I invested in a teacher training course with Justin Stoney. I was already teaching voice but knew I…read moreneeded more pedagogy, more of the science behind the voice. I really researched hard. I did my homework hunting for the course that I felt would help me grow and be competitive with the other vocal coaches in the area. Although a bit pricey, I went for it. It was money worth spent. I am so confident in my skills. I feel I can navigate any vocal challenge with my students. I am on a waitlist and am seeing phenomenal progress in my students!! I am a huge fan of Justin. Be sure to take advantage of your lesson with Justin as part of the course offering. I learned a lot and he helped me with a voice student. It was really cool.

Had a voice lesson with Julie like 2 weeks ago and it didn't go well. I really felt unwanted there…read more Didn't learn anything. After doing some warm up exercises she told me I have to take lessons with a male coach because she can not show me the technique since she has a soprano voice. I was really sad and encouraged after that. Also, I expected, and it would be fair, if they offered me as a replacement another class with a male coach since Julie wasn't able to teach me the technique....but nobody contacted me - really sad and disappointed.

NYC Guitar school is one stop for learning guitar, restarting guitar, singing or wanting community…read morewith other musicians (there are also ukulele, bass lessons - and a ROBUST rock band program). In addition to classes there are many events at NYC Guitar School from open mic, workshops, guest talks... SONG LAB is a great new addition to that line up - members and non-members alike can join. Song Lab is a 3 hour block - everyone involved (ALL levels of singers, bassists, rhythm guitars, lead guitars) are taught their part of the chosen song by one the amazing teachers at NYC Guitar School. By the end of the 3 hours the song is played as a group in a performance type setting. Past SONG LAB songs include Rebel Rebel, Sweet Child of Mine, Creep, My Girl. SONG LAB is an amazing way to start playing with other people, test your skills, learn new skills, learn a song you have always wanted to play in record time, meet other musicians that you will see again in either virtual or in person classes, open mics, or join in rock band. My overall experience with NYC Guitar school and their top tier teachers has been so gratifying - I highly recommend Song Lab to anyone new or seasoned - it is a lot of fun.

Never having sung before in my life, I was a bit nervous and uncomfortable booking a voice lesson…read moreahahaha but in my 27th year on this floating rock I have learned that life is WAY too short to not do things you want to do just because you may be a bit embarrassed. I have found leaning into discomfort is where the comfort is. I walked into NYC guitar school on the 7th floor of 251 W 30th St ready to test my vocal prowess. The entrance is beautifully curated, with guitars coating the walls every direction you look. Immediately I was struck with a creative energy that I was excited to be around. I checked in and sat on the couch as I was about 15 minutes early. My middle school basketball coach would always say "if you're on time you're late." I normally am late but on the off chance I'm not I love to throw that quote around. Gaby, the girl giving my lesson, came in and got me off the couch. Her vibe was RAD. As we walk down the hall into a separate sound proof room thoughts began running through my head. "She better not give me any kind of compliment about my voice or she will create a monster..." I thought to myself while picturing my band selling out the Garden 8 nights in a row. We sit down, and she asks me what kind of music I like. I begin to give my spiel that I give everyone about how I love the Red Hot Chili Peppers and J. Cole, but I'm not a corny J. Cole fan as I saw him at the house of blues in 2010. I am always hopeful this will build some credibility... She immediately names DEEP cuts from both artists that I didn't think there was any chance she would know. "I'm in the right place..." I say to myself. I begin to tell her how I have never sang, but think I have good energy for it and how I kinda think I have a nice voice hehe haha. "You don't need to be a great singer to be a great frontman," she says. BIG mistake, Gaby. That is the first step to creating a monster. She begins to ask about me and what I like to do and I coyly tell her I have a major passion for writing. I'm really shy (shy monkey emoji). "What kind of stuff do you write?" She asks. I told her I write in my journal a lot, as I don't want to tell her the bulk of my writing is yelp reviews she'll think I'm a nerd hahaha. I eventually do tell her my unrelenting passion for writing yelp reviews, and we share a laugh. She then asks "have you written any songs?" I mean of course I have, but haven't we all? I initially resisted giving her a hard yes, but eventually did tell her "I have written a few..." "Will you sing one for me?" she asks. I was taken aback. My internal dialogue "She wants me to sing? In front of her? wtf?" I then immediately snap back into reality that I did indeed pay for a voice lesson, so she probably needs to hear me sing ahahaha. I said the same to her and we had another good laugh. She was so great at calming my nerves, saying things like "I PROMISE you I've heard worse," "Just have fun with it!" I have a bit of a moment here, sitting across from the stranger with anxiety rushing to my head preparing to sing when I hardly even sing to myself seriously. I take a deep breath and begin: "I knew right when I seen ya, I knew that, that I need ya Where you from, Valentina? What's your drink, tequila soda? That's your friend......" Alright I can't give y'all all of it, come to one of our shows at the Garden to hear the rest. My voice cracked a couple times in the beginning, but once the nerves died down a bit I felt I did it justice. "WOW! That was actually really good!" Gaby says. "You have a nice voice and a unique sound which is rare!" Maybe she was gassing me up a bit, but I'm taking that compliment and RUNNING with it. She immediately tells me to keep going and runs to her piano and starts playing notes to try and get the key I am singing in. Once she finds it she runs over and picks up her acoustic guitar, and starts playing chords along with my voice. Next thing I know I am singing this song that I wrote playing over chords, that was so F'in cool. Overall, the experience just made me realize how I need to be around these kinds of creative people more often, it's just so inspiring. Gaby gave me some things to work on until our next lesson! THANK YOU NEW YORK CITY GUITAR SCHOOL! GABY IS THE GOAT! IG @jnov_ Tiktok @jnov__

