Villa Musica - San Diego's Community Music Center

If it weren't for this non-profit, my daughter wouldn't otherwise have the experience of learning an instrument, and gaining a musical education. The lessons here are incredibly valuable and the staff, specifically Mr.Luis is so engaging with the students. My family really values this experience.

What amazing work they do for the community! San Diego County is so lucky for all the widely available, creative programs Villa Musica provides! Definitely not a given everywhere!

Great organization, wonderful mission and magnificent outreach via satellite programs.

Fantastic music program! Villa Musica is a gem in San Diego's vibrant music scene! This community music center offers something for everyone, from aspiring musicians of all ages to seasoned professionals. Their passionate instructors provide top-notch instruction in a variety of instruments and styles. The welcoming atmosphere fosters creativity and encourages a lifelong love of music. Whether you're looking to learn a new instrument, join an ensemble, or simply enjoy a concert, Villa Musica is the perfect place to experience the joy of music. Highly recommend!

Back in 2016 our young son wanted to play guitar, and we didn't know how to get him started. Thankfully we found Villa Musica!! Villa Musica feels like part of the family now, our son has been playing ever since - acoustic solo, ensemble, rock. The instruction at Villa Musica is incredible; his teacher (Jude!!!) is so incredibly knowledgeable, skilled, and patient. Because of Villa Musica music is a part of our families life, and that is a priceless gift. Villa Musica works so hard to bring music, and the joy of music, to so many people in multiple communities, they are such a meaningful community resource.

Villa Musica's free satellite program is so amazing. I watched my daughter blossom into an amazing violinist under the tutelage of Nathalie M. and Andre B. We strongly recommend participation in and support for this program.

Villa Musica is a wonderful non profit organization serving San Diego with amazing music programs that go beyond teaching music. Villa Musica reaches through music many underserved areas of our city as well as a wide range of ages and special needs populations. It is for me a great honor to be part of this amazing project!

I work for Villa Musica as a strings teacher (mostly violin).

About half my job takes place at our main campus in Sorrento Valley. I teach group classes and private lessons to happy students of all ages!

The Sorrento Valley campus is inaccessible to some families because of distance, scheduling, costs, etc. So the other half of the time, I'm out at various other locations! usually teaching violin, often at no cost to the student! Last quarter I taught violin classes at various libraries (weekday afternoons and Saturday mornings are popular). And during the school day, I travelled to a couple local high schools, providing extra help to their orchestra classes.

Villa Musica is great - students and their families love our instruction (and other musical services), and I love having an important and fulfilling job.

A wonderful organization bringing music to people of all ages in San Diego with an outstanding teaching staff!

Villa Musica is the best community music center in San Diego; their non-profit efforts help everyone from low-income students to seniors with dementia. I've heard they've even had their students perform at Carnegie Hall in NYC!

I moved to San Diego in July of 2021. I am a music teacher and I heard about how amazing Villa musica is from a friend. I finally began working there around July 2023. From my interview, and my first day of work I had never experienced so many green flags from a workplace. Everyone in the community is so kind and welcoming. Everything is organized and transparent for employees and clients. The pay for the employees is actually livable, especially for how expensive San Diego can be. I have only ever received the most amazing support and flexibility when I have to cancel or move things around. My boss gives me the most amazing career advice and constructive criticism. I have never been anywhere more supportive and so good for the community. Villa musica has community outreach that actually helps many different areas of the community of San Diego. I would recommend this to anyone who wanted a music teaching job or wanted music lessons.

My grandson took guitar lessons at Villa Musica and learned so much.
He learned to sight read and play classical guitar. They had recitals which we all attended.
Also, the chorus of Villa Musica performed at the Encinitas Library and was wonderful, as well as the flute ensemble.

I love to learn violin. It is good to learn too! !
- by Marissa (6 years old)

Villa Musica is an amazing community resource for music classes for all ages. Dr. Chatwin has created institution that values the arts and enters into collaborations with other programs in the San Diego area. I have been involved in the Community Choir and enjoyed performing with the La Jolla Symphony and chorus and recently sang with the Villa Musica Orchestra for the Friendship of the Ring. I love that Dr. Chatwin has created programs to bring music to lower income communities and to seniors experiencing memory issues. This is an organization that attempts to bring the healing power of music to all.

