A fixture on the San Francisco music scene since 1971, the Blue Bear School of Music is nestled at the edge of the bay beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. Many famous musicians are among the school's sponsors, including Elvin Bishop and Booker T. Jones. Among featured areas of study are acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano/keyboards, bass, drums, reed instruments, mandolin and fiddle. Blue Bear also offers an unusual selection of voice lessons, including classes with titles like For People Who Can't Sing, For People Who Can Sing and Rock Vocals.
Zambaleta is the Egyptian word for street party and this non-profit school aims to create an institution where everyone ---regardless of ability or financial circumstance --- has the same access to musical education. Zambaleta emphasizes world music in a wide variety of musical instruments and styles, including ukulele, harmonica, dumbek, Macedonian tambura, accordion and Appalachian fiddle. Classes are nominally priced and the average length of each session is seven weeks.
Across the bay from San Francisco, the Crowden Music Center in Berkeley is a non-profit organization divided into to sectors. The Crowden School is for students in grades four through eight, while the Crowden Center for Music in the Community offers classes, lessons and music camps for all ages. The school has rigorous admission requirements and tuition is steep. However, financial aid is available, based on musical ability and academic potential. The curriculum is a combination of musical training and academic subjects. Each school day begins with two hours of music practice and performance.
The Music School of Piedmont Piano Company in Oakland offers both private and group music lessons to children, teens and adults. Piano, voice, bass, drums, woodwinds, guitar, drums and brass are all taught by contracted professionals. Specialty classes include KinderGuitar (ages 5 to 10) and Pop Singing for Girls (ages 9 to 13). Guitars and pianos — new or used — can be purchased or rented from the music store and private lessons in the home also can be arranged.