Welcome to Monrovia’s Trusted Music Academy for 20 years!
Ukulele Lessons: Learn to Play the Ukulele Today
The ukulele is a member of the guitar family and originated in 19th-century Hawaii when Portuguese immigrants came to work the sugar plantations. The famous late Hawaiian musician Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, known more commonly as “Iz,” brought great attention to the instrument when his medley of “Somewhere over the Rainbow/ What a Wonderful World” featuring his singing and ukulele playing appeared in several films, television programs, and commercials after its release in 1993.
Students learn the fundamentals of the instrument including: tuning, hand positions, knowledge of the fretboard, and chord construction.
Ukulele students are taught how to read single line melodies and chord constructions, which are taught continuously throughout their training up. The ukulele is easy to learn and a great starter instrument to guitar, even for little kids who want to progress to guitar training in the future. Students who want to learn ukulele can also study songwriting if they choose. Should they be inclined, students will also be given the opportunity to train with a teacher who can teach them how to sing and play simultaneously.
A glimpse into Joe Ferrante Music Academy
Take a tour of our world-class facility and highly trained instructors.
Need An Instrument for Your Lessons?
Your first lesson includes a quality instrument for each student for most instruments. Once a student decides to continue with us we rent instruments for as low as $35 per month.
What better way to celebrate the amazing month of February than with music and the Fall in Love with Music Special? Take advantage of our amazing offer for new students or second instruments to get an incredible deal for that special someone and save up to $130 at the same time!
This one-time February special includes a fully stocked February gift bundle with:
"My daughter has attended this academy for over three years. She has made wonderful progress. Furthermore, her musical development has improved her academic development. She achieved Principle Honor Roll all three trimesters this year. We couldn't be more pleased with Joe Ferrante Music Academy."
- Kevin S.
14 Benefits of becoming a Joe Ferrante Music Academy Student:
1. Piano, Voice, Singing, Electric and Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, Mandolin, Drums, Cajon, Violin, Viola, Cello, Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Songwriting, Theory, Composition, Film Scoring, Recording Technology, Early Childhood Classes and Drama coaching in ONE location!
This diversity of musical offerings gives families the ultimate convenience as siblings can study different instruments at the same time or a single student could take Cello and Singing back-to-back. We house everyone’s musical needs under one roof! We are the only school in Monrovia, California that offers all of these popular instruments: All acoustic Pianos, Voice, Singing, Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, Mandolin, Drums, Cajon, Violin, Viola, Cello, Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Songwriting, Theory, Composition, Film Scoring, Recording Technology, Early Childhood Classes and Drama coaching in one location.
2. The most qualified and talented teaching staff in Southern California
All of our teachers have university training in their discipline and/or professional experience as performers.They hail from such institutions as USC, UCLA, Berklee College of Music, and NYU. As performers, our faculty are in demand both locally and all over the world, winning competitions and awards. Always kind and patient, our teachers are committed to delivering totally custom lessons to their students in a wide variety of musical styles. We know we can match you with just the right instructor to nurture your individual needs and interests. We are proud to hire only the very best teachers as our own children study with them too.
3. The widest range of music lesson times available seven days a week!
We are one of the only schools in San Gabriel Valley to offer lessons seven days a week to accommodate your busy schedule:
4. A Proven Track Record of Excellence Since 2004.
Visit our Testimonials page to see what our students have to say about us. For over twenty years, we have enjoyed the privilege of teaching thousands of musicians of all ages to develop their confidence and skills. While many aspiring music teachers start studios that come and go, we remain steadfast in our commitment to exceptional quality musical education. We’ve even had former students return to us all grown up after studying music professionally to teach with us or return to have their own children study with us!
5. A comfortable lounge for parents and siblings
You’re always welcome to wait in our lobby with plenty of comfortable seating, blazing fast wi-fi, and lots of windows. Every teaching room has beautiful French doors so you can watch lessons taking place or you can sit in on lessons; it’s your choice.
6. Fully stocked music lesson rooms
All you need to bring is your instrument. We’ve fully decked out every music lesson room to ensure it’s comfortable, has plenty of natural light from windows, and is beautifully painted and decorated with amazing art to inspire you. Each room has everything you need for your lesson in any discipline including electronic drum sets, amplifiers, other instruments and acoustic pianos. We’ve got you covered.
7. World-class recitals celebrating you
Twice a year we offer awards recitals open to all of our students so their family and friends can celebrate their accomplishments. Every parent wants to know that their child is progressing and having them participate in recitals is the best way to confirm that the investment in lessons is really worth it. Past recital themes include Red Carpet, Christmas, Mardi Gras, Chocolate, Dress-up Halloween, and Glow-in-the-dark. We have a photographer, videographer, and often live-stream our concerts ending in a lovely reception. Students are never required to perform but many do as it’s incredibly gratifying to get to play in front of an audience and receive applause from a full house of support.