Villa Musica offers Group Violin Class that kids can learn violin while make new friends working on the same goal. Great teachers and definitely recommended!

Amazing music experiences for all ages and musical interests.

This program is offered at our local library. The instructor is very professional and very patient with the kids. My children loved their introduction to guitar and want to continue learning. The best part is that is free!

I've had the pleasure of serving on the Board of Directors for several years. The growth and expansion of the programs offered throughout the community is a testament to the commitment of the teaching artists to their craft and the visionary thinking of the administrative team.

Villa Musica's teaching faculty, and programs, are the best! My child was a participant in summer camp this year and she still talks about it months later. The class size was small and she was able to make lots of friends. She got to do crafts, learned the beginnings of playing recorder, got to try some dance for the first time, and got to try drumming, too. The camp hours were similar to a school day, and after-camp child care was available if I needed it. I've also participated in some of the adult ensembles myself and found the musicianship of excellent caliber. I highly recommend Villa Musica for any aspiring, or experiences musician, interested in lessons, group classes, camps for their kids, or performing opportunities.

COMMUNITY ! This is what Villa Musica is all about. A community of teachers and students, getting together in their wonderful location of Sorrento Valley, where notes become music, rehearsals after hearsals, lessons after lessons. A community for harmonies, because their venue becomes base-camp for all bands, choirs, and ensembles of musicians who enjoy learning and performing together, when the notes from one become the melody from all. A community for the community, with a dynamic enrichment program, providing highly educated music teachers and state of the art methods to the local school music programs. A community that reaches out to underserved areas, hospital patients and elderly, because making music is therapeutic and provides life-long emotional support, unconditionally. Villa Musica is what your ideal non-profit should be, creating useful, positive, far- and broad-reaching momentum in our society. Villa Musica is with no-doubt a great non-profit.

Villa Musica is a wonderful organization. They do such important work and play such an incredible role in both their students lives and in the greater community as a whole, as they provide access to music (and even instruments) to hundreds of people who would otherwise not have the resources. There is so much joy here! I'm happier every time I walk in the door.

I joined the team at Villa Musica as a facilitator for the Musical Biographies program and am delighted to be part of a five year collaboration between Villa Musica and the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. This multi-sensorial program brings together people living with dementia, care givers and extended family members to identify music that inspires memory and curate a book that illuminates life.

Villa Musica is an extraordinary place to learn, reconnect to, or simply enjoy the power of music. In particular the Musical BiographiesTM program, helping families and patients dealing with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, is a wonderful program shared throughout our community to enhance lives and bring comfort. Young and old can experience Villa Musica and all that it has to offer.

Villa Musica is a fantastic nonprofit organization in San Diego providing music education for all ages.

My son started with this program at one of the satellite locations in Logan Heights. He was 4 and wanted to learn the violin. It was the best program for him. The teachers were patient and made it fun. The program provided his instrument which allowed him to practice at home and taught him to read music. This program was also a godsent during the pandemic. It didn’t go away and allowed him to explore music virtually. 9 years since he started with Villa Musica my son has picked up a second string instrument, participated in programs at the various locations, and is still excited about the program. Villa Musica has been a good fit for us.

Villa Musica has been great for San Diego's music community! The teachers are great and they do a good job pairing students with teachers who will fit best. They were very accommodating during the pandemic with Zoom lessons. Glad to be back in person with them.

Villa Musica is an amazing organization for the San Diego community! It is a nonprofit community music school that offers free quality music education to children, adults and seniors regardless of means. Particularly inspiring was Villa Musica's pivot during the times of the pandemic. The organization quickly managed to stand up most of its programming online, and to the extent possible continued to offer its individual and group music classes on Zoom. While enrollment in underserved communities dropped for a time, Villa Musica managed to keep the vast majority of its students engaged and educated throughout the pandemic, and now is recovering its enrollment numbers and opening an ever increasing number of satellite programs throughout San Diego.

