Jon’s School of Music

I’ve been attending Jon’s School of Music with my 2 year old grandson for the past 6 months. The class is the highlight of my week. As a retired special education teacher, I understand that structure, rules and predictability are key in running a successful class. Jon keeps his little students engaged and teaches them music theory through a variety of fast paced activities using real instruments. While the activities vary from week to week, the overall structure of the class is the same. Children learn the activities by following Jon’s, the adults in class and the other children. Jon is gentle with his students, and carefully builds relationships so even the shyest children feel comfortable.

Your child will certainly not be disappointed! Jon’s class is amazingly awesome.. . Our son began taking classes at 2.5 years old, and he LOVED it! Jon exposed the children to many instruments (drums, harp, trumpet, violin, piano, and guitars, etc) and taught them musical notes. He made it absolutely fun and exciting to children and parents.
Had we not recently relocated out-​of-​state we’d still be in attendance. It’s been a year since we last attended, and my son can still be heard playing his drum chatting «8^th, 8^th, 8^th cord cord».
His class was by far the BEST music class we’ve ever attend and are heartbroken that we aren’t local to regularly attend. This is certainly a class to check into.. ..

Jon is energetic, engaging, knows his stuff, and smart. Within minutes of our first class starting, he was involving the kids in musical activities, talking to them in ways they understood, making them feel welcome (and sharing with them his expected boundaries), and teaching them — consistently, persistently, and with a goofy sense of humor.
My three year old loves Jon’s School of music. We are having a great time with it, and encourage others to check it out.

My two year old absolutely loved his music class at JSOM. We enjoyed it so much, we drove from Sacramento on Sundays just to attend. The classes offered are amazing.
I have tried Music Together and Kindermusik with my son, but they don’t come close to how fun and exciting Jon’s classes are for kids. We started Music Together when he my son was about 8 months old and continued going for a few sessions. In my opinion, Music Together is geared towards the 8 to 18-​month old crowd. The children are exposed to music and noise makers (egg shakers, music rattles, etc.), which is fun for them while they are younger. My shy son liked to watch the children in the class, but was not too interested in actually participating in class once he turned about 18 months old. I could tell he was bored in class, so I started my search for another music class and found JSOM. He absolutely LOVED the classes and adores Jon. Jon sings, plays the drums, and keyboard (all at the same time) while parents join in with real drums during the first few minutes of class during the hello songs. The kids and parents get to play real instruments the entire time and everyone is fully engaged. My son especially loves playing the electric guitar, harp and drum set. My shy boy completely opened up and ran to hug Jon at the end of every class. At home, he loved to sing the songs Jon taught him the previous week. I highly recommend Jon’s classes. Check out a trial class – I’m sure you’re family will have a blast! I wish Jon would open up a class in Sacramento. It would be a hit!

My 3-​year old loves Jon, his music class, and loves the «homework.»
The homework is listening to CDs that Jon records. The moment she’s in her car seat, she says «I want Mr Jon please,» so we «chugga chugga choo choo» all around this city.
Jon lets the little ones play real musical instruments — a cello, a drum set, a french horn, keyboards, a sampler, etc. He teaches musical concepts in a way that’s genius. My toddler now knows forte/​piano/​crescendo, vaguely eighth/​quarter notes, and where the D is on the keyboard (in the doghouse of course). His energy level is high, he keeps the kids engaged the whole time, and he encourages creativity.
I thought my daughter might like a skills-​based class (in addition to JSOM), so we took a trial Yamaha piano class nearby. She and I both were bored to death. They only let her touch the keyboard for 1 song in an hour-​long class, and that was simply to bang on a single note along with a tape. Yawn.
Lastly I think one reviewer mistook Jon as gruff when he’s really just trying to get everyone to participate and make sure the kids are safe (they ARE flailing mallets around). That’s a difficult feat while simultaneously singing, jumping around, and playing the keyboard.
5 stars!