8. Professional office staff to assist you seven days a week
Many music studio desks are staffed by the teacher/ owner, or more commonly an answering machine. We have a full-time Director onsite and additional office staff available to answer your questions by phone, email, or text seven days a week. We are family owned and operated, pictured above Joe Ferrante, Founder & President (top left), with Summer Garcia, Director (right) and Mario Ferrante, Director Emeritus (bottom left).
9. Trophies, Certificates, and Award Wristbands to chart and celebrate your achievements
We are proud to offer the Musical Ladder program to measure and chart our students’ progress and reward their success. No more guessing whether your or your child’s skills are really developing. Our program has clear, attainable goals that inspire students to practice and grow confidence when they earn their rewards for passing tests. The tangible rewards of colorful wristbands, certificates, and trophies evidence students’ learning and achievement and give them something to bolster their confidence and even show off to friends and family. Everybody wins with the Musical Ladder system as when students have an upcoming test, they practice and learn more, making their teachers proud, their parents proud, and most importantly themselves proud.
10. We work with plenty of charter schools and the Monrovia School District
Got a charter student or want to take lessons through the school district? No problem. We work with plenty of charter school organizations as well as the Monrovia School District to ensure that everyone gets access to quality music education.
11. Morning and lunchtime lessons for homeschoolers, retirees, college students, and working professionals.
As one of the oldest and most established music academies in the area, we are able to be a “full-service” music school. We offer lesson times as early as 10:30am through traditional school day hours and see students between the hours of 11:00am – 3:00pm as well, which are often most convenient for home school students, retirees, and working professionals with non-traditional schedules.
12. Located in beautiful Old Town Monrovia
Due to our central location, our school is convenient to the public library, banks, restaurants, and downtown Monrovia shopping. We’re down the street from Rudy’s and across from the Peach Café on Colorado Blvd. There’s plenty of free street parking and public lots behind our school and across the street. If you don’t feel like waiting in our lounge, it’s easy to run an errand, grab a coffee, or just enjoy a stroll downtown.
13. Professional Picture Days
We offer professional photography opportunities at our recitals free of charge to commemorate your musician’s joy. Everyone wants beautiful photographs of their children as they grow. We’re pleased to offer a professional photographer to come and photograph you or your child posing with an instrument, a sibling, parent or loved one. This is a free service we provide and our talented photographers are always happy to capture the smiles of you, your child, or if you choose your whole family celebrating music in your lives.
14. Month-to-month lessons
Every student of JFMA is on a month-to-month membership. We do not require any large advance deposits or semester commitments. You have nothing to lose as there’s no long-term contracts. We want students who want to be here so if you’re ready to give music a shot or sharpen your skills, we can’t wait to get started on your musical journey with you!
How Can We Help?
Raquel O.
2023-02-13
Verified
My 5 year old son wanted to take piano lessons so we reached out to JF music academy. They were running a special for January plus a free introductory class. Ms Lorraine is our sons teacher and he's really enjoying his sessions. He is enjoying his sessions so I'm hoping he will continue his Interest in learning.
Lili M.
2021-12-17
Verified
Nicest people in the world! I brought my niece for her first guitar and the teacher was great, along with the young lady who helped us out in the front. My niece is loving the lessons and I couldn't be happier about who amazing they are l, and the level of professionalism.
Sam S.
2021-08-05
Verified
I started taking guitar lessons with Alex about 2 months ago. It has been fantastic. Everyone at the school is incredibly nice, and it really has a low-key small town community type atmosphere. My lesson is one of the best parts of my week and I look forward to it every time. Most of the students are children, but I'm not. If you think you are too old to start an instrument or to take music lessons, you are incorrect! It's never too late to strike up the band. Give it a try, you will be glad you did.
Mitch M.
2021-01-26
Verified
They're really professional there. I got to take piano lessons while in high school, and although I didn't appreciate it then, it was a great experience. I later took guitar and piano lessons there as an adult, and I was happy with their teachers. The staff was always accommodating. When I have kids, I will definitely be taking them there. The teachers are great!
Kathleen S.
2020-06-01
Verified
Online zoom call lessons have been working great. Patient teachers, service oriented front desk staff, charter school payment allowed. This place has been excellent for my 3 children. We took guitar, song writing, mandarin, piano, and tried out a music application type class for our youngest preschool age child.
Mark O.
2019-03-09
Verified
The spring performance was amazing and Joshua had an extremely wonderful experience with Mariah as his vocal coach.
Richard V.
2018-11-16
Verified
I'm very happy to be here. All the instructors have been excellent. Sad to see Denise go but looking forward to my new instructor. I have been here for 30+ lessons and will continue to come. The staff is great and Mario is a class act.