I have only been working at Villa Musica for a short time but I absolutely love working here. The administration always goes out of their way to support the teachers in whatever way we need so that we can focus on what is important, teaching music to members of our community.

The faculty is top notch! Villa Musica is staffed by the most professional and talented teaching artists in the San Diego area. Everyone who teaches here is an expert in their field.

The faculty and staff are committed to providing enriching music making experiences through group classes at the studio and around the community.

Villa Musica is a great place to teach, study, and find a community of supportive people to make music with!

Excellent Experience. We've taken summer camps, group classes, and private lessons here and each one of these activities has been really special for my children. They've grown so much musically, learned lessons of resilience and gained self confidence.

My son (piano) and I (singing) have been students with Villa Musica for many, many years now. There are so many different instructors with various styles of music instruction, we have been able to find a variety that have worked for us, depending on our needs. The administrative staff are always easy to communicate with and there has *never* been any weird high pressure sales tactics that I found at other music schools. Whether you are a serious student of your instrument or just looking to add more music into your life, Villa Musica will have something for you!

Bram has done an excellent job and we have been 100% satisfied. Our goal was to help our son get caught up to his classmates (who had been playing violin for a year before he joined them). Thanks to the wonderful staff at Villa Musica (including Fiona and Marianna), he is! Everyone there is helpful, patient, and kind, and the instruction is top notch. Thank you so much for making this happen and for advising us through the process.

My daughter started learning the piano when she was 5 at Villa Musica, and it's been 5 years since then. We have always been impressed by the passion of all the staff/faculty members at Villa Musica, including Fiona the founder, Maddy the director and April the piano teacher. The monthly recital that Villa Musica organizes provides students with great experience and confidence to perform in front of the audience. My daughter even had an opportunity to play the piano at a concert of the San Diego Symphony, which gave her an exciting experience in her life. We can't think of any better places to learn music than Villa Musica!

Villa Musica is an excellent music school thriving under the exceptional leadership of Dr Fiona Chatwin. The music instructors at Villa Musica are talented, patient and wonderful with their students. My 2 kids have been taking lessons here for about 4 years and I could not hope for a better musical education. Whether you want to learn advanced music (instrumental or voice), or simply recreational music, the teachers will nourish/nurture your talent either ways. If you happen to be highly musically inclined, you will get multiple opportunities to showcase your talent before a broader audience. My son, who is learning the piano at Villa Musica with Ms April Lin, was selected as a guest artist to play the piano for the San Diego Symphony at the Copley Symphony Hall in San Diego. At age 10, this was a major breakthrough for him, and he is now even more passionate and confident about playing the piano. The monthly recitals, annual showcase and similar events conducted at VM are other great outlets to further develop your musical skills. The string faculty at VM is equally outstanding. My daughter is learning to play the violin and we appreciate the patience, knowledge and techniques used by her violin instructor, Mr Bram Goldstein. Maddy, Villa Musica’s Director of First Impressions, is an excellent vocalist herself and is always very willing to help with any administrative need.
I truly admire Villa Musica’s community outreach programs that provide musical education to families who may not have otherwise had the opportunity to pursue their interest in music. We feel fortunate to be part of the Villa Musica community.

Villa Música and their teachers have been outstanding in making sure my children and in particular my daughter enjoys her piano class while learning and broadening her mind at 5 years old. She has become a very proud girl and we hope Villa Musica keeps cultivating her talents.

Villa Musica has been a fantastic music school for our children. When our daughter was eight years old, we were looking for a school that can provide lessons that are at an even higher level and luckily found Villa Musica. Our son also started taking violin and piano lessons at Villa Musica when he was four years old. It is a valuable place where you can take lessons of various levels, from beginners like son to high-level students. Monthly recitals are good opportunities for students to show off what they have been practicing and it is also a great way to get used to perform in front of audiences. Villa Musica has amazing teaching staff. Many of them are active performers and students are inspired even more when they see their teachers performing at live concerts. The facility staff are very kind and so friendly that our children look forward to seeing them every week. We highly recommend Villa Musica to all of those who enjoys music.

