My 10 year old and 6 year old have had a lot of fun working with Mike, and they've made remarkable progress! And it's been 100% remote, which is doubly (triply?) amazing. We started our kids on piano lessons with Mike in June, during the pandemic. Since then they've participated in at least 3 virtual recitals, with our older child even singing to her own accompaniment. I never expected that level of willingness and self confidence so soon, and I attribute that to Mike's ability to keep kids engaged while supportively guiding them into new areas they like. I'm very glad we chose Mike and Mid City Music! read more

Mike is super knowledgeable and had all the qualities I could ask for in a music teacher: he's very clear, patient, encouraging, and a great problem-solver. I'd been taught to play a really simple beat on the drums by a friend (who wasn't formally trained himself), and I wanted to go further but I couldn't figure out certain beats from looking up videos, trying to take it apart slowly, etc. Mike found ways for me to learn and to practice certain things that I didn't think I could ever grasp. He was super helpful in figuring out a step-by-step process that could work for what my strengths/weaknesses were. It was especially helpful that he invited me to take videos of him playing the beats so that I could hear them later and practice correctly. I highly recommend Mike as a music teacher. read more

Mike had been an absolute pleasure to work with! My daughter is learning so much and enjoying her lessons. We've had to pivot to Zoom lessons due to Covid and Mike has made the transition seamless. He is fun, positive and patient! Mike is very detailed and punctual and so great with kids! I cannot recommend him more! read more

I've been taking ukulele and voice lessons with Mike for almost 2 years now, and he's a great music teacher for both adults and children. I found him on Living Social or Groupon, some discount thing, but I'm sure glad I found him! I started off learning uke with him, but he slowly built my confidence to also learn voice, mostly because my singing voice was designated as "bad" since I was in the second grade. Mike is super patient and accommodating, and he seems to tolerate my off-key singing and a-rhythmic music playing without too much judgement. He's able to adjust his teaching style to diverse needs and learners. read more

My son has been taking piano lessons with Mike for a year and a half and is really enjoying his lessons. Mike is great at keeping him motivated. Mike is also very accommodating and has let my son play many additional songs he has been interested in learning on top of his songs in the instructional books. Mike is also very patient and really caters his style to your child. We are so grateful to have found him. I think he teaches about any instrument as well as voice (which my son is now also interested in). In other words, your child can grow with Mike or switch their focus and Mike will be there to guide them. There are also quarterly recitals (virtual) that give the kids a chance to perform which is really nice. I highly recommend you give him a try for yourself or your kids! read more

My son started taking piano 7 months ago and loves it! Mike is so patient and helpful. He's a great instructor and is helping my son to love learning music. A few weeks ago Mike planned a recital at a local jazz restaurant where everyone was able to get up and play a piece they have leaned. It was awesome :) Mike is also a current traveling musician but offers Skype lessons while he is away which are great! He has also been super flexible with our ever changing schedule. We love taking lessons with Mike. read more

My son has been taking drum lessons from Mike for about 4 months now and he enjoys it so much. Mike is very knowledgeable and helpful. He gave us good recommendation on a variety of starter drum sets for my son. He's been very patient with us and is always willing to accommodate to our schedule. The price is also very reasonable. read more

My 6 year old started with 1 lesson and is now taking 2. Loves the lesson and Mr. Bell. Mike Bell has a real relaxed teaching style and really does a great job. Mr. Bell can play anything. My boy wanted to play some song he heard on the radio, so he sent the song to Mr. Bell. Mr. Bell just played it so that my son could hear what it sounds like. I realize a good music teacher could do that, but Mr. Bell does it in a way that gets my son interested and keeps him interested. Mr. Bell gradually increases the difficulty level. I just like the way he conducts his lessons and does not overwhelm the student. I would absolutely recommend Mr. Bell. read more

Mike is an excellent teacher! He has amazing patience. He doesn't miss a detail like he doesn't miss a beat! Highly recommend people bring their kids to study under him. He is really trying to help your kids have a profound understanding of music. read more

So happy to have found a wonderful piano instructor in our neighborhood . My sister has always wanted to learn how to play the piano. She started off with her iPad piano app and now with the lessons she's been receiving from Mike every week she feels super confident and is always looking forward to her next class. Hopefully once she gets the hang of the piano, we will definitely ask Mike for new lessons on a new instrument. Mike is super reliable on text, email and person. Very professional and friendly. Strongly , recommend to anyone. Thank you MIKE !! Bevin read more

