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Vargas Music

3.0 (6 reviews)
Open • 10:00 am - 8:00 pm

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Musical instruments and teachers

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Claremont Community School of Music - Mr. Homero Chavez -Percussion classes and Private Lessons

Claremont Community School of Music

4.3(10 reviews)
1.2 mi
•$$

My children have been taking multiple music lessons at CCSM for several years. Previously, we had…read moretaken lessons at a variety of different schools across different states and countries. Our experience with CCSM has been the best in all respects. If you are looking for reasonable fees, CCSM checks this box. It is a non-profit that was established in the 70s in response to cuts to music education budget in our local public schools. Their main mission is to make music education accessible to as many people in the community as possible. Hence, their fees are very reasonable and much lower than music schools of similar caliber in the area. Since we're talking caliber, I have to say the school has an excellent faculty from a variety of musical fields. Many teachers have graduated from top music programs, performed with top orchestras, and/or produced generations of excellent musicians who are either professional musicians or just regular folk who really love music and continue to support the arts. My boys love their teachers, and they have different teachers even though they learn the same instruments. Since the chemistry between each student/teacher pair is important, you can trial with different teachers and figure out which teacher fits your child best. As for facilities/infrastructure, you won't find state of the art, fancy facilities (see point about it being a non-profit), but they are very good facilities and instruments, many of the pianos have been generously donated by families or the community. There are two formal recital halls, with a Steinway grand (paid for by donations), that allow students to have the opportunity to perform on an almost monthly basis. This helps them build confidence, develop performance skills and share their musical growth with their friends and family. CCSM actively contributes to the community through a scholarship fund that pays for students in financial difficulty to have lessons. There are a few big fundraisers for the scholarship fund held each year and all students are invited (never any pressure) to help raise funds for this, either through actual donations or performing at fundraising events. This helps the kids look beyond their own needs to the needs of others. Finally, since it is a community-based organization, there's a warm familial atmosphere at the school. There's no snooty arrogance you might get at other music schools. Everyone here is really friendly and supportive. This is an amazing school, it's no wonder that students travel all the way from Riverside or Orange Counties to have lessons here! If you're thinking about music lessons, you have to consider CCSM. It was the best decision our family made.

This school is GREAT. More like a conservatory than a regular music school…read more The teachers are all professionals, a large number are also professional players in addition to being professional teachers. I'm not sure how many studio rooms they have...I think about 25 or so, and they all have pianos. They have two performance halls, and have student recitals every month (usually several recitals - hour long recitals- every month). They have pros teaching every instrument. The office staff is great If I could give them 10 stars I would!!!

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Claremont Community School of Music - Violin Lessons - Group, Private, Suzuki and Traditional

Violin Lessons - Group, Private, Suzuki and Traditional

Claremont Community School of Music - Ms.Donna Marie Minano - Voice, recorder

Ms.Donna Marie Minano - Voice, recorder

Claremont Community School of Music - Guitar Lessons - Group and Private

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Guitar Lessons - Group and Private

J. Brown Violin Maker

J. Brown Violin Maker

4.7(26 reviews)
0.2 mi
•$$$$

For a few years now, I had been wanting to either get my viola bow re-haired (if possible) or…read morepurchase a new viola bow - and had called a few music stores around for pricing for a possible re-hair of the bow. Since I have had my viola for quite awhile now, it was a first for me since I only played in school orchestras. Been wanting to get back into just practicing, but then the pandemic happened and I just put this thought off to the side. A few weeks ago, I called up a few of the same stores, where I had gotten quotes a few years ago, and my fav one seemed to have closed down during the pandemic. I found contact information again for J. Brown Violin Maker and called to inquire and to reserve a time to come into the store. Debbie picked up the phone and provided lots of valuable information and I quickly set up a time, as I know from personal experience, always better to set up a reservation. Good thing I did as well, because they were in and out for the month of July and were also busy with school instrument repairs. When I arrived to the shop, I did not know there was a small parking lot up front, so I drove around the building (due to the one-way street on the side) and then parked in a "J. Brown Violin Maker" Reserved parking spot. I was a few minutes early, but knocked on the door to announce my arrival. Good thing I made a reservation as 2 more families (without a reservation) came in after me! The second family after me probably had to wait over an hour since I was just a few minutes into my reserved time and the family after me needed to look into renting a viola. Debbie explained and showed me that my current bow was unable to be re-haired and also showed me a few areas where I could "repair" for better sounds and etc. I opted to get new strings along with a new carbon composite bow. Yes, prices online may be cheaper, but I love supporting local businesses! Since they know that they cannot beat online prices, Debbie did restring my viola for me, and even helped lubricate the viola pegs! I learned a lot that day, especially since I have never had private lessons. For one of the families after me, Debbie even said that they had just made the viola for the student's viola teacher the year before. I love how connected they are to the community and I even asked for recs for a piano tuner. The second family after me seemed to have purchased multiple violins from here as well. The store certainly keeps busy, and I hope that they continue to do so, as one does not usually see many Master Luthiers around anymore.

