation element before we started, based on previous experience in other classes, but time together in Jon's class is something that we both look forward to each week. Regarding rules, it is true that he expects kids (and parents) to be involved with the activity at hand, treat the instruments with respect, and not create a disruption for the entire classroom; I find this perfectly reasonable and conducive to learning, but I can see how if you're expecting something more along the lines of the openness of Music Together, it might be an adjustment or not a good fit for you. But I really appreciate how the children are totally engaged with music in an environment that's also a lot of fun. My daughter made up her own song on the keyboard the other day and told me, "Mommy, I rocked a song!" read more

My kids have a great time in Jon's classes, he's the most engaging and high-energy music instructor I've found in the area. He does a great job of introducing music theory and rhythm to young children, in a way that's accessible and fun. He's also a great improviser and genuinely funny in a way that keeps me as engaged as my kids. Over several years of bringing my kids to Jon's School of Music I've noticed some things that make his style and curriculum unique. The other music classes I've tried require minimal or passive involvement by students and parents - they're usually in a sing-along format where the kids might get an opportunity to shake maracas at the end. Parents can kind of check-out, but the kids can too. In Jon's class, the kids are using instruments, and given the opportunity to try many instruments, in every session. Parents are expected to participate in Jon's class and remain engaged through the whole class. In other programs parents might not need to actively supervise their kids, whereas in Jon's class, for example, you'll need to make sure your toddler isn't trying to run around with a wind instrument in his or her mouth (because that's dangerous!). On several occasions I've witnessed Jon interrupt the class to tell parents to mind their kids - almost always for some sort of safety concern or when a child is clearly disruptive and the parent doesn't seem to notice. I appreciate these moments because it sets the class back on track and makes for a better learning environment for everyone. I'll keep bringing my kids to Jon's program because they enjoy it so much, they really seem to get something out of it, he teaches more advanced skills than other programs, and the kids have the opportunity to try a lot of different instruments in every session. Plus it's fun for me. I recommend taking him up on the free session he offers to see whether it's a fit for you and your kid; participating in his program has been a joy for me and my family and I recommend giving it a shot if you want to start high quality music education at a young age! read more

Our family LOVES Jon! We've been taking our kids to Jon's Music class for 5 years now. We started with my then 17 month old son, continued with my now 3.5 year old son, and have just started with my 15 month old daughter. They all love it. I do too! After every class I feel energized and happy because it was so much fun. We sing a lot of great songs, most written by Jon who is a very clever and silly songwriter, and they're fun to sing! Beyond the fact that it's simply fun to attend Jon's classes, the kids (and me) are actually learning something. My 6 year old still does a lot of the beats he's learned from Jon, he can identify where the different notes are on a piano keyboard, and even uses a lot of musical terms like crescendo, forte, and piano (as in quietly). My 3 year old knows where many of the notes are on the keyboard, has used the word crescendo in normal conversation, sings a lot, and now I know that he really likes horns. My 15 month old has great timing, is learning rhythm, and loves playing all of the different instruments. All of my children are bilingual in Chinese and Jon's class has helped by teaching them how to listen and how to tell the difference between sounds. He even sings a Chinese song in class as well as encourages my kids and others to sing songs in other languages they speak. Only in his class would I learn the sounds frogs make in Norwegian. He encourages hearing new sounds and kids helping him make up new songs. It's very fun and creative. The best part is that we all learn through doing. We learn: rhythm by following certain beats, how to follow the leader by drumming the way others do, how to lead in the same way, how to stop at the same time, how to sing in the same rhythm, how to move to the beat, how to play a myriad of different instruments, how to hold drumsticks, the basics of how to play the guitar, how to read musical symbols, where the notes are on the keyboard, and how to exercise our vocal cords. I can't say enough about how wonderful Jon's class is. There's a reason I keep coming back and bringing all of my children. I believe wholeheartedly that they are getting an education, a good start in learning and appreciating music (which research says is more and more important for learning math and other skills), and having a great time while doing it. Try his class! Go in excited to learn, enthusiastic about the music and the songs, sing loud, and I promise you'll love it! read more

It was years ago that Jon was my grandson's teacher, but I am thankful for the introduction to music that he gave Marcus. Marcus loved it and the love of music has stayed with him. He played in bands in elementary, middle and high school and is now playing in the UCLA band, I thoroughly enjoyed going with Marcus to Jon's classes and learned a few things myself. Music is a gift that lasts a lifetime. read more

