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Columbia Arts Academy 10 Benefits of becoming an Academy student:

1. Guitar, Bass, Voice, Drum and Piano lessons in one location.
This saves our students time and money, as one family can take multiple instruments on the same day. Other studios offer multiple instruments, but we are the only one to offer music lessons in Columbia, South Carolina for all 5 of the most popular instruments: Electric & Acoustic Guitar, Electric Bass, Voice, Piano and Drum set.

2. The largest and most qualified teaching faculty in Columbia.
We have 35 music teachers, all with either University training or professional performance experience. Our music teachers are dedicated to learning about your personal musical goals and helping you to achieve them. With at least three music teachers for every instrument, we are confident that we have the right teacher to meet your music lesson needs. In addition to their teaching credentials, our teachers have warm personalities, are extremely friendly and dedicated to teaching you the style of music that you want to learn
in your music lesson.

3. The widest range of music lesson times available seven days a week!
9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Monday - Friday
11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays.
1:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. on Sundays.

4. A proven track record of excellence.
Visit our testimonial page to see what our students are saying. Every year, aspiring music teachers start their own studio, and a year or two later it's closed. The Academy has a proven track record of offering quality music lessons in Columbia, South Carolina year round. Our full time mission is teaching music lessons.

5. A comfortable waiting room for parents.
Instead of waiting in a music retail store showroom, our clients enjoy a spacious, professional waiting room with comfortable chairs, kids toys, Wi-Fi, magazines and bottled water service. We also provide large observation windows on every door so that you can watch your child's lesson while you wait. Or if you prefer you can sit in on their lesson anytime you like.

6. Fully stocked music lesson rooms.
Our rooms are stocked with everything you need for music lessons, including amps, stereos, full drum kits with pads, keyboards, pianos and more. All you need to bring is your instrument. We have spent thousands of dollars on our studio to offer soundproofing and observation windows.

7. Free, all inclusive music recitals.
Every May and December, our students have the option of performing in our recitals. Students are not required to perform, but many choose to. Parents never have to pay
admission or any related fees for these recitals.

8. Professional office staff seven days a week to serve you.
Many music studio desks are staffed by the teacher/owner or more commonly an answering machine. We have three office managers who are available at the front desk to assist our clients.

9. Located on Rosewood in the heart of Shandon.
Due to its central location, our school is convenient to all areas of Columbia. Close to our studio, you will find great shopping, dining and the quaint neighborhood village of Shandon.
Our location is convenient to Northeast Columbia, Irmo and Lexington.

