Introducing the Creation Band & Choral Academy at EMC!
Join A BAND or CHOIR!
Whether you're a beginner or taking lessons, our rock bands, jazz bands, and choirs provide fun, supportive spaces to grow your skills and build lasting connections. Discover confidence, boost problem-solving abilities, and create unforgettable memories through the power of music!
2025 Summer Arts Camp NOW OPEN for Registration!
Let them play ALL day. Unleash their creativity with music AND pottery. Weeklong sessions all summer, 9am-3pm. Space is limited!
Welcome to EMC!
Our Unique Mission
Our Unique Mission
Our Unique Mission
EMC was founded in 2015 with a radical vision in the world of education. And it's so simple!
If learning is FUN there are no limits to what a student can accomplish.
Expertise for All
Our Unique Mission
Our Unique Mission
Our approach focuses on inspiring a love of music in order to sustain students' interest and deepen their education.
We're proud to have created an entire community of life-long music lovers and are honored to offer our services to your family next!
See What Your Community Is Saying About EMC!
Jennifer S. (La Cañada Flintridge, CA)
Caitlin R. (La Crescenta-Montrose, CA)
Caitlin R. (La Crescenta-Montrose, CA)
To get to the point....our family loves EMC!!!
After trying several different music schools and instructors in the past, we didn't quite find a place that was our family's speed until we tried EMC. My husband and two boys, ages 6 and 8, have been taking lessons for over a year now and look forward to going to EMC. My boys have dabbled in piano, drums, and guitar. They get excited about trying out different instruments. All of the instructors are great and keep it fun and educational. See for yourself and go play some music.
Caitlin R. (La Crescenta-Montrose, CA)
Caitlin R. (La Crescenta-Montrose, CA)
Caitlin R. (La Crescenta-Montrose, CA)
My two sons , 9 and 11, have taken lessons at Evolution Music Conservatory for a while now and we absolutely love it. When we were first getting started, I spoke with Amy, who is always wonderful, and asked if there were teachers at the school who could teach both drums and piano since my kids gravitate toward both. They easily accommodated this and both boys ended up with an awesome teacher. My oldest soon realized he preferred drums and ended up joining a school-formed rock band with other boys his age, and he LOVES it. My youngest figured out that while he loves playing instruments, at this point he's a little more interested in music production, so he's now taking lessons with Nick, who first helped him with GarageBand and is now teaching him FL Studios. We're so happy to have EMC in the neighborhood, a spot where our kids are allowed the flexibility to spread their wings and explore their creativity in a fun, creative way.
Emily A. (Montrose, CA)
Caitlin R. (La Crescenta-Montrose, CA)
Carolina R. (Glendale, CA)
We love EMC! Donato teaches our daughter piano and is the first person who has made it FUN for her! Learning while discovering her passion for music is what it's all about:) They offer lessons on just about any instrument for kids of all ages. Super cool setup with super cool people!
Carolina R. (Glendale, CA)
Joseph S. (La Cañada Flintridge, CA)
Carolina R. (Glendale, CA)
Great environment! Amazing teachers. My son goes super happy every week to have his class with Nick. The recitals are great experiences and they don't only learn music, they build the kids' confidence and self esteem. We love being part of this community.
Joseph S. (La Cañada Flintridge, CA)
Joseph S. (La Cañada Flintridge, CA)
Joseph S. (La Cañada Flintridge, CA)
My 6 year old son has been taking music lessons (piano, drums, ukulele) here for about 18 months. My wife and I both took classical piano lessons growing up, and struggled to maintain interest at an early age. When our son requested music lessons we thought it would be a good idea to start him out playing the kind of music he enjoys listening to (rock, pop, etc). It has gone incredibly well! He looks forward to coming to lessons and his instructor, Nick, is incredibly talented. If our son hears a song he likes on the radio Nick is able to teach him how to play it. This makes our son feel like a rock star, and he actually enjoys himself while he's learning. It's a great school and a great community, can't recommend it highly enough.
Alexi D. (Glendale, CA)
Joseph S. (La Cañada Flintridge, CA)
Joseph S. (La Cañada Flintridge, CA)
My two daughters and I are all taking classes at EMC - piano, drums and guitar. Yes, we could be our own little band! The instructors are excellent and inspire a love of music. Donato is a wonderful teacher, extremely patient and makes it easy for someone who is older to learn an instrument without feeling intimidated. I recommend the studio to aspiring musicians of all ages!
What Does an EMC Music Education Look Like?
Excellence from Experience
The EMC education model was developed by our founder Donato McDermott after attending the Musician's Institute and teaching in Los Angeles for 20 years.
Throughout his experience he discovered an important mentality missing in the world of music education:
The cultivation of musical appreciation via students existing musical intrigue.
The Mentor/Student Relationship
Our educators all have extensive experience teaching children and adults of all ages and are passionate about teaching all students to LOVE music!
Instructors create an inspiring and dynamic relationship by familiarizing themselves with each student's learning style, skill level, and unique musical goals.
They establish a professional rapport and provide ongoing inspiration and encouragement.
Belief In Students' Abilities
Unlike other institutions an EMC music education addresses EXACTLY what the student wants to learn and is capable of learning:
- How to read music at their own pace.
- How to LOVE music by exploring the songs they already know.
- Musical concepts and theories as well as proficiencies on their chosen instrument using a variety of method books.
- How to determine and articulate their own goals within the lesson space.
- How to collaborate/perform with others.
Why It Matters
Studies show learning music naturally develops social and emotional skills, increases self-confidence, and improves motivation. But when studied at EMC, the WHOLE FAMILY benefits!
