Great service from across the country. They were very helpful with my purchase of an autoharp and…read moreshipping it out to California. They answered all my questions and were very friendly. I just wish I could be there in person to browse what else they have in stock!

Lovely people, lovely instruments. The best place for folk/traditional instruments and musicians in…read moreDC. If you go in, just talk to the guys. They know so much, and love to talk. I guarantee you'll learn something. Also a great place to run into other musicians. They're fair and honest consigners.

Ryan was highly recommended to me by the local Guitar Center, which was between guitar techs…read more He answered my questions and even told me what I'd done wrong in my amateur soldering job. He fixed it quickly. I, too, highly recommend him.

I visited a few music schools in the area and my son picked this one. One school I visited and he…read moredid not want to go in much less stay for a lesson. We visited RSM, my son walked in and gave himself a guided tour then snuck into a studio and started playing on the piano.... he likes it there. Despite his ADHD he is so focused when he gets into that studio with Ms. Nicole. When steel pan classes are added I'll be taking lessons myself

Updated to reflect the fact that our lessons are with a different teacher (totally fine, she's a…read moregood teacher, it's just different), the space for lessons is insanely small, and the receptionist(s) for the last ~ 6 mo will literally not say a word when you walk into RCM. No eye contact, no hello, no acknowledgment, literally nothing. This isn't one-off, it's every week for half a year. I say this because if I were a new customer (and honestly, even as an existing customer), it's a complete turn off. And we've had an instructor cancel a lesson without being notified. Instructors can be absent but if the student needs to be absent for any reason, that lesson is not rescheduled or refunded. Expensive lessons for poor customer service.

Ellen Paul did an excellent re-hair of my name-brand violin bow. She was recommended to me by a…read moreprofessional cellist in the DC area. On the phone, Ellen was careful to explain her Covid-19 protocol. When we met the next day outside her home shop, she examined my bow for any repairs needed to the stick, frog, pad, winding and tip and gave me her fee in advance. Her fees are fair and in-line with other bow-repair professionals in the metropolitan area. The completed job, ready the next morning, was beautiful. The new hair was thick and even. The stick had been polished and the tension screw oiled. Already primed with a dusting of rosin, my bow only needed a few good strokes of cake rosin to pull a beautiful sound from my violin. I will definitely return and will recommend Ellen Paul to my violinist friends.

Amazing luthier and musical tech! I was severely let down by others but this place is by far the…read morebest place to get your instrument set up. He is extremely knowledgeable and skilled. I will never trust anyone else again. He has a nice little shop where you can order gear, customize equipment and get great advice from someone with great hands, eyes and ears! Truly an exceptional find in the area. Worth driving to and avoiding the chain stores for a personal touch! Surprisingly competitive priced with the chain stores too! This place is awesome!

Great work on set-ups and string changes. Cool shop. Friendly staff and a collection of interesting…read moreguitars and basses. I highly recommend!

I have played violin for nearly 50 years. My violin is a very close second to my children. This is…read morea shop where you can entrust your beloved instrument. I brought my violin following a catastrophic fracture. Not only was he gentle and understanding, his recommendations produced a fulsome resonance I haven't heard for years. This is a violinist's violin technician.

ZZ is the best!! I…read morebrought in a violin to his workshop a few weeks ago that I'd played over two decades ago that had several issues that required the right luthier's TLC. I was hoping ZZ could repair it for my Mom, as her birthday was coming up soon, and I was hoping to gift my violin to her. She has always wanted to learn how to play it, but never had the chance until recently after she retired. As a child of working class parents in a small town, her parents simply couldn't afford the materials and lessons for her to follow her passion. ZZ did a phenomenal job examining the violin and walking me through the various options for repairs and what they would cost. In addition to his true professionalism and extensive knowledge, he is also delightfully down-to-earth and lovely to work with. I continue to be impressed with his craftsmanship, and am eternally grateful to have found him on my search for local luthiers! He has completely transformed my violin into a beautiful looking and sounding instrument that I know my Mom will treasure for years to come. Cannot recommend him highly enough for those needing expert violin repairs and advice!

Cecily is a great teacher. She provided vocal lessons and training for my daughter. Cecily was…read morealways kind and encouraging with her. Also, she was patient and seemed interested and to care. I believe her prices are reasonable and I definitely could see and hear the progress, confidence and overall improvement of my daughter's vocal abilities.

I've been one of Cecily's vocal students for almost 9 years (off and on) now. I have learned so…read moremuch about how to control my voice using my body because of her. When I first started I couldn't intentionally access the full range of my voice. Through Cecily's teaching style, I learned techniques that have improved my voice and my ability to manipulate it with ease. She also has great energy and starts each session with breathwork that is beyond therapeutic.