10. Month to Month lessons.
The Academy does not require semester minimums for lessons. Every student here is on a month-to-month basis. If you are ready to start, you have nothing to lose as we only want students who truly want to be here and we will not commit you to a long term contract. Lessons are first come, first serve so contact us today to arrange your first lesson!
Served areas
  • Columbia, SC, Northeast, Columbia, SC, Lexington, SC, Irmo, SC
Services
The Columbia Arts Academy is South Carolina's largest music school, teaching over 1,500 students from ages 4 to adult. Whatever instrument you or your child wish to play, odds are we teach it: Piano, electric & acoustic Guitar, Drums, Bass, Mandolin, Banjo, Ukulele, Voice and Singing, & Violin all taught under one roof.
Columbia's guitar instructors teach rock, blues, metal, country and classical styles on both electric and acoustic guitars. Whether you aspire to play Bach or Alicia Keys, Columbia's dedicated piano instructors will help you become the pianist you want to be. If you've always wanted to hone your skills as a rock, pop, country, jazz, gospel or R&B singer, Columbia has the voice teacher for you. At the Columbia Arts Academy, every state-of-the-art drum lesson room is equipped with Roland drum kits for our students.
Sign up is easy and parent-friendly, with helpful staff at the front desk seven days a week to serve you. Because we only offer lessons on a month-to-month basis, there are no large upfront payments, no complicated contracts, no annual material or performance fees, and no semester minimums. We'll never share your information.
Tyler Mack first experience at the Academy was great. He has an excellent Drum Teacher and the staff there is very helpful. I would recommend anyone and everyone to experience the musical talent at the Columbia Arts Academy. For most of my life I have always wanted to learn how to play the guitar, but never took lessons as a child.
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Reviews (17)
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Kayla Williams
May 13, 2022
Love Columbia arts academy! They are flexible, affordable, and work so well with children and adults!
Robert Selzer
May 19, 2021
Our student really enjoys her classes with Ms. Sara. We are so impressed with how much progress is made each week. The one on one class structure makes all the difference. Our student has increased her musical knowledge and ability in a short amount of time. Ms. Sara has a great energy- she's very animated and makes class interesting and fresh each week. Definitely recommend to anyone looking for music lessons in the midlands.
C. Brown
Apr 30, 2021
For the past 16 years I've taken lessons at Columbia Arts Academy. Drum lessons for a very short while, then bass guitar. When I started guitar, I was one of 12 students, and my instructor was Marty Fort himself. Since then, I have grown from a student into a member of a band, High Maintenance. Marty, on the other hand, has grown into the largest music school in South Carolina, to include Lexington School of Music and Irmo Music Academy with over 1,200 students total. Marty hires the best instructors, who are knowledgeable and professional. I wouldn't go anywhere else for my lessons. You can rest assured, from children to adults, you will get the best from Marty Fort and his schools!
The Manuels
Apr 26, 2021
Max is an awesome instructor and is so great with children. My son is always so excited to come to guitar practice! Amanda at the front desk makes you feel welcome and greets you with a smile. She's very helpful and knowledgeable.
MaiTy Tv
Mar 26, 2021
I started my voice lessons back in the beginning of January and I look forward to coming! The staff is super nice and I love my teacher, she's going to be the reason I win a Grammy lol. In all honesty, this is a great place to learn and it is very welcoming. I'd definitely recommend Columbia Arts academy for anyone wanting to learn music or to sing!
Tiffany S.
Mar 14, 2021
Wow, I am really impressed with this place and so happy to have found it. They have several convenient locations around the greater Columbia area. They offer many types of music lessons- drums, piano, guitar, voice. I love that the lessons are one on one and that parents can see what happens in the lessons either by watching in person, via Zoom call or checking their online notes from the weekly sessions. The staff is so friendly and welcoming. A great addition to our weekly line up!
Stephanie Webster
Jan 24, 2021
My daughter loves taking guitar lessons here. She is a beginner at age 15. They have made it fun with no stress, which was exactly what we were looking for. We are very pleased!
J. Hamin
Jan 10, 2021
Anyone considering this music school will not be disappointed. Starting with there security to ease any concerns for young students, to the qualifications of instructors, to in house incentive to motivate and support the students lessons you this school has it covered. The friendly atmosphere is conducive for growth and camaraderie so yeah I would recommend Columbia Arts Academy to support your music goal
Rob Acuff
Jan 03, 2021
The Columbia Arts Academy is a great place to learn a musical instrument. Having the ability to be musical is something you can enjoy the rest of your life. I would highly recommend the fine people at the Columbia Arts Academy. The teachers can teach the absolute beginner or intermediate player wanting to get better. If you are your kids are looking to play music, this is the place for you!
LaVonna Watson
Dec 20, 2020
My son is 4 years old and has been taking drum lessons for 2 years now. The teachers are amazing and patient and he enjoys every lesson! Each teacher he has had has made the lesson enjoyable keeping him focused on retaining the techniques!
Lindsay Sharpe
Sep 17, 2019
Columbia Arts Academy has exceeded my expectations which were already high, based on recommendations from friends. My son has the best time with Will and is learning so much! I would recommend CAA to anyone!
Kellee Griffis
Columbia Arts Academy has always been an amazing studio with a lot of classes to choose from and excellent well rounded teachers and staff. I will always recommend this studio to others who I know are interested in music. My cousin, Marty Fort, owns the studio and he along with his staff are always very friendly and welcoming and willing to work with everyone.
Heather Moyer
I decided to take lessons because I had zero knowledge but a book. While the book was wonderful it couldn't tell me where to put my hands and if my sound was coming out correctly. This essential knowledge is what I am getting.
Jason Schafer
My teacher is an excellent instructor! I am continually amazed by the level of expertise and versatility he demonstrates with the guitar. I have been playing for 11 years and he is able to develop lessons that challenge and encourage me to grow in my playing and performance. My teacher is able to quickly and effectively teach difficult material in a way that students can easily understand. This is a rare gift in any field. I enthusiastically recommend the Columbia Arts Academy.
Cindy Stout
When I saw a tv commercial for Academy, I thought it was time to stop wishing I could play guitar and start really learning. It was one of the best decisions I've ever made. The environment is positive, happy, and encouraging. Lessons are challenging and focused on the types of music I'm interested in learning. As a middle-aged female, I was worried I would be considered "weird" for wanting to learn rock music, but I quickly discovered there was nothing to worry about.

Everyone I've encountered at the Academy is only interested in sharing their love of music and playing without any concern about how old you are. If you've always wanted to learn, or wished you were better at your instrument, don't put it off any longer! The Academy is a great place to learn!
Tarry McGovern
The Academy is a great place for the adult, who never had the time, patience, or attention span, as a child to learn to play an instrument. The Academy fosters a love for music and is a great place for an adult, to take the plunge and do something that they have only talked about for years. The instruction is excellent! The instructors are patient!

Every adult that I know has nothing but great things to say about the experience they have with learning to play an instrument. If you have told everyone for years, that someday you were going to sing, play the guitar, piano etc... this is the place for you to finally do it!
Rachael McNally
Columbia Arts Academy is a wonderful place to learn how to play an instrument. Staff are warm and welcoming, the building is very clean. I love the unlimited make-ups aspect. With kids getting sick, it's nice to know we will be able to make up classes at our convenience. My son's teacher is the best. My son really enjoys every lesson and learning to play the piano. I'm so glad we found them!