I have been a musician and music teacher for over 45 years. When my granddaughter was 4 years old, I wanted to have her start on piano. I should mention that her mother is a music therapist as well. We wanted to find someone who had a strong background in classical music, but was versatile is other styles of music as well. I found an online music lesson service where I found Mike Bell's bio. It was very impressive so we wanted to try him out with a lesson for my granddaughter Calista. We were so happy with the very first lesson. Mike's calm, but professional and patient demeanor was perfect for Calista or any other student for that matter. Calista just loves him. She is not easy to teach but she really listens and respects him. Mike is a wonderful, patient, knowledgeable and versatile teacher. I would highly recommend Mike as a music teacher for any level of ability. read more

Mid City Music School is amazing! Mike is super patient and super flexible. My 11yr old is learning the drums and my 8yr old the bass guitar. He first starting coming to our house after school for lessons, then we switched to his in-home studio when our kids decided to take band lessons. Now the kids are learning via zoom and it's been great! He normally hosts music recitals at his house (with his lovely wife) but this year it was via zoom. It was so great to see how adorable and talented his students from all over the world are! Highly recommend!! read more

Mike Bell is a gem! Aside from being really nice, and a great teacher, the way he teaches how to read music makes it so simple and straight forward, that even as a mom just watching the lessons, I can read music now! Highly recommend. In 4-5 months of taking Piano, my son is playing Africa by Toto (easy version) and is moving onto other songs. :) read more

You'll notice that I haven't written many reviews, but let the fact that I'm writing one now be another testament to Mike and Mid City Music School. To those of you pondering taking guitar lessons, this is no soft sell, you will learn well with Mike Bell! Professional, enthusiastic, cares about his students, excellent teacher and communicator, talented in the teachings of many instruments. I have no vocals and have for many years wanted to take guitar lessons and not only learn how to play but to stay with it. One year later, I am still doing it with Mike and very happy with my progress. My wife is now taking keyboards with Mike and feels similarly. Mike is a very special human being and urge all of those people that have the music urge to give Mike a call; you will not be sorry. read more

Mike is a very cool guy! He's kind, patient and knowledgeable. He has been working with my son for a couple years. He has taught him to play multiple instruments as well as vocals. I appreciate his approach and methods to teaching. He has always been flexible and a joy to work with! read more

Mike is the real deal! As a teacher, he's patient, attentive and very adept at keeping our five-year-old to task with his drums. We've seen him at work in his classroom for almost three months and he handles himself with poise and calm, even when the young temper flares. He's the perfect balance of comfort and challenge, and we're convinced it's been the only way anybody could get through to our kid. We are very happy to continue classes! read more

I am an adult student and have had piano lessons with Mike for more than a year. Mike is a very patient, understanding, encouraging, energetic, flexible and knowledgeable teacher. He gives honest advices and also works flexibly with my pace and goals. Two of my favorite activities are to play a piece together with him and to listen to and to watch him playing pieces in my song book so that I can pick my favorite to practice. He can also simplify the songs that I like, which are at higher difficulty levels, to my level. I still memorize and enjoy playing that song (I only practice one so far) regularly after we moved on to other pieces. I highly recommend Mike (Mid City Music school) whether you want to take piano or other music instruments lessons to have fun and/or to achieve more serious musical goals. read more

Mike Bell has been teaching me (67) and my next-door-neighbors (mid-30s and 5 years of age) for more than a year (I turned my neighbors on to him). I stumbled upon Mike after a lengthy and unhappy internet search that offered up programs and people that just didn't seem a right fit for me. I was just over-the-moon lucky to find Mike. He is everything any teacher, and particularly a music teacher, should be. He is talented, patient (oh, sooooo patient), encouraging, practical, organized, thoughtful and deeply kind. I have participated in two of his recitals(!) along with tiny tots and beginning musicians even older than I am. He takes so much visible pleasure in his students that you know teaching isn't just a job. It's a passion. And it is clear that all his students are as devoted to him as he is to them. When I'm stuck and discouraged, Mike reminds me of how far I have come. When I've been on vacation for a lengthy time and have practiced not at all, he makes it easy to come back to the keyboard, with forgiving words for my dereliction and encouragement for my ability to progress. He always arrives spot on time (if you hire him to come to you) and is always cheerful. When he knocks on the door, my heart answers. HIRE HIM. You'll be glad you did. read more

Mike is an amazing teacher and a talented musician. As an adult taking piano lessons for the first time I appreciate that he is flexible both in terms of schedule and in helping me with what I want to learn. I had been learning piano on my own but after taking lessons with Mike for around a year now I can definitely say that he has helped me improve at a much faster rate. I also really like how he runs his recitals at a local restaurant. It's a really fun and relaxed environment. He cares a lot about his students and it really shows. I couldn't ask for any more. read more