Does your kid go into a trance when he/​she sees live music? Do you want to get them into a place where they can have a chance to «do that» with real instruments and a teacher who has the interest in giving this kind of instruction to the toddler/​pre-​school crowd? This is your place.
My kids love Jon’s School of Music. It’s the only organized «class» that my twin 3 year old boys have ever actually been excited to go to. They love playing the trombone and the drums, french horn, accordion, cello. You name it, they’ve played it. Jon has a great way of keeping up with the kids’ attention spans too, he can sense when it’s time to move on before things get past the edge of a child’s patience, which I really appreciate.
Jon also is flexible with kids that don’t want to participate in some things (like mine) and he’ll give them a chance but doesn’t force it if it’s clear they’re just not into whatever is going on at the moment. At home my kids are always breaking into the various rhythms we’ve learned in class and mimicking playing the instruments (a trombone built out of Trio’s, anyone?!).
It’s definitely no cheesy tambourines and egg shakers with twinkle twinkle little star. This is a real music primer, and I can’t wait for my kids to be old enough to really start to learn an instrument and be able to pick it up with ease because of the familiarity they’ve received in Jon’s classes. And yes, parents/​caregivers have to participate — e.g. sing loud, beat the drums, etc, but it’s a heck of a lot of fun.
Parking is great which is a nice bonus too and the price is comparable with other classes I’ve seen.

I have been taking my daughter to JSOM for over a year now. The class is very fun! Jon the teacher is super nice with a ton of energy, the class keeps a great fast pace, all the kids are constantly engaged. Jon writes his own songs which are not only catchy but learning tools as well. My daughter has really come out of her shyness during classes and it’s great to see all the little ones play in a band together. Jon knows each kids name from the very first day. I give the class 5 stars because Jon is a super teacher and really makes every kid feel special, and makes learning amazingly fun! Its hard to find great teachers who are so passionate about their subject and jon is one of them. We will definitely be back when my second child is old enough. (Berkeley class)

My son is 8 now and has just started taking piano classes. He just had his first recital and it has been amazing how quickly he’s picking things up. Once he looked at the music, he just seemed to get it. His teacher is surprised that these are his first structured classes.
We were regulars at Jon’s school a while back and I believe the class prepared him well for a lifetime of music. They were great not only because the kids got to learn how to play a bunch of different instruments, but for how Jon helps the kids enjoy the process of playing. I don’t have to do much to get my son to practice. He just sits down at the piano like its something he has always done.

I am honestly astounded with any review that isn’t 5 star. Jon, his class and his methods have seriously changed my son’s life (2 years old). He loves music class and Jon, who is funny, talented and creative. He is also a hard working musician who has found a calling teaching actual music skills to young children. We’ve been coming for almost a year and have recommended his class to many other folks.
Yes, he runs a tight ship-​parent participation, rules regarding the instruments and conduct-​but I agree that the boundaries keep the class flowing and the children engaged. I don’t want the class constantly interrupted because a parent is not monitoring their own child; the rules are clearly communicated and part of the expected parent participation is to adhere to them. Seems simple enough to me. It’s rare to see so many young kids’ attention held for an hour-he’s just that good. I’ve learned a lot as well, having never pursued music myself.
To the parent who wrote the scathing review based on a perceived inappropriate request for hugs, I say «wtf?». Children absolutely should be hugged and should feel that any adult in their life introduced by the parent in a supervised environment is safe to hug. As well, an appreciative hug from a toddler can make a teacher’s day! I have had many conversations with Jon before and after classes and found him to be engaging, sweet and professional. Everybody has a bad day, perhaps that parent was having one that day.
He offers a free trial class, so folks can see for themselves. But my family knows Jon’s «one man band» School of Music is a rare gem. We attend in Berkeley, just for full disclosure.

Both our boys totally love it and we’ve gone through four or five rounds of classes in SF. Jon totally engages the kids, teaches to their level, and gets everyone to participate.

Hi
On the contrary to the negative reviews, our kids love Jon’s class. Jon has inspired and educated our kids in music and to play various instruments.
We have attended Blue Bear and Gymboree. Both of which my older child did not care for. My older child (4) and younger (2) were immediately engaged in Jon’s sibling class. Towards the end of the class, Jon selects a variety of instruments one for each student who gets 1 song on each instrument to play. Then, we bow and take our turn with the next instrument. Like, «instrument in the round.» My older child has progressed from playing maybe 1 or 2 instruments during «instrument in the round» to now every instrument by the end of this fall term. Our child’s progess reflects the success of the class. We have just completed our first term and will continue starting next week.
Jon’s format keeps the class moving and his songs are clever in teaching music terminology, notes, beats, and rhythm. He uses props on a keyboard to show relationship of keys, story time, other props that weaves in music information. For example, my older child just used, «crescendo» correctly at home and my husband had to look it up to make sure the definition was correct. I’ve personally took 8 years of private piano lessons and have learned more about intro to music in Jon’s class with my children than the private piano lessons. I highly recommend his class for children who are starting out into the music world.
Jon does keep a good eye on the class. We attend a sibing class so it is a challenge at times to watch both kids, 4 & 2 play the instruments. So, while one child is warming up on the mini drum set, the other is handling the french horn. And, Jon will call out if one needs to handle the instrument appropriately, which is what a teacher should do. Afterall, these instruments are real and the students should learn how to use them correctly. Jon does take the time to show how to handle the instrument about 3 times before the students use it. He is firm and that’s because in 1 hour he puts a lot of information and a string of activities together. The 1 hr flies fast. Frankly, I prefer his down to earth attitude and clarity in communication over vagueness.
I definitely recommend his class. Hope to see you there.