Jon's School of Music - Marcus at 3 and 17. - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Berkeley, California

Wow! This class is so much fun for my 3.5 yr old son. When we leave class, he talks about it for days. In the class there is the opportunity to try all kinds of instruments: cello, bass, microphone, keyboards, drum kit. Jon is a real musician and teaches the kids true skills using humor, repetition and song. He gently encourages them to be in the spotlight as well as work together as a group. It is a playful learning experience. Jon is a magnet for the kids. They all are excited to see him, share with him and go to class. My son laughs so much in the class. He's engaged and always excited when it's a music day. Highly recommend this class. read more

My son really enjoys this class. Jon is an interesting character for sure. I find him funny and full of information. I hope to continue my sons class with him! read more

He's Rude whoever this teacher is!! He has no Idea how to welcome new kids into the class and make them comfortable I canceled classes for my both kids! read more

This has been my favorite extracurricular for my kiddo yet. I looked for a while for a music class for my daughter-- I didn't want it to focus online one instrument, and I wanted her to love it. Jon's is amazing. He seems to be trained in both music education and early childhood education, so the classes fly by in a mix of silly fun, opportunities for creativity, and solid music fundamentals: notes on a scale, rhythm, musical notation, terms like forte, pianisimo, crescendo, etc. Throughout the session my girl has played keyboard, drums, horns, violin, cello, xylophone, and more, and learned proper use of a microphone (and he didn't Bat an eye when at age 5 she wanted to sing Love Shack for her turn.) The best part is how even if there are many kids, Jon seems to notice where each is at and respond astutely, encouraging differently if they're shy or not participating, or really "getting" something. I've loved that it's total parent participation; I feel like it's really time my daughter and I are experiencing and learning from together. And the bonus of this is that a class is never "ruined" by a child (mine or another) acting out or derailing activities, because Jon's great at helping parents know how to redirect behaviors. I wish we'd found it sooner, but I'm so glad we're there now! Highly recommended, even if your kid is like mine and insisted she'd never like a music class. She LOVES it. read more

Jon's School of Music - Cutest violin ever. - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Berkeley, California

Other people have written very detailed and accurate reviews about the class, so I won't do that. My daughter is five and loves the class. She looks forward to it all week, and we both enjoy it so much and always feel so cheerful and happy when we leave. We especially like Jon's silly sense of humor. Jon puts so much heart into his class, and his enthusiasm is infectious. I really recommend trying it out. read more

Very poor conduct with small kids. We walked in the trial class at Totland on Sunday, then something came up and we had to leave the class before the class ended. It was only 2 kids and 2 parents in the class. Then, the Teacher got frustrated pushing my son on the back to leave the class quickly while my son was walking toward the exit door! I do not want my kid to learn rudeness in the name of music class! read more

Jon's School of Music is absolutely wonderful! Jon is a fabulous teacher and has a special connection with all of the kids in his class - which is obvious when their faces light up at the beginning of each class. My 2.5 year old absolutely loves him and talks about him daily until we get to class the next week. This is no ordinary music class. The kids are being taught beginner's music theory in a fun and interactive environment. I appreciate that my son is being exposed to a variety of instruments in each class and every week is new and exciting. His love of music has grown stronger because of this class and it's truly a joy to watch. Thank you, Jon!!! read more

Both my children loved Jon's classes, but it has made a huge impression on my two-year-old son. He is shy and, while he understands language, has been slow to talk. I started him in Jon's classes when he was about 18 months old and almost from the beginning, he would repeat parts of the class at home. At one point, about half his "words" were from Jon's class...it made that much of an impression on him. Jon is great with the kids, whether outgoing or not, and the range of instruments they get to play is astounding. Try a class to see how energetic and engaging it is...words don't really do it justice. read more

Jon's music classes have been an amazing experience for my son and my family. We have been attending for about 1 year. My son gets to play real musical instruments, he is learning the fundamentals of music, he happily sings solo in front of a microphone ... and so much more. The extent of the learning blows my mind. Jon is clearly a talented musician himself who has chosen to specialize in giving very small children their first experiences with music. And he REALLY knows what he is doing in terms of engaging and teaching and helping the kids have a BLAST. I highly recommend this class. read more

