Rachel SmithFinding the right teacher often makes or breaks your musical journey. If you’re looking for a creative outlet for a child or an adult ready to finally learn the guitar, finding the best music lessons in Indianapolis is essential.
However, the process takes some research because you need an environment that keeps you motivated and fits your busy schedule.
I remember moving between different studios for a long time before finding a setup that worked for me. To save you that hassle, I rounded up the top local spots. Read on for fantastic local schools to kick-off your musical journey!
How much does a music lesson cost in Indianapolis?
Music lessons in Indianapolis typically range from $30 to $100 per hour, with most students spending around $38 to $75 for a weekly session.
| Lesson Duration | Estimated Cost |
| 30-Minute Lesson | $35 – $50 |
| 45-Minute Lesson | $55 – $65 |
| 60-Minute Lesson | $70 – $100 |
1. Indianapolis Music Academy
Website: https://www.indylessons.com/
Address: 5703 S East St, Suite F
Contact: (317) 719-7020; [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday – Friday: 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Saturday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Keeping kids excited about practicing is a huge hurdle for most parents. Indianapolis Music Academy handles this well by using a fun reward system.
Students earn trophies and wristbands for hitting different milestones, which keeps them motivated. It’s also great that the studio has about 20 instructors, so you can schedule multiple children for simultaneous lesson slots.
There are also free recital opportunities offered here, which saves families from paying extra fees. A friend of mine enrolled her son and really appreciated the free annual photo day.
You can even schedule multiple family members at the same time because they have 20 instructors.
However, morning availability is essentially impossible, as lessons don’t start until mid-afternoon. Also, the southside location is a long commute for residents in the north.
Even so, the month-to-month flexibility and adult-friendly vibe make it a great choice.
It’s truly a one-of-a-kind
My sister and I have taken lessons for 6 years, and I wouldn’t dream of going anywhere else. We’ve found a family here, one that we can chat, jam out, and laugh with. Mr. Mike is a fantastic teacher and always makes his students smile. Indy Music Academy has a very relaxed, open atmosphere and environment while still pushing us students to work our hardest and perform our very best during performances. It’s truly a one-of-a-kind.
- Julianna Britt | Google Review
They definitely treat everyone like family
The entire team at Indianapolis Music Academy is amazing. We’ve had multiple teachers help us over our time there. Each teacher truly cares about there students and helps them with great music instruction. They definitely treat everyone like family. Our children have really enjoyed their time there and have made a lot of progress in their music abilities. They even helped us form a band, which has been a lot of fun and a great learning experience. Thanks Indianapolis Music Academy!
- Dan and Grace Lewis | Google Review
2. Azmyth School of Music Technology
Website: http://azmythmusictech.com/
Address: 5130 Brouse Ave
Contact: (317) 281-3670; [email protected]
Hours: Available 24/7
Breaking into the audio production industry really takes hands-on experience. Azmyth School of Music Technology solves this by using a one-on-one apprenticeship model.
They pair you directly with active industry mentors so you can learn in a real setting.
Students even earn professional credits by shadowing engineers who work with high-profile artists. The instructors have great credibility because they have worked with major stars.
During the 20-week program, students even receive a perpetual copy of the latest Pro Tools software. I sat in on a session recently and was impressed by the unlimited learner access to professional analog consoles.
Just keep in mind that they don’t offer instrument instruction. You also have to handle large tuition payments instead of monthly fees.
Still, the studio access makes this a top choice for aspiring music producers.
The instructors are very passionate
This school has really helped me find a career that I love. The instructors are very passionate about what they do and it shows in what comes out of this place. The instructors also give each student a lot of one on one time with really helps with my ADD. Overall I would definitely recommend this school to anyone that is interested in music.
- Michael Brand | Google Review
Amazing program!
Amazing program!! The teachers & mentors were amazing in helping me learn real-world audio engineering skills based on my style & interest. I was able to run paying studio sessions on my own before I had finished the 20-week program!
- Levi Townsend | Google Review
3. Bongo Boy Music School
Website: http://www.bongoboymusicschool.com/
Address: 8481 Bash St # 1100
Contact: (317) 595-9065; [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Managing stress through creativity offers incredible benefits for everyone. Bongo Boy Music School embraces this through specialized drumming workshops designed for trauma recovery and wellness.
