Drum Lessons

MUSIC

Drum Lessons

The Academy of Music and Fine Arts invites you to discover and explore the rhythms and traditions of world cultures in a supportive learning environment that engages you in self-discovery and learning through experience. Our drum instructors take care to impart the language, lifestyle, and learning modes associated with their instrument and repertoire. Learn the fundmentals of drumming through:

reading music

Knowing how to read traditional music notation greatly increases your understanding of how rhythm works whether you are reading sheet music or playing by ear.

proper technique

Proper technique is extremely important as it not only enables you to play the music more easily or without struggling, but it also helps prevent repetitive motion injuries such as tendonitis or carpel tunnel syndrome.

hand/foor corrdination

Independence of all 4 limbs is an essential skill for drum set players to be able to play their parts smoothly and effectively, especially if the music has more complex rhythms. You will learn many effective warm up and exercise routines to develop these skills. 

keeping a steady rythm

Mastering the ability to play rhythms and transitions in music without speeding up or slowing down is one of the most important jobs that a drummer has. 

learning to play by ear

Learning a drum part by ear is just as important as reading music notation. By learning all the other drumming fundamentals, you will develop the skills necessary to hear a piece of music, pick out the drum parts and learn them without reading music. This includes creating your own drum parts for original music as well. 

Individual drum Lessons

Weekly 45-minute individual lessons.

Discover and explore rythms from around the world with drum lessons at the AMFA.

My son has been attending the Academy since last April and I have to say the teachers are very knowledgeable and the staff is amazing, always there to help you and explain everything on point. My son loves his drum lessons with Angelo and looks forward to them all week. I would definitely recommend this school, it’s our second family.

—Amanda A. | Glendale, CA

Voice Lessons

MUSIC

Voice Lessons

The Academy of Music and Fine Arts specializes in Voice Lessons and vocal technique training for singers of all levels and all ages. We offer singing lessons for Pop, Rock, R&B, Musical Theatre, Jazz, and Classical singers. Our students include beginners and aspiring artists, as well as professionals who want to perfect their skills.

Voice lessons at the Academy of Music and Fine Arts are tailor-made to each individual singer and their needs and goals. Voice Lessons help vocalists to increase vocal range, build vocal strength, blend smoothly between head voice and chest voice, achieve mixed voice and belt coordinations, master multiple musical and vocal styles, sing high notes with ease, gain confidence for live performance, and eventually achieve technical and artistic mastery.

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Individual Voice Lessons

Weekly 45-minute individual lessons.

All Academy of Music and Fine Arts music students participate in our choir and music theory classes free of charge.

Years of teaching voice Lessons

Students

YEARS AVERAGE INSTRUCTOR EXPERIENCE

concerts and recitals

I am so thankful to have found AMFA years ago. It’s an exceptional school. The music instructors are highly educated, kind and encouraging. My kids LOVE attending the school. I highly recommend AMFA to anyone who is interested. We plan on being part of this great establishment for many years to come. Thank you for creating such a special place for our kids to enjoy.

—Lian E. | Studio City, CA

Guitar Lessons

MUSIC

Guitar Lessons

The guitar is the most played musical instrument in the world. It is a very adaptable musical form and can be used to play all types of music including blues, country, jazz and pop and rock.

Children and adolescents who begin to take guitar lessons at a fairly early age learn to appreciate music in all its forms, and learn that they enjoy listening to different genres in music.

Guitar lessons at the Academy of Music and Fine Arts are tailored specifically to each student’s needs and expectations.

start with the basics

When it comes to learning to play the guitar, or just about learning anything else for that matter, learning the basics right is essential.  you’ll learn about things such as how to hold the guitar, fretting and strumming, guitar theory, riffs, notes, etc. in an efficient manner.

technique

We will work on aspects like speed, rhythm, chords and scales, and of course, your overall playing ability. Guitar lessons will also allow you to enhance techniques such as playing solos, intricate scales, alternate picking, finger picking, hammer-ons and pull-offs, etc..

accelerated progress

Yes, many guitar players can teach themselves how to play, but usually the process is slow. With guitar lessons, you will be able to accomplish and learn the same amount of material in a week, for instance, that might take you more than a month to do so yourself.

learn from a professional

You’ll be able to pick certain things up when you learn the guitar under the apprenticeship of a good guitar teacher. Having an actual person there to show you exactly how everything is done – from the advanced stuff right down to the basics – produces the best results.

Individual Guitar Lessons

Weekly 45-minute individual lessons.

