MakeMusic, Inc.

What MakeMusic, Inc. does

MakeMusic, Inc. is a private K-12 music education technology company headquartered in Louisville, Colorado, founded in 1990 and operating with 51–100 employees. The company's core product is MakeMusic Cloud, a cloud-based SaaS platform evolved from its predecessor SmartMusic, which serves music educators and students in elementary, middle, and high school band, orchestra, choir, and general music programs, with secondary relationships into school districts and fine arts administrators across the United States. The platform combines a 24,000+ title interactive sheet music catalog with practice tools, customizable sight-reading exercises, automated pitch and rhythm assessment, classroom management, and grade pass-back rostering that synchronizes with Google Classroom, Canvas, and Schoology LMS systems.

The revenue model is subscription-based with three tiers: a free individual tier with limited catalog access, a Classroom Pro annual subscription priced at $39.99 per teacher and $13.99 per student with volume discounts above 20 subscriptions, and custom-priced organization contracts for districts and schools with 100+ subscriptions that include white-glove onboarding and multi-year terms. Distribution mixes a product-led growth motion—self-service signup, 14-day individual and 90-day classroom trials, and a free standalone tuner acquisition tool—with an enterprise sales motion for large school districts. Marketing relies on educational content marketing (blog, newsletter, Cloud Academy, video tutorials, events) and organic social across Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

MakeMusic supplements its core platform through licensing partnerships with major music publishers including Alfred Music, Disney, Warner Bros., Suzuki, and FJH Music Company, plus branded content such as The Foundations Series by Brian Balmages and the Sound Innovations method series. The company has executed two acquisitions—Weezic in 2015 and Upbeat Music App in 2022—to broaden functionality, and continues to expand its module set with products including the Compose notation tool, Advanced Analytics, and the Dori gamified practice companion. No external funding has been disclosed since a 2001 round of $1.5M, suggesting self-funded or cash-flow-positive operations.

Name

MakeMusic, Inc.

Legal name

MakeMusic, Inc.

Website

https://makemusic.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

MakeMusic, Inc. operates MakeMusic Cloud, a cloud-based K-12 music education SaaS platform combining 24,000+ interactive sheet music titles, automated pitch and rhythm assessment, and LMS-integrated classroom tools for music educators, students, and school districts in the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Music Education Software

NAICS

Music Publishers (51223)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Online / Virtual Music Instruction & Platforms (EDAMANAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Music Education & Practice Software (Ear training, tutors, metronome tools) (MPAIAIAJ), Cloud Collaboration & Remote Recording Platforms (MPAIAIAD)

Keywords

• Music education software
• Interactive sheet music
• Music practice platform
• K-12 music learning
• Music assessment tools

Headquarters

HQ city

Louisville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Subscription - Individual Free Tier: Free tier providing limited Music Catalog access to individuals. Converts users to paid tiers through feature limitations and trial experiences.
2. Subscription - Classroom Pro: Annual subscription for educators and students with full catalog access, classroom tools, and LMS integration. Priced per teacher and per student with volume discounts for 20+ subscriptions.
3. Subscription - Organizations: Custom pricing for districts, schools, or multiple classrooms with 100+ subscriptions, including bulk discounts and white-glove support.
4. Print Add-on: Print add-on available for physical sheet music purchases alongside digital access.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

MakeMusic Cloud is a cloud-based music education platform that delivers interactive sheet music, sight reading tools, automated pitch and rhythm assessment, dynamic professional accompaniments, and classroom management features for K-12 music programs. The platform provides a library of 24,000+ interactive titles and integrates with LMS systems such as Google Classroom, Canvas, and Schoology for rostering and grade pass-back.

Product overview

MakeMusic Cloud is a unified cloud-based platform for K-12 music education that combines a comprehensive music catalog (24,000+ interactive titles), practice tools with professional accompaniments, Sight Reading Studio for customizable exercises, classroom management with grading automation, and Advanced Analytics. The platform integrates with LMS systems like Google Classroom, Schoology, and Canvas. Key modules include Compose (notation creator), The Foundations Series by Brian Balmages, and Sound Innovations. A practice companion named Dori gamifies the learning experience. Formerly known as SmartMusic, the platform evolved from desktop software to a modern web-based experience.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SmartMusic: Original platform name that MakeMusic Cloud evolved from, a music education software known for interactive practice tools and accompaniments
• Dori

Products and services

• MakeMusic Cloud Comprehensive cloud-based music education platform combining interactive sheet music, practice tools, automated assessment, and classroom management for K-12 music programs. Formerly known as SmartMusic.