Both our kids are students at VM. They love their weekly classes, and as a result of their interactions with their teachers, have developed a strong appreciation for music, a liking to classical composers, and a daily practice routine.

I was looking for my daughter's summer camp in 2019, and that was when we got to know about Villa Musica. She enjoyed two sessions/weeks summer camp very much. Because of the pandemic, all the camps were cancelled this year sadly, but we hope she can join summer camp next year. After we enjoyed the experience with Villa Musica, my son (now 10 years old) started his trumpet lesson last fall there. He is not really a music person, but his teacher, Devin, is very patient, and he is making progress.

My son was four when he showed interested in playing guitar. He was too little to receive guitar lessons at the time. We waited until he turned 7 and he started guitar lessons at Villa Musica. We found the most amazing teacher, Jude, who has cultivated his passion for both classic and electric guitars in an extraordinary positive way. Villa Música is a place where the kids can cultivate their love for music, and learn how to express themselves.

My daughter has voice lessons at Villa Musica and she really enjoys it. We having being going there for the past 2 years. My daughter's teacher, Kate, is so sweet and a great voice coach. The staff is also very friendly. We love Villa Musica.

I’m 70 years old and always wanted to really learn how to play the guitar. I thought at my age taking up lessons would prove fruitless but I took a chance on Villa Musica. How wrong I was about it being too late. Wow … I only wish that I had discovered the school a few decades ago. At Villa Musica I’ve played in the adult ensemble and continue to take private lessons, now for over a year. The admin staff and Jude (my teacher) were extremely welcoming. My musical experience has been great. Every week I see progress under Jude’s gentle, patient and insightful direction. While I don’t have any experience with lessons for other ages, I recommend Villa Musica without hesitation for any adult who wants to learn or improve their musical experiences.

My family and I are very happy to be part of the Villa Musica family.
First my older dauther joined with guitar classes, and right away we could see her improving. She started with a little knowledge, and she moved to complex songs almost immediately! Then my younger daughter joined with trumpet classes, and even though she started with no trumpet skills, we can see her practicing and enjoying it so much! That’s the thing with Villa Musica, they not only help kids improve or gain skills, They also keep them engaged.

Villa Musica is a great place for music lessons for anyone, of all interests, and all ages. The administrative staff is extremely organized, and always friendly. The facility is clean and comfortable, and the staff are excellent. All teachers are knowledgable, patient, and full of talent. And the Board is a very involved group of people who are also practical, strategically-minded and organized. I am very happy to be involved with such a wonderful organization.

Villa Musica has done an incredible job bringing the community together for the love of music. During this pandemic, they have been able to bring joy to children and seniors alike.

I've played with the Villa Musica Summer Orchestra (VMSO) for several years now as a violinist. VMSO has been a great opportunity to connect with other local musicians that want to work together on large orchestral works at a high level, while also providing a fantastic, fun performance for the San Diego community at no cost.
VMSO is but one of many services and programs backed by Villa Musica, and none of these things would be possible without the support, resources, and passion of the people behind the organization. Continuing programs like VMSO requires a large amount of coordination and contribution, from finding the right venues, to acquiring parts to music that's engaging both for the musicians to play and for the audience to listen to. They definitely deserve more support for the efforts put into making these programs happen.

Villa Musica truly embodies its mission of inspiring people of all ages and backgrounds to explore the joy and lifelong value of music through education, performance and community engagement. I discovered Villa Musica in 2012 when I participated in a chamber music play-in hosted at its wonderful building in Sorrento Valley. Their summer orchestra program is one of the highlights of my year, when I get to play fun music with a very talented group. There are always musicians in its halls: students young and old taking lessons, faculty teaching or practicing, and swarms of toddlers during summer music camp. Villa Musica's Access Initiative leverages their faculty and expertise in music education to bring programs to underserved communities throughout San Diego. As a member of the Board of Directors, I see firsthand the strength of Villa Musica's cohesive vision, and the dedication of its faculty, staff, and board members in making it come to fruition. Villa Musica is a great non profit!!!

