Music School in Santa Cruz, CA

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Classes

Music Exploration

New Classes

Music exploration class

Music Exploration Class

Introductory to Music
With Sarah Newman

Location: 742 Water St., Santa Cruz

For 6 - 9 year olds: Fridays, 5:10 - 6PM

Introduce your child to a natural way to explore sound and music with piano, voice, handbells, percussion, ukulele, and even harp!

Classes will be held in our main stage room, where students will sing, play a variety of instruments, and write simple songs. Recital every season.

Sarah Newman has ten years of experience teaching young children with enthusiasm. Parents love her approach, informed by her training in child development, music theory, and sound healing.

  • Ongoing classes; year-round
  • Meets once a week
  • Limit 10 children (minimum 3)
  • Flat-rate Pricing: $160 per month
    • Includes class materials
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Guitar Group Class
Sc guitar group class

Guitar Group Class

Learn the skills you need to play Rock, Pop & Jazz!

Location: 742 Water St., Santa Cruz

Ages: 10 & Up

Our Guitar Group Class is for beginners and near-beginners alike. Group classes are held weekly for guitar, year-round. You will learn basic skills and dexterity by learning warm-up exercises, proper posture, scales, chords, rhythm and songs. Have fun; make new friends!

Saturdays, 12:40 - 1:30PM

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Music Lessons

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Vocal Lessons

Be Natural Music is where aspiring and young vocalists can find the tools they need to learn the fundamentals of singing.

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Ukulele Lessons

With the ukulele, the sky’s the limit! In our student-tailored lessons, you can learn a variety of music styles & genres.

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Guitar Lessons

Our team of professional guitar instructors at Be Natural Music would love to work with you and help you get started.

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Harp Lessons

We offer private lessons on a wide variety of instruments, including the Celtic harp. Our teachers guide students every step of the way.

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Bass Lessons

We offer bass lessons for all skill levels and ages. We are here to transform your passion for playing the bass guitar into a reality.

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Jazz & Rock Piano Lessons

Here at Be Natural Music, we offer a wide range of keyboard lessons to help you on your way!

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Saxophone Lessons

If you have always desired to become a successful saxophonist, Be Natural Music is offering you the opportunity to learn from the best.

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Drum Lessons

At Be Natural Music, we offer drum lessons for all skill levels, including drum lessons for kids and beginners.

Lesson Policy
RRB POLICY
2024 School Year Calendar
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Prices

Weekly 30 Rocker (Flat-rate) 4 30 min Once per week ($63.75) $255/mo
Weekly 45 Rocker (Flat-rate) 4 45 min Once per week ($77.50) $310/mo
Weekly 60 Rocker (Flat-rate) 4 60 min Once per week ($90.00) $360/mo
Weekly 90 Rocker (Flat-rate) 4 90 min Once per week ($131.25) $525/mo
Biweekly 30 Jammer 2 30 min Twice per month ($72.50) $145/mo
Biweekly 45 Jammer 2 45 min Twice per month ($85.00) $170/mo
Biweekly 60 Jammer 2 60 min Twice per month ($100.00) $200/mo
Spot 30 1 30 min One-time spot lesson ($75.00) $75.00
Spot 45 1 45 min One-time spot lesson ($90.00) $90.00
Spot 60 1 60 min One-time spot lesson ($110.00) $110.00
Group Classes (Flat-rate) 4 50 min Once per week ($40.00) $160.00
RRB Classes (Flat-rate) 4 55 min Once per week ($35.00) $140.00

Registration Fee for All Classes:

One-time payment of $25.00 per student

Flat rate - Add a family member to a Private Lesson

$190 per month for a 60-minute lesson
$270 per month for a 90-minute lesson

Any missed lessons require 24-hour notice. Makeup lessons are available under certain circumstances.

 

Half Month Tuition: 2 Lessons per Month

Both lessons must be scheduled within the month you are paying for.  Contact the Office Manager for scheduling.

