I can't recommend Myles highly enough as a guitar teacher. He's a deeply knowledgeable musician…read morewith a real talent for assessing where you are as a learner and tailoring lessons to your goals. From the start, he took the time to understand what I wanted to achieve and structured our sessions accordingly. Myles is friendly, patient, and explains concepts in a way that actually makes them stick. He has a great ability to break down complex ideas into clear, manageable steps, which significantly accelerated my understanding of the fretboard. I always left lessons feeling more confident and motivated, with practical tools I could immediately apply. If you're looking for an instructor who combines technical expertise with an approachable teaching style and a genuine investment in your progress, Myles is an excellent choice--for beginners and more experienced players alike.

I sort of stumbled onto Melodies for Life after a poorly researched internet search for guitar…read morelessons in Alameda. What a great find! Myles keeps my goals in mind better than I do. He teaches to my level. He knows what it takes for me to be a better musician and guitar player. I would recommend him to anyone looking for an lessons on any rock band type instrument or vocals. He might teach other instruments, too. He seems to be able to play anything. I signed up my wife a for a month of vocal lessons for a gift. Now she sings better. Win win

I am so glad that we chose Bert/DJ By the Bay for our event. My wife and I had a huge dance party a…read morefew days after our small city hall wedding, and Bert and Kyle (his photobooth operator for the evening) were there the whole time, including arriving very early to set up so our minds were at ease. The music: Bert was a joy to work with! We talked to him about the flow of the evening and gave him a playlist of our favorite dance party music and he did an amazing job choosing songs off of that playlist at just the right moments and reading the energy of the room. We had almost 2 hours straight of dancing, and I had friends and guests coming up to me at the end saying it was the best dance floor they had ever seen at a wedding party. Almost everyone was dancing the whole time! Bert asked us what we wanted for our first and last songs, but we weren't sure so he offered some great suggestions that we ended up going with. The planning was easy and stress free, the execution was perfect, and the price was way better than other vendors we had checked with. All in all, we couldn't be happier! The photobooth: Bert worked with us and his artist ahead of time to get a background for our prints that matched our decor and vibe. We sent him a photo of our invitations and received back a few options that all looked great. Requested a few minor changes and they made those quickly and perfectly. They also let us provide a box of our own props in addition to theirs (we are theater geeks and asked to do this), which turned out spectacularly. Kyle was nice and helpful and our photos came out wonderfully! It's so nice to have moments captured for us and to see our guests having so much fun with the photobooth.

Coming out of Yelp retirement to give props to DJ Gabe and his team for a wonderful job with our DJ…read moreand photo booth needs for my daughter's bat mitzvah. I was being a bit extra in planning for this event at our house/backyard and Gabe was super responsive to numerous questions I had about event layout, music volume and type, etc. He queued up songs that kept everyone dancing and was chill yet perfect on the emcee role. The photo booth was an amazing hit with all our guests - they got to take home photo strips of course, but we also got all the copies digitally! What a treat! And such fun props. Our event went even better than expected and DJ Gabe and his team helped make it so. 10/10 would hire him again for any future party needs.

Thanks for wasting my time, Alameda Music School. Your web site lists the Rascals classes as those…read morethat are starting the week of 6/15. Is this a mistake? I took my kids there to wait and sign up and the only thing that happened was two kids came in for private lessons. Nobody ever came out to see if anyone was waiting or asked if there was something they could do. Nobody, Nada. Maybe you are really good, but we will never know.

Alameda is a city of approximately 80,000.00 people and there are three music schools. IMHO…read moreAlameda School is the best. The teachers aren't just great musicians but have special abilities to draw out and develop all the musical talent their students have. Several students of the school go on to prestigious colleges to study music. The teachers are friendly patient and committed to the sole purpose of music education.

A musician's dream!…read more Per the recommendation of our wedding planner, we worked with Hella Fitzgerald for our wedding in Big Sur, CA in August 2023. One of the best decisions we made for our wedding. I am a musician myself and had a lot of specifications for what I wanted throughout our ceremony, first dance, and dancing portions of the evening. And I mean a LOT of specifications! Music is something I am very particular about. Lilan worked closely with me on everything from which 2nd singer to hire to match the feel we wanted (the band works with various singers) to learning new songs that we had requested to adjusting songs to specific BPMs!!! She never seemed to lose her patience with me and would text me randomly with ideas or singer leads. One time she even texted me a couple vocal riffs she sang into her phone to see what I would prefer. We wanted a fun, sexy, big band feel and a talented group of musicians who could perform soul, Latin, swing, R&B, and everything in between. That is exactly what we got. We never left the dance floor. Thank you HF!