The best part about my position as Director of First Impressions at Villa Musica is seeing all of our students come in for their lessons and group classes every day. My day is filled by notes traveling down the hallway to the desk as students work on their repertoire with their teachers. It's delightful to hear our students progress each week during their lessons and hear about their triumphs over difficult pieces of music from their parents and teachers. I love sitting in on classes out in the community, and watching the children work on holding their violins upright, finding the E string, and working on their "pepp-er-oni pi-zza" rhythms. I am also a student here as well, and have found that my studies are very fulfilling and enriching. I am happy to walk in the front doors every day, and I know that I try to make everyone feel welcome here in our home of music.

My daughter has been taking music lessons at the Villa for several years and we have always been happy with out time there. Her instructors have been wonderful and the staff is friendly, efficient, and professional. But it is the environment at the Villa that is really special. My daughter enjoys her lessons and I enjoy listening to the amazing sounds floating down the hall as all the various lessons and classes are underway. There is so much joy in that noise, even the scratchy notes are making music. It is a wonderful place.

I have been working for Villa Musica for just a little over a year now and I can't speak highly enough of what we do here! I love seeing all the students come in, eager for their lessons and group classes with amazing teaching artists. I also love seeing all of the work they do in the community, because when they say that they are giving the gift of quality music instruction to everyone who seeks it, they really mean it. I am blown away by the high quality instruction that everyone gets, regardless of age or background. They have really built a community around music and performance and it is quite beautiful. If you are looking for a place to learn music in a warm, comforting environment that will still push you to be the best musician you can be, look no further than Villa Musica, you will not be disappointed.

I volunteer at Villa musica and the organization does such a great job teaching and inspiring kids in the music world.

I have been taking part in community chorus for about 4years now and have seen the wonderful work that this organization is doing. I love the fact that they provide musical instrument training for underserved youth in low income areas. I have recently started volunteering with the musical biographies initiative that was started by the director of Villa Musica. It is designed to work with individuals with memory deficits and their care partners and I see the joy in the eyes of the participants as they paint, add photos and incorporate music into books that they assemble of their life story. Such a worthy endeavor! I am proud to be part of this organization both as a participant and volunteer!

I am in awe of all the wonderful work Fiona Chatwin and Villa Musica do to bring music to our communities. With budget cuts and elimination of music programs in schools, their work is much needed. Lastly, as a member of the Community Chorus, I experience first hand what great teachers Fiona and Mark (Polesky) are.

I have been a member of several choirs, and I am very glad I have joined Villa Música. This is a relaxed, fun and friendly experience. The Director instructs in a straightforward manner and every question is answered with enthusiasm. Although performances are scheduled, there seems to be no anxiety about competing with other choirs, or having high expectations of perfection. I think it's important that that everyone hears their section separately to know how the music is supposed to sound, that is musical pieces are taken apart so if you are a soprano or an alto you know exactly how to sing it .
Lots of learning and lots of fun. Sincerely JGS

I've been working for Villa Musica for two years now and absolutely love it. They treat their staff and clients extremely well. As a teacher, it's great to have the infrastructure to support all the admin work involved with scheduling lessons and payments. They also do amazing work in the community, providing access to music to several hundred students!

We learned about Villa Musica by chance through a flier in Malcom X public library. I asked my 6 years old daughter if she wants to try violin classes. From the very first class my daughter fell in love with violin thanks to their teacher; Ms. Shayla is very engaging and patient. She pays attention to every kid in the class. One can see right the way that she knows how to work with children. After we completed the spring course we signed up for one week of summer camp where my daughter worked with different teachers and learned different techniques and skills. She especially enjoyed fiddle playing! Every morning she looked forward to playing her violin with her new friends. Usually shy, she came out of her shell during the the camp. The teachers and the admin staff in Villa Musica are very warm, engaging and skillful to work with children. My daughter now tells me that once a week class is not enough for her... I thank Villa Musica to helping us to foster love for music.