They partner closely with REMO to provide top-tier instruments for massive community drum circles. They even have mobile events, which are great for corporate retreats and pair perfectly with local catering or a game of laser tag.
For students headed to college, they offer recording services for university auditions. A dedicated office manager handles all the billing, so teachers can focus on the music.
Just note that they recently lost their main physical building, so group sessions are held off-site. Also, production students have a 60-minute minimum, which increases the cost.
Despite these changes, their focus on recreation and health creates a positive atmosphere that makes learning to drum a really great experience.
This place is Magic
This place is Magic ✨️ Me and a group of mom friends were traveling with our 6 kiddos and reached out to Bongo Boy. Lisa, who was so helpful, organized a little class for our group on our last day visiting Indy. Parents and kiddos sat in a circle, learned rhythms, danced, laughed and got creative for an hour. What a fun and unique session that brought us together as a group! I highly recommend you visit Bongo Boy and experience it for yourself. We all thought Lisa’s class was the highlight of our trip!
- Melissa Angst | Google Review
Excellent music school!
Excellent music school! My son has lessons with Ben. He has been a great mentors for my son. He structures lessons around his interest to teach the appropriate skills, he assists him in structuring reasonable goals for improvement and he always exudes a passion for music that engages my son in exploring new possibilities. It’s a bit of a drive for us but completely worth the education and connections.
- Dawn Lambert | Google Review
4. Vibe Music Academy
Website: http://vibemusicacademy.com/
Address: 550 Congressional Blvd, Suite 350, Carmel
Contact: (317) 395-3001
Hours:
- Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Developing a lasting musical identity requires focused, personalized guidance. Vibe Music Academy uses a holistic approach to build well-rounded artists by connecting you with an elite network of active professionals.
You can also control the learning environment, as you can choose between your own living room and a teacher’s private studio. Busy parents love skipping the commute because expert instructors travel directly to their homes.
Students build real confidence through four distinct performance recitals hosted throughout the year.
Another plus is their centralized billing system, which removes any awkward payment handoffs at the end of a session.
Just keep in mind that travel fees fluctuate depending on the specific instructor you hire. You might also struggle to book popular teachers due to high demand.
However, the overall flexibility is a major benefit for families with very busy schedules.
So impressed with Vibe Music Academy!
Our family has been so impressed with Vibe Music Academy! John and his crew have gone out of their way to learn about my son and his interests so when my son was introduced to guitar, he was able to learn and play music that he already enjoys listening to. John is a gifted musician but also highly skilled at teaching. He works well with families and has a flexible schedule. He is fair but firm with students and I highly recommend Vibe Music Academy!
- Martin Strother | Google Review
John makes lessons fun and productive
Vibe Music Academy has been a great environment for my children to learn. They love their lessons each week and the recitals help keep them excited and motivated to practice! John makes lessons fun and productive. My children have really grown not only in their ability with their instruments, but also their love for music. I highly recommend Vibe Music Academy!
- Kelly Steffen | Google Review
5. Indianapolis Suzuki Academy
Website: https://www.indysuzukiacademy.org/
Address: 3959 Central Avenue
Contact: (317) 296-5258
Hours: Contact for schedule details
Young children learn music best when they absorb it naturally, as they do with their native language. The Indianapolis Suzuki Academy achieves this through a close partnership between teachers and families.
As a non-profit organization, they prioritize early character development and start instrumental study for children as young as three. These kids develop incredible ear-training skills before they ever look at sheet music.
A standout thing here is that they even offer instruction for less common instruments like the harp.
It’s worth noting that every student must attend a weekly private lesson along with a mandatory group class.
Just keep in mind that this method takes a big time commitment. Parents must attend every session and supervise daily practice.
The curriculum also avoids pop and rock, so it may not appeal to older students seeking modern genres. Even so, it builds a very strong classical foundation.
The Indianapolis Suzuki Academy has been great
The Indianapolis Suzuki Academy has been great for our little girl. She started at 2 and is now 3. She sings songs, dances, plays instruments and is learning basic theory (wether she knows it or not). She is excited to learn more and sings the songs and dances the routines all week in anticipation of her next class. I can not recommend the academy highly enough.
- Jim Kincaid | Google Review