Hella Fitzgerald was a huge hit at our son's Bar Mitzvah. We wanted live music as opposed to a DJ…read moreand we couldn't have been happier with their performance! Every musician in the band was outstanding. They accommodated all of our requests, including an extra long hora. :) All of our guests loved them and it was so refreshing to have 'real' music at our daytime event. Their price was extremely reasonable to boot! We highly recommend Hella Fitzgerald - they were fantastic!

Richard runs a tight ship over there. All Ears DJ offers great logistical execution, solid value,…read moreand most importantly throws a banger of a party. After our meeting, Richard selected Jayson from his lineup of DJ/MCs as the person who would be the best fit for us (since he was personally unavailable that day). Jayson has a friendly demeanor, he thoughtfully guided us through lines of questioning to determining exactly what our vision was and how he could bring it to life, and boy did he absolutely crush it. It was important for us that the DJ be a powerful guide for the evening, but also part of the background, in so far as they helped facilitate the timeline and pump the crowd, but don't make the day about them by taking too much on the mic etc. Jayson understood our needs with enthusiasm, nailed our request for music types, and did a great job at reading the room during party time. The party and dancing was super important to us, and he really understood the crowd and played music to get everyone pumped.

If you're looking for music for your magical day, we highly recommend looking into AllEarsDJ. Not…read moreonly is Richard a great DJ, but he also offers to sing and play acoustic guitar as well. We cannot praise Richard enough as he helped us announce everything at the wedding, making each transition seamless and even learned to play a last-minute song for our first dance. AllEarsDJ truly puts the magic In your big day, THANK YOU!!!

This review is entirely overdue, but much deserved for Zebuel, Lindsey, and the amazing and…read moreextremely talented team behind Sounds Elevated. Zebuel is not only an amazing musician and DJ, but also the curator of event excellence. He brought to life with his team a NOLA influenced second-line to keep our wedding celebrations alive post ceremony, heading into the reception with instruments and all the bells & whistles. Not only was this an epic highlight for our guests, but something my husband and I only thought could happen in our dreams! He truly listened to our wants/needs with flawless execution, but above all else, went above & beyond to ensure this was the best day/night of our lives. From lighting, a DJ/live instrument fusion, and photography from So Good Photobooth, we could not recommend this Team more for your next special event ~ whether corporate or personal! Because of this Team, we had an unforgettable and picture-perfect event filled with our favorite people and the musical experience of our lifetime. Thank you Sounds Elevated for rockin us forward into marriage & beyond!

Zeb and his team exceeded every expectation at our August 2nd, 2025 wedding in Monterey. For…read morestarters, he brings a great blend of laid-back willingness to meet any idea or request, with a sharp music acumen and event expertise. He worked with us during each step of the planning process, never pressing, to amplify our vision. A special shout out for a meaningful family/bridal party/etc. song. Playing a particular remix of a song we like. Nailing down particular subgenres during each stage of the night. Attentive to our song dislikes and "no plays". But at the same time, adding his expert feel and live touch for what the crowd was wanting. Zeb and his team built standout moments - our crowd even started a room-wide conga line (who does that anymore?). And a shout-a-long of Bohemian Rhapsody as our closer for the night. And the live sax fusion... everyone kept commenting about that being their favorite part of the night. At the same time, he simplified all of our anxieties in what can be a whale of a planning process. He got our mindset/vision immediately and was the perfect amount of helpful in steering us to the best party ever.

