DEA Music & Art

What DEA Music & Art does

DEA Music & Art (legal entity DEA Music & Art Studio Inc.) is a privately held, founder-led multi-location music, arts, and academic enrichment school founded in 2003 in Staten Island by Magi Kapllani (Dizdari), a classically trained pianist with an M.M. from the University of Illinois. The company operates seven physical campuses across New York City (three in Staten Island, one in Manhattan's Financial District), New Jersey (Morristown, opened September 2025), and London, UK (Southwark Bridge Road and a Rotherhithe site run via partnership with Albion Primary School), and has been in business for more than 20 years.

The core product portfolio spans four pillars: (1) music lessons (piano, guitar, violin, drums, ukulele, vocals) and rock band programs (Rock Idol, Jammers, Rockers); (2) performing arts including musical theatre, the Sounds of Unity chorus, dance, and Pop Idol vocal programs; (3) visual arts ranging from traditional drawing and painting to iPad-based digital art; and (4) academics including chess, tutoring, and test prep for TACHS, SHSAT, SAT, and other competitive NYC exams. The technology layer is a hybrid online and in-studio instruction platform relying on standard video conferencing tools plus a digital art curriculum with iPad support; there is no proprietary AI or ML stack. Students have performed at Radio City Music Hall (opening for the Rockettes, December 2019) and Madison Square Garden (National Anthem, February 2020), and at least one student has cited DEA training as a factor in admission to Colgate University.

The business model is primarily direct-to-consumer subscription recurring revenue from monthly private and group lessons, supplemented by summer camp fees, tutoring and test prep session pricing, and a franchise licensing program that markets new territory opportunities to entrepreneurs. In-person trial classes are free, virtual trials are priced at $25, and ongoing lesson pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via phone (718-370-7733), website trial sign-ups, and walk-ins, with event-driven demand generation through high-profile student performances serving as marketing proof points. The company has no external institutional investors, no disclosed funding rounds, and no parent company.

Name

DEA Music & Art

Legal name

DEA Music & Art Studio Inc.

Website

https://deamusicandart.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

DEA Music & Art is a privately held, founder-led multi-location music, arts, and academic enrichment school operating seven campuses across New York City, New Jersey, and London, UK. It serves children and teens (ages 3-18) with private and group music lessons, performing arts, visual arts, chess, and test prep, offered via in-person studio classes and online/hybrid formats.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Music & Arts Education

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (61161), Fine Arts Schools (611610)

akta.pro primary industry

Performing Arts & Music Lessons (Dance, Drumming, Instrument Lessons, Theater) (THAJAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Online / Virtual Music Instruction & Platforms (EDAMANAI), Early Childhood Music Education (Ages 0–7) (EDAMANAD), Music Theory, Ear Training & Musicianship (EDAMANAF)

Keywords

• Music education
• Art instruction
• After-school enrichment
• Performing arts training
• Test preparation tutoring

Headquarters

HQ city

Staten Island

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Music and Art Lessons: Private and group lessons for instruments (piano, guitar, violin, drums, ukulele), voice, visual arts, dance, and musical theatre. Revenue generated through recurring lesson fees.
2. Academic Tutoring and Test Prep: Supplemental tutoring in math, English, and test preparation for TACHS, SHSAT, SAT, and specialized high school exams. Session-based pricing.
3. Summer Camp Programs: Full-day summer enrichment camps (Mozart & Einsteins Camp) offering music, visual arts, chess, and creative media activities during summer months.
4. Franchise Fees: Franchise partnership program allowing entrepreneurs to open DEA Music & Art studios in new territories, generating franchise fees and ongoing royalties.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

DEA Music & Art is a multi-location music, arts, and academic enrichment school teaching children and teens through private and group lessons in instruments (piano, guitar, violin, drums, ukulele), voice, rock band, musical theatre, chorus, dance, visual arts, digital art, chess, tutoring, and test preparation. Lessons are delivered in person at seven physical campuses and online, with students performing at prestigious venues including Radio City Music Hall and Madison Square Garden. The company also licenses its brand and curriculum through a franchise program.

