EM&T - Escola de Música e Tecnologia

What EM&T - Escola de Música e Tecnologia does

EM&T - Escola de Música e Tecnologia is a São Paulo, Brazil-based music education institution headquartered in a ~3,000 square-meter, five-floor facility near the São Judas metro station. Originally founded in 1988 as IG&T (Instituto de Guitarra e Tecnologia) by legendary Brazilian guitarist Wander Taffo, the school was transformed in 1997 into EM&T and broadened from a guitar-only curriculum to comprehensive music and audio technology education. Since Taffo's death in May 2008, the school has continued to operate under new leadership while preserving his proprietary methodology and exclusive workbooks, which have earned five international quality certifications including ISO 9001 and ISO 27001. As of the current period, EM&T serves more than 22,000 cumulative alumni and offers a portfolio that spans instrument courses (guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, vocals, ukulele, acoustic guitar), technology programs (audio technician, music production, guitar tech), band practice, intensive short courses on third-party platforms (Amplitube, TONEX, Laney effects), and the IA&T sub-brand for audio and technology training.

The company's product surface is organized as a unified, modular curriculum with progressive B1/B2/M1-M8 levels and is delivered primarily in person through D2C enrollment (children, youth, and adults of all skill levels) with a structured pipeline from free experimental classes to recurring weekly tuition. Equipment and curriculum credibility are reinforced through a 30+ partner brand stack (Fender, Gibson, Roland, Korg, Avid, IK Multimedia, Adam Audio, SSL, Tascam, Pearl, Tama, Meinl, Sabian, JBL, Orange, Vox, Peavey, and Brazilian brands including Tagima, Giannini, Santo Angelo, Fuhrmann, Memphis, and Nagano, among others), Avid Pro Tools 101/110 international certification integration, and recurring international-artist workshops (Steve Vai, Paul Gilbert, Joe Satriani, Guthrie Govan, Billy Sheehan, Dave Weckl, Steve Gadd, Andy Timmons, Scott Henderson, Simon Phillips).

Revenue is generated through three primary streams: recurring module-based instrument and technology tuition (the largest line), one-off intensive short courses priced at R$249 for enrolled students and R$299 for non-students, and a methodology licensing program in which partner music schools pay a monthly fee plus workbook costs to deliver the EM&T curriculum under license across Brazil. Marketing relies on brand reputation, word-of-mouth, international-artist workshops, and direct WhatsApp-led enrollment, with notable alumni — Kiko Loureiro (Angra), Rafael Bittencourt (Ultraje a Rigor), Edu Ardanuy (Dr. Sin), and Eloy Casagrande (Sepultura) — reinforcing premium positioning.

Name

EM&T - Escola de Música e Tecnologia

Legal name

EM&T - Escola de Música e Tecnologia

Website

https://emt.com.br

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

EM&T is a São Paulo-based music education institution offering instrument and audio technology courses under a proprietary methodology developed by founder Wander Taffo. It serves students of all ages and skill levels through recurring tuition and licenses its methodology to partner schools across Brazil.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Music Education

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (61161), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Music Instruction (Instrumental & Vocal) (EDAMAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Music Theory, Ear Training & Musicianship (EDAMANAF), Music Exam Prep & Certification (ABRSM, Trinity, RCM, AP Music Theory) (EDAMANAJ), Audio Plugins & Virtual Instruments (VST/AU/AAX) (MPAIAIAB)

Keywords

• Music education
• Instrument instruction
• Audio production training
• Music school licensing
• Guitar and drums courses

Headquarters

HQ city

São Paulo

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Music Course Tuition: EM&T generates revenue primarily through tuition fees for its music courses including guitar, drums, vocals, keyboard, bass, ukulele, guitar tech, and music production. Courses are structured in modules with weekly lessons.
2. Licensed School Program: EM&T licenses its methodology to other music schools,收取月费和 workbook 费用. Schools receive exclusive workbooks, the award-winning methodology, and authorization to use the EM&T brand and prestige.
3. Intensive Courses: Short, intensive update courses on specific topics (Amplitude, Tonex, Laney effects) priced at R$ 299 for non-students and R$ 249 for EM&T students, with 2h30 duration and maximum 5 students per class.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

EM&T is a São Paulo-based music school delivering in-person, modular group and individual lessons in guitar, bass, drums, vocals, keyboard, ukulele, and acoustic guitar, plus technology-focused programs in audio engineering, music production, and guitar maintenance. All courses are structured around a proprietary teaching methodology developed by founder Wander Taffo and supported by exclusive per-module workbooks, with pathway programs that culminate in Avid Pro Tools 101/110 international certification for the Audio Technician track and AI-driven tone modeling (AmpliTube, TONEX) for intensive courses.