Absolutely Amazing DJ - Highly Recommend !…read more We had the pleasure of working with Spencer for our wedding on September 19, 2025, and we truly couldn't have asked for a better experience! We were honestly so stressed about choosing a Dj, but after one phone call with Spencer, the stress was relieved. He made us feel completely at ease, and we knew right away we were in good hands. Spencer was incredibly helpful, professional, and detail oriented. As first-time wedding planners, we appreciated how easy he made the entire process, offering helpful suggestions from all perspectives, playlists and multiple music options, and a detailed planning method which made the planning process simple and enjoyable, not overwhelming. On our wedding day, Spencer read the crowd perfectly, and kept the energy up all night. Everyone had an amazing time, and we received so many compliments on the music and fun atmosphere. We also had the Photo Booth included in our package, and it was a total hit! It was easy to use, and our guests had a blast with all the fun props and filters. We loved that everyone got their photos right away, and Spencer even emailed us all the photos and boomerangs everyone took - Such a fun way to relive the memories and see everyone enjoying themselves. Even with a few last-minute changes, Spencer was on top of every detail, making sure everything was exactly how we wanted it. His dedication to making everything perfect truly showed throughout our entire wedding. If you're looking for a DJ who's fun, professional, organized, and genuinely invested in making your event unforgettable, we 100% recommend Spencer & his team. He was a huge part of what made our wedding so special, and we're beyond grateful we chose him!

We selected Sutherland Entertainment from MANY of the reviews, as well as a direct referral from…read moreour caterer, as one of our vendors for our corporate holiday event. The organization, ease of planning, constant communication, and amazing "extra's" to choose from - made our event one of the best our teams have ever had. We selected outdoor games, photo booth, extra lighting (which really made a difference), DJ (who Spencer himself mc'd) as well as the most AMAZING entrance with a live guitarist as guests entered the space. Truly top notch and highly recommend for ANY event.

I do not recommend the musicians hired for my friend's private event this past Saturday…read more Prior to booking, I reviewed feedback from others and noticed a recurring concern regarding poor communication. Unfortunately, that was exactly the experience we encountered. After receiving payment, the musicians left the venue without any communication or explanation. The venue has a strict noise ordinance, which required additional coordination, setup adjustments, and effort in order to proceed with the performance. Despite being aware of these circumstances and after having already been paid, they chose to leave rather than communicate or work through the situation. Their lack of professionalism and communication created unnecessary stress and disappointment for my friend on what was supposed to be a special and memorable day. Clear communication, especially when unexpected challenges arise, is essential when providing services for important events. Based on this experience, I cannot recommend their services. I truly hope they listen to everyone's feedback and do better, no one deserves to be ghosted during any special event, and we do not wish to hinder people who love to work and love what they do. Please do better !! My friends and I support local businesses.

My friend got married on June 6, 2026, and unfortunately this mariachi completely let her down on…read moreone of the most important days of her life. They were hired to provide live music and arrived at the venue, but couldn't use their speakers because the venue wouldn't allow them and instead offered alternative equipment. Everyone agreed to the change, and they were paid in cash at the moment. Shortly afterward, they left without performing and stopped responding to calls and messages. Although my friend eventually received a refund, the stress, confusion, and last-minute disappointment they caused on her wedding day were completely unacceptable and completely ruined what should have been one of the happiest days of her life. No bride should have to deal with this kind of experience, especially on such a special occasion. We are extremely disappointed with the lack of professionalism and communication and would not recommend this vendor to anyone.

DJ ET is to blame for my wedding reception NOT going as planned…read more You see, in our planning, I had said, listen Ivy Hill, we are thrilled to be working with you as part of our event at Sand Rock Farm. We were excited to have a cellist playing as our guests got to mix and mingle. And yes, we were really looking forward to music being played as we ate and enjoyed our LONG awaited wedding reception (that had been postponed cuz...ya know...Covid.) But we said it repeatedly...There really was NOT going to be ANY dancing. There was dancing. Lots of it. And it is all DJ ET's fault. THANK GOODNESS!!!! Honestly, working with the entire team at Ivy Hill was a dream. Their selection of musical genres and musicians is nothing short of impressive. I will warn you now...that questionnaire is exhaustive...like it gets INTO the songs you like. But it is TOTALLY worth it. Matt reached out right before our reception just to check if we were good and to get us in touch with DJ ET. The cellist was AMAZING. And before you ask...YES...he can and WILL play a Game of Thrones medley. It was AMAZING. He also learned the music to my father's favorite hymn. When I heard him start to play it, I just started to cry because thanks to him, my father, who passed some time ago, was there...in that song...and in that cello. I can't recommend Ivy Hill Entertainment enough. They clearly have put in the work of bringing on the best of the best when it comes to musicians, performers and DJs. They take the headache and worry out of the planning and logistics. True pros in every sense. And my special nod to DJ ET who proved that the Mills Brothers and Blacksheep really DO belong on the same playlist.

