About UsWHAT IS REAL SCHOOL

The music experience you've always wanted
in an environment you won't want to leave

Whether you are looking for private music lessons, student bands & ensembles, children’s musical theatre productions, or Summer music programs in New England, The Real School of Music will be the highlight of your musical journey. Students walk into our music schools in Massachusetts and New Hampshire to a safe environment where they can experience music in a more exciting way while also engaging with other students in a vibrant musical community you won’t find anywhere else.

Every student is unique – and we celebrate those differences. Here at Real School, we invite students of all ages and experience levels to learn, connect, and grow in a creative space that feels like home. Within our walls, students are encouraged by staff and fellow students to be themselves and pursue their dreams whether they are looking to increase musical skills, star in a musical onstage, or perform epic concerts as part of a band.

Speaking of celebrating, we love to show off our students’ talents, growth, and personalities. We regularly host student showcases for our lesson and ensemble students where they get to perform onstage for friends and family which they absolutely love. Our Musical Theatre productions take place throughout the year with multiple performances of each show for an audience of loved ones. We may be kind of biased, but watching our students showcase what they can do and what they love is one of the best parts of Real School.

Our local communities are very important to us. We regularly take part in local events where our students perform and our instructors connect with our neighbors to share their love for music one-on-one. Real School is open to everyone, so we invite you to come by any time to take a tour of our schools, meet some of our staff, and even sign up for a free trial lesson for the full Real School experience.

Many of our students have grown up through our programs and returned as instructors, some have gone on to record deals, others to music colleges, and all have continued with their passion for music. And at the end of the day, that’s really what Real School is all about – a lifelong love of music that impacts each student beyond the lesson room and is full of amazing friendships, great accomplishments, and some of the best memories for years to come.

So, what are you waiting for? Let’s make some noise together!

https://ml58lemqnh9a.i.optimole.com/w:auto/h:auto/q:90/f:best/ig:avif/https://therealschoolofmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/quotes.png

"We love The Real School of Music! Everyone is so talented and kind. I love sitting there and hearing all the kids playing music and loving every minute of it. I highly recommend them!"

ANDREA M

Real School Parent

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

"To promote the joys and benefits of learning to play and create music, while enriching society at large by restoring music as an elemental part of our cultural expression."

OUR HISTORY

Real School was born out of a desire to see people’s lived transformed by the power of music beyond simply becoming a musician. Two old friends – one from the music industry and one from the non-profit education industry – reminisced about their days in the Boston music scene and the impact music made on their lives, shaping them into the people they had become. The importance of learning music from their early years was evident, and their desire to share that gift with others sparked those first discussions about a new kind of music school in 2006.

With the help of top-notch educators and entrepreneurs, the founders of Real School spent two years conducting extensive research into the state of music education across the country as well as consulting modern science regarding how people learn at their best.

All the dreaming, researching and planning brought this vision to life when our flagship location in Burlington, MA opened in 2008. The buzz the school created, and the speed with which the school grew during one of the toughest economies stood as proof that what we started creating here at Real School was right on target.

Today, Real School continues to expand, with locations in Burlington MA (opened 2008), Andover MA (opened 2013), Derry NH (opened 2019) and Online (since 2020). We are one of the largest employers and supporters of musicians in the region – and many of our instructors have performed with big names in the music industry, showcasing their experience all the more.

As for our students, Real School has become their musical home away from home. Students of all ages join bands, write and record original music, play live shows, and belong to a living, breathing music education and performing arts community.

CENTRAL SUPPORT TEAM

You don’t always get to see who’s behind the curtain, so we wanted to introduce you to the team behind the scenes that steer Real School forward. Our Central Support Team are just that – the most supportive leadership we could ask for and their dedication to meeting the needs of our students and instructors is what sets Real School apart.