Quantifiable outcome

• 200+ hours saved annually on grading feedback
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.

• Make-A-Wish FoundationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 October 2025Alfred Music and composer Brian Balmages partnered with Make-A-Wish Foundation to release 'The Gift of Giving,' a special composition with proceeds funding wishes for children with critical illnesses.
• Alfred MusiccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlfred Music is featured as a major publisher in the MakeMusic Cloud catalog, contributing music from popular franchises like Harry Potter, Taylor Swift, Super Mario, and Barbie. Brian Balmages serves as Composer & Director of Digital Education for both Alfred and MakeMusic.
• DisneycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDisney music catalog is featured in MakeMusic Cloud, including titles from Frozen, The Little Mermaid, Tangled, Encanto, Moana, and other Disney franchises available as interactive sheet music.
• Warner Bros.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWarner Bros. music catalog available in MakeMusic Cloud, including Super Mario titles and other entertainment properties.
• SuzukimajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSuzuki method books are included in the catalog, including Suzuki Cello School volumes in multiple international editions.
• FJH Music CompanymajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFJH Music Company is featured as a publisher in the catalog, contributing educational music for band, orchestra, and general music.
• Google ClassroomcoreTechnology or IntegrationMakeMusic Cloud integrates with Google Classroom for LMS rostering and grade pass-back functionality.
• CanvascoreTechnology or IntegrationMakeMusic Cloud integrates with Canvas LMS for roster sync and assignment management.
• SchoologycoreTechnology or IntegrationMakeMusic Cloud integrates with Schoology LMS for roster synchronization and grade management.
• MusicFirstminorOthersMusicFirst is a competing music education platform compared in feature comparisons on the MakeMusic website.
• MuseClass (Hal Leonard/Muse Group)minorOthersFollowing MuseClass discontinuation by Hal Leonard and Muse Group, MakeMusic Cloud positioned itself to support transitioning educators with migration tools and similar functionality.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Dorico (Steinberg): Professional notation software from a major music technology incumbent, competing with Finale and increasingly relevant in education contexts.
• Sibelius (Avid Technology): Professional music notation software that competes with MakeMusic's Finale product; a large, established player in music notation with broader pro/education footprint.

Others

• JW Pepper: Major sheet music retailer whose Editor's Choice awards lend credibility to MakeMusic's catalog and whose customer base overlaps with music educators purchasing MakeMusic subscriptions.
• Alfred Music: Major music educational publisher and strategic MakeMusic partner; deeply intertwined through content licensing and shared leadership (Brian Balmages), serving as both supplier and brand within the MakeMusic family.

Emerging players

• Soundtrap (Spotify for Education): Cloud music creation platform with education edition, competing for the same school music budgets with collaborative recording and music-making tools.
• BandLab for Education: Free, cloud-based music creation platform used widely in schools, competing for student engagement and classroom adoption in the same K-12 music segments.
• Flat (formerly Noteflight): Cloud-based music notation and collaboration platform with education tier, competing in adjacent notation and classroom use cases with MakeMusic's Compose and Finale products.

Direct peers

• SmartMusic (legacy brand): The previous-generation platform that MakeMusic Cloud evolved from — listed here as a directional reference for the platform's heritage and installed base continuity.
• MusicFirst: Direct competitor offering K-12 music education software with classroom management, assessment, and digital curriculum tools — MakeMusic explicitly compares itself feature-for-feature against MusicFirst on its website.
• Quaver Music: K-12 music curriculum and interactive platform serving the same school district buyer with similar content, practice, and assessment functionality.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCrKzEPZQOKSGAQtE1UrfizA
• Facebookfacebook.com/makemusicinc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/makemusicinc
• Instagraminstagram.com/makemusic_cloud
• Xx.com/MakeMusicInc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors9 records

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

M&A2 records

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about MakeMusic, Inc.