Highly Recommended, Quality Entertainment: Wow - what a fantastic experience! Ivy Hill…read moreEntertainment truly is your "one stop music and entertainment shop." From working in events, I understand that heartfelt, professional, seamless entertainment is a key component to creating a memorable celebration. It brings people together, inspires guests, and sets the tone of your party. I've worked with some pretty cool musicians, but Ivy Hill Entertainment definitely stands out as the BEST. When it came time to plan the ultimate personal event - our wedding - we wanted a music-based celebration that stood apart from "typical wedding music". The idea was a multi-musical-styled evening showcasing classical music, New Orleans Big Band, a roaming violinist at dinner (Ivy Hill's gal, MJ, even played pop hits like Stayin' Alive and had everyone singing!), an intimate pub sing-along, and finally a rockin' reception. This was certainly an ambitious repertoire! I began researching bands/musicians and initially fell into a short panic. Most bands didn't seem to have the magical vibe, musical diversity, network, and professionalism (Can we count on the to show up for gods sake...) for me to book. In fact, none of the musicians resonated with our event's style.... and then I found Ivy Hill Entertainment. WOW. Game changer. From the moment of contact to the actual execution we had an amazing experience that was fun, stress free, collaborative, easy, and QUALITY. Ivy Hill has many options on how to book talent - actually super talent. You can hire anyone from a dope DJ to solo musician to the 9-musician "build-a-band" act we employed. My initial contact was Brian Bergeron who not only understood our vision, but encouraged us to make it happen. What an awesome guy. He was just as excited as we were! In fact, that's what stands out about Ivy Hill - their passion for music and events. They truly love what they do and understand the honor of being part of your event. Ivy Hill also offers such quality musicians! I couldn't believe we had all these cool people playing our wedding! It was great to see their musical backgrounds and sound samples from the website and resources. For our wedding, they supplied everything from the sound technician, musical equipment, speakers, musicians, and even an amazing Bandleader extraordinaire: Jon Devoto. Man, this guy was incredible! In addition to coordinating the musicians, he was also the lead singer, MC... and as a special request, include some mind-blowing tap dancing. Everyone loved him! I wish I could go through each of the musicians (Debbie Ilana, the New Classics, MJs Brass Boppers) because they brought so much flavor & style. It was like a mini-musical festival. The best part is that whatever you decide to book - whether it be an intimate musical vibe, dope DJ, or full-blown band - they deliver a memorable performance and professional experience. This team is full of talent and heart. They also have a big network of musicians and DJs so you don't need to worry about flaky musicians or no-shows. God forbid someone gets sick, they have the resources to ensure you are set. I trust them implicitly. I knew that I had nothing to worry about when booking them. The communication was clear and timely. We were in-line every step of the way. In fact, they are the only company I will use for future events. If you seek a top-notch service, this is the place for you. As you can see form their website, Ivy Hill Entertainment has a lot to offer. They exceeded our already high expectations. It is my pleasure to write this review and spread the word.

Erica taught my daughter Milena for about 2 years on and off and it was a great experience. I hope…read moreto get them back together at some point.

I have a wonderful and high energy 6 year old son. He started asking for violin lessons at age 2;…read morewe waited until he turned 6. When I first called Alameda String Academy, I was greeted by Erica and she was very understanding about my son's passion and my concern about whether my son could focus enough to make headway. Erica is so professional and aware of her program that I felt confident that we found our match. Erica convinced me that Sarah Wood would be a perfect match for our son. She was absolutely correct. Sarah works so well with our high energy son and I am constantly impressed with his progression. He is learning the violin, he is learning tempo, he is tuning his ear, he is learning the value of paying attention, he is learning the value of concentrating, he is learning the value of sticking with something and seeing the rewards. This is all possible due to ASA's committment to doing the best for my child! As the parent, I am exceedingly impressed with ASA's administrative availability. Erica and ASA are able to keep everything very personal, there is always an individual feel, even with the administrative requirements.