My two daughters have been taking piano classes with Brian for two years now. He is a great…read moreteacher. He picks songs based on the preference of the learner and sprinkles in a bit of music theory and note learning along the way so it doesn't feel like work. Over the two years he has also been very flexible with schedule changes and makeup lessons due to kid activities. We have also done virtual lessons with him and they worked out great too. Would definitely recommend him as a teacher!

I have been taking piano lessons from Brian for over 3 years now and very much enjoy every lesson…read moreand can honestly tell people I can play the piano. He has taught me not only how to play but much about music in general. Brian's method has you playing songs as you learn which makes it much more fun. You learn theory as you go and gain confidence every week. He is very patient, and I have seen him teach young and old. I have learned to play a wide variety of songs from several Beatles tunes to some classical. I strongly recommend lessons from Brian. BR

I will say that your experience is dependent upon the teacher you have. We wanted our son, 6, to…read morebegin piano lessons. We tried two teachers at the school and both were just...not it. They seemed to lack understanding of how to teach young children--the patience and scaffolding required. We are stopping lessons today after the teacher asked my son essentially why he can't read music and if he's day dreaming. Mind you, several of his lessons were canceled because of teacher absence so today should have been a gentle reintroduction to material. But again, this is where having an understanding of teaching children is important. I would look elsewhere for younger kids.

4/4 School of music has some of the most kindest and patient teachers I have ever encountered in my…read morelife. I joined the school to rehabilitate my voice for a few years since I had some throat issues and it was really sensitive. I took up opera classes to learn voice control and to push myself a little bit more. And every time I got sick, they were really accommodating by allowing me to transfer the lessons to my kids. When I attended the lessons with my on-going condition and could not sing, the teachers still taught me breathing lessons to help rehabilitate my lungs and try to open it back up from the tightness. For someone with my medical problems, the teachers have gotten me to the point where I can sing opera songs. It is truly a feat! And I am really grateful for everything they have done. And I highly HIGHLY recommend anyone to join if you are looking for a great school to give your kids an extra boost in their musical talents or better your musical talents. All of the teachers and the staff are just amazing!

For over two years, my sons have been attending classes at Newcastle 4/4--one with Reid for drum…read moreand the other with Travis for guitar. Both instructors have been fantastic! We highly recommend this school.

My family really enjoys our experience with 4/4 School of Music! Reid is a wonderful drum…read moreinstructor. My son looks forward to his weekly lessons because Reid is knowledgeable, friendly, and picks music that interests my son. Whenever I have a question or need to reschedule, their customer service has been quick, responsive, and friendly. Thanks Reid and Bethany!

I had a truly excellent experience with Classic Pianos and recommend them without reservation. I…read morecame in search of a rehearsal piano with very specific requirements: something suitable for a rental situation, capable of silent practice with headphones, yet--above all--an instrument with genuinely good action. As a pianist returning to conservatory-level study after years of gigging, proper action is not a luxury for me; it is the foundation upon which all serious work is built. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the hybrid pianos offered at Classic Pianos. The hammer action is responsive, musical, and deeply satisfying--impressively close to an acoustic experience. While nothing replaces a grand, this instrument is an outstanding solution for a renter needing rigorous daily practice and keeping one's technique in shape. Hui was a pleasure to work with throughout the process: knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely attentive. She made everything easy and stress-free from start to finish. Since the piano arrived, I've been playing far more than I intended--which may be the clearest sign that the right choice was made. Classic Pianos did such a good job that my neighbors may soon need to leave them a review as well.

Bought my first and likely last piano. Great experience. Excellent customer service. Would highly…read morerecommend them. Plus they shipped my piano to my home much quicker than expected.

I started taking cello lessons again with Mannfried Funk, a former Seattle Symphony member. He's…read moregot a great teaching space in his home on Phinny ridge but also makes house calls. He's a super likable guy and very patient. Something I need to get up on YouTube is his comical dog - who literally sings along when he's playing (stops after a bit - it's not a distraction). If you're looking for a Cello teacher in Seattle (or the Eastside) I'd highly recommend him. You can reach him via email at MKFS381@AOL.com

"Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe."…read more --Honest Abe For all those about to bust orchestral maneuvers (in the dark or otherwise), get ready to sharpen your axe. My son's first cello lesson with Mannfried Funk (my friend exclaimed that this is the best musical name a person could have, bar none, and he's dead-on!), began with an almost entirely visual assessment of where he was at skillwise, as evidenced by his physical relationship to the cello. In about 45 seconds, Mannfried had it all dialed in. My kid has always been running to catch up. He started orchestra a year behind the flock in his first school, then 2 years behind the excellent and more intensive Eckstein orchestra (which rehearses daily). In each case, he caught up, and in each case was Most Improved. But all that hustling to "learn the music" meant he never "learned the cello." Mannfried makes this important distinction, and it's incredibly astute. He took one look at everything: posture, limbs, sweep of the bow, and--not unkindly--told him to just put the cello down for a while. It was an awesome lesson. An abnormally long lesson. They talked about physics and gravity, about proaction and reaction, about efficiency, conservation of energy, and minimization of effort. He had Maximo stand up, then return to the chair and position himself with the cello no less than five times to reinforce the muscle memory of what will be an entirely new, more efficient posture. This guy knows his shit backwards and forward. And let's not forget his SINGING DOG. He said that for a while he'd sequester the dog upstairs to keep him from singing along, but he'd still hear him up there, disconsolate and humming. But the lesson. Every student could and should have this kind of a foundation, and truthfully no group instructor will ever have the time and resources (and many would never have the intimate knowledge themselves) to impart this kind of an education--it approached the metaphysical. There are talented practitioners, and there are talented teachers, and they're not always the same people. I'm sure this guy can play like a house on fire, but christ on a cracker, has he got a genius for teaching. He doesn't talk down or patronize, nor is he gruff or the stern taskmaster. He is a persuasive, knowledgeable clinician with an intuitive, and highly prescriptive approach. Not only am I thrilled we've found him, I'm considering reinitiating lessons myself. I could not recommend him more highly to any student at any stage of their musical evolution. And for beginners, a few sessions with him ought to be mandatory.

Only five stars available here. I'd give them 10 stars if that was possible. Lovely people! Clean…read morebright shop, extraordinarily helpful and with a level of knowledge that I've not seen anywhere! I had bought a violin with the intent of relearning the instrument after nearly 60 years of absence of playing. The "well regarded" violin shop in my little town raved about at local teacher, who was said to be an expert in helping former players. Seemed all she wanted to do was sell me an expensive "custom made" chin rest - it wasn't "custom made' and an expensive shoulder rest while suggesting that the violin I had wans't all that good and that I should buy one from her. After three visits and $300 without any lessions, and a violin that hurt to put on my shoulder - wonder if this was her way of shaking my confidence in my instrument and buying one from her? Anyway. I gave up! Enter discovering Olson's. In 20 minutes and a little fine turning I've got a new shoulder rest and chin rest for about 1/4 of what I spent at "Brand X" and a violin that I can now nearly effortlessly hold on my shoulder. I drove a 50 mile round trip for a first visit. WELL worth the time ! Like I said - 10 stars!! Laurence Lance

Went here to get a violin for my 5 year old. They were so helpful and it was very reasonable for…read morethe rental.

I have studied at Chopin Academy for 5 years. Compared to the other places I studied from in the…read morepast, I can honestly say that this school has given me the best experience. The school itself is very well-kept, and there are many studios with nice pianos. The restrooms are clean and stocked, and the main room is very classy and comfortable for waiting before lessons. All of the instructors that I have met are professional and knowledgeable. The directors are kind and want all of the students in the academy to succeed. My teacher Ms. Tsirkel especially changed the way I felt about piano. She has grown to be a big role model to me, and her skill as a brilliant pianist, along with her gentle way of teaching has caused me to love piano and appreciate classical music.

CAM is a great place to take piano lessons. My teach is Dr Ross Salvosa. He is not only a great…read morepiano teacher but also excellent pianist. He is very detail oriented, and make sure every single note sounds beautifully. Ross has great personality, taking classes with him is really fun. I got professional training when I was young but I never really enjoy practicing piano this much as I am now. Ivona recommended Dr Salvosa to me when I came to CAM the first time. She cares about all her students and she will recommend teachers based on your needs and personality. Very appreciated on that as well. Highly recommend this place!

I've had lessons from Howard for over 3 years now and he is an amazingly knowledgeable and patient…read moreteacher. As an adult who was picking up guitar for the first time I was worried about starting an instrument so late, but he really guided me along the way with a good foundation in music theory as well as different techniques and how to read sheet music as well as tablature! I've come way farther than I imagined I would and love playing the guitar. I don't think you can find a better teacher (no matter your age) than him, or one who's as obviously passionate about teaching music, I highly recommend getting lessons here!

Mr. Anshell's guitar lessons have been incredible for my daughter. He makes classes fun and easy,…read moreand she now practices daily and loves it. Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Anshell, my daughter has found a lifelong hobby she enjoys. Many thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Anshell for their invaluable contribution to my daughter's musical growth. Their dedication and commitment have made a profound impact on her journey.