Every two years, around April and May, many of the finest musicians from all over the world gather…read morein Daytona Beach. 2009 is one of those years! April 16 through May 2nd, to be exact. WHY Daytona Beach, Florida? Well, if you are a professional musician living in London, Prague, Moscow or New York, a working vacation in Florida during the off season seems like a pretty good idea. Its warm and sunny here! We are lucky enough to be able to enjoy performances of many and various types at very affordable prices while the players enjoy our sunshine and hospitality. The headliner of the bill is, of course, the London Symphony Orchestra, performing most of their shows at the Peabody Auditorium. Even if you aren't really a lover of classical music you shouldn't pass up this opportunity. And there's much, much more here besides the classics! The Family Series offers Mike Super, illusionist; several smaller LSO concerts featuring music like Hansel and Gretel - both of shows are at Debary Hall. How about Salsa under the Stars with Tiempo Libre from Cuba by way of Miami? Want jazz? Chuchito Valdes and his Latin-Jazz Trio (and many other acts) will be playing at The Bank and Blues Club. Maybe you'd like The Brazil Guitar Duo, performing at the Gateway Center for the Arts in DeBary. Chuck Mangione is there this year. The Project features classical musicians playing Jazz, also at the Bank and Blues. Ballet? Its there. Ballet Hispanica at the News Journal Center. Want Bluegrass? How about Ralph Stanley, The Lovell Sisters, Cherryholmes? Yah, Hoo!! Celtic Crossroads will be at Daytona State Colleges News Journal Center. Tickets are VERY reasonably priced from $18.00 up, depending on the venue. There is even at least one FREE show! Prices are even lower if you buy in advance or purchase a package. Folks, this is a real deal! In my little review I have only scratched the surface of musical talent that will appear this year, so be sure to check out the website. I know you'll find something there that you absolutely must see. http://www.dbif.com/

Let me start by saying I am/was new to "all things" guitar related. I didn't even know what the…read moreparts of the guitar were called beyond maybe 4-5 things. Let me stress here, I knew zip, zero, nada about guitars, but I wanted to learn how to play. So.... When I first found Elite Academy I was on the fence about whether to learn to play the guitar on my own by watching YouTube videos, or go for in-person lessons. (which I was quite fearful of doing due to covid and living with an extremely high-risk person) I'd decided to start out with just a couple of in-person lessons, to at least get a semi-proper start with a bit of feedback, and then mainly stick with YouTube. I NOW realize how completely naive that idea was, assuming you truly want to learn that is! Anyway, I talked to Damian, who is the director of Elite Academy, and after discussing my concerns with in-person instruction he told me online lessons would likely be the best fit for me personally. (I'm sure he quickly realized I was over-the-top paranoid about in-person lessons. Lol) I thought I'd give online lessons a try, even though I honestly assumed "online lessons" wouldn't be as beneficial as in-person lessons. WRONG! What occurred next changed EVERYTHING!! We set up a time for an online lesson. Prior to my 1st lesson Damian sent me a few of his beginner videos to watch as well as other info/charts to look over. The information was presented in a crystal clear fashion, it was easy to understand and retain, and it became instantly clear to me that a TREMENDOUS amount of time and thought had been put into his lesson plans, and they were structured in a way that was absolutely intentional in helping a beginner learn in the easiest and fastest way possible. After the first lesson I knew without a doubt I'd accidentally hit the jackpot in finding Damian! I'm now 2 months in with weekly online lessons and I can't believe what I've learned in such a short time. I'm beyond impressed with Damian as an instructor! If you are searching for a guitar instructor, all I can say is give Damian a call and take a lesson or two. His fees are extremely reasonable and it's worth a try. If you aren't happy then move on, but I'm 100% sure after a lesson or two you won't be going anywhere! (because then you'll know what I already found out... JACKPOT!! Lol)

I had been 'playing' guitar off and on for thirty five years but could never seem to improve…read more After about one year with Damian I've learned the scales, theory and technique that have made music one of the greatest pleasures in my life. Damian is brilliant, talented, patient, kind and funny. He is not only the best music teacher I've ever had, but a true friend. If you want to learn to play guitar, you will not find a better teacher. Anywhere.

