Fantastic school. I can not say enough good things about the teachers, the theory, and approach to…read morelearning to love music. I have a 5 year old and this school is setting the foundation of musicality for a lifetime.

I had the best experience of my life at OPUS. I came into this very nervous because I have never…read moreplayed an instrument; but Marisela made it so easy for me to learn. I felt so comfortable asking questions and the environment felt very positive. I am very happy with my time I spent here. I would've continued staying but I just moved. I am hoping to possibly figure out remote lessons. I definitely would recommend anyone who is new or trying to freshen up their skills go here!

Ms. Nicole offers private violin lessons as well as early childhood music classes and my family has…read moreparticipated in both! She truly loves teaching and is able to create a relaxed and inviting environment for all. For children ages birth-4, I highly recommend her early childhood class which will introduce children to musical patterns and let them try out a few instruments. For children 4+ who want to study the violin, she is great at tailoring studio lessons to your child's learning style.

I am an advanced/beginner adult-student and recently started taking classes from Nicole in only a…read moreshort time she has helped me a great deal. She knows exactly how to target improvements and get you to the next level. She has a very relaxed, yet professional demeanor and really makes good use of class time. The violin is not an easy instrument, but Nicole's teaching can certainly get you to that next level and to a richer, more vibrant sound.

Hello people reading this! This is a bit of an atypical review, because I'm reviewing this business…read morefrom the view point of an employee. I've been teaching at Minton's Music for about 5 1/2 years now - and I love it! Even if you're not a prospective teacher, but a prospective student you may enjoy reading this. I have so much to say, so I'll just list it below: 1. Being a teacher here is so fantastic because of a big thing - all you have to worry about is teaching. I don't have to deal with scheduling or technical business work. If you've ever private taught on your own, you know that stuff can be time consuming, frustrating, and just generally take away from the experience and joy of teaching music. 2. Now, if you like having full control over every aspect of private teaching (everything else other than teaching), then this place isn't for you. The people at the front desk do all that other stuff for all the teachers and clients. To me, that's freeing and I love it. To those who want to control all that comes with it... you're not gonna enjoy it. 3. I cannot stress enough the fact that all I have to do is teach - and that means a lot, like: You want your students to learn from a specific series, a specific piece, etc? Just ask the front desk and they'll order the music and deliver it directly to the store. You need some highlighters? Ask the front desk, you got it. Any little knick knack you need to teach, they'll either have it or get it for you. This means a lot for your out of pocket expenses - as in you don't have any, unless you want to get your pencils on your own. 4. There is no standard curriculum - as in you, the teacher, gets to choose what books your students use, or what songs they play. There IS a standard that all teachers have to follow - and that's teaching how to READ music, not just play. Teaching by rote (not talking about ear training, which is a good skill to teach/learn) is not tolerated. As far as I know, all of the teachers currently working at Minton's have either a Bachelors degree or Masters degree in music. 5. Being able to talk intellectually with my fellow teachers about music or teaching techniques is great. It begins to feel more like a team than you on your own. But, if you don't want to chit chat with the others, it's not like you have to. I just personally enjoy that fact. We're all there for the same reason: the joy of music and the joy of teaching it. 6. Twice a year they set up recitals. You get to have an outlet for your students right there in house, on the stage in the back of the building. It's pretty low stress, and it's enjoyable to see your students show off their abilities! 7. They started doing I.P.R.'s (individual progress reports). I really like these because it's just a simple jotting things down about the student's progress. Plus part of it is to come up with a goal for the semester, which you and your student comes up with. I love goals - having something concrete to strive for. Also, if the student does well throughout the semester, they get invited to a pizza party! Now with all that, hopefully you can see that this really is more of a school than a music store. They do sell some things, but the teachers don't handle any of that so it's always good to call first and see if they have what you need. If they don't, I have heard them say to clients where you might be able to find it, which I think is pretty nice. I know they work with Music and Arts to rent instruments, but other than that, they really are just selling the teacher's time and knowledge. I bring this up because I grew up in Ashburn, and there was always a general thought that you wont get the best teacher at a music store (sorry to all those other stores, but that was/is how I feel) - only private teachers who teach out of their home were the good ones. So when I got my degrees and I needed a place to teach, I didn't want to be lumped into that category - because I know my stuff, and my goal has always been to be a private teacher in this area that every student wants. The classical musician in me always wants to be the best of the best. So when I heard about Minton's Music, I was a bit wary (because it's a store front). But, once I stepped into the store I realized that this store isn't the same as the others. It isn't a place where they just hire anyone with any type of music ability or background. They hire the best trained and qualified people, and once I realized that, I was honored to be considered one of them. Again, it really isn't a music store - it's a music school. So don't let the fact that it's a store front fool you. I have about 50 students that I see throughout the week right now, and I'm loving every minute of it!

