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Yamaha Music School Being a great instructor involves having the personality for teaching along with the training and experience. At our music school we've developed the ability to qualify an instructor's musicality and teaching skills over a period of over 3 decades using a system of auditions, interviews and then checking instructors references. Our current teaching facilities is designed from scratch specially for teaching music.

We started with an empty space. Then drawing on our years of expertise in teaching music, we hired an architect and contractor to build the studio optimally for teaching music, including air conditioning and central heating for the comfort of our staff and students.
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Starland is an organization committed to helping people express themselves through music and become happier and more fulfilled people. We sustain a community of people who are committed to studying, practicing and creating music. We believe music is valuable in people's lives. We provide a place for teachers to share and encourage this value while working in an uplifting, sustainable, positive, growth and learning-centric space and community. We choose team members who have passion, are committed to growth and learning, and practice compassion.
At Starland our music lessons are taught in a fun and supportive atmosphere by experienced and carefully qualified professional instructors. We offer music lessons for Adults and children in piano, keyboard, guitar offering the Starland Guitar System, electric bass, flute, saxophone, clarinet, drums, violin, cello, voice and special programs for children ages 4 to 6.
Starland School of Music is renowned throughout Alameda and the Bay Area for our guitar and bass guitar lessons. Not only do we have highly skilled music instructors who are passionate about teaching, but we currently offer the "Starland Guitar System", a step by step systematic approach that will give the student the fundamentals as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Starland School of Music has been teaching students of all ages and skill level piano lessons and keyboard lessons for over 30 years in Alameda and the SF Bay Area. Through a rigorous hiring process consisting of extensive interviews, testing and reference checks we have acquired skilled and knowledgeable piano instructors who have a passion for music and teaching alike.
Reviews (28)
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Lynn P.
Mar 20, 2022
My daughter enjoys her private piano lessons so far. The teacher is very patient with her. I only hope for more flexibility with scheduling. If we are to miss a scheduled class, even with early notice, we can only get a virtual recorded lesson, which doesn't work well with my little one.
Gordon Pherribo
Jan 11, 2022
My consultation with Aimee was amazing. She was easy to talk to, knowledgeable of different music genres, styles and theory to help best select a music teacher for me, and had me leaving the consultation more excited for lessons than when I had originally entered!
Sydney H.
Dec 23, 2021
I'm a professional singer and musician, so my standards are high. These guys don't disappoint. They teach the foundations the right way and don't push students beyond their limits, keeping it fun and level appropriate.
Vrishtee Bahl
Sep 27, 2021
Hi this review is for Aimee, she helped us with the enrollment procedure. She was very amicable and answered all our questions. She helped my daughter to set up her goals for the voice lessons. She was very encouraging and engaging in her conversation with my daughter. We are looking forward to the music lessons.
Nlb
Sep 08, 2021
My daughter took private lessons here (2 woodwind instruments) for about 5 years and loved it. She had a wonderful instructor (who unfortunately is no longer there) and all of the staff were always so kind. The performances were always really great and a lot of fun for the performers as well as their families/friends. Would highly recommend this music school!
Whitney B.
Sep 08, 2021
Today I stopped by Starland to ask about a guitar I bought for my 3 year old son. The guy working was so kind and helpful. He replaced a string on my son's guitar, tuned it, and gave me advice about classes for toddlers. I will definitely be signing my kids up for guitar lessons here as soon as they're old enough! Thank you for the kind, helpful customer service.
Matthew Willman
Aug 20, 2021
The initial meeting was fun and made me happy about my choice of Starland.
Charles T.
Jun 15, 2021
I was looking for drumsticks needed in a pinch. They had 'em, not a big selection but all the popular sizes. Small selection of instruments. Looks like they are primarily focused on instruction. Can't comment on that but the service was excellent. Very friendly folk.
Higgins Larson
May 26, 2021
We were very excited about the prospect of getting our 13 year old vocal lessons. being from Alameda I reached out to Starland music in hopes that they could help. we had the most wonderful consultation with Aimee( sorry if I misspelled that). She immediately made my daughter feel at home and somehow managed to peak our excitement which was already at a fever pitch. Our first lesson is tonight but if it's anything like our consultation it will be incredible.
Suzanna S.
Feb 21, 2021
Great shop for beginners of all ages and instruments. Knowledgeable staff and good supply of materials for strings, brass, and woodwind alike.
Deano
Jan 18, 2021
Critical: Communication, Value Lesson quality was good taken on their own, but didn't see the kinds of overall service, communication or results that merit the high prices and complicated cancellation policy.
Sarah Johnson
Jan 05, 2021
I had a consultation with Aimee yesterday, and I have to say that this was probably the greatest experience I've ever had as far as interacting with a business/staff member goes. She was kind, enthusiastic, encouraging, warm, passionate. and so many other adjectives that could be used synonymously! It was clear that she loved this work. Aimee paired me with someone I haven't had any lessons with yet, but she asked me so many great, inquisitive questions about my musical history/interests that I'm confident I have been matched with the perfect teacher. Thank you Aimee, I can't wait to start lessons!