Product overview

EM&T - Escola de Música e Tecnologia is a music education institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of courses organized as a unified platform with specialized modules. The core offering includes instrument courses (Guitar, Drums, Vocals, Keyboard, Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Ukulele) and technology-focused courses (Audio Technician, Music Production, Guitar Tech). The platform is enhanced by supplementary programs including Band Practice sessions, intensive short courses (Amplitube, TONEX, Laney effects), and a licensing program for schools adopting the EM&T methodology. The institution also incorporates IA&T (Instituto de Áudio e Tecnologia) as a sub-brand for audio technology training. All courses utilize EM&T's proprietary award-winning methodology with exclusive workbooks, taught by professional musicians in a modern facility equipped with partner-brand instruments and audio equipment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Curso de Guitarra (Electric Guitar Course) Electric guitar course for beginners, intermediate, and advanced students using EM&T's award-winning methodology. Weekly group sessions of 1h20 with up to 5 students per class, structured across 3 levels (B1-B2 iniciante, M1-M5 intermediário, M6-M8 avançado).
• Curso de Bateria (Drums Course) Drum course for beginners, intermediate, and advanced players using EM&T's award-winning methodology. Structured across 3 progressive levels (B1-B2 iniciante, M1-M4 intermediário, M5-M6 avançado).
• Curso de Canto (Vocal Course) Vocals course available for beginners, intermediate, and advanced singers with modular group classes (up to 5 students, 1h20 per class) or individual personal sessions (45 minutes). Levels: iniciante (B1, B2) and intermediário (M1-M4).
• Curso de Teclado (Keyboard/Piano Course) Keyboard/piano course for beginners, intermediate, and advanced students using EM&T's award-winning methodology. Group classes of up to 4 students in weekly 1h20 sessions across 3 levels (B1-B2 iniciante, M1-M4 intermediário, M5-M6 avançado).
• Curso de Violão (Acoustic Guitar Course) Acoustic guitar course for beginners, intermediate, and advanced levels using EM&T's award-winning methodology. 7 semester modules across 3 levels (B1-B2 iniciante, I1-I2 intermediário, M1-M3 avançado).
• Curso de Baixo (Bass Guitar Course) Bass guitar course for beginners, intermediate, and advanced players using EM&T's award-winning methodology. 10 semester modules across 3 levels (B1-B2 iniciante, M1-M5 intermediário, M6-M8 avançado).
• Curso de Ukulele (Ukulele Course) Ukulele course offered as part of EM&T's instrument training portfolio.
• Técnico em Áudio (Audio Technician Course) Intensive 6-month audio technician course meeting 4 times per week, totaling 320 hours of training. Includes Avid Pro Tools 101 and 110 international certification, 50% discount on Pro Tools software, professional studio practice, and career placement preparation including DRT certification.
• Produção Musical (Music Production Course) Music production course delivered in two 6-month modules meeting once weekly for 1h30. Trains students as audio producers for recording studios, radio, TV, internet, cinema, and advertising, plus live sound engineering. Module 1: recording, virtual instruments, beats, basic editing/mix. Module 2: advanced mixing, mastering, and live sound.
• Guitar Tech (Guitar Maintenance & Technology Course) 4-month guitar maintenance and tech course teaching conservation, maintenance, regulation, and evaluation of guitars, including basic luthiery concepts. Weekly practical group sessions of 1h20 with maximum 6 students per class.
• Curso Intensivo - AmpliTube (IK Multimedia Intensive) Intensive 2h30 course on IK Multimedia's AmpliTube software featuring 420 equipment models including amplifiers, speakers, cabinets, pedals, rack effects, microphones, and rooms developed with major brands and artists including Fender, Mesa/Boogie, Slash, Brian May, and Joe Satriani. R$299 for non-students, R$249 for EM&T students.
• Curso Intensivo - TONEX (IK Multimedia Intensive) Intensive 2h30 course on IK Multimedia's TONEX ecosystem featuring ultra-realistic modeling of iconic equipment using AI Machine Modeling technology, with access to the ToneNET community for tone sharing. R$299 for non-students, R$249 for EM&T students.
• Curso Intensivo - Efeitos Laney (Laney Effects Intensive) Intensive 2h30 course on guitar effects including gain, modulation, ambience, dynamics, tone, and pitch effects, with signal chain optimization and effect order guidance, partnered with Music Company for Laney amplifiers and effects. R$299 for non-students, R$249 for EM&T students.
• Licenciamento de Metodologia EM&T (EM&T Methodology Licensing Program) Licensing program allowing other music schools to adopt EM&T's award-winning methodology, exclusive workbooks, and institutional prestige. Monthly fee plus cost of workbooks; includes exclusive workbooks, the award-winning methodology, and elevated school positioning under the EM&T brand.