Just wanted to add another warning to parents after reading recommendations on the Berkeley Parents Network.
We took classes with Jon last Spring and I concur with the reviews that describe him as «rude». But it’s more than that. In the end, he was downright mean and even a little rough with my then 18-​month old daughter, a very sweet and well-​behaved child who had grown quite fond of the classes and of Jon himself. There is no need for physical contact between a music instructor and his students. While I am all in favor of hugs, the request by an instructor for physical contact can certainly make the child feel obligated and begin to blur his or her boundaries. I’m sure I would have not had any problems with the amount of physicality if it had not at times seemed rough and mean.
We’d seen a sort of brash temper in Jon pretty much from the beginning of our session but not until it was directed at us did I vow never to return. I know I wasn’t being overly sensitive because the other mother in class kept giving me sympathetic looks and I’d seen him do this to others in the past and felt sorry for them. I left quite hurt and with such a bad taste in my mouth that I didn’t want to think about it enough to confront him, ask for money back, or write a review on Unilocal. (Btw, we never heard from Jon again. No apology. No call just to see why we suddenly stopped coming mid-​session). I guess I felt a little stupid for not heeding the reviews I had read earlier and for not trusting my own instincts. But I think if there had been just one more poor review, it might have made the difference. Hence, the reason I’m writing now.
Jon is impatient and treats his students and their parents like nuisances. He’s passive-​aggressive using a lot of glaring and grabbing, but eventually that’s not enough and he resorts to some sort of strange outburst (stomping around the room, rummaging roughly through his closet, or throwing things around the room like drumsticks at people’s feet). It is always clear that this tantrum is directed at a parent or usually in our experience, at a specific child whom Jon has labelled as «the bad one» on any given day, the scapegoat for his grouchiness. Not to mention that he did not show up on time for a single morning class we attended, and although mothers and babies had been waiting outside sometimes in chilly weather, he did not apologize once.
He is goofy and this definitely has an appeal but it doesn’t compensate for having to walk on eggshells in hopes that you and your toddler don’t knock a drumstick the wrong way, or move when we’re supposed to be still, or who knows? He’s very arbitrary when it comes to the decorum he expects which often exceeds appropriate expectations for the age group.
I feel sorry for the guy. I think he’s just really burnt out. I wanted to like him and my daughter certainly loved the music but I wasn’t going to put my baby girl at risk of taking the brunt of an unpredictable, moody man.

We went to our first class last weekend and were totally impressed! My 18 month old was at Music Together and bored and non interested, even after many sessions. With Jon’s class, he was into it from the get go. Jon holds the kids attention and makes learning music captivating, cool and empowering. The kids get to be rockstars, playing lots of different instruments and setting the pace of their class. He keeps it fast moving (almost frenetic, but the kids seem to LOVE that) and really fun. There is a particular magical chaos to the way he teaches, but we learned and had a great time.
With the scheduling and website stuff that other reviewers commented on, we had a couple glitches, but honestly, the guy is a musician running his own music school. He’s not a school administrator or web master. I was a little patient and forgiving on the stuff that he doesn’t claim to be an expert at (i.e. administration) because really, at the end of the day, I just want him to be a great music teacher for kids, and he is.

I have yet to attend a class here but my experience with scheduling a preview class has been pretty bad. Nothing like what I’ve read here.
I was researching for music classes that were less «play only» and came across JSOM. I checked out their website
and read a number of glowing reviews. So I figured I should sign up for a preview class asap during my 1-​week time off. The website has a summer schedule published as well. So I thought I’d sign up for a preview class over the next few days, then enroll for regular sessions if everything was indeed as awesome. However, when I first called the guy I spoke with (presumably Jon) said he wasn’t sure if he would have a class on those published dates, but he had something in Berkeley that Sunday. I told him I lived in San Francisco and that the day he proposed wouldn’t work as we had plans already. I was very surprised whatever he published didn’t seem to be true. At the end, he told me to just email him and he would respond. I never heard back. I called again the following day asking if same day drop-​in or the following Tuesday (again both published on the site as available times) could be an option. I also said I had a full-​time job and hence only weekend classes would work after this week. He returned my call (finally!) but told me he wouldn’t have a Tuesday class until ⁷⁄₁₂.
Anyways, the above experience is not great and I certainly do not look forward to calling again to schedule as nothing printed seems reliable. Also, I was quite surprised with some classes meant to start within days, the teacher still didn’t seem to know if the class would happen or not.
This was what the site had as of 7÷1÷2011:
SAN FRANCISCO SUMMER SCHEDULE:
Tuesdays in SAN FRANCISCO
June 28 — August 30, 10 classes
9:30: 1 — 2.5 year olds, 160
10:30: 2.5 — 4.5 year olds, $ 190
11:30: 3.5 — 5 year olds, $ 190
3:30: 1 — 6 year old sibling class, $ 190, $ 342 for 2
4:30: 4.5 — 7 year olds, $ 190
6:15: 4.5 — 7 year olds, $ 190