Terrible ownership. Had the audacity to deny a refund after firing my teacher, and threatened to…read moresue if I continued lessons with him. The contract is exploitative and their business practices are questionable. The teachers do not enjoy working there. The prices are outrageous. They clearly exclusively want to sell to parents who want to get rid of their kid for a few minutes.

My children are now in their second term at Manita Music Center, and overall, it's been a mixed but…read moregenerally positive experience. There are days when they absolutely love their lessons and others when they're less enthusiastic about going. I do appreciate the little prizes they receive at the end of each lesson, as these provide some extra motivation and encouragement, particularly on the more challenging days. One thing worth considering before enrolling is how the term structure fits around family schedules. Tuition is paid upfront for the full term, which can be quite a commitment when enrolling more than one child. There's also a four-week cancellation notice period, so it's worth being aware of the terms in advance. Lesson days and times can be somewhat limited, and group and semi-private lessons don't offer make-up classes for missed sessions. There is some flexibility around planned summer absences, provided you can advise in advance how many lessons you'll miss before making your term payment. However, this does require families to have their plans fairly well organised ahead of time, which isn't always possible with children and changing schedules. That said, my children have developed a genuine appreciation for music, and despite a few rough weeks, I can see they're making progress. The encouragement they receive has certainly helped keep them engaged. I think Manita has a lot to offer, and I'm pleased my children are developing an interest in music.

My family really had a great experience with Manita. We had professional service with all of the…read morestaff, including owners, teachers and admin. The teacher was lovely. Our daughter was a part of a beginners piano class. Lovely. Would definitely recommend!

I've been a customer since the early seventies. They have good people and fair prices. I manage to…read morefind some sale prices. The repair shop is great. Good people. I go there first when I need something. Highly recomended Over Guitar Center.

On my boycott list. I posted last year about my experiences with this merchant, and one of the…read moremanagers called me with the goal of having me remove my negative review, which I did. In hindsight I never should have done so. If I have a bad experience with a merchant or believe I have been treated unfairly or as if they don't need my business, the place goes on my boycott list and I don't go back. There aren't many merchants that have a complete monopoly on a particular market, and musical instruments are available from a million places besides this one. My first bad experience with this place was when I bought a used amp for close to $300.00. It worked for about fifteen minutes, and although it was bad enough that the store manager at the time (I have no idea if he's still there or not since I've never been back) refused to compensate me in any way. What was worse was his disrespectful, condescending way of speaking to me. I would have been glad to discuss it in the parking lot out back as I'm always interested in seeing whether or not a weenie has the cojones to speak to my face like this pathetic excuse for a manager did over the phone. But weenie boy wasn't about to do that. In any event this representative of this establishment refused to help me in any way. We've got your money, you've got an amp that doesn't work, screw you. So I vowed never to go back. I haven't. However, last year when I went to the Experience Hendrix show at Strathmore, I entered a contest to win a "Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar" that was sponsored by 9:30 Club and Washington Music Center. Lo and behold, I won the guitar. Great, huh? I picked the guitar up at the show, and took it to the car without opening the box or checking it out, because I had front row seats for this concert and didn't want to miss any of it. It was awesome by the way. Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Johnny Lang, Eric Gales, Buddy Guy, Billy Cox, Dweezil Zappa, Brad Whitford, and others. The box the guitar was in was sealed and reads Fender Standard Strat HHS on the label that is attached. When I got home in the wee hours and opened the box I was quite disappointed to discover that the Fender Stratocaster I had won was actually a Squier Strat. No one advertises or calls a Squier Strat a Fender Strat. There's a huge difference. You don't see Squiers on Ebay or anywhere else misrepresented as Fender Strats. I'm quite sure Gibson doesn't have contests to give away a Gibson Les Paul, and then when you open the box you find an Epiphone. Same freaking thing. So I posted a negative review here on Yelp. When a manager of Washington Music Center left a message on my voice mail, I called back thinking he was going to make things right, do the right thing and take back the Squier and give me a Fender guitar. No such luck. All he wanted was for me to remove my negative review. He blamed the whole thing on 9:30 Club. "They don't know anything about guitars." I guess that's why they contacted you: So you could advise them on what kind of guitar to offer as a grand prize on an Experience Hendrix tour. A white FENDER Strat would have been the proper choice. So I'm re-posting a negative review, and standing by it. Anytime Washington Music Center wants me to remove it, they can trade a real Fender for the lesser copy I was given. BTW, the guitar I won still has the sleeve over the strings, etc. It's sitting on a guitar stand next to my two Fender Strats, my Gibson acoustic, and my Paul Reed Smith guitars. I've never played a note on it. I figured I'd sell it on Ebay, but just haven't gotten around to it. Obviously Washington Music Center doesn't need my business, and they're doing fine without me. I'm posting because I boycott places that don't do business the way I think is right. Guitar Center, Victor Litz, and Music and Arts Center are all in the area. I bought two guitars last year, a few pedals, and plenty of accessories. None from Washington Music Center. They've seen the last of my money. I boycott them. I encourage you to do the same.

