SOL-LA

What SOL-LA does

SOL-LA Music Academy is a non-profit 501(c)(3) performing arts community school founded in 2007 and headquartered at 1812 Stanford Street in Santa Monica, California. It delivers comprehensive music education from early childhood through adulthood, with a horizontal segmentation across age cohorts (Early Childhood Ages 0–8, Elementary Grades 2–5, Middle School, High School) and a vertical mission-driven segment for underserved students served through the Lysy Fellowship and Bergmann Program. The institution's portfolio spans individual lessons (violin, viola, cello, bass, piano, voice, guitar, clarinet, flute, music theory, composition), age-banded group classes, a Chamber Music Institute, and the signature Bravura: Musical Expression & Wellness program for middle and high school students. Free community outreach operates through the SOL-LA Together program at Saint Anne School (since 2010) and through SMMUSD school partnerships.

The core delivery model is human-led music pedagogy combining Orff Schulwerk, Suzuki, and ensemble-based learning taught by 20+ professional performing artists drawn from top conservatories (Juilliard, USC, UCLA, Colburn, Pepperdine). Pricing is per-unit or per-semester: individual lessons at $55–$114 per session, group classes at $450–$600 per 15-week semester, Chamber Music Institute at $595–$895 per 14-week semester, and a $150 annual registration fee. The platform has no technology layer of consequence — no app, no API, no AI integration — and distribution is community-led through school partnerships, Google Forms-based enrollment, Acuity-scheduled phone consultations, and a free 30-minute trial lesson.

The go-to-market is community-led with a bifurcated revenue model: tuition and lesson fees (described as subscription/recurring) plus donations and sponsorships from foundations, municipal arts agencies, corporate sponsors, and individuals. Major donors include Herb Alpert Foundation, Colburn Foundation, and Joel Foundation at $25,000+ tiers; City of Santa Monica and LA County Department of Arts and Cultures at $10,000–$24,999; and a long tail of community sponsors. Need-based scholarships are a core operational feature, not a side benefit, with special provisions for families affected by the Palisades fire. The board includes high-profile entertainment figures (Hans Zimmer, James Newton Howard), which materially supports donor cultivation and brand positioning in the LA arts community.

Name

SOL-LA

Legal name

SOL-LA Music Academy

Website

https://sollamusicacademy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SOL-LA Music Academy is a non-profit 501(c)(3) performing arts community school in Santa Monica, California, founded in 2007, providing individual and group music instruction from early childhood through adulthood, including need-based scholarship programs for underserved students.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Music Education Services

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (61161), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Music Schools & Conservatory Prep (Pre-College) (EDAMANAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Private Music Lessons (Instrumental) (EDAMANAA), Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir) (EDAMANAC), Music Theory, Ear Training & Musicianship (EDAMANAF), Music Instruction (Instrumental & Vocal) (EDAMAAAE), Music (Instruments, Voice, Music Theory) (EDAAAGAC)

Keywords

• Music education
• Performing arts instruction
• Chamber music coaching
• Youth orchestra programs
• Community music school

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Monica

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Lesson Fees: Revenue from individual lessons, group classes, and chamber music institute. Billed per semester with per-lesson rates for individual instruction.
2. Donations and Sponsorships: Non-profit organization relying on generous support from donors, foundations, parents, teachers, and alumni to fund tuition subsidies and outreach programs.
3. Donor-Funded Scholarships: Need-based scholarships and free programs (Bergmann Program, Lysy Fellowship) funded through donor contributions to ensure access regardless of economic circumstances.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

SOL-LA Music Academy delivers in-person music instruction through individual lessons (violin, viola, cello, bass, piano, voice, guitar, clarinet, flute, music theory, composition), age-grouped group classes from early childhood through high school, the Chamber Music Institute, the Bravura holistic expression and wellness program, and donor-funded scholarship and outreach programs (Lysy Fellowship, Bergmann Program, SOL-LA Together). Programs are taught by professional performing artists at the Santa Monica campus and partner school sites, with tuition billed per semester plus an annual registration fee, and subsidized via need-based financial aid.

