My son has been taking piano lessons with Music Lessons Arizona for almost four years, and the experience has been nothing short of fantastic. We initially wanted him to learn piano to develop a creative skill and build confidence, and this program has far exceeded our expectations. He began lessons with Sherin via Zoom during the pandemic, and her ability to make the lessons productive and enjoyable was truly impressive. Later, he transitioned to in-person lessons at the studio, and a few years ago, he started working with Amberly, who has also been incredible. Both instructors have been patient, skilled, and inspiring, creating an environment where my son has thrived. He has made remarkable progress, from reading sheet music to confidently playing several challenging pieces. The lessons are well-structured yet flexible, keeping him motivated and excited to learn. I wholeheartedly recommend Music Lessons Arizona to anyone seeking a supportive and effective piano program!
I have had a desire to play the piano since I was a young boy. My grandfather is a proficient player and I always looked up to him as a pianist. I had a hard time committing to the piano, so I put it off for decades. I felt encouraged when I discovered Music Lessons Arizona and read so many positive student reviews and got familiar with the programs. As an adult beginner, I felt VERY encouraged after my consultation with Sherin. She shared some success stories with students and let me know there are plenty of adult beginners! I am only about 2 months in to my lessons and I am astonished at the progress. The lessons are “the fastest hour of my life” because they are packed with practice, theory, and fun! Special shout out to Laura for getting me started on my piano journey and encouraging me to love the piano and make it FUN. I would recommend Music Lessons Arizona to ANYONE who feels like they could benefit from lessons and structure. Although I am a beginner, I can tell Sherin and her staff teach at the highest level. I look forward to my lessons every Sunday!
I’ve been playing guitar for about 20 years, mostly trying to learn songs from YouTube videos and ultimate guitar tab websites. I was overwhelmed with the amount of information, there was no focus or structure, and playing guitar felt random and non-productive. I even stopped playing for about five years and almost quit entirely. Then, I went to an Eagles concert and got inspired to get back into playing guitar, but I knew I needed help from an instructor. That’s when I found Matt and his lesson program at Music Lessons Arizona. One of the things that attracted me to his program was the opportunity to collaborate with Matt and other like-minded students in a coached band format. Participating in the group format made practicing more meaningful as I prepared to play tunes with the group. The group fosters creativity, builds improvisational skills, and makes the experience much more fun and beneficial than just 1:1 lessons. Since joining the program, my overall guitar skills have improved, my rhythm is way better, and my improvisation has significantly improved. I feel great about my progress and have overcome the initial plateau I experienced. I would highly recommend Matt and Music Lessons Arizona to anyone who has struggled to learn guitar on their own or via YouTube. If you’re interested in improving your skills and collaborating with other like-minded music students who enjoy classic rock, modern rock, pop, and blues, this is the place for you!
I’ve really enjoyed my experience at Music Lessons Arizona with Matt Friedland. Years ago, my daughter Emma took guitar lessons from Matt, and when I started thinking about picking up the bass again after years of playing off and on, I decided to reach out—mainly for accountability and to improve musically. Before joining, I found myself playing randomly without much direction. I was honestly a bit intimidated to play with others, since I hadn’t done it regularly in so long. But once I joined Matt’s Jazz Studio class, that changed quickly. The sessions gave me focus, and I started to feel much more comfortable playing with other musicians. I especially enjoy the Saturday classes, which lean toward jazz, funk, and blues—tunes like Cissy Strut are right in the sweet spot for me. Thursdays have more of a classic rock vibe, and it’s great to have both options. The classes are engaging and collaborative, and the other students enhance the whole learning experience. What stands out most is how Matt adapts to students of all levels—whether you’re a beginner or more experienced, he makes the material approachable and ensures everyone gets something valuable out of each session. He’s great at integrating a wide range of players into a cohesive, fun learning environment. For me, music is more than just a hobby—it’s a release from work and other responsibilities, and these classes help me reconnect with that more spiritual side of playing. Highly recommend Matt and Music Lessons Arizona to anyone looking to grow musically and connect with a great community.
Working with Matt Friedland and Music Lessons Arizona has been a game changer for me, both as a guitarist and as a musician overall. Before joining the program, I was mostly focused on playing by myself. But once I started collaborating with other students in Matt’s studio classes, everything shifted. I began learning how to listen, contribute to a group, and become more than just a guitar player—I started becoming a more well-rounded musician. Matt creates an environment that’s welcoming, supportive, and truly focused on helping you grow. I got the chance to play with other guitarists, bassists, drummers, and vocalists, and that experience helped push me out of my comfort zone in the best possible way. I also participated in the Performing Artist Program, where I performed live on stage with Matt and a group of fellow students at a real music venue in front of over 100 people. That concert gave me the confidence I needed to start performing on my own. Since then, I’ve built a full setlist and now play about 20 gigs a month at retirement homes across the Valley. Getting to bring joy to those audiences—and seeing how much they love the music—has been incredibly fulfilling and rewarding. That opportunity and confidence wouldn’t have happened without Matt’s guidance and the structure of this program. I was definitely nervous at first about playing with others, but I knew I had to take the leap to become the kind of musician I wanted to be. What I found was a community of musicians and instructors who helped shape my skills and support me every step of the way. If you’re serious about growing as a musician—and especially if you want to learn how to perform and collaborate—Music Lessons Arizona is the place to be.
I am a self taught drummer and knowing how a lack of formal training limited my musical skills I wanted to have my son take lessons from a trained musical professional. After bringing him to two other teachers in Gilbert I was disappointed with their approach and my son’s progress. I decided to try one more before going back to teaching him myself, so I contacted Matt and scheduled a month’s worth of lessons. A year later I am amazed at the progress my son has made, which is the result of Matt’s patience, knowledge, and teaching philosophy. Matt has taught my son fundamentals and how to generalize them so he can develop his own style. I highly recommend Matt as a drum teacher, and I can only hope we find a comparable teacher when we relocate to Chicago.