$110 per additional member for a 60-minute lesson

 

One-Time “SPOT” Lesson = 1 lesson

$60 per additional member for a 60-minute lesson

THERE ARE NO MAKE-UPS OR REFUNDS FOR MISSED GROUP CLASSES AND RRB CLASSES.

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Be Natural Music Santa Cruz Staff

Matthew pinck

Matthew Pinck

Music Director | Rock Band Teacher
Matt, fondly known as "Yoga Matt" on stage, has collectively studied music since the age of five and has been teaching in Santa Cruz County since 1998. Among his arsenal of music expertise are: guitar, vocals, composition, piano, electric bass and drums. His vast formal training has taken place in top schools, such as UC Santa Cruz, UC Berkeley, and Cabrillo College, eventually earning his Bachelors in Jazz Guitar from Skidmore College in New York. Over the years, Matt has gained much professional experience performing in Jazz and Rock bands, as well as performing solo. Matt takes a unique and creative approach to teaching that engages students to bring out their best, learning theory as well as valuable performance techniques.
Sarah newman

Sarah Newman

Music Instructor for Piano, Voice, Choir, Harp, Recorder, Clarinet & Saxophone | Rock Band Teachers (In-Person & Remote)
Sarah has been playing saxophone for well over fifteen years and has been teaching for Be Natural Music since 2013. She studied music at UCSC, earning a Bachelors in Community Studies with a minor in Jazz. Sarah has a special talent for working with young children, developing special rhythm exercises and games, making learning music fun. Everyone adores Sarah! Sarah teaches Saxophone, vocals, piano and Harp. Sarah also specializes in song-writing. Her creativity helps young children come up with lyrics and melodies all on their own! She guides her students through basic song-writing technique, while encouraging their creativity. *Sarah is also a Certified Sound Therapist
Andrea urzua

Andrea Urzua

Guitar & Beg. Ukulele Instructor (In-Person & Remote) Bilingual English & Spanish
Andrea loves listening to all kinds of music but she specifically likes to play metal and rock. She teaches students riffs and solos by Black Sabbath, Led Zepplin, Metallica, Pantera, Slipknot, Polyphia, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pink Floyd & Boston. When it comes to teaching, Andrea's philosophy is to teach techniques so the student knows their instrument, teach basic theory to implement creativity, as well as simply having fun by teaching songs that the student loves!
Malakai lawton

Malakai Lawton

Guitar, Piano, Voice, Beg. Ukulele & Trombone (In-Person & Remote)
Malakai has been playing guitar for 9 years and enjoys writing and performing original songs as well as performing with several local bands and being a radio DJ on KBCZ 89.3 FM Boulder Creek Community Radio! He enjoys discovering new music, however, he spends most of his time listening to classic rock and folk-rock. When he’s not playing guitar he enjoys playing other instruments such as piano, violin, and trombone; Malakai also enjoys hiking in the redwoods and looking after his Siberian Husky, Koda.
Chris pict

Chris Soriano

Guitar, Bass & Ukulele Instructor (In-Person & Remote)
Musician, Music Educator, Artist and Luthier Chris Soriano has been studying and playing music for over 20 years. He graduated from the University of North Florida with an Art degree in 2003. Using his knowledge and skills acquired as an Art student, he started building/designing guitars shortly after graduating and eventually ran a stringed instrument repair shop part time in Florida. After working as a part time Luthier and a full time commercial sign maker for over 10 years, he went back to UNF to study in the Music Technology program for three years to pursue a music related career. He worked as a full time music instructor and musician playing guitar/bass in various local Jazz, Blues and Latin bands in Northeast Florida. Chris moved to Santa Cruz, California in 2019 and currently teaches Guitar, Bass & Ukulele where students learn Basic Music Theory, Rock, Latin and Jazz Improvisation. He also works at The Santa Cruz Guitar Company and plays gigs regularly around the Santa Cruz area.
Barbara martin

