MakeMusic, Inc.
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1990
- HeadquartersLouisville, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
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.
MakeMusic, Inc. firmographics
Firmographics- 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
MakeMusic, Inc. industry classification
Industry- 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
Where MakeMusic, Inc. is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Louisville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
MakeMusic, Inc. business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Subscription - Individual Free Tier: Free tier providing limited Music Catalog access to individuals. Converts users to paid tiers through feature limitations and trial experiences.
- 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.
- Subscription - Organizations: Custom pricing for districts, schools, or multiple classrooms with 100+ subscriptions, including bulk discounts and white-glove support.
- Print Add-on: Print add-on available for physical sheet music purchases alongside digital access.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Annual | Free individual access with limited features |
| Subscription | Annual | Full-featured classroom subscription for teachers and students |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Custom enterprise pricing for districts and large organizations |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
MakeMusic, Inc. product offering
Product offeringCore 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
Companies that use MakeMusic, Inc.
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
MakeMusic, Inc. technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature6 records
MakeMusic, Inc. partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.
- Make-A-Wish FoundationminorAlfred 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 MusiccoreAlfred 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.
- DisneycoreDisney 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.coreWarner Bros. music catalog available in MakeMusic Cloud, including Super Mario titles and other entertainment properties.
- SuzukimajorSuzuki method books are included in the catalog, including Suzuki Cello School volumes in multiple international editions.
- FJH Music CompanymajorFJH Music Company is featured as a publisher in the catalog, contributing educational music for band, orchestra, and general music.
- Google ClassroomcoreMakeMusic Cloud integrates with Google Classroom for LMS rostering and grade pass-back functionality.
- CanvascoreMakeMusic Cloud integrates with Canvas LMS for roster sync and assignment management.
- SchoologycoreMakeMusic Cloud integrates with Schoology LMS for roster synchronization and grade management.
- MusicFirstminorMusicFirst is a competing music education platform compared in feature comparisons on the MakeMusic website.
- MuseClass (Hal Leonard/Muse Group)minorFollowing 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
MakeMusic, Inc. competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad 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
MakeMusic, Inc. social profiles
Digital presenceMakeMusic, Inc. financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MakeMusic, Inc. leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
MakeMusic, Inc. funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors9 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MakeMusic, Inc. M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A2 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about MakeMusic, Inc.
What does MakeMusic, Inc. do?
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.
Is MakeMusic, Inc. a public or private company?
MakeMusic, Inc. is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was MakeMusic, Inc. founded?
MakeMusic, Inc. was founded in 1990. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is MakeMusic, Inc. based?
MakeMusic, Inc. is headquartered in Louisville, United States, in the North America region.
How does MakeMusic, Inc. make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Subscription - Individual Free Tier is the primary driver. The others are subscription - Classroom Pro, subscription - Organizations and print Add-on.
Who are MakeMusic, Inc.'s main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Dorico (Steinberg) and Sibelius (Avid Technology). Others are JW Pepper and Alfred Music. Emerging players are Soundtrap (Spotify for Education), BandLab for Education and Flat (formerly Noteflight). Direct peers are SmartMusic (legacy brand), MusicFirst and Quaver Music.
Does MakeMusic, Inc. have an API?
No public API is recorded for MakeMusic, Inc..
What industry is MakeMusic, Inc. in?
MakeMusic, Inc.'s product category is Music Education Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMANAI, Online / Virtual Music Instruction & Platforms, with a secondary code of MPAIAIAJ, Music Education & Practice Software (