5 Best Music Schools in Los Angeles (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

By Vespera Quill, Expert in Local Experiences and Cultural Analysis · ✓ Data verified August 2026 · 8 min read

A first piano lesson and a conservatory audition prep session are not the same errand, and Los Angeles has both. The music schools below have logged just under 700 Google reviews between them, with ratings running from 4.3 up to a perfect 5.0, so where you land depends on what you actually want your kid, or yourself, to walk away with.

Short answer: Arabesque Conservatory of Music holds a perfect 5.0 rating across 211 reviews, teaching piano, guitar, voice, and drums across multiple LA locations. Angeles Academy of Music follows closely at 4.9 stars across 145 reviews and has served students since 2013. For serious classical and conservatory training, Colburn School offers concert-hall performance opportunities at 4.7 stars across 115 reviews.

Jump to a business

1. Arabesque Conservatory…
2. Angeles Academy of Mus…
3. Colburn School
4. Musicians Institute
5. Music Teacher LA
Get listed

How LA's top music schools compare

#	Business	Rating	Reviews	Best for
1	Arabesque Conservatory of Music	5.0 ★	211	Private lessons across multiple instruments and locations	View ›
2	Angeles Academy of Music	4.9 ★	145	Established multi-instrument academy	View ›
3	Colburn School	4.7 ★	115	Conservatory-level classical training	View ›
4	Musicians Institute	4.3 ★	152	Career-track contemporary music education	View ›
5	Music Teacher LA	4.9 ★	72	In-home lessons	View ›

5 Best Music Schools in Los Angeles (2026)

Our top picks, reviewed

#1 Overall🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Arabesque Conservatory of Music

5.0211 Google reviews

Arabesque Conservatory of Music offers private, one-on-one lessons in piano, guitar, voice, drums, and songwriting across 19 locations in Los Angeles and California, serving children, teens, and adults. The school states it works with 156 instructors and 2,561 students per week, and reviewers describe both individual instruction and specialized work with students with disabilities through regional center funding.

What people praise

Instructors praised by name for patience with young and first-time students
Regional center funding process described as smooth and easy for families of children with special needs
Consistent communication throughout enrollment and scheduling
Teachers credited with building students' confidence, not just technical skill

Worth knowing

Large multi-location operation, so the specific teacher assigned matters more than the brand name

Reputation scorecardrank in Los Angeles

Rating5 / 5

Review volume211 · 97th

Confidencehigh

Recency7 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown98% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A perfect 5.0 rating held across 211 reviews is rare at this volume, and the range of instruments and locations makes it the easiest first call for most families in LA.

Website +1424-284-8444 Directions

1436 S La Cienega Blvd #212, Los Angeles, CA 90035

#2🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Angeles Academy of Music

4.9145 Google reviews

Angeles Academy of Music has operated in Los Angeles since 2013, offering private lessons in piano, voice, violin, cello, guitar, ukulele, bass, and drums across locations in Brentwood, Westwood, and Tarzana. The school states its instructors are university trained, and it runs a homework reward system and twice-yearly recitals for students.

What people praise

Instructors named repeatedly for patience with complete beginners and returning adult students
Recital and reward systems keep younger students motivated to practice
Good-condition instruments, including a grand piano, noted by an advanced student
Flexible scheduling with both in-person and Zoom recital options

Worth knowing

One reviewer described uneven treatment across students of different backgrounds, worth asking about directly

Reputation scorecardrank in Los Angeles

Rating4.9 / 5

Review volume145 · 87th

Confidencemoderate

Recency3 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown98% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A 4.9 rating across 145 reviews and over a decade in business make it a strong second pick, especially for families wanting recital performance experience built into lessons.

Website +1310-907-8687 Directions

10921 Weyburn Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024

#3🕑 Open 7 days

Colburn School

4.7115 Google reviews

Colburn School is a downtown LA conservatory offering music, dance, and drama instruction alongside its own concert hall, orchestra, and chamber ensembles. It hosts free public concerts and community classes for kids, and Google also lists it as a conservatory of music and dance school rather than just private-lesson instruction.

What people praise

Described repeatedly as one of the best music institutions in LA
On-site concert venues built for high-quality acoustic performance
Ensemble and orchestra opportunities beyond one-on-one lessons
Beautiful, modern campus noted even by casual visitors

Worth knowing

Limited parking during busy weekend performance schedules
More formal, conservatory-style environment than a casual lesson studio

Reputation scorecardrank in Los Angeles

Rating4.7 / 5

Review volume115 · 82nd

Confidencemoderate

Recency5 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown86% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: It ranks third here on rating and volume, 4.7 across 115 reviews, but it is the only school on this page offering conservatory-level ensemble and performance training, not just private lessons.