Nancy Vongvilay
Jun 27, 2020
Since I started my private vocal lessons I have been told by my uncle that I have improved a lot. I am glad I got my vocal lessons here and my vocal teacher is really nice and the people at the desk are very nice and gave me a warm welcome.
Casey Mcdermott
Apr 02, 2020
Truly enjoying my time here! My violin teacher is knowledgeable and very encouraging when it comes to learning new things. The staff are always helpful and very friendly. Honestly one of my favorite parts of the week is going for lessons.
Michelle C.
Jul 08, 2019
Jefferson provides a safe and comfortable space in which our child's curiosity about singing is nurtured. Our child thrives with Jefferson's fun and engaging teaching style and we are thrilled to watch voice and confidence grow in parallel. We are grateful to Jefferson for all his support and encouragement on the vocal journey.
Casey M.
Jun 30, 2019
Very friendly and helpful staff. As soon as I took a few steps in the school they were very welcoming and informative.
Aimee Fields-Reed
Feb 08, 2019
I love working at Starland! It's so cool to be apart of a music learning community. I truly enjoy working with my students and with the team to make it a fun experience for everyone.
Mandy
Sep 30, 2018
Been going to Starland for guitar lessons a couple of months now. I had never play an instrument in my life. I have Nathan for my guitar teacher. He is a great guitar teacher and he teaches guitar well. I'm a slow learning and Nathan sure know how to explain and help me learn how to play the guitar.
Catharina M.
Jul 25, 2018
We had two pianos at home, and with the kids grown and gone it was time to learn. I knew nothing at all about music, keeping time, and how to correlate the notes on a page to keys on the piano. The music book has some great fun pieces and with my instructor Mikako Endo assistance, I am beginning to read music and play Chopin, Beethoven although simplified for a beginner it is still my bragging rights. I am no youngster and they say that taking music and learning to read music is great for your mind, and music is good for the soul!
Kat A.
Jul 25, 2018
Late review, but my daughter took several years of drum lessons with Thomas Perry at Starland. Although it was a chore to get her to practice, she loved learning and playing the drums and having Thomas as her teacher. Through the years, I saw her confidence increase as she played in the recitals. After ending lessons after so many years, my daughter was so sad to lose that weekly connection with Thomas. He's was an amazing teacher and friend to her. I can't wait to enroll my son at Starland soon.
Joe M.
Oct 25, 2016
This place rocks! Super friendly and very helpful! Went in for some ukulele strings and a got a free set! I will be back! Mahalo!
Wo W.
Apr 12, 2016
Went in for some blank manuscript paper and to look around, and the clerk was super friendly and helpful. He was eager and enthusiastic about the shop and the customers. I would love to go back
Dee A.
May 14, 2015
Grandson (9) came knowing a song after his first lesson. So far so good. Update after 1 performance and 1 year of $ he was enrolled in a youth group and to my dismay could NOT read music.
David D.
Oct 04, 2014
So, I came into this place and was greeted with a warm hello from this beautiful lady with groovy glasses! Well, I was looking for a mic chord for my wireless mic system. The store didn't have the exact chord. HOWEVER, She looked up the piece at other stores and got expert advice from other music stores and directed me. SHE DIDN'T HAVE TO DO IT! She spent 15min with me and could've just sold me the wrong chord. BTW she was humming Stevie Wonder in the right key and sounded awesome.
Jason D.
Mar 07, 2014
From my teenager: Instructor waste time talking about other stuff. From me: company policies are engineered to simply make money. There is little concern for quality of lessons! Entirely too many holidays etc.
Takeshi W.
Mar 01, 2014
My son join to music club in his high school and he want to have his own guitar. After few store research, We check this store. Store clerk (Ms. Sibley) was very friendly and she listen to my son's opinion and show us what best for him. (She also understand our budget limit too. That is very helpful for parents.) My son walk out store with his new guitar and he was very happy. Thank you Starland.
Jessica L.
Nov 11, 2013
It's been a while.but I took private piano lessons for about 10 years here. Mrs. Araks is the best! She is very supportive and she would always encourage me to do better. She has taught almost everyone in my family and extended family how to play piano. She's great, supportive and understanding! She's also an amazing pianist. She can really kill it.
R. M.
Sep 23, 2011
When I enrolled my daughter for piano lessons, the staff did a brief interview about her likes & musical experience. She then paired her with Heather who is an excellent teacher especially with children & first timers. She is very patient & communicates to me regularly about my daughter's progress. The studio is clean and has enough rooms for classes. The staff are all friendly & helpful. We really enjoy being a part of Starland.