4 years ago I signed my husband up for an adult rock band class thinking he needed a hobby outside of work. After 1 class he decided it was not the right fit-I happily took his spot (though I didn't have an instrument but always wanted to create music in a group setting). I found my niche on keyboards and have been studying hard ever since. It has been a transformative experience that has challenged and expanded my music ability and imagination. I've meet many of the music instructors as the rest of my family decided to take music classes at Villa Musica (guitar, clarinet and voice). It's an amazing group of talented musicians who are patient, motivating and fun to work with.

I have a 5 year old boy who just started at the Villa Musica. We both love this place! It's amazing how fast the kids learn about music!

I have sung with many different choir groups in the past but Villa Musica is by far the best experience I've ever encountered. There is an aura of professionalism in the teaching by Fiona.
She brings up one's spirits and has such enthusiasm and high spirits which passes onto the choir members. Also witnessing the children's lessons is inspiring that someone would dedicate themselves to passing the love of music to us all.

COMMUNITY ! This is what Villa Musica is all about. A community of teachers and students, getting together in their wonderful location of Sorrento Valley, where notes become music, rehearsals after hearsals, lessons after lessons. A community for harmonies, because their venue becomes base-camp for all bands, choirs, and ensembles of musicians who enjoy learning and performing together, when the notes from one become the melody from all. A community for the community, with a dynamic enrichment program, providing highly educated music teachers and state of the art methods to the local school music programs. A community that reaches out to underserved areas, hospital patients and elderly, because making music is therapeutic and provides life-long emotional support, unconditionally. Villa Musica is what your ideal non-profit should be, creating useful, positive, far- and broad-reaching momentum in our society. Villa Musica is with no-doubt a great non-profit.

I love Villa Musica! I've taken individual classes, and participated in their community ensemble. The teachers are amazing, and it's such a fun, positive environment! I constantly recommend their individual classes, as well as their groups for children.

My two sons attend this fabulous school for their second year. We relocated to SD from another country and both of my children were not native English speakers. Not only their teachers, Isaac (drums) and Steve (guitar) found a way to teach them through the language barrier, but they did it exceptionally well, engaging the children and making them feel confident and willing to continue their studies and flourish (both attended a musical school before, but the technique and the language were completely different). They love to come to school, progress rapidly and we feel that Villa Musica is becoming our second family. Thank you!

My 4 year old is taking violin lessons here and seems to really look forward to them. The environment is warm, kid friendly (they have toys in the waiting area!), and her instructor is highly seasoned and experienced with young children. We're so grateful to have found Villa Musica!

Now in its 11th year, Villa Musica is a community music school that provides opportunities for personal growth and development through music education to people of all ages in the greater San Diego area. My life has been enriched by my love of music and playing the cello and there's nothing I enjoy more than giving back, either through financial contributions or volunteering my time to help other people discover the joy of making music themselves. At a recent Villa Musica fundraiser I purchased some of my favorite musical notes which composer Jude Wermeir fashioned into a new piece that was performed live at the end of the day. What fun to be a part of the creative process! I'm also supporting Villa Musica's scholarship fund, which enables kids from families who couldn't otherwise afford music lessons, to learn an instrument. Villa Music has outreach programs in San Diego's poorer neighborhoods where kids can get free instruments and free music lessons, which the scholarship program helps to subsidize. Lastly, I love volunteering my time to organize chamber music gatherings for adult amateur players, which Villa Musica has hosted. Many of my most lasting friendships have come through such musical contacts, and it's wonderful to have a local venue that can accommodate such musical gatherings in the community.

My hair's gray and I've never had natural musical ability but Villa Musica has always been a place of welcome and learning for me. I've tripped over kids a small fraction of my age, so it's a wonderful mix. And Fiona Chatwin is smart, talented and untiring. What remarkable gifts she brings to our community. I hope everyone knows about Villa Musica.