Our son is almost 3 and has been attending JSOM for over 1 year. He has developed a great appreciation and joy of music and playing instruments. He has developed real musical skills -- drumming in time, singing into a mic, strumming guitar, starting & stopping on time, etc.) -- through the class. I am thrilled. My kid loves it. We will continue to go and tell our friends of our positive experience. At first Jon's class and teaching technique seemed a little bizarre but it really works -- there is definitely a method to what sometimes seems like his madness -- he uses silly tricks, voices, characters, etc. to keep kids engaged but these lay the foundation of real musical understanding and appreciation -- at this point my kid can identify notes, can play in time, knows the scales, can clap on time, etc. He also has gotten to play A LOT of different instruments -- guitar, bass, violin, bells, drums, keyboard, horns, harp, recorder, etc. -- Jon rotates all the students through the various instruments so everyone gets a chance to play each of the instruments in "The Super Friends Band" We attend class in Berkeley and I highly recommend to any parent who wants to get their kid interested in music. read more

I saw a bad review for a trial class and wanted to say that I had the opposite experience. Jon was on time and great with the kids. He came up with creative ways to each concepts like sharps and flats...My daughter was very amused. They also tried lots of different instruments. I want to sign up for a class and am trying to figure out a time to do so. read more

My whole family loves Jon's classes and we were really sad when we moved and were no longer able to do these classes as they are unique and I will never be able to find something similar to what Jon offers. The best way to describe the classes is as an instrument petty zoo along with other fun activities. Jon has a nice variety of instruments and the children get to play them throughout the class. Initially, the emphasis is on getting the children to develop a love for the various instruments and music without feeling pressured to master technique. Jon has also created some brilliant songs and games to get children to experience music (rather than just memorize) which is the optimal way for anyone to learn. My children ranged from the shyest to the most boisterous in the class but they all shared one thing, their enjoyment for the class. Jon was punctual and always did a great job keeping the children engaged and always offered the opportunity for the shy kids to participate without forcing them. Children love the silly songs and games and want to do it over and over again! Which makes sense as that is how children learn. They need repetition before it becomes part of their repertoire. Jon has high expectations of his work and and as a parent you can help him achieve his goal by staying engaged with the class and your child(ren) which isn't difficult because, as mentioned above, Jon does a great job keeping children engaged throughout the class. This is a fun environment for children to develop a love for music while having fun and I highly recommend it. read more

Our 3 year old son has been going for a bit over a year now. He was very quiet and shy at first, but now he totally engages. Jon has been great with him. He's patient when he doesn't want to talk, but is always encouraging him to join in the fun. And while our son used to be a bit reserved in class, he'd do all the stuff he learned in class at home. Sing the songs, talk about the instruments he played, demonstrate the new terms he learned (like once I asked him not to yell, and he replied that he should be "piano, not forte"). I like that they don't just sit in a circle and sing songs. The kids learn about music and get to play a lot of different and REAL instruments. Yes, Jon has rules, but we find that he's firm but kind about them. And they make sense. But it's not like the kids have to sit completely still and listen. Kids are wiggly and silly and fun. But if they're crying or putting instruments in their mouth (those that aren't supposed to), he'll say something -- take the crying kid outside until s/he calms or take the drumstick out of your mouth. read more

Jon makes learning music super-fun. And the kids learn a ton. My son took classes there for four years and now my second child, age 2, has started there and loves it. My review is based on attending this class with my kids over many years. Jon is able to tune into where kids are at, (both personality-wise and developmentally) and teaches real music concepts to kids of all ages. The kids get to play real instruments, learn drum rhythms and gain a really strong foundation for lifetime of enjoying and playing music. Students also get CDs of Jon's own original music. My younger child request to hear Jon Music CDs daily. These fun and "silly" songs are actually working hard to teach kids pitch training, how to hold instruments, how to play music, major vs minor and so much more. Jon is fantastic at teaching music to kids and I highly recommend his classes. read more

I'm writing on behalf of a 4 year old friend who's had a fantastic experience attending 4 sessions of Jon's School of Music in the past year and a half. This young man is enthusiastic and never hesitant to go to class. Learning about instruments and even musical terminology has helped him to understand and appreciate music at other times and places. After class a couple weeks ago, he wanted a music video to "crescendo"--which he explained means "get louder." He's fascinated seeing musical performances (he's gone to kids' shows at Freight and Salvage) and likes to stand at the edge of the stage gazing at the instruments in action. Jon's School of Music has had an enriching effect in the life of this little boy. read more