What age can children start?

Children can begin with Little Mozart at age 4, and private lessons start at age 5.

Do you offer online lessons?

Yes. Amabile offers online lessons along with in-person instruction, with online availability seven days a week.

How often do students perform?

Students are offered performance opportunities every 6 months, with larger formal recitals in Spring or Winter.

Can siblings schedule on the same day?

Yes. The school works with families to coordinate lesson times close together when possible.

Are there any important things to consider before signing up my child?

Your child needs to express an interest in learning an instrument. We like to know if your family has a musical background, what your child's reason for taking lessons is, and what they hope to achieve. From the student and family, we expect commitment to regular lesson attendance and home practice.

What is the enrollment process? How do I enroll my child?

Enrollment begins with a basic questionnaire and setting up a trial lesson with a prospective teacher. Official enrollment usually follows after the trial lesson.

After enrollment, does the lesson happen at the same time every week?

Yes. A regular weekly lesson plan works best for educational progress.

What is the tuition rate?

$225/month for a 30-minute private lesson once a week recommended for beginners under age 7. $330/month for 45 minutes recommended for age 7 and up including teens and adults. $420/month for 60 minutes recommended for adults or advanced students.

How much should I expect my child to practice at home?

As a general guide: 20 min daily practice for a 30-min lesson, 30 min for a 45-min lesson, 40 min for a 60-min lesson. True practice isn't playing the music over and over — it's isolating a problem and working on it.

Do you offer a sibling discount?

Yes — we waive the 3rd registration fee if 3 or more students all sign up on the same day. We also offer a special referral bonus for every successful enrollment you refer to Amabile.

What is a good age to start private piano lessons or the music group class?

Age 4 after evaluation by a teacher; age 5 and above are ready for private lessons. Group Class: ages 4 and 5 age 3 or younger must be evaluated.

What is a good age to start a string instrument violin viola cello?

It depends on a child's ability to concentrate and their interest in the instrument — this can be as young as 3. Violas and cellos are bigger instruments and need bigger hands so a transition from violin is often easier.

What is a good age to start voice lessons?

Voice lessons can be beneficial at any age. For young children lessons can be productive as long as they don't force the child's vocal cords. We typically begin discussions around age 8 or 3rd grade.

What is a good age to start a woodwind instrument?

Many students start in 5th or 6th grade when school band programs start but starting around 3rd grade also works. Some woodwinds need fingers big enough to cover holes; saxophone and flute don't have holes to cover.

Do you accept adult students?

Yes — we accept students at all levels. Many of our adult students are equally as dedicated as younger students.

What is the length of each lesson?

Lessons are 30, 45, or 60 minutes. 30 minutes is recommended for beginners ages 5–6. 45 minutes is recommended for age 7 and above including teens and adults. 60 minutes is recommended for advanced students.

What if my child is sick and can't attend a lesson?

Let our front desk know immediately — call (415) 682-7738 during school hours or email frontdesk@amabilemusic.org outside school hours. More than 24 hours notice gives us time to inform the teacher.

What happens if I need to cancel or reschedule?

We offer unlimited group make-up classes when a student must miss a lesson. You can sign up before or after the absence at any time that's convenient. Unless it's a genuine emergency please give at least 24 hours notice.

What happens if an Amabile teacher cancels a lesson?

We let students and parents know as soon as possible. Our staff arranges either a make-up lesson or a qualified substitute teacher at or close to the regular lesson time.

Can my children take lessons at the same time on the same day or back-to-back?

Scheduling is handled by our office staff and every effort is made to accommodate parental requests. If we can't accommodate a preference we note the request and contact you when the preferred time becomes available.

Is it possible to have a lesson every other week?

We don't usually encourage bi-weekly lessons — they create slower progress and scheduling difficulties and it's unfair to the teacher to reserve a slot used only every other week. Under certain circumstances we sometimes allow it for example an adult student or a financial constraint.

What is your withdrawal policy?

Tuition is month-to-month. To discontinue submit a withdrawal form by the 15th of your last month. We do not prorate the last month's tuition.

Do you offer in-home lessons?

Yes but only if on-site lessons are impossible. In-home lessons include an extra travel fee passed to the teacher and the student can feel detached from the school. On-site students and parents have a strong sense of community and full use of facilities.

We don't have a piano at home where can we rent or purchase one?

For beginners renting is a good idea. Buying a used quality upright piano is another good option. Reputable piano stores include piedmontpiano.com. Craigslist also lists pianos — always have a qualified piano technician inspect before buying. We don't recommend an electronic keyboard for daily practice; even an expensive full-size weighted keyboard is a short-term solution.

Do Amabile students perform in public?

Yes. Amabile hosts seasonal recitals at venues like the San Francisco Conservatory Steinway Gallery the Atrium Theater NVM the Orinda Theater and on-site at our campuses. Students get a chance to perform on professional stages followed by refreshments photographs and socializing.

Does Amabile hold less formal student performances?

Yes. We provide on-site events and recitals that are friendly and stress-free especially for young beginners. Our teachers are also encouraged to hold studio classes for their students.