I brought in my grandmothers mandolin to have it restored. What an awesome experience. It looked…read morebrand new when i picked it up. I don't play the instrument but have it hanging on the wall with some of her sheet music that I had framed. I highly recommend. Such a "feel good" experience with the gentleman that knows his stuff!

I recently got the itch to get back into playing trombone. After picking up a well…read moreused instrument, I took it to Brass and Reed for evaluation and repair. This is a master mechanic of instruments. He is slowly starving due to being old and his only income is from repairs. People need to step up to the plate and support this guy by buying your new instruments through him. It just might save a dying art iin Daytona Beach. R. Nowell

A pleasure to work with! My sister-in-law and I stopped in to sell her late husband's guitars. I…read moreneglected to get the gentleman's name but his patience and knowledge were amazing! While the guitars were not worth what she believed they were, by the end of the visit we fully understood why and my sister-in-law was fully satisfied with the transaction. I would highly recommend Guitar Attic if you wish to be dealt with fairly and honestly!

I always stop by his shop when i am in town- enjoy checking…read moreout the inventory & talking to Randy!

I started my son taking voice lessons here earlier in the year. He has been involved in Theater and…read moreMusicals and wanted to build on his singing skills. The Music Box has a few options and several instructors. There are profiles on their site to help see how your potential instructors are before you start. Once you start attending, the same instructor works with you week after week (there was one exception where my son had a "sub" - but he knew about it in advance and we could have addressed it if there were concerns). Having the same instructor work with my son has been really helpful as she coaches him on his progress. Out instructor has been personable and helpful - he is continuing to grow in his confidence as a singer. The folks at the Music Box front desk are also easy to communicate with - although there have been one or two incidents of communication breakdown about various things (closures & make--up lessons in particular) - overall it has been positive. The make-up policies are a bit stringent; for example if you get sick on the day of, they don't do make-ups....although they offer virtual sessions (which is probably less helpful if you are sick and nursing your voice)....while not ideal, I believe that's pretty standard across music lesson places. That doesn't make it better - but doesn't really rank them any worse among other music lesson places. Again, criticisms aside, the overall experience here is positive. I think the most import part is that the student connects with their instructor, which I feel is occurring. THe instructors here appear to have sufficient resumes, and our instructor for my son does move him in the right direction musically. A quick note about the parking lot......if you come after work hours, it is particularly busy. There is not much space there, so it can be a challenge......just something to consider when booking your time, its not unmanageable, but it's sometimes a struggle.

My kids having been taking lessons here since shortly after they opened. For us it's vocal, guitar…read moreand drums. My kids have participated in several recitals as well as performed in shows at various venues. The instructors are all accomplished musicians in their own right and their love for music shines through in the way they encourage their students and it's often difficult to tell who is more excited about the students progress. They truly care about their students. If you visit The Music Box be prepared for "joyful noise". Naturally you hear ongoing lessons, but it's the laughter and pure joy that is often the most striking. If your child has expressed an interest in music, check out The Music Box. You will be so happy that you did.

10-25-25 Music Mania Anne Day is a rockstar! I hosted my…read moreson and future daughter-in-law's engagement party this past weekend . She is calming, organized, prompt, listened and knows when to make suggestions as well as knowing exactly how to pivot! Anne gets the crowd going and adapts to any environment even small spaces. Do not hesitate hire and for your next event! Deena

Wonderful service! The attention to detail and the care they had for the party was wonderful. They…read moremade it easy to switch songs and the photo booth went really well. The pictures came out wonderfully, and I highly recommend Music Mania. My child and her friends loved the photo booth. My daughter danced the ENTIRE night, with every song Anne played being one everyone knew and loved.