Murrieta Academy of Music and Performing Arts - Murrieta, California

Trinity Liu

My 3.5-year-old has been going to the Animal Adventures class at Murrieta Academy of Music for the past few months. It’s been really good so far. The program itself is based mostly on animals in music and the workbook has been perfect (it’s like a colored story book) so my child always wants to do the at home activities.

Ms. Callie, our teacher, is awesome. She’s patient, energetic and connects well with my child. When we started we had some issues with shyness but Callie has been able to really get her out of her shell and make her feel like she is in a safe space. We’re really happy with the program and the studio.

Ana Ramirez-Garcia

My children have been taking lessons at the Murrieta Academy of Music (Menifee school on Bradley) for close to two years since they started working with Julian Charter School. Our teachers have been Zoe and Patricia. We have also had Paul as a substitute when one of the regular teachers was sick and he was really great too. We have been very happy with their learning. The teachers have been encouraging and have chosen pieces and duets that my kids really enjoy. We just did our first concert and were really happy with how confident our kids were on stage. They had a good experience and we look forward to their next concert.

Jessica Mathers

Our daughter attends Music Fun Time at Murrieta Academy of Music and absolutely loves it! She is learning so much from Ms. Regina. I love that she is learning the basics to build a good foundation for music while at a preschool age.

Clarissa Bradford

We've been apart of the Academy going on 3 years now. We've taken the drama teens class, musical theater, private voice lessons, and also piano. Mrs. Regina has been my girls instructor for each of these classes, and the reason we continue to choose this academy. My daughter has grown so much in not only talent, but her confidence and self esteem as well. She truly cares about each of her students, and has brought out the best in my girl. I don't know what we would do without her and the academy!

Keren Candelario

My son and daughter attended the Music FunTime program at Academy of Music in Murrieta for three months. Both are on the autism spectrum, and we were hopeful this program would be a good fit. Unfortunately, our experience was far from positive.
From the start, there were significant issues. Despite paying for supplies on the first day, it took two months to receive them. In class, another child with higher needs often disrupted sessions by taking children’s seats, coughing in their faces, and throwing temper tantrums—all without any intervention from the teacher or parent. This contniued to occur during the 3 months we attended.
During our last class, Mrs. Regina, informed me that we should consider switching to a different program. When I asked why, she explained it was because other parents had complained their children weren’t receiving enough attention. This was incredibly frustrating for me to hear, as I had never complained despite both my children repeatedly being treated disrespectfully.
The class only has four children, yet Mrs. Regina spends the majority of her time working with the higher-needs student. To do so, she often sent students to the back of the room with her assistant, and left the others waiting for extended periods of time. Instead of addressing the imbalance or suggesting that the family of the higher-needs child move to private lessons, we were asked to leave.
When I explained to her how her resolution was unfair, she brought the issue to the front desk. The manager suggested we move to a different class time rather than an entirely different program like Ms. Regina wanted. However, after some consideration, I’ve decided to withdraw my children.

We were not the ones demanding special attention or complaining. Yet we were the ones asked to leave so another student could continue monopolizing the class. How is that fair?

This experience was by far the most blatant display of unprofessionalism, favoritism, and discrimination I’ve encountered in years. Mrs. Regina, thank you for making it clear that my children are not welcome in your class. I will gladly take my business elsewhere. However, I strongly urge you to reevaluate your classroom management and policies. If your justification is that the class is too crowded, perhaps you should not allow unenrolled siblings to participate and go as far as to gift them instruments. It further perpetuates your favoritism and is unfair to the other paying students in the class.

I had hoped for a welcoming and inclusive environment, but instead, the program was disorganized, inequitable, and ultimately harmful. I cannot recommend this program for families with ASD children or anyone seeking a professional and fair learning experience.
I’ll be filing complaints with the CA Civil Rights Department and the BBB to make sure other families are aware of these issues.

Thank you for your response. However, I must clarify some discrepancies.

My concern wasn’t the suggestion to move my children but the way the situation was handled and the ongoing issues during their time in the MusicFunTime program. My children struggled not because of their challenges but due to a disruptive and disorganized classroom environment. During my conversation with Mrs. Regina, she ONLY offered the Animal Adventures class as an option. It was your office manager who later suggested moving to a different class time after I raised concerns.

The suggestion to switch programs felt like an attempt to remove my children rather than address the real problem: the teacher’s inability to manage the class effectively.

As for the offer of “free classes,” considering we were dismissed mid-month with no refund, they wouldn’t actually be free. Regardless, the value of your classes is diminished by the unprofessionalism we experienced.

While I acknowledge your expertise and long-standing commitment to music education, my experience at your academy did not reflect it.

I sincerely hope you use this feedback to help your team improve rather than make excuses for them. Happy Holidays!

Jeska Denise

My 7-year old lives for her Tuesday evening musical theater class. Ms. Regina is so patient and energetic with the kids. Each week I watch her bloom while finding her voice, confidence, and place in the world of theater. I would highly recommend Academy of Music and Arts - Murrieta to anyone looking for a fun and safe space for their little ones to explore their creativity.

snarkwhaler

Ridiculous. Family members, friends, and I drove 2 hours to see someone play. They started 45 minutes late. They had zero organization. The owner is over herself. Go somewhere more professional. Needless to say, we weren't able to see our student play because it went well over time.

hillary doverspike

We have been loving our piano lessons for or 4 and 7 year old. They are catching on with just 1 month of lessons so far.