My son has been coming to the school for about four years. He studies flute there. We transferred to GSM from another school at the suggestion of his teacher, who offers lessons at both places,... More

My son has been coming to the school for about four years. He studies flute there. We transferred to GSM from another school at the suggestion of his teacher, who offers lessons at both places, because of the broader and deeper educational opportunities available. The Gorin School had more of what I wanted in terms of evaluation, his technical skills are improving. As an educator myself in Indian classical music, I judge the school and its curriculum favorably with my professional eye. Every time I come here for a performance, it's so inspiring. My son is evaluated several times a year, with three to four performances and two technical evaluations, plus the opportunity for outside performances and competitions. I see the evaluations as a key motivator for the students. Because of the evaluations, they try to do better and better every time.
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In a modest strip mall off El Camino in Mountain View lies a hidden gem of the world of children's music education in California. The Gorin School of Music, or GSM, occupies just a dozen rooms,... More

In a modest strip mall off El Camino in Mountain View lies a hidden gem of the world of children's music education in California. The Gorin School of Music, or GSM, occupies just a dozen rooms, including a performance hall, office, reception area, and nine small classrooms, each named for a different composer whose picture gazes at students and their instructors as they go about their tasks. The spirits of Beethoven, Brahms, Bach and others in the classical pantheon create an ambiance at once serious and playful. For parents who want their children to experience more than a recreational acquaintance with their instruments, this is the place to be.
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My older daughter, now in college, had been playing the violin for a number of years when she decided in eighth grade that she wanted to get serious about her music. A friend told me about the Gorin... More

My older daughter, now in college, had been playing the violin for a number of years when she decided in eighth grade that she wanted to get serious about her music. A friend told me about the Gorin School. Although starting late as a serious violinist, she caught up quickly, taking private theory lessons at GSM in addition to her instrumental training there. She got into the El Camino Youth Symphony at 16 and entered their highest group, the senior symphony, nine months later. You really can't do something like that unless you have good private instruction. I know music will always be a part of her life. My younger daughter has had similar success with piano, training at the school. In sixth grade, when she saw her sister making great strides, she wanted to get in too. The difference for her was quite remarkable. She made a great deal of progress in a short time. While my daughters started relatively late, I advise other parents to have their children begin at an institution like GSM earlier if they can. If they get training when they're young, it's important for it to be high quality. Otherwise they may pick up bad habits.
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