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Nelson FariacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with renowned guitarist Nelson Faria for teacher certification program. Focuses on training guitarists to enter the professional music market with emphasis on teaching skills.
• IK MultimediacoreTechnology or IntegrationSoftware and hardware technology partner for intensive courses on AmpliTube and Tonex. JC Wallace serves as Brazil Marketing Coordinator for IK Multimedia. Courses include Amplitube (420 equipment models) and Tonex (AI Machine Modeling technology).
• Music CompanycoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for intensive courses on Laney amplifiers and effects. Provides courses on gain effects, modulation, ambience, dynamics, tonality and pitch effects.
• Royal MusicminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMusic store and retailer distributing Fender, Gibson, Orange, and Zoom products.
• Turbo MusicminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMusic equipment retailer distributing products.
• Music CompanyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMusic equipment retailer and distributor.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• School of Rock: Largest music education franchise globally, focused on ensemble-based instrument instruction for children and adults with proprietary performance-based methodology. Comparable to EM&T in combining instrument instruction, band practice, and franchise/licensing expansion.
• Musicians Institute (MI): Hollywood-based music college specializing in guitar and contemporary instrument instruction with industry-aligned curriculum and faculty of working professionals. Closely comparable to EM&T's guitar, bass, drums, and audio-production focus.
• Los Angeles College of Music (LACM): Private music college offering performance, production, and music industry programs with structured progression and professional faculty. Mirrors EM&T's instrument-plus-production curriculum model.
• Berklee College of Music: Globally renowned music school offering structured programs in instruments, production, and music technology with proprietary methodology. Comparable to EM&T in mission—professional music education with tiered curriculum and industry partnerships—though at vastly larger scale.

Others

• MasterClass: Premium online education platform featuring celebrity musicians (e.g., Yo-Yo Ma, Carlos Santana) teaching music and creativity. Adjacent threat that captures aspirational learners who might otherwise pursue structured instruction at EM&T.

Emerging players

• TrueFire: Online guitar education platform with video courses from working professional musicians. Comparable to EM&T in positioning on professional musicians as teachers; competes asynchronously across geographies EM&T wants to reach.
• Fender Play: Fender's official online video-based guitar, bass, and ukulele lesson subscription. Direct overlap with EM&T's guitar/acoustic/bass/ukulele beginner courses; threatens self-directed learners EM&T might otherwise convert to in-person enrollment.
• Yousician: Subscription-based online platform for guitar, bass, ukulele, piano, and vocals with gamified, self-paced lessons. Competes for the same Brazilian beginner-to-intermediate learners that form EM&T's pipeline, especially tech-savvy younger students.

Regional players

• Conservatório Dramático e Musical de São Paulo: Historic São Paulo music institution offering classical and contemporary music instruction across instruments. Most direct Brazilian/regional competitor with similar geographic reach and aspirational positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Yamaha Music School: Global music education network operated by Yamaha with structured group classes across many instruments. Overlaps with EM&T in structured instrument instruction and brand-partner-driven instruments (keyboards, drums) but operates at global scale with corporate backing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/emt_brasil
• Facebookfacebook.com/EMTBRASIL
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/emtbrasil

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 EM&T - Escola de Música e Tecnologia