Wednesdays in SAN FRANCISCO
June 29 — August 31, 10 classes
9:30: 1 — 2.5 year olds, $ 160
10:30: 2.5 — 4.5 year olds, $ 190
12:00: 4.5 — 6 year olds, $ 190
1:30: INTEREST? Contact soon to reserve for your age group.
2:00: INTEREST? Contact soon to reserve for your age group.
4:00: 1 — 6 year old sibling class, $ 190, $ 342 for 2
5:00: 1 — 6 year old sibling class, $ 190, $ 342 for 2
6:00: INTEREST? Contact soon to reserve for your age group.

Fridays in SAN FRANCISCO
July 1 — September 2, 10 classes
9:30: 1 — 2.5 year olds, $ 160
10:30: 2.5 — 4 year olds, $ 190
11:45: INTEREST? Contact soon to reserve for your age group.
1:30: 1 — 2.5 year olds, $ 160
3:30: INTEREST? Contact soon to reserve for your age group.
4:30: 1 — 6 year old sibling class, $ 190, $ 342 for 2
6:15: 4.5 — 7 year olds, $ 190
Saturdays in SAN FRANCISCO
July 2 — September 4, 10 classes
9:30: 1 — 2.5 year olds, $ 160
10:30: 2.5 — 4.5 year olds, $ 190
11:30: 4.5 — 7 year olds, $ 190
3:30: INTEREST? Contact soon to reserve for your age group.
4:30: INTEREST? Contact soon to reserve for your age group.
5:00: INTEREST? Contact soon to reserve for your age group.

Sundays in SAN FRANCISCO
July 3 — September 5, 10 classes
9:30: 2.5 — 6 year olds, $ 190

I was surprised to see so many great reviews for Jon’s School of Music. We took a trial class last month and while my 2 year old and 4 year old enjoyed it (hence the 2 stars), I experienced the same issue with Jon that another reviewer did… he was rude to a couple of the parents in the class, including me.
In my case, I was pretty much yelled at because I picked up a bass guitar by its strap (I didn’t know I wasn’t supposed to do that, as I never learned to play an instrument). I was only trying to help my 2 year old (and I also had my 7 month old strapped to me in the Ergo); I was stunned and embarrassed when Jon raised his voice to me, in front of my kids, and in front of the other parents.
He was aware that this was our first class, so it would have been much cooler if he would have said, nicely, «Hey, Monica, one of our rules is we don’t pick up the bass by the strap, because of a and b reasons.» That would have been great, and I would have gotten the point, but he chose not to do that.
He also got huffy with another mom in the class, impatiently telling her to come in and close the door, as he didn’t want to lose the heat in the room (this was his greeting to her — also a newbie — and she’d only been at the door for about 10 seconds, trying to help her son take off his shoes (and she also had a baby strapped to her)). Then he asked her out of the blue if her kid needed to go to the bathroom, because he was ‘acting as if he did’, and he couldn’t have an accident on the floor (visibly taken aback, she replied that her son was still in diapers).
Anyway, I see on his website that Jon has classes 7 days a week, and he often teaches half a dozen classes a day. So maybe he’s a bit burned out? The class we sampled was a late afternoon class, so it’s possible that he was tired and cranky after teaching all day. Still, for over 400 bucks for a 2 kid session, I think I’ll skip it… I may be a desperate mom of 3 children under 5, but I still possess a modicum of pride and don’t wish to shell out a not-​negligible amount of scratch to a dude that’s rude to me, and to other parents, as well.
****
UPDATE — Jon emailed me when he read this review; he apologized and seemed genuinely disappointed that I had such a lackluster experience. He mentioned that reading my review was an eye-​opener for him, and that he would work on being more patient.
I was very impressed with the tone of his email, as my review was not a positive one, and he could easily have written something back that was defensive. He did not, and seemed honestly contrite. For this reason, I’m upping my review to 3 stars.
I still don’t think we’ll go back, but if he’s committed to changing certain behaviors, then it may well be worth it for you to sample a class. I must admit, rudeness aside, Jon really does have the best music program in our area. We’ve tried both Music Together (cloying) and Kindermusik (boring); Jon’s high-​energy rock n’ roll session blew both of them out of the water.