Guitar Ensemble

Our Guitar Ensemble program provides an excellent opportunity to have fun exploring a variety of musical styles with fellow guitar enthusiasts.

  • Participants will learn how to provide support with a bass line, play the lead part with a melody, or provide harmony with chordal support.
  • Each guitar ensemble student learns to develop their ability to execute dynamics, play unison, harmony or counterpoint.
  • The ensembles are open to advanced beginners through advanced players and cover styles as diverse as classical, popular and world music.

In-person guitar lessons available at the Academy at reduced capacity. Online guitar lessons avaialble at full capacity .

Years of teaching guitar Lessons

Students

YEARS AVERAGE INSTRUCTOR EXPERIENCE

concerts and recitals

Great place for children to learn and appreciate the arts. The music I have heard from the students is wonderful.

—Megan V. | Burbank, CA

Lian E.

I am so thankful to have found AMFA years ago. It’s an exceptional school that offers variety of classes (i.e. music, art, chess, language…). Music instructors are highly educated, kind and encouraging. My kids LOVE attending the school. I highly recommend AMFA to anyone who is interested. We plan on being part of this great establishment for many years to come. Thank you for creating such a special place for our kids to enjoy.

Drawing Classes for Adults

Drawing Classes for Adults

Drawing classes for adults at the Academy of Music and Fine Arts are comprised of lively discussion sessions and studio time to complete drawing and painting projects. Classes emphasize drawing as a way to learn about composition, color, technique and personal expression.

Chess tournament: May 5th

Chess tournament: May 5th

join us for the 3rd event of the season.It will be hosted at the Academy and organized by the Angeleno Chess club headed by International Master and Coach Levon Altounian. Players get a chance to practice their favourite openings and compete with players of all ages and levels in a relaxed, fun environment. Each section will have their own prizes and trophies.

Click the link to download the PDF:angeleno unrated tournament_may 5th, 2018

 

 

Holiday Concert and Art Exhibition

Holiday Concert and Art Exhibition

Join us for AMFA’s annual Holiday Concert & Art Exhibition on Sunday, December 17, 2017. The event will be held at 2:00 PM, at the Congregational Church of the Chimes of Sherman Oaks. Tickets can be purchased at our school office, or by contacting us. See you there!

Congregational Church of the Chimes
14115 W Magnolia Blvd,
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

Angeleno Chess Club Tournaments

Angeleno Chess Club Tournaments

2017 AMFA Chess Season: Angeleno Club Open: January 21 and June 3, 2017.

In 2017 we continued what we started in 2016: On-site chess tournaments that are open to all, full of freebies, prizes, medals and trophies, coupled with a low entry fee system. Chess tournaments are an essential part of any serious chess player’s growth and fun and more relaxed events take the pressure off for students of all ages and levels. AMFA students and Angeleno Chess Club members had special perks available too that could be applied towards their clubs or private lessons. Both tournaments had 3 Main Sections and 3 Subsections based on players ratings and how many participants each Section held. Both events showcased dozen of players of all age groups and rating groups but the youth in the 600-1200 USCF rating group dominated.  Some players even had time for a game review or a bughouse match. Stay tuned for the next event and we welcome everyone who would like to come check out or join our chess classes.Thank you all who participated.

Coach Levon Altounian
International Master / CA State Champion

“Practice Chess” Series #3

“Practice Chess” Series #3

ACADEMY OF MUSIC AND FINE ARTS (AMFA) and ANGELENO CHESS CLUB (ACC) PROUDLY PRESENT: “PRACTICE CHESS” SERIES #3 PRACTICE NEW OPENINGS / TRY NEW IDEAS / GET BACK INTO SHAPE Saturday, May 20, 2017 (more…)
Recap: April 2 AMFA Chess Tournament

Recap: April 2 AMFA Chess Tournament

April 2, 2016 marked the opening of the Fun series of unrated chess tournaments at AMFA. Led and organized by Angeleno Chess Club and our AMFA Chess Coach International Master and CA State Champion Levon Altounian, we were able to fit in not 4 but 5 rounds for all players and still end early! The tournament had players from every level and age groups divided into 2 sections and 4 subsections: we had a grandfather joining 5 year old brand new players on the battlefield.In short, it was a great experience for all the participants in terms of learning how the competitive chess works, doing their best to win games and trophies, while having fun. We plan to hold this event every few months so check our website often for updates.20160402_100510 20160402_100514 20160402_100425 20160402_122504 20160402_122406 20160402_100549 20160402_112936 20160402_103818 20160402_122513 FB_IMG_1461052140176 20160402_100510 20160402_100535