Music is an incredible power that connects people, and some of us are not satisfied by just being on the “receiving” end. And Washington, DC is the perfect city for both listening to and performing music. Whether you are a beginner or advanced, taking lessons from a professional musician would most certainly broaden your horizons. Read on to find out where you can find the best music lessons in Washington, DC.
Matthew J Viator – Studio V
Address: 350 G Street Southwest Washington, DC 20024
Phone: (202) 803-2493
Website: https://mviator.com/
Located in the heart of Washington, DC, Studio V offers private lessons in piano, composition, and musicology. It is open to students of all levels even if they are a complete beginner.
Professional musicians who wish to acquire new techniques or improve their skills may also consider enrolling in this studio, which describes itself as a “European Classical studio, in the Beethoven-lineage tradition.” Among its former and current students are conservatory students, DJ’s, winners of international piano competitions, producers, recording artists, music teachers, and more.
“I want Studio V to prove to people that classical music is a living tradition, not a study of the dead,” says Matthew J. Viator, who leads the school, and is a graduate of the Peabody Conservatory of Music. Studio V has also been partnering with the Johns Hopkins University, Washington Ballet, and Washington Performing Arts.
Music on the Hill
Address: 801 D Street Northeast Washington DC, 20002
Phone: (202) 733-3158
Website: https://musiconthehilldc.com/
Catering to both kids and adults, Music on the Hill offers lessons for a wide range of instruments including guitar, bass guitar, banjo, piano, voice, violin, viola, cello, fiddle, saxophone, percussion, clarinet, flute, and ukulele. Both private and group lessons are available, with students having the option of choosing in-person or virtual classes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Washington City Paper has named Music on the Hill among the “best places to buy musical instruments.” It was also selected for the “Top 100” list released by the National Association of Music Merchants for five consecutive years.
Music instruments violin, cello, flute and trumpet are available for rent here. You can even make use of their short-term rental program, where you can rent an instrument for as low as $50, just to try them out for eight weeks, before buying one.
7DrumCity
Address: 1506 & 1508 North Capitol Street Northwest Washington DC 20002
Phone: (202) 643-7424
Website: https://www.7drumcity.com/
With a team of teachers who currently perform in the DMV scene, 7DrumCity offers musicians and hobbyists practically every possible platform for learning, performing, and rehearsing music. Lessons are available for drums, guitar, keyboard, and voice.
Solo practice rooms are open to all students for one hour per day free of charge. Practice rooms (six band rooms and seven solo rooms) are fully equipped with amps, drums, keyboard, headphones, and PA system. Students also get to perform at a live music venue as part of quarterly student concerts.
Taking every possible measure against COVID-19, 7DrumCity requires everyone to wear face coverings during the pandemic, provides disposable microphone covers, and boasts highly efficient air circulation and filtration systems in every room. All of the teachers at the school are fully vaccinated. And virtual lessons are available upon request.
R Street Music
Address: 604 U Street Northwest Fl 3 Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (703)-966-1373
Website: https://rstreetmusic.com/
Operating since 2011, R Street Music has been offering lessons for guitar (whether it is blues, jazz, rock, or classical), bass (electric or string bass,) banjo and mandolin. Students of every level are welcomed by teachers with more than 20 years of experience, including ones who have played in various bands in the DMV area.
Jon C., who leads the school, has a background of performing with rock, blues, and swing bands, including a New Orleans style horn band, in the Washington, DC area and around the world for years, as well as teaching adults and kids in their homes, and at Contemporary Music Center in Haymarket, VA.
The musician has also taught theory, improvisation and repertoire building at The Guitar Shop in DC. He also has extensive recording experience.