The Bright Ivory is one of the most sought-after music schools in and around Johannesburg that offers private music lessons for a variety of instruments, including piano, guitar, violin, and voice.

Many prefer this music school because they’re considered to have the biggest team of the most qualified teaching faculty. We love how each instructor is a seasoned musician who boasts years of experience in teaching and performing the violin.

Another feature we love about this school is it prides itself on providing a supportive and personalised approach to music education. Their instructors are very hands-on in teaching both the practicals and the theories behind playing instruments.

The Bright Ivory also caters to a wide spectrum of learners – both young and old, amateurs and those seeking refreshers. 

They have a spacious studio in the heart of Fourways and have recently opened another branch in Centurion. They also offer online lessons for those who prefer to learn from the comfort of their own homes, which is a plus for us.

We also love how the enrolment is open all year round and students aren’t pressured to sign contracts about their learning schedule. Their application process is very convenient too and can quickly be accomplished online.

Aside from providing high-quality services, The Bright Ivory is also very in-demand for its affordable tuition fees. They offer monthly subscription rates depending on the duration of lessons (30, 45, and 60-minute lessons), which cost R 980 to R 1400.

Nonetheless, it’s worth noting that we found getting ahold of The Bright Ivory challenging, which isn’t ideal, especially in attracting potential students.

Play Music is a small and rising music centre that aims to teach its students high-quality music education, and fast. They’re dedicated to improving their curriculum and training to make sure that students can play along to their first song within 30 days or fewer.

The school offers private and group lessons in various instruments, including violin, piano, guitar, drums, and vocals. Play Music is set apart from other music schools because they operate entirely online. 

They don’t really have a physical address and all their lessons are done online, which obviously has both pros and cons. One con for learners is it’s definitely more challenging to follow lessons compared to face-to-face, especially for beginners.

Play Music is well-staffed with a team of experienced and dedicated music teachers who use a range of teaching methods to cater to individual student needs and learning styles. 

Previous students also commend their instructors for their expertise and for being very accommodating.

In addition to lessons, the school hosts regular student concerts and events to showcase the progress and talents of their students, which we appreciate.

As for their rates, it really depends on how often you want to meet with your instructor and how long your sessions are. Their basic package, which is one 30-minute lesson per week, costs R 720 per month, which is affordable.

If there’s anything we think Play Music needs to improve on, it’s their communication. 

It’s dispiriting to hear that a few of their previous students, as well as potential clients, complain about how they often receive late responses to their inquiries.

If you’re looking for a music school to learn how to play the violin, especially for worshipping God, Spades for Kings might be the right fit for you.

They’re very big supporters of letting individuals get creative and the school aims to provide a safe space for expression, which we admire. 

The school is also known for its modern and innovative approach to music education and its focus on empowering students to become confident musicians.

Spades for Kings offers music classes for individuals, groups, schools and ministries for a wide range of musical instruments including the violin, piano, guitar, saxophone, and more.

We also like how comprehensive their curricula are. Spades for King ensures that each student is exposed to different styles and genres of music and has a strong foundation in musical techniques, music theory, and ear training.

Furthermore, they also offer supplementary lessons for those interested in songwriting, vocal development, music production and the arts. They’re also often partnered with ministries and religious groups to empower their musical expression and worship.

Spades for Kings has gained a reputation as a dynamic and spiritual music school and is a popular choice for beginning musicians in and around Johannesburg.

Take note, though, that the school is highly sought-after and slots fill up pretty quickly, so we suggest looking up the enrollment schedule in advance to secure a spot.

It’s also worth emphasising that this music school is mostly focused on religion and worship, and this is heavily reflected in their mission and teaching methods, and some students may not be comfortable with that.

The Paul Music Academy is another popular choice for aspiring violinists. They offer music lessons for a variety of instruments, including guitar, piano, violin, and voice lessons. 

Just recently, the academy also started to offer its new worship syllabus with three levels. This is great for those who want to learn how to play the violin as an expression of their faith.

Another feature we value is how the school offers its services to both children and adults of all skill levels, from beginner to advanced. 

They also provide lessons on-site and online, making learning very accessible even to those who are based outside Joburg. 

We also met with some of The Paul Music Academy’s instructors, and we’re impressed with their background and expertise. Many of their previous students also commend their mentors for their skills and for being patient with students at all times.

Although The Paul Music Academy has a smaller team of experts compared to other music schools in the area, we’re impressed with how well they manage to handle even big groups of learners.

Nonetheless, the subpar teacher-student ratio may pose challenges for both parties from time to time.

Another reason why we included this music school on our list is because of its well-designed curriculum. We like that the lessons they give out are designed to be engaging and fun, while also ensuring that students make progress.

Our favourite thing about this music school, though, is their competitive rates for music lessons. Their group classes are only priced at R 299 per month, which is the lowest monthly tuition rate we have encountered.

There are minor complaints about The Paul Music Academy’s inactive representatives, though. We’re told a few of their past students found it difficult to get hold of the school for inquiries and requests, which isn’t ideal.

The Shine School of Music is a small but up-and-rising music school in Randburg. They’re known for being passionate teachers and for providing a supportive and encouraging environment for students to learn and develop their musical skills.

We like how the school is led by a group of highly qualified and experienced teachers who are passionate about music and teaching. We’re told the instructors are very hands-on in handling students, especially the newbies, and we appreciate that.

The Shine School of Music offers foundation and training for several instruments, one of which is the violin. They also offer music theory and composition lessons.

We also like how the school is very welcoming to all kinds of learners. Their music lessons are available for individuals and groups for students of all ages and skill levels.

They also offer value-added services like assistance in preparing for music exams, as well as opportunities for students to participate in recitals and performances, which is awesome. 

However, take note that the Shine School of Music does not accept walk-in enrollees, so interested students really have to set an appointment and register in advance. 

Also, this school also has shorter operational hours compared to other music schools that offer their services even on weekends.