Right Time, Right Place, Right Reason.
It's the right moment to give the gift of music! Let us show you why EMC is the Right Place.
Here’s 5 Reasons You Should Choose EMC:
1. Our campus is like NONE OTHER! Located in the heart of downtown Montrose you can either shop local eats/boutiques while your kid rocks out, or take in the architectural gem that’s our building:
2. Our lobby has floor-to-ceiling windows flooding our lounge with natural light and our lesson rooms have windows too! So you can sneak a video of your little one singing their first song on ukulele :)
3. Our EMC curriculum is crafted by owner Donato McDermott’s tried-and-true approach to teaching: have kids fall in love with music first and they’ll want to learn music forever!
4. Our customer service crew is led by Amy McDermott, a prior admin manager at Southern Oregon University who kindly directed dozens of staff and hundreds of students. This means…
5.Our communications with you are direct, easy, and to the point! Whether it’s scheduling, billing, or a special request– we prioritize your questions and free your family up to ROCK.
Book Your Trial Lesson Today!
Experience our top-notch music education by booking a trial lesson at Evolution Music Conservatory Music School today! No commitment required.
Test Drive an EMC Education With A Trial Lesson!
But What IS A Trial Lesson?
Trial lessons allow students to pick their instrument of choice, day/time for their lesson, and their instructor of choice on our booking site.
Trial Lessons are free to reserve and FREE if you sign up for ongoing lessons!
What Do I Bring?
Just your curiosity!
AND no instrument is necessary at first (unless you already have one!) because the instructor will be breaking down the components of the instrument after getting to know you and your musical goals.
How Long Is It?
This Trial Lesson is a valuable time for the instructor to get to know their student and establish a friendly and professional rapport.
AND it allows the instructor time (Trial Lessons are 30 minutes) to assess the skill level of the student and make appropriate recommendations.
What Will The Instructor Do?
During the Trial Lesson the instructor will dive right into the music your child already loves!
They’ll map out your child’s favorite songs and tailor our EMC curriculum to meet their unique learning abilities and objectives.
Meeting Your New Musical Mentor
Having a musical mentor who personally cares about the progression of your child’s education and teaches in a way specifically tailored to your child’s learning preferences is truly invaluable!
This is how SO many of our kids become life-long music students. Many of whom, after studying with us for years, have gained acceptance to the Berklee College of Music with aspirations as broad as their imaginations.
Our Unique Campus
We are proud to offer a thorough and inspiring music education for all ages in a cozy building that keeps our community connected and strong.
We hope to share this education with your family by offering ongoing music lessons after you complete your Trial Lesson!
OK I've Signed Up for My Trial, Now What?
Prepare to ROCK!
Prepare to ROCK!
Prepare to ROCK!
Once you reserve your lesson on our booking site you’ll receive an email/text reminder for the lesson, and when you show up…
All you have to do is bring your enthusiasm and an open mind!
If the lesson is for your child, you will be invited to sit in and watch or wait in our comfortable lobby or lounge in our private garden.
Next Steps...
Prepare to ROCK!
Prepare to ROCK!
Afterward, the instructor will go over what was covered in the lesson and make recommendations in terms of instrument size and lesson book.
Lastly, the Front Desk Staff will share our registration details and check in with you to see if you wish to sign up for ongoing lessons! If you’re not sure…
THAT’S OK! We’ll send you home with a registration packet and answer any questions you may have.
NO Obligations!
Prepare to ROCK!
NO Obligations!
There are no obligations to sign up after your Trial Lesson, and if you choose not to sign-up, you will only be responsible for the instructor’s time (discounted at $39).
AND! If you sign-up for lessons within 24 hours of your Trial, your Trial lesson is free! ($39 value).
Once signed up, your child will get to participate in all the benefits that come with ongoing music lessons!
But What Are The Benefits of Ongoing Music Lessons?
Research has found...
...that learning music facilitates learning other subjects and enhances skills that children inevitably use in other areas.
“A music-rich experience for children of singing, listening and moving is really bringing a very serious benefit to children as they progress into more formal learning,”
- Mary Luehrisen, Executive Director of the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation.
The link between music and spatial intelligence!
Understanding music can help children visualize various
elements that should go together, like they would do when solving a math problem.
“We have some pretty good data that music instruction does reliably improve spatial-temporal skills in children over time,” explains Dr. Pruett, who helped found the Performing Arts Medicine Association.
SOURCE: The Benefits of Music Education
Future Career Success Starts here...
These skills come into play in solving multistep problems one would encounter in architecture, engineering, math, art, gaming, and especially working with computers.
This is why at EMC we believe all children need consistent musical training– not just to enrich their life through the joy of playing and tapping into their creativity…
But to prepare them for life in all the ways life can and will demand.
Education That Is Transparent & Risk Free. Really.
Simple & Straightforward
Like most reputable music institutions in the area, once a family commits to ongoing lessons, they are responsible for maintaining attendance on a monthly basis:
Therefore families can cancel lessons anytime with 30 days notice, and can take breaks as needed!
Make-up lessons are given when students get sick and video lessons are available when students can’t schedule absences in advance!
Ultimate Flexibility!
We make music education as accessible as it is affordable, and if for any reason your family needs to transition we are here to support you (and we're here for when you’re ready to return!).
So NOW it’s time!
Don’t let another day go by when you or your children aren’t playing music and growing exponentially under the guidance of one of our qualified mentors. Give the gift that will change their lives forever!