My two daughters had a wonderful experience in the Wow Music program. Both started with the traditional method, starting by attempting to read notes in one clef and then finally moving to the other. After a year of this for both, we sought another method that would be more motivating and "brain friendly." After their first WOW lesson, they came away having memorized a song they could play with both hands and sing along with. The method is NOT traditional, and, from someone who took from a VERY traditional teacher as a child, is inspiring. The method motivates children because they are not forced to memorize notes and theory; instead they are able to play recognizable pieces from the onset. This is a confidence builder! The students do not realize how much musical theory they are learning as they work up the levels in the curriculum. The students quickly gain the confidence to tackle any musical piece if they have the chords!! Summer programs and recitals at WOW are also unique. The creative approach to keeping students engaged by encouraging them to try new instruments has been fantastic. The owners understand the musical interests of their students and introduce them to all genres --- but many students really enjoy being able to learn to play recognizable pop songs!! My daughters took piano for 4 years, and one of my daughters also took guitar. The girls were lucky to be paired with other children who were at a similar level and musical interest. The owners work very hard to accommodate the busy schedules of students, and are even flexible when these schedules change mid-year. Although my children are no longer taking lessons due to other obligations, their musical knowledge base is strong enough that they are confident that they can return to their instruments easily. The WOW method makes learning music engaging, not stressful. read more

Both of my daughters are in the Wow Music program and love it. My older daughter in high school has been taking lessons for 8 years. I gave her the option to stop when she started high school because of more commitments, but she did not want to. My younger daughter has taken guitar for 5 years and really enjoys it. Tommy works very hard to fit the lessons around our schedules at the beginning of the school year as well as finding the right partner at the right level for each student. During the summer, the program is extremely flexible, where you get to choose the date and time for your lessons, all in one week or spread out through out the summer. The methodology is different from traditional piano lessons in that the children are using their ears and patterns to learn the pieces initially. They walk out of their first lesson playing a piano piece with both hands. The level of music theory that my kids have learned is amazing! I never learned the number of different chords by memory, diminished, augmented, etc., in my eight years of piano. And my kids have learned easily how to transpose pieces. My daughter was playing with a church group who wanted to change the key of a piece; and my daughter was easily able to change the piano music to a new key. Tommy and the teachers make learning music fun for the kids. They get to try different instruments during jam sessions and summer lessons; they get to play in a band structure during the summer; they get to compose their own music and perform it. Wow Music Studios has changed music lessons into a dynamic learning experience that engages the children. read more

I read the negative review about WOW and it compelled me chime in. My 2 kids have taken guitar and piano lessons for the past 8 years and I could't be happier about the education they've received and the treatment I've gotten. I would agree with Tim A. that their method is somewhat unorthodox in that it is such a break from the outmoded and restrictive traditional way kids have been taught. Paring the kids with a partner is a great idea to motivate them and demystify the learning process. The kids push and challenge each other. They come out playing part of a tune after their first lesson! Tommy and the staff (all of them accomplished musicians and teachers) have created an atmosphere and methodology that inspires the kids to learn and gets them playing songs immediately. There's not a lot of inane scale repetition or learning outdated material. My kids have learned to play song by Coldplay, Kings of Leon, Elton John, The Beatles, Dylan, Dave Brubeck and Vince Guaraldi, as well as Minuet in G and Sonata in C. They make it familiar and fun, not foreign and stuffy. I think I have gotten every penny's worth of what I've paid in. My kids have a true appreciation and love of music . And, they can pick up practically any sheet music and play it. Chris C mentioned schedule changes were a hassle. To that I would say that I'm sure it's not easy coordinating all of those kids; pairing them with the appropriate partner and ensuring the kids are moving forward with the material. I can tell you that the Tommy and Emily have always been accommodating. read more

Our two kids have been taking piano lessons at WOW music for the past three years, and my son also added guitar lessons last year. We love the studio for many reasons. Most importantly Tommy and all the teachers are so enthusiastic and really convey a love of music to the kids. The curriculum is diverse with kids learning many styles of music from classical, blues and traditional music, to favorite popular songs and catchy original music that helps teach different skills and theory. Instead of the tedious repetition and scales I was raised practicing, this program has kids learning chord progression, harmony, accompanyment, and the foundations of music in a dynamic and fun way. Every lesson brings something new and keeps the kids engaged and excited about class. There is also opportunity for kids to sing and play together, and to discover joy of sharing music with others. The mission of WOW music is to give kids a lifelong love of playing music, and we definitely feel like our kids are off to a great start in their hands! read more

A few months back or daughter finished her piano classes with Tommy Toy at the WOW studios. She was wrapping up 3 full years with Tommy and was entering high school. Her workload was just too full, and her high school attention was re-focused to athletics. Never the less, our 3 years with Tommy has left our daughter with a very positive mind set about piano, and she still jumps on the keyboard in her spare time. My daughter, my wife and myself were overjoyed with the enthusiasm and professionalism Tommy provided. The method of WOW studios is somewhat unorthodox, compared to what we all grew up with in the 1960's and 70's. Yet, the format was perfect for our daughter, and I too adapted within weeks. As Tommy was often to say, playing and practicing should not be looked at as a chore, it should be looked at as fun. Indeed, Isabella's and our experience for the 3 years with Tommy at WOW was FUN. We recommend Tommy and his studio without reservations. read more

I remember my cranky old piano teacher from the 1960s. It was so stressful that I learned to hate piano and was discouraged from learning any instrument. In stark contrast, Wow Music Studios has a joyful and effective approach to teaching and we feel lucky to have found them to teach piano to our daughter. Our daughter is a graduate of the WOW program and I must say that she not only learned how to play piano, but learned to love music. She's since branched out into all directions paying Mandolin, Ukelele and Guitar as well. I saw they got a negative review on Yelp and I felt compelled to write about our personal experience. Tommy & Emily who run the school are amazing people and are extremely professional. Not everyone will have the same experience at any given music school but, speaking for our family, I can't imagine a more creative, safe and fun learning environment. read more

We have been so impressed with WOW, Tommy & Matt Post (our son's piano instructor). We had tried a few other locations for lessons but as soon we began at WOW within the first lesson our son had learned a new song and not a "mary had a little lamb" type kids song - within a few more lessons - he was able to play a blues riff and soon after a classical song and it continued on from there. It is an amazingly rewarding program with immediate gratification for the whole family. Everytime my son sees a piano - he can't wait to jump on it and play his repetoir. We are going on our 3rd year at WOW and our younger son is so excited that he gets to begin classes this year. Everyone I have recommended the program too has not only loved the format but has thrived in it. Soon we are going to try guitar..... read more

Our kids (boy and girl) started taking piano lessons at Wow about seven years ago. They loved it. The program is fantastic. Tommy is a source of inspiration and joy. Our kids looked forward to the lessons. The lessons are usually with other students their age, which increases the interest and the desire to be prepared for the next lesson. My kids also had the chance of experimenting with other instruments (drums, guitar, base guitar). And the performances were something they also looked forward to. Plus the summer music camps, where the kids form their own rock bands, write their music, and create the songs, were a huge amount of fun. Highly recommended! read more

My daughter has taken lessons from Tommy at WOW music for 4+ years - she loved the relaxed way that he taught so she was never stressed about going to her lessons or if she didn't get something the first time around. We treked across the bridge each week to take a lesson and she was always happy to go to learn something new or perfect what was learned the previous week. I would highly recommend WOW to anyone who wants to learn to play the piano. The recitals are cool too, very fun to watch all levels play in an intimate setting. Kathy SF read more