Do students ever perform in local institutions?

Yes — our seasonal Local Outreach Program gives students the experience of performing for patients and residents at local hospitals and senior centers where music plays an important role in their therapy.

How will I know if my child is progressing?

Following each lesson most teachers give parents verbal feedback. Written comments are also provided via the student's Practice Log or Assignment Booklet which tracks assignments and daily practice.

Are parents guardians or siblings allowed to sit in on lessons?

We welcome 1 adult guardian parent to sit in during trial lessons with respectful non-interference with the teacher's work.

How do I join my online lesson?

Before your lesson our staff will email you an invitation link and passcode for a Zoom meeting. Use a recent iPad or laptop with speaker camera and microphone or download the Zoom app for smartphones.

How do I make the best of an online lesson?

Use a fully charged iPad or laptop with a good camera microphone and speakers. Make sure you have a reliable Wi-Fi connection and use headphones if possible. Set up the device so the teacher can see the student playing. Younger students may need a parent present to help focus. Have your music sheet ready as a screenshot or PDF to share over Zoom.

Can I keep doing online lessons even after restrictions are lifted?

Yes. Online lessons are available for as long as you feel comfortable continuing them. We offer lessons online seven days a week.

How do I improve sound quality in Zoom lessons?

In your Zoom Audio settings disable Automatically adjust microphone volume. Under Advanced disable Suppress Intermittent Background Noise and enable Show in-meeting option to Enable Original Sound from the microphone.

Trusted Bay Area Music School Since 2008

Music lessons that help children grow with confidence.

Warm, expert teachers, clear first steps, and regular recital opportunities for families in San Francisco, Moraga, and online.

Book A Trial Lesson Explore Programs

Private lessons and group classes Two Bay Area campuses In person and online

Young Amabile violinist performing with an accompanist on a concert hall stage

Voted one of the Top 3 Best Music Programs in San Francisco. Three years in a row. Eighteen years and counting.

Established

18 Years

Faculty

30+ Teachers

Performances

Every 6 Months

Access

2 Campuses + Online

A clear path from first notes to confident performance.

Amabile gives families flexible entry points, expert guidance, and a recital rhythm that keeps progress visible.

Age 4

Little Mozart

A playful first music class with singing, rhythm, movement, and a mini recital for young beginners.

Age 5 To Adult

Private Lessons

One-on-one music lessons with warm, expert teachers in piano, strings, voice, guitar, winds, brass, drum, and more.

Built For Busy Households

Family Scheduling

Coordinate multiple students on the same day when possible and keep music lessons manageable.

Confidence Building

Performance Culture

Friendly on-site events and formal seasonal recitals give students regular reasons to grow and share their work.

Strong teaching and a gentle tone can live in the same room.

Parents come for quality. They stay because children feel supported, challenged, and proud of what they can do.

Warm, experienced teachers

Patient instruction for beginners, growing musicians, teens, and adults.

Wide instrument choice

Piano, violin, voice, cello, guitar, ukulele, saxophone, trumpet, drum, and more under one roof.

Momentum families can feel

Regular performance opportunities make progress visible and keep students motivated between lessons.

Choose the campus that fits your family, or learn online.

Amabile serves San Francisco, Moraga, Lafayette, Orinda, and nearby Bay Area families with year-round scheduling.

In person Online music lessons

San Francisco

Sunset Parkside District

1213 Vicente Street, San Francisco, CA 94116

In-person and online lessons available seven days a week.

(415) 682-7738

Moraga

Serving Lamorinda

1001 Country Club Drive, Suites D & A, Moraga, CA 94556

In-person lessons Monday through Saturday. Online lessons available seven days a week.

(925) 376-6328

Students do more than take weekly music lessons.

From friendly beginner events to formal seasonal recitals, Amabile gives students regular chances to build stage presence and pride.

Every 6 Months

Performance opportunities that keep momentum real.

Spring Or Winter

Formal student recitals in a grand concert hall setting.

Faculty

Hand-picked teachers across both campuses.

See all teachers →

Teresa Yu

Ethan Lin

Hilary Thompson

Raul Quines

Audrey Wu

See all teachers →

For ages 4

Introducing Little Mozart.

Our 16-week introductory keyboard class for age-4 beginners. Forty fun minutes a week with up to four kids per class — singing, dancing, musical games, and a mini-recital.

Most young students go on from Little Mozart into private lessons on an instrument of their choice. It’s a welcoming first step into music.

See the Little Mozart class Book a $15 trial class

What families say

Eighteen years of testimonials.

“Amabile is a MUST. Teresa is so talented and has the most wonderful, friendly, and helpful personality.”

Janet L., San Francisco

“A fantastic school with highly skilled teachers and a wonderful atmosphere. My 6 year old looks forward to her weekly piano lessons.”

Christine M., San Francisco

“Our son loves his cello lessons. The teacher is energetic, patient, and knows how to make music fun for a young beginner.”

Brendan H., Yelp

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