Product overview

SOL-LA Music Academy is a non-profit 501(c)(3) performing arts community school in Santa Monica, California offering comprehensive music education from early childhood through adulthood. The academy operates a platform of interconnected programs including: Individual Lessons (one-on-one instruction across violin, viola, cello, bass, piano, voice, guitar, clarinet, flute, and music theory); Group Classes organized by age level (Early Childhood 0-8, Elementary 2nd-5th, Middle School, High School); the Chamber Music Institute; signature Bravura wellness program; scholarship programs (Lysy Fellowship for underserved 2nd-12th graders, Bergmann Program for free lessons); and community outreach (SOL-LA Together at Saint Anne School). The institution provides financial aid and support services including mentorship, internship, and volunteer opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Individual Lessons One-on-one music instruction for Pre-K through adult students covering violin, viola, cello, double bass, piano, voice, guitar, clarinet, flute, music theory, and composition. Offered at 30, 45, and 60 minute durations.
• Early Childhood Programs (Ages 0-8) Age-appropriate music classes for infants, toddlers, and young children including Discover Music!, Explore Music!, Make Music!, Ready Set Music!, Piano Partners, Violin Starters, Cello Starters, and Children's Choir.
• Elementary School Programs (Grades 2-5) Group classes for elementary students including Junior Ensemble, Vocal Voyagers, Woodwind Ensemble, Music Theory Fundamentals I, and Guitar Fundamentals.
• Middle School Programs Middle school ensemble and theory offerings including Arco Ensemble, Music Theory Fundamentals I and II, and Bravura for Middle School (6th-8th grade).
• High School Programs Advanced high school programs including Senior Ensemble, Music Theory Intermediate II and Advanced, Chamber Music Institute, Roots Ensemble, and Bravura for High School (9th-12th grade).
• Chamber Music Institute 14-week chamber music coaching program with flexible scheduling, masterclasses with guest artists, performance opportunities through Upbeat Musicales, end-of-semester recitals, and community engagement performances. Open to students with 2+ years experience.
• Bravura: Musical Expression & Wellness Yearlong holistic education class for middle and high school students integrating theater improvisation, Timani method, movement and expression, musical improvisation, Alexander Technique, public speaking, and creative writing to build confidence and artistic expression.
• Lysy Fellowship Comprehensive tuition-free music education fellowship for 2nd-12th grade students from underserved communities, including private lessons, chamber music, ensemble participation, and music theory. Priority given to families with gross annual income under $98,000.
• Bergmann Program 18 free private music lessons for qualifying students in violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, clarinet, and voice, provided through the Peggy Bergmann Arts Endowment Fund.
• SOL-LA Together (Saint Anne School Partnership) Free music instruction and instruments for all TK-8th grade students at Saint Anne School in Santa Monica, including Orff Schulwerk, Music Appreciation, Strings, Chamber Music, and Orchestra classes.
• Financial Aid / Need-Based Scholarships Need-based scholarships awarded on a sliding scale for Fall and Spring semesters. Special provisions available for those affected by the Palisades fire.

Quantifiable outcome

• Free music instruction provided to all TK-8th grade students at Saint Anne School since 2010
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, minor and core.

• Saint Anne SchoolflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010SOL-LA has provided free comprehensive music instruction and instruments to all TK-8th grade students at Santa Monica's only Title I nonpublic school since 2010. Program includes Orff Schulwerk, Music Appreciation, Beginning and Intermediate Strings, Chamber Music, and full Orchestra. Students perform in live presentations each semester.
• Colburn SchoolminorOthersLogo sponsor listed on website supporting SOL-LA's mission.
• Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBergmann Program lessons offered through SMMUSD schools with SOL-LA faculty including SMMUSD teachers and coaches. Faculty includes district teachers.
• BroadStageminorOthersArts venue partner hosting SOL-LA community engagement performances and listed as sponsor.
• Delirium MusicumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConductorless ensemble co-founded by faculty member Mishkar Nunez-Fredell. Partners with Senior Ensemble for guest artist collaborations.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Community Music Center of San Francisco: Non-profit community music school in the Bay Area offering individual lessons, group classes, and scholarship-funded access programs. Comparable non-profit model serving a similar age range with tuition-and-donor hybrid revenue mix.
• Silverlake Conservatory of Music: Non-profit community music school in Los Angeles founded by Flea, offering individual and group lessons across instruments with a scholarship-driven access mission. Closest direct peer to SOL-LA in mission, geography, and non-profit funding model.

Emerging players

• Idyllwild Arts Academy: Residential arts high school in Idyllwild, California offering pre-college music training alongside other arts. Comparable in pre-college positioning and pedagogy but offers boarding rather than after-school/weekend programming.

Regional players

• LA Philharmonic Youth Orchestras (YOLA): LA Phil's youth orchestra program providing free ensemble-based music education to underserved LA-area students. Comparable in target demographic and access mission, with strong brand and resources that compete for the same donor and student pipelines.
• Young Musicians Foundation: Long-running LA non-profit providing music education and performance opportunities to Southern California youth. Comparable in regional footprint, non-profit access mission, and target demographic.

Broad incumbents

• Musicians Institute: For-profit music college in Hollywood offering performance and contemporary music programs. Competes for older SOL-LA students transitioning to college-level study in the LA market, though with a more contemporary/popular music focus.
• Colburn School: Major performing arts conservatory in downtown Los Angeles offering pre-college, conservatory, and community school programs. Direct geographic and program competitor and also a listed sponsor of SOL-LA; competes for the same donor pool and faculty.
• Music Academy of the West: Santa Barbara-based performing arts school offering pre-college summer programs and conservatory-style training. Comparable in pedagogical approach (Suzuki and classical training) but operates at significantly larger scale and serves a broader geographic catchment.
• New England Conservatory Prep: Pre-college and community music division of NEC offering individual instruction, ensembles, and theory across instruments. Comparable in curriculum structure and pre-college positioning, though serving a different regional market.

Others

• Berkeley Carroll School Music Program: Independent K-12 school in Brooklyn with strong in-house music program including Orff Schulwerk and ensemble offerings. Comparable in pedagogical mix but operates as part of a broader school rather than a standalone community music academy.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sollamusic
• Facebookfacebook.com/SOLLAMusic
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sollamusicacademy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 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 SOL-LA