Harry

I have been playing in the flute choir for several years and love the opportunity to play with a group of delightful like-minded women. So much fun to have an outlet for playing and sharing music with no pressure! VM is unique in that it makes music accessible to absolutely Everyone! The scholarships, outreach programs, and free instruments make it possible for all people to have music be part of their lives.

Villa Music is an AMAZING, nonprofit community music center. It provides all aspects of musical experience and education to the public. Its offerings are phenomenal, the teachers are enthusiastic and very qualified, and they cross all economic borders to provide the arts to varied communities.
As a member of their Adult Chorus, I appreciate the opportunity to participate in a hobby I love, and Fiona Chatwin, besides being the owner of Villa Musica, is our conductor. She is wonderful. No matter what level proficiency a member has in music, a great choral experience is available to all.
I applaud Villa Musica for providing a MUCH needed center in the community- a chance to give the arts to both children and adults.

There are few places where adults can enhance and embrace their musical side, yet Villa Musica offers multiple opportunities for all skill levels. Being a voice student and choir member has been a great opportunity for me to learn and contribute, enjoying the music as well as the people I have the privilege of working with. Thanks to Fiona and all the staff at Villa Musica for opening up so many fun musical opportunities!

I joined Villa Musica's community chorus this season and am just delighted with each session. The music selections are lovely and just challenging enough to make the practice interesting. The choir director and pianist are accomplished, accommodating and full of fun and laughter. I look forward to each week's rehearsal. In addition I admire the organization for giving back to their community in so many ways.

Villa Musica is a wonderful asset to the San Diego community. I have attended many terrific concerts by Villa Musica faculty and students in the past couple of years. I recently joined the community chorus. I am not a trained musician but Fiona Chatwin (Choir Director)welcomes all levels and fosters a strong sense of community. It's a challenge for me, but I am learning a lot. The choir members are very patient and encouraging, and Fiona Chatwin and Mark Polesky (pianist) are the BEST! Go Villa Musica.

Villa Musica is a precious resource for music education in San Diego. As a senior, I have had the opportunity to further my own development in singing by taking voice lessons and joining the community chorus. You don’t have to audition to enjoy the adventures in music that Villa Musica offers!
Mai-Lon Gittelsohn

I love being a member of Villa Musica's Community Chorus. Fiona Chatwin, Executive Director of Villa Musica who also leads the Chorus, has provided a welcoming and caring community for all who wish to share in the joy of learning and performing wonderful music. I hope to be a member for many years to come.

In today's world it is very difficult to find a healthy balance between work and family while engaging in creatively fulfilling personal activities. Villa Musica is unique in that it provides opportunities for creative expression at many levels of time and energy commitment in a nonjudgemental and supportive environment. Participating in the Villa Musica Community Chorus allows me to experience the joy and emotional release of song and singing despite my all-too-busy work and professional demands. I think of it as a much less expensive and much more effective version of talk (in this case, "song") therapy that allows me to sing the blues rather than have to deal with it.

Ken Kreutz-Delgado

Many, many thanks to Villa Musica's Executive Director and Community Chorus director, Fiona Chatwin and to Orchestra Conductor, Aran Akhavan for making last evening's concert an incredibly wonderful experience. As a member of the Chorus, it was absolutely exhilarating to have the opportunity to practice with and to perform with the fine musicians in this special Orchestra. Together, Aran and Fiona blended their signature conducting skills into a truly integrated performance.
The opportunities that are available at Villa Musica for singers and instrumental musicians, from beginners to accomplished performers, are vast and varied and continue to expand. The faculty and their depth and breadth of experience and commitment are stellar. It's a warm and comfortable environment. Come join us!

I've sung in Villa Musica's choirs off and on since 2007. Fiona is passionate and committed to bringing the joy of music through community performing groups and educational classes. She reaches adults as well as children which makes her program truly unique and special. It is a pleasure to work with her.