Elza Ritter has been teaching my daughter since February 2023 when my daughter began to learn to…read moreplay the piano. The standout characteristic of Mrs.Ritter's teaching is a real focus on the student enjoying playing music. Mrs Elza teaches students to love and understand music, she supports their goals, she helps students to prepare for piano exams, competitions and concerts. Mrs. Elza is friendly, warm with endless patience to students. That's why my daughter loves her lessons so much! Thank you, mrs. Ritter!

Elza is a fantastic teacher, especially for adult learning! She takes the time to demonstrate and…read moreexplain how to play more musically. She's patient and very encouraging, while also having high standards and expectations. Highly recommended!

When I purchased my first brand new clarinet from Foxes, the staff was very accommodating of my…read morequestions and allowed me to look at several different ones ones before I came to a decision, giving me a very reasonable price below MSRP. Later when my clarinet developed cracks while breaking it in they offered to replace it instead of having me wait for them to send it back to the manufacturer for repair. The customer service I received has been excellent and as such they are my first choice for music instrument needs. They also have a large selection of sheet music for various instruments and you can spend a lot of time just browsing their selection. Because of this I absolutely recommend them. On top of the great service and selection they provide, they are a local business that I am proud to support and encourage others to do likewise.

Foxes Music has been a pillar of the Northern Virginia community for decades. We are lucky to have…read moresuch a great resource in our community. The staff there are very helpful from the earliest beginnings of your musical journey and continue to be there through adulthood. I've been a customer since before I became a parent, and I've bought multiple instruments for me and my now adult children. Foxes has everything from beginner instruments to vintage professional instruments. On top of having great inventory of instruments, music and accessories, Foxes Music is very generous with helping out our local schools in need. I highly recommend Foxes Music!

Rented a cello here for my son. Wayne was very helpful and the fee was very reasonable. He has also…read morebeen very good about repairing any damages or addressing any concerns we have had. Place is a little hard to find and pretty unassuming from the outside, but we're very pleased with our experience there.

The management/owner man is rude and really uninformed. Only come here if you're child is just…read morebeginning strings in the 4th grade other than that there are better places to get sheet music and lessons in the area, foxes and potters. I tried getting music for All-Virginia state auditions and the owner guy promptly told me he didn't know what book I was talking about nor should I come into a store asking for books by simply giving the composer. The book was simply titled "Bruni" and it contains excerpts and etudes by him and used for many auditions. After being rudely told off by him, I simply went to potters and the guys there knew exactly what i was talking about and showed me the music for purchase. People don't go here for your music needs, it's a low grade kiddy store. There are better places to go.