I took my son to JSOM for many seasons while he was two and three years old. Both group classes and private lessons. Teacher Jon has a special way with children that I see in only the most gift of instructors. Both my son and I learned a lot. It was always one of the high points of our weeks.
I recommend JSOM in the highest possible terms.

Hands down the best Music School in San Francisco. If you are enrolled elsewhere, ask for a refund and call Jon. I was looking for music class for my 1 year old and discovered Jon’s School of Music on Unilocal.Unfortunately, all the 1 year old classes conflicted with naptime. I called Jon and asked if I could form my own class (at a later time) with some fellow moms. He was so flexible and said, «Absolutely. Let me know when you want to start.» At first, I was a little apprehensive, as I went to a few of those «overly saccharine sweet» classes at other schools, and both my son and I couldn’t wait to leave. I was so pleasantly surprised with JSOM for the following reasons:
— Classes are small, and by the second one Jon will know your and your child’s name
— Jon has so many tricks up his sleeve. He introduces new instruments every week — xylophones, bells, full drum kits, stand up pianos (even a baby baby grand), keyboards, etc.; he combines music, books, dancing and magic; and no class is ever the same. There’s always new songs and new tricks
— Jon’s flexible with makeup classes
— Jon lets the kids dictate the pace of the class. If they’re not into a song or instrument, he moves on. He rarely keeps the children on the same instrument for more than 2 minutes, which is key with 1 year olds
— He actually teaches. The children are learning «forte» (loud), crescendos, where D is on the keyboard, and singing in different keys. I’ve actually learned a lot from him.
— His prices are the most reasonable around
— Jon is so laid back, genuinely fun and flexible. One class, a Grandma mentioned Oingo Boingo, and we sang a few songs while beating on the African Drums.
I can’t recommend Jon or his classes more. If you want to take your child to a music class that you’ll actually enjoy, check out Jon’s School of Music.

I’ve got a 5 year old & a nearly 2 year old. The first one did a lot of JSOM with me and I loved it as much as he did. Also I’ve learned a lot about music from the classes and sincerely appreciate the stuff I listen to out of personal preference more than I used to, hearing the different instruments better, comprehending tempo, noticing techniques such as crescendo etc.
Our older one hasn’t gone to JSOM for a little while — we talk about getting him back in to reinforce the concepts, which interests him too. I think I’ve been missing it as much as him, and now I’m going again with the younger one. I’m glad to be back as a student myself, and she’s loving it too.

I would like to give a strong recomendation to Jon’s School of Music. (
)
I have a young son (3 years old) who has done both East Bay Music Together and Jon’s School of music. The Music Together was great and fun but we outgrew it. It teaches that one ‘plays’ music but there is not much true musical knowledge being imparted.
Jon teaches basic music reading and note recognition. He uses different teaching methods to reach different children’s learning methods. For example, he writes songs to teach where specific notes are on the piano keyboard. ‘D the dog’ and so on. We rotate through playing real instruments. We also dance and of course have fun.
I am a musician and enjoy his classes. I think Jon is an excellent teacher.
Please make sure you give his classes a chance. He teaches in both North Berkeley and San Francisco.
Thanks,
Derek Hirsch

We actually had a grand class just this morning. Guitar, drums, running/​jumping while singing and then a drum kit and xylophone round robin.
I began taking my Daughter to JSOM for a music related activity, plain and simple, we have received so much more. We have been regular attendants for about a year and a half.
My Daughter was extremely shy, even around friends and family.
Over time and recently, she has come out of her shell and truly enjoys Music Class, and since the class is pretty much, well,. .. Jon, she has come to really enjoy interacting with him.
Always energetic, never at a loss for a song and during every class he incorporates some music theory, vocabulary and instruction. Jon makes a point to involve every child in each class, and has [what I consider to be] an uncanny knack for remembering everyone’s names

My Daughter adds —
«I like it because Jon gives really big hugs»
I would agree with KE M. in saying that these classes are best suited for a parent child team that’s looking to participate with Jon in his «SuperFriends» band once a week