I have been a faculty member of Villa Musica for over 4 years and love the environment created! Villa Musica is a welcoming musical community that offers not only music education, private lessons, community music, but also music therapy for those with alternative needs. We offer music from age 0-99, so there are no limits to the beauty we can create as a musical community! I light up every time I walk in to teach an early childhood music class and see the bright eyed faces of the infants and toddlers. Get this! We also have a board full of musicians that are pretty amazing both as musicians and as board members! Villa Musica is a very welcoming and beautiful place to work :-)

I am on the brass faculty at Villa Musica. I love working here! It's a warm environment and very safe for all the students. The cheerful front desk and enthusiastic leadership from its executive director help to make this a great atmosphere. Faculty are happy, making students happy, most importantly fosterly musical growth.

Villa Musica is a unique institution offering high quality music instruction in a community setting. It has been an important part of our life since our daughter started group violin classes at the age of 5. I think we owe Villa Musica the fact that our daughter is persisting in her studies of music for almost 3 years. The experience of being part of a vibrant community where she sees familiar faces year after year helps her persist even when the going gets tough.

Villa Musica's outreach activities in the less well to do areas of town are laudable to say the least. Exposing children from disadvantaged backgrounds is priceless.

Singing with other musicians on a stage in front of an audience. No matter when in life you get a chance to be vulnerable like that, it is a life-changing moment. Everyone should get this opportunity, and that's where Villa Musica comes in. Its mission is to make music education available to everyone, big, small, old, young, talented or not-so-much. The talent attracted to this school is inspiring in itself, students, faculty, staff and board members alike, everyone willing to make a noise , and then a better noise. I have loved my time with Villa Musica, as student, volunteer and board member, and am proud of its stature within the San Diego community.

My 8 year old son has been taking piano lessons for several months at Villa Musica. He really likes his teacher and enjoys going to lessons each week. The staff and teachers we have encountered are friendly and professional. As a busy mom, I appreciate the family friendly environment--comfy couches, a kitchenette, tables for doing homework, and toys to keep the little ones occupied while older siblings are in lessons.

Villa Musica continues to be a wonderful learning experience for my 9 year old son. He has been taking guitar lessons for over a year. Jude makes learning guitar a fun experience and he really knows how to teach young children the joys of being a musician.

Villa Musica is a wonderful place for people who love music. The atmosphere is friendly and inviting, and the teachers are enthusiastic and excellent.

We have two sons, 8 and 5, who are taking music lesson at Villa Musica. My 8 year old has made guitar playing his primary activity. He is even part of a rockband now. It brings him so much joy and I really think that love was instilled by his instructor at Villa Musica, Jude. Our 5 year old is learning such great discipline and love for music through his recorder classes. Thank you Villa Musica!

I love my piano teacher Miss. Julie and my Junior Glee teacher Miss. Jill. And my used to be violin teacher, Miss Cami. Dr. Jude is my favorite teacher of all because he is so funny. I have lots of "music friends" at Villa Musica. It's my music home.

Villa Musica is a unique organization that serves the entire community to promote quality music education for all ages and all economic segments. For the kids in schools lacking music education, Villa Musica provides support for their programs.

I've been a voice student for five years and have advanced tremendously. It is a wonderful community jewel and I recommend it to anyone for their support and to be a member of the Villa Musica family.

My association with Villa Musica began several years ago when my six-year-old son began taking violin lessons there. I have since become a board member. VM is wonderful, happy place. Our son has taken both individual and group classes and has made incredible strides in his playing. The teachers are very experienced and managed to maintain high standards while keeping things fun. The director is deeply committed to the idea of community music center and has worked tirelessly to make her vision a reality. VM serves everyone from retirees to small children, from serious students who intend to make music their career to music lovers who simply want to be among others who share their passion. There is no place quite like it!

The staff at Villa Musica is outstanding as evidenced by the results they achieve when viewed at a recital. The instructors are patient, encouraging, and creative in their teaching methods. They find what method of learning works best for the student and utilize that.
Their community outreach programs are both extensive and very well received and they results they achieve are dramatic..

Villa Musica is a community music school dedicated to quality music education for all who seek it regarding of their ability to pay. Their artist/teachers are exceptional and dedicate themselves to their craft and the education of emerging musicians both children or adults alike.