This is purely for customer service since I'm still looking for my unicorn viola bow. I want to…read moregive a shout out to Yan who helped me test several bows. He was super friendly, knowledgeable, and most importantly patient as he took the time to help me try out bows in several price ranges. I now have a better sense of what I'm looking for as my search continues. I'll definitely be checking in with them periodically to see if and when they get new inventory. Thank you, Yan!

After some negative experiences renting and maintaining instruments through an online store and a…read morestore local to us, we were recommended to Potter Violins in 2018. Simply put, I cannot see ever purchasing a violin for my daughter from another shop. In our first visit to rent a 1/4 size, the associate played two classes of violin and the less expensive sounded so much better that he packed the more expensive one up because it was not the better sound. We then returned two years later to trade up the rental and purchased a rental outfit instead. For the last two visits, for the 3/4 and fill size, they allowed us plenty of time, changed out chin and shoulder rests, everything we needed for a positive experience. Jan was incredible and treated my daughter like his most important client (even though as we left the next client was looking at bows that cost more than my daughter's violin). We left with a "beautiful sound" 2023 Hiroshi Kono violin that sounds as good as it looks. The only drawback to this wonderful store is the three hour drive to get there, and that's certainly not their fault. They have great service to ship what you need that we have also used. But to go in person to try violins and experience the first class service is worth the drive. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Great service from across the country. They were very helpful with my purchase of an autoharp and…read moreshipping it out to California. They answered all my questions and were very friendly. I just wish I could be there in person to browse what else they have in stock!

Lovely people, lovely instruments. The best place for folk/traditional instruments and musicians in…read moreDC. If you go in, just talk to the guys. They know so much, and love to talk. I guarantee you'll learn something. Also a great place to run into other musicians. They're fair and honest consigners.

Ryan was highly recommended to me by the local Guitar Center, which was between guitar techs…read more He answered my questions and even told me what I'd done wrong in my amateur soldering job. He fixed it quickly. I, too, highly recommend him.

Updated to reflect the fact that our lessons are with a different teacher (totally fine, she's a…read moregood teacher, it's just different), the space for lessons is insanely small, and the receptionist(s) for the last ~ 6 mo will literally not say a word when you walk into RCM. No eye contact, no hello, no acknowledgment, literally nothing. This isn't one-off, it's every week for half a year. I say this because if I were a new customer (and honestly, even as an existing customer), it's a complete turn off. And we've had an instructor cancel a lesson without being notified. Instructors can be absent but if the student needs to be absent for any reason, that lesson is not rescheduled or refunded. Expensive lessons for poor customer service.

My cousin teaches there and she is extremely talented. She is a classical pianist. Nuff said! Just…read moresaying

Ellen Paul did an excellent re-hair of my name-brand violin bow. She was recommended to me by a…read moreprofessional cellist in the DC area. On the phone, Ellen was careful to explain her Covid-19 protocol. When we met the next day outside her home shop, she examined my bow for any repairs needed to the stick, frog, pad, winding and tip and gave me her fee in advance. Her fees are fair and in-line with other bow-repair professionals in the metropolitan area. The completed job, ready the next morning, was beautiful. The new hair was thick and even. The stick had been polished and the tension screw oiled. Already primed with a dusting of rosin, my bow only needed a few good strokes of cake rosin to pull a beautiful sound from my violin. I will definitely return and will recommend Ellen Paul to my violinist friends.

Amazing luthier and musical tech! I was severely let down by others but this place is by far the…read morebest place to get your instrument set up. He is extremely knowledgeable and skilled. I will never trust anyone else again. He has a nice little shop where you can order gear, customize equipment and get great advice from someone with great hands, eyes and ears! Truly an exceptional find in the area. Worth driving to and avoiding the chain stores for a personal touch! Surprisingly competitive priced with the chain stores too! This place is awesome!

Great work on set-ups and string changes. Cool shop. Friendly staff and a collection of interesting…read moreguitars and basses. I highly recommend!

ZZ is the best!! I…read morebrought in a violin to his workshop a few weeks ago that I'd played over two decades ago that had several issues that required the right luthier's TLC. I was hoping ZZ could repair it for my Mom, as her birthday was coming up soon, and I was hoping to gift my violin to her. She has always wanted to learn how to play it, but never had the chance until recently after she retired. As a child of working class parents in a small town, her parents simply couldn't afford the materials and lessons for her to follow her passion. ZZ did a phenomenal job examining the violin and walking me through the various options for repairs and what they would cost. In addition to his true professionalism and extensive knowledge, he is also delightfully down-to-earth and lovely to work with. I continue to be impressed with his craftsmanship, and am eternally grateful to have found him on my search for local luthiers! He has completely transformed my violin into a beautiful looking and sounding instrument that I know my Mom will treasure for years to come. Cannot recommend him highly enough for those needing expert violin repairs and advice!

I have played violin for nearly 50 years. My violin is a very close second to my children. This is…read morea shop where you can entrust your beloved instrument. I brought my violin following a catastrophic fracture. Not only was he gentle and understanding, his recommendations produced a fulsome resonance I haven't heard for years. This is a violinist's violin technician.

Cecily is a great teacher. She provided vocal lessons and training for my daughter. Cecily was…read morealways kind and encouraging with her. Also, she was patient and seemed interested and to care. I believe her prices are reasonable and I definitely could see and hear the progress, confidence and overall improvement of my daughter's vocal abilities.

I've been one of Cecily's vocal students for almost 9 years (off and on) now. I have learned so…read moremuch about how to control my voice using my body because of her. When I first started I couldn't intentionally access the full range of my voice. Through Cecily's teaching style, I learned techniques that have improved my voice and my ability to manipulate it with ease. She also has great energy and starts each session with breathwork that is beyond therapeutic.

Kristen, the Drum Lady of Takoma Park, offers djembe drum classes above the new hardware store…read more I've taken a few drum lessons in other places, but these are downright amazing! Not only is she a real master at this stuff, but she also has fantastic energy. She holds every class with the help of several highly talented musicians on other types of African drums and instruments, making every class extra fun and inspiring. She is patient when newbies struggle and sends podcasts of our lessons afterward so you can practice on your own. You're not just learning the voices of the drum, you'll learn traditional beats and their meaning. Thanks to her assistants, this all takes place accompanied by a delightful foundation of various drums that make her circles come alive.

Kristen is an amazing djembe teacher for students of all levels. I started taking classess with…read moreKristen over a year ago and continue to learn from her each class. She starts with the basics and makes every student feel comfortable in expressing themselves. Class is always fun and educational. She is one of the few djembe teachers who can lead a large class of students at many levels, and maintain control to ensure everyone stays in rhythm.