Website +1213-621-2200 Directions

200 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012

#4🕑 Open 5 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

Musicians Institute

4.3152 Google reviews

Musicians Institute is a Hollywood college offering degree and certificate programs in contemporary music, including guitar and drums, aimed at students pursuing music as a career rather than a hobby. Its site lists alumni including well-known professional musicians, and it holds regular info sessions and open houses for prospective students.

What people praise

Notable alumni cited as proof the career-track approach can pay off
Independent artist program credited by one graduate with a decade-long path to professional placements
Prime Hollywood location convenient for the music industry

Worth knowing

Multiple reviewers described disorganized administrative staff and a $100 application fee
Lowest rating on this page at 4.3, with a higher share of 1-star reviews than the others

Reputation scorecardrank in Los Angeles

Rating4.3 / 5

Review volume152 · 92nd

Confidencemoderate

Recency3 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown76% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: It ranks last on this page on rating, and the career-school model is genuinely different from the other four, which teach hobbyists and kids. Worth it only if a professional music career, not casual lessons, is the actual goal.

Website +1323-462-1384 Directions

1655 N McCadden Pl, Hollywood, CA 90028

#5🕑 Open 6 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

Music Teacher LA

4.972 Google reviews

Music Teacher LA sends independent instructors directly to students' homes for piano, voice, guitar, violin, bass, and drum lessons, and states it has operated since 1991. Reviewers describe lessons happening in their own living rooms, with the company handling scheduling, billing, and makeup classes behind the scenes.

What people praise

In-home convenience repeatedly praised, especially for young kids and nervous first-timers
Individual teachers named and credited for building confidence, not just technique
Responsive, organized scheduling and billing from the company itself
Long track record, in business since 1991

Worth knowing

No physical studio location, all lessons happen at the student's home

Reputation scorecardrank in Los Angeles

Rating4.9 / 5

Review volume72 · 76th

Confidenceearly

Recency4 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown99% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: It ranks last on this page by review volume, 72, but the 4.9 rating and decades-long track record make it the clear pick for anyone who wants lessons to happen at home rather than driving to a studio.

Website +1310-220-0405 Directions

Your business here

Get listed on this page, in front of local customers already searching for you.

Claim this spot ›

How we score

Rating is the live Google average for each school. Review volume measures how many families and students actually left a rating, ranked against the others on this page. Confidence weighs the rating by that volume, so a perfect score from a small sample scores lower than one backed by hundreds. Recency checks how recently people are still leaving reviews. No business can pay to change any of these numbers.

How much do music lessons cost in Los Angeles? (2026)

Pricing depends heavily on whether lessons happen in a studio or at home, the instrument, and the instructor’s experience level. Most schools on this page offer an introductory discount or free trial rather than publishing a flat rate.

Serving all of Los Angeles

These schools and services cover Westwood, Brentwood, Tarzana, Hollywood, and downtown LA, with Music Teacher LA and Arabesque both reaching students across the wider metro through in-home or multi-location lessons. Search for a music school near me and you’ll likely land on one of these before anywhere else.

What to ask before you enroll in a music school

Is there a free trial lesson before committing to a package?
Are lessons in a studio, in-home, or both?
What’s the cancellation and makeup-lesson policy?
Are instructors formally trained, and can you meet or trial with the specific teacher first?
Are there recitals or performance opportunities built into the program?
Is pricing per lesson, monthly, or by semester, and are there registration fees?

Frequently asked questions

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from public Google data. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner (badge and top placement), but that never changes another business’s score or position.

How did you choose these music schools?

We pulled real Google ratings and review counts for music schools serving Los Angeles, then ranked them on a mix of rating, review volume, and how recently customers are still leaving reviews.

How often is this updated?

This page reflects Google data verified in August 2026. We refresh listings periodically as ratings and review counts change.

Is there a music school in LA that comes to your home?

Yes. Music Teacher LA sends instructors directly to students’ homes across Los Angeles for piano, voice, guitar, and other instrument lessons.

Where should I go if I want to pursue music as a career?

Musicians Institute in Hollywood is a degree and certificate-granting college built specifically around contemporary music careers, distinct from the private-lesson studios on this page.

The bottom line

For most families wanting solid private lessons, Arabesque Conservatory or Angeles Academy of Music are the safe defaults, both rated 4.9 or higher across well over 100 reviews. If a professional career is the goal, Musicians Institute is built for that specifically. Either way, ask for a trial lesson with the actual instructor before committing to a package.

Best Skill And Hobby in other cities

More categories in Los Angeles

Own one of these businesses, or want to be here?

Claim your spot on this page: Basic listing $50 or Premium $100 for the top spot, held a full year. Both include a permanent link to your site.

Get listed See pricing