I'd been wanting to visit this shop for many years, but hadn't done so as I was no longer playing…read more Now that I've picked up the violin again, I decided that it was time to finally see what this magical place is about. I had purchased a very inexpensive violin from Amazon to start, but the sound and feel just isn't right. When setting my appointment, I let Deb know that I'm basically a beginner, but wanted to see instruments that will grow with me. She was super friendly and personable and let me know that she would be ready to show me a variety of instruments that fit my needs and budget. My husband and I came in and it was immediately a very welcoming environment. I was able to try a variety of violins and bows at my leisure. Deb was really helpful throughout the process and it's a very 0-pressure shop. It came down to two beautiful instruments and with my husband and Deb's feedback I was able to select an amazing violin and bow. Jim was busy with another customer for most of our visit, but came right over to talk once he was free. He shared a lot of insights about the instrument I purchased as well as their philosophy. Just a great visit and I wish I had come in sooner! Prices are very reasonable as you will be getting a quality instrument. It's also a one-stop shop as they have anything you can possibly imagine for your stringed instrument. Jim is an expert luthier so I'm glad that I can come back if my instrument ever needs servicing. They also make sure that you know how to care for your instrument before you leave. My advice would be to visit J. Brown before purchasing a violin, viola, or cello elsewhere. I know I'll definitely be visiting them for all of my future needs.

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J. Brown Violin Maker - My new violin and bow. My outfit included the case, shoulder rest, and rosin.

My new violin and bow. My outfit included the case, shoulder rest, and rosin.

J. Brown Violin Maker - J. Brown Violin Maker, Established 1997

J. Brown Violin Maker, Established 1997

J. Brown Violin Maker - Main Showroom

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Main Showroom

Deborah Marcus Piano Studio

Deborah Marcus Piano Studio

4.5(8 reviews)
0.3 mi

Deborah was great with my child, but unfortunately she is moving out of the SLO county area and…read morewill only offer online lessons as of August 2023. Just an FYI to anyone looking for a piano teacher.

I note that no reviews have been posted on Ms. Marcus since the Covid pandemic has come and gone,…read moreso I feel compelled to comment. Ms Marcus seems like a very competent piano teacher, but in my opinion she is possessed by an almost Howard Hughes-like irrational paranoia over Covid "germs." Following her demands, I wore a normal mask during my first two sessions with her (more than a year after the CDC advice that this was no longer necessary, but not wanting to cause a fight), but on the third time I saw her, she was in a tizzy because she had just heard an NPR story about the dangers of "long Covid." She now demanded that I wear an N95 mask, which she had a supply of. And when that was too small for my face (the straps kept snapping off my ears), she hauled out some kind of medical mask that covered my entire face from eyes to chin, with straps around the back of my head, and insisted that I wear it. I told her that I found it very unpleasant, not to mention interfering with my concentration on the music I was trying to play. At that point she dismissed me and said she no longer wanted me as a student. So I suggest that potential students form their own opinions about this kind of policy. Ms Marcus explicitly rejects the advice of the CDC and other public health agencies, and demands mask-wearing, even in these times when stadia, arenas, and concert venues are packed with people sitting literally inches from one another, and when NO authorities consider such close contact dangerous. She believes that merely two people, sitting several feet apart in a room, pose a dangerous health threat to one another, and insists that her students wear extremely tight-fitting masks, even when this interferes with their concentration when trying to play the piano (obviously, if this is the only time they have to wear them in normal society.) Frankly, I think Ms Marcus is a health crank, and has a scientifically unjustified attitude about whatever threats there are in these days since the CDC has declared the pandemic over. Her insistence on masking requires that her students play along with her hypochondriac attitude. She may be a fine teacher for submissive children who follow her masking demands, but I think that most adults who take the advice of the public health authorities will find that her very extreme attitudes interfere with their piano-playing experience. I spent weeks trying to prepare for meeting with her only to be rejected because I simply follow the recommendations of the public health authorities. Accordingly, despite her obvious skills as a piano teacher, I can't recommend her.

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Deborah Marcus Piano Studio
Deborah Marcus Piano Studio
Deborah Marcus Piano Studio

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Vargas Music - musicalinstrumentsandteachers - Updated May 2026

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