Product overview

DEA Music & Art is a multi-location music, art, and academic enrichment school operating across NYC (Staten Island, Manhattan), New Jersey (Morristown), and London, UK. The core offering is organized around four program pillars: (1) Music Lessons — private and group instruction in piano, guitar, violin, drums, ukulele, and vocals, including rock band programs (Rock Idol, Jammers, Rockers) and Music Buddies group classes; (2) Performing Arts — Musical Theatre, Sounds of Unity Chorus, Dance (Ballet, Contemporary), and Pop Idol vocal programs; (3) Visual Arts — Jr. Artists, Artists (drawing, painting, mixed media), and Digital Art (iPad-based); and (4) Academics — Chess, Tutoring (Math, English), and Test Prep (TACHS, SHSAT, SAT, NYS exams). Additional offerings include a Pre-College/College Preparatory Division with AP Music Theory and scholarship guidance, a summer camp (Mozart & Einsteins Camp), and online/virtual classes. Students perform at world-class venues including Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, and The O2 (UK). The company operates a franchise model and has been in business since 2003.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Music Lessons (Piano, Guitar, Violin, Drums, Ukulele, Vocals) Private and group music lessons for all ages and skill levels covering piano, guitar, violin, drums, ukulele, and vocal instruction, available in-person and online.
• Rock Band Programs (Rock Idol, Jammers, Rockers) Age-differentiated rock band programs combining private instrument instruction with weekly group rehearsals, culminating in live stage performances. Programs include Rock Idol (ages 5+), Jammers (ages 3–5 with visual arts), and Rockers (ages 5–8).
• Musical Theatre Weekly group vocal and drama/choreography lessons for ages 4+ (Junior Broadway) and 7+ (Broadway), culminating in a full stage performance with choreography.
• Sounds of Unity Chorus Chorus program for children ages 5–16 featuring weekly group rehearsals, with students performing a cappella at venues including Radio City Music Hall (opening for the Rockettes in December 2019) and Madison Square Garden (National Anthem on February 17, 2020).
• Dance Classes (Ballet, Contemporary) Dance instruction in ballet (taught by RAD-certified instructors) and contemporary styles, open to all ages and ability levels.
• Visual Arts (Drawing, Painting, Mixed Media) Visual arts program covering drawing, painting, and mixed media, with offerings for Jr. Artists (ages 3–4), Artists (ages 5+), and custom curriculum for portfolio building.
• Digital Art Digital art courses covering art principles, drawing techniques, color theory, and digital software usage (iPad-based drawing programs), suitable for ages 5+.
• Chess Classes Chess instruction for beginners ages 6+ through advanced tournament-level players, covering rules, tactics, strategy, openings, endgames, and competitive play.
• Tutoring (Math, English, Homework Help) Personalized academic tutoring in math and English for elementary through high school students, including homework help and one-on-one or small group sessions of 45–60 minutes.
• Test Prep (TACHS, SHSAT, SAT, NYS Math & ELA, Hunter HS, 4th Grade Science) Specialized test preparation programs for TACHS, SHSAT, SAT, New York State Math & ELA, Hunter College High School, and 4th Grade Science exams, with customized study plans and full-length practice tests.
• Pre-College and College Preparatory Division College preparation programs including expert audition coaching, AP Music Theory classes for college credit, and scholarship application guidance for music students.
• Online / Virtual Classes Live virtual instruction across instruments (piano, guitar, violin, drums, ukulele), voice, musical theater, visual arts, and composition/theory, delivered by NYC-based instructors, with hybrid in-studio and online alternating-week options.
• Mozart & Einsteins Camp (Summer Camp) A full-day summer camp (ages 5–12, July–August) rotating through music, visual arts, chess, and creative media, with optional academic support and collaborative video projects every two weeks.
• Pop Idol Vocal program (ages 7+) combining weekly private vocal lessons with group rehearsal, culminating in a live stage performance.
• Music Buddies (Group Instrument Classes) Partner-based group lessons in piano, guitar, and violin for ages 4+, where students are paired for collaborative learning.
• DEA Music & Art Franchise Program Franchise partnership program allowing entrepreneurs to open DEA Music & Art studios in new territories, generating franchise fees and ongoing royalties, with comprehensive training and support and no musical background required.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students have performed at Radio City Music Hall (opening for Rockettes Christmas Spectacular) and Madison Square Garden (National Anthem)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Albion Primary SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn partnership with Albion Primary School, DEA Music & Art provides after-school and weekend music and art programs that nurture creativity and confidence. Located at Albion Street, Rotherhithe SE16 7JD.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Bach to Rock: U.S. music school franchise teaching piano, guitar, drums, vocals, and ensembles, with a similarly performance-oriented curriculum aimed at children and teens. Comparable franchise economics and program mix to DEA Music & Art.
• TakeLessons: Online and in-person music lessons marketplace connecting students with instructors across instruments and voice. Competes with DEA's virtual lesson offering and represents the digital-native alternative to studio-based learning.
• School of Rock: Largest franchise music education brand in the U.S., offering private lessons, group rehearsals, and performance-based learning across instruments. Most directly comparable to DEA on the franchise-driven music school model and performance-anchored curriculum.
• Music Together: Globally licensed early-childhood music education program (ages 0-7) delivered through franchised centers. Comparable to DEA's early-childhood music offerings and franchise/licensing distribution model, though focused on a narrower age band.

Regional players

• Turtle Bay Music School: NYC-based non-profit music school offering private and group lessons for children and adults, similar program structure to DEA but operating as a single Manhattan site rather than a multi-location franchise.

Emerging players

• Outschool: Online marketplace for live group classes including music, art, and test prep taught by independent instructors. Comparable to DEA's online music and arts classes and supplemental academic offerings, but as a broader multi-subject platform rather than a single-brand school.
• Berklee Online: Online music education platform from Berklee College of Music offering courses in instruments, production, and music theory. Represents the higher-end, credential-driven online alternative to DEA's online lesson offering.

Broad incumbents

• Yamaha Music School: Global music education brand offering group and private lessons across instruments with a franchise-like distribution model. Comparable to DEA on curriculum breadth and franchise-style expansion, though backed by a major instrument manufacturer.
• Third Street Music School Settlement: Oldest community music school in the U.S. (founded 1894), offering private lessons, ensembles, and performance opportunities in NYC. Overlaps with DEA's music instruction and performance-based curriculum in the same geography.
• Kaufman Music Center: Long-established NYC music education institution (founded 1952) offering private lessons, ensembles, and performance programs for children and adults. Overlaps directly with DEA's NYC offering but operates as a single-site nonprofit rather than a franchise model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCs-s6WvI_kMffGzlohBRvxA
• Facebookfacebook.com/deamusicandart
• Instagraminstagram.com/deamusicandart

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DEA Music & Art