I just had my first lesson with Taylor a little over a week ago. Man, the guy's got some skills…read more In just one lesson he showed me some tricks that yielded a palpable improvement in my sound. I've had quite a few lessons with various teachers and Taylor showed me a few tricks to make sure my tongue is not pulled back too far into my throat. There was a really awesome exercise involving a pen that he showed me and that not only made me realize how much cleaner/freer the sound is coming out when my tongue is at a proper position -- but some of the other tricks he showed me to keep the jaw and unnecessary movement still. Taylor's got a great ear, I loved all the exercises he showed me, and am feeling a palpable improvement in my awareness , relaxation, and sound after just one session. Seeing him again this Wednesday, I can't wait. Needless to say, I highly recommend lessons with him. He is practical, perceptive and showed me some really cool exercises no one else did. He is the MAN. Thanks, Taylor! Peace

Louie is amazing ! We attend the classes for my 9 year old…read moreon Saturday mornings at 11. Evan loves playing guitar and Louis is so patient and friendly . This place is nice and clean and feels welcoming. I highly recommend it.

This is a great place for beginners. I hadn't touched my guitar in years hence I looked into…read moretaking some classes. The group is typically small thus the instructor can work with everyone. At the end of classes, they expect you to perform at their mini-concert. I learned how to play Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin and Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison because of this school.

Leslie is an absolute gem. A lovely mix of beauty, passion, release, and hope, my lessons with…read moreLeslie are unlike any experience I've ever had! I met Leslie in my chair, at my hair salon in Gowanus, Brooklyn. My first conversation with her changed my life! We talked about voice, song, breathing. She asked me if I sung, because she felt my speaking voice sounded so! I shortly started taking lessons in her beautiful, airy, and peaceful apartment across the street from Brooklyn museum. What a treat our times are together! Not only will Leslie help you find your singing voice and help strengthen it deep with you, but she will help you tap into reservoirs of yourself you didn't know were in there. We scream, sing softly, and work with the breath to find perfect balance! It's always a therapeutic experience. Leslie inspires me to work hard, and never give into my limitations! She's amazing! Rebecca

Leslie was completely disrespectful in how she communicated with me. In addition, seems to have a…read more'holier than thou' attitude. I wouldn't recommend her.

Alec is THE BEST! If I could I would always take lessons from him for the rest of my life!!…read moreI am an adult guitar player; still learning. I had to move from NYC , my guitar lessons and becoming more proficient in such a professional, happy and thoughtful place, I miss a ton (inspiration for this review). Alec not only plays at a professional level and has a natural ear for music but can teach and simplify things so you can easily keep growing on all levels of music proficiency ( reading music, music theory, classical and electric guitar). For me as a medical professional with a heavy science background; I really wanted to understand a little of music theory each lesson. Somedays, when I was tired from the hospital though, I could goto a lesson, learn a new song and be playing it by the end of the lesson. I found every minute of my lesson super valuable! I also find having moved around the country a ton that guitar teaches at NYC guitar are on a much higher level of postgraduate music training. I personally like many types of music from classic rock, alternative, big band, jazz and even opera. This place has so much to offer; I sometimes wish I was a kid with more time because there are so many fun opportunities here!!!

Just finished Absolute Beginners with Sam. Loved the class; it was small and intimate and broke…read moredown the chords and strums into easy to follow steps for someone who had never picked up or strummed a guitar before. Felt super accomplished playing a song on their stage after only 10 weeks of lessons! The staff at the UES location is amazing and very helpful in rescheduling any missed classes. Finally, the online course that comes with the tuition is awesome. It breaks down the lessons into two minute mini lessons; super easy to follow and a great way to brush up on chords and skills learned in class. Definitely looking forward to continuing my guitar education with NYC Guitar School.

I've been using The Vocal Lab services (Annie P.) for a couple of weeks now. In looking for vocal…read morecoaching services for a professional setting (i.e. not singing), I came across this business and connected with Annie. Annie helped me identify ways in which I can improve my voice - tone, pitch, etc. I can already hear a difference in just two sessions! Very pleased.

Such an amazing experience working with Lauren on improving my vocal technique! Our zoom sessions…read morehave been so helpful and professional!