Great Instruments at fair prices. Excellent education and selection assistance. I am loving my…read moreAlvarez guitars. We have been back to see them each vacation and always enjoy their store.

From the owner: The "Fine Arts at" instructional and retail programs were established with Fine Arts at the Beach…read morein 2008 for the purpose of providing the highest quality instruction available in the fine arts disciplines. Through this arts education program, students gain the necessary skill and knowledge to effectively utilize their creativity in music, performance, and visual finearts disciplines. Our focus also provides students with an appreciation of how the arts affect and reflect our history and culture. Students are trained to use their artistic talents to inspire, teach, and admonish others, and to enjoy the art of making/playing music as a soloist or in an ensemble as well as other areas to benefit the worship life of their local church, and to enrich their community. Our Music Studio also carries quality musical instruments and accessories for both the student and professional at a family friendly price.

I'm not sure why Google reviews are disabled, but I wanted to share my experience at the Brownsboro…read morelocation of Valley Conservatory after taking lessons there for just over a year. When I first started, I was assigned a teacher who was extremely rude. By my second lesson, he was visibly frustrated that I didn't know how to read sheet music--something I wouldn't expect a beginner to know right away. That experience alone made me question the quality of instruction and definitely takes off a star. Thankfully, I was able to switch to June, and she was AMAZING. She was kind, patient, encouraging, and truly a bright spot in my time there. I'm incredibly grateful for her. That said, I had serious issues with how the school structured its lessons. Students are expected to learn entire pages of sheet music all at once, rather than breaking it down into manageable parts. Music theory was also completely neglected--when I asked about it, the director told me it wasn't included because I hadn't specifically asked for it. That seems absurd for a music school. Thankfully, June started teaching me theory on her own, but by then I felt like I hadn't progressed as much as I should have in a year. Another issue: They charge $135/month for 30-minute weekly lessons but still close on holidays and for a full week to follow the county school calendar--without adjusting tuition. They claim it evens out, but I did the math, and it really doesn't. I've since switched to another place that charges $145/month for one-hour sessions (sometimes longer if the teacher is feeling it), and I've learned so much more in a short time. They taught me the 1-3-5 chord method--basic music theory that Valley never even mentioned. I had been struggling with chords the whole time there without any real understanding of what I was doing. I truly wish I could hire June outside of Valley Conservatory. I got the sense that her teaching was limited by the school's structure and policies. She deserves better--and so do the students. Also, for the record: I live in Hampton Cove, not San Francisco. Not sure why Yelp has that wrong. Also, I now attend sessions thru an instructor at an Independent Record Label that releases music for artists from around the globe at Silhouette Studios online and sometimes in person. They are focusing on me being on beat with a metronome which I am struggling with but having a great time!

We did a trial lesson while visiting family in the Huntsville area. Ms. Renee was so helpful in…read moreaccommodating us and Mr. Ferdinand is an incredible teacher. I look forward to enrolling when we are here for a longer term.

I have this obsession with bagpipes. I love how they look and I love how they sound! My husband…read morefinds the sound pretty annoying, but I can listen to a CD of songs played by bagpipists all day long! :D Francis Wallace is a Baltimore bagpipist - he performs for weddings (pre ceremony, processional, special music (if requested), recessional, receiving line, and at the reception)), funerals, military venues, parades, and numerous other events - he's been performing ofor over 30 years with bagpipe bands, for dancers, and as a soloist with other bagpipists as well as with other musicians. Wallace has performed for the Duke/Duchess, for the Naval Academy, with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, memorial service for the state of Maryland, as well as with the Police Emerald Society Pipe Band for the city of Baltimore. I was able to watch him and a few of other bagpipists play at a parade held in Baltimore - it was a dreary day, but the sound was so marvelous and I could have stood there, listening to them play all day long! If you're into bagpipes and want Wallace to perform for you, check him out! :D +Francis Wallace

Francis Wallace play the bagpipe at my sister's funeral as we left the church and then he was…read moreplaying as we approached the burial site in the cemetery. We had a special request to have him play "Highland Cathedral" and he was more than happy to accommodate us. He's a pleasure to deal with and we'll call on him again. Hopefully for a happier occasion.