Barbara Martin

Music Instructor for Drums/Percussion, Voice, & Piano | Rock Band Teacher (In-Person & Remote) Bilingual English & Spanish
Drummer and Multi-Percussionist Barbara Martin is originally from Guantanamo City, Cuba. She went to Vocational School of the Arts in Guantanamo, then Professional School of the Arts in Santa Clara, and eventually attending the University of the Arts in Havana, Cuba as a Percussion Major. During her studies, she had the opportunity to perform with the Harvard Symphony Orchestra and was also the lead percussionist and Timpanist in The Santa Clara Symphony Orchestra and Concert Band for more than 9 years. She has played with various bands in Cuba playing popular and traditional music of Cuba like Rason, Ella's Son, Elizabeth and Razones, Cadencia, and Alter Ego. She eventually taught percussion at the schools that she went to as a student. In 2012, she relocated to Doha, Qatar to play nightly as a percussionist and lead vocalist at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel for four years. Upon arriving in the United States, she took on the Drummer and Lead Vocal positions in several bands performing in different genres-Jazz, Latin, Pop and Rock in bands like Catch the Groove, The Integral Latin Band, Barbara, and the Boys, Bomba Jazz, Barbara Martin Group, Alma Rumbera Band, Modern Groove Experience Big Band, Martin/Soriano Duo, and various solo projects. She teaches voice and piano but is a specialist in percussion. Her primary instrument is Latin Percussion-Timbales, Congas, Bongos, Cajon Flamenco and Minor Percussion. Her formal Classical training makes her equally adapted to teaching and performing with the Vibraphone, Marimba, Xylophone, and Timpani. She focuses on making music learning a fun and engaging endeavor where students get to learn their favorite music, as well as get some introductions to new and exciting instruments and music genres that they may not be familiar with. Students will also learn Basic Theory, reading music notation, performance techniques, and making the best out of every performance situation.
Jen oberti

Jen Oberti

Office Manager & Scholarship Manager
Bringing our community together to make music education alive and available to anyone who wants to learn.
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What People Are Saying About Us Online

Excellent 5 Based on 33 reviews and ratings based on Google and Facebook.

Austin shaw
Austin Shaw

BeNat is amazing. The kids not only learn a ton but have a great time doing it. I've seen my son grow in confidence not only with his instrument but in life as well. He’s also made some great friends in the program.

Jenny wiley
Jenny Wiley

We have had a fabulous 5 years with Be Natural Music. My son has learned to play and perform a wide range of songs, including some originals, and has developed a livelong love of musicianship. Thank you to Matt, Sarah, and many of the other great teachers at Be Natural Music!

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Music Styles

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Rock

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Jazz

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Funk

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Classical

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Blues

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Metal

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Reggae

Frequently Asked Questions

For Private Lessons, an audition is not necessary. For our Real Rock Band program, though, an audition is an absolute.

If you have a poster to share with us we will sometimes put them up on our windows!

It is strongly recommended for any instrument you wish to take lessons in to have that same instrument available to you at home to practice! That being said, we house drumsets & keyboards here at our school for students taking lessons on those instruments; on all other instruments students are required to bring their own.

Yes! We offer Private Lessons in Bass, Guitar, Vocals, Ukulele, Piano, Percussion, & Saxophone.

It is strongly recommended for any instrument that you are taking lessons on to have that same instrument available to you at home to practice!

Now Serving in-Person & Online Classes

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Story of Be Natural Music,
Santa Cruz, CA

Be Natural Music was founded by Matthew Pinck AKA "yoga Matt" in the Fall of 1998. Matt drove all over the Santa Cruz county teaching piano, guitar, bass and more, before opening the BNM studio on Water St in 2016.

Since then, BNM has expanded into four lesson rooms, with over 12 bands and over 160 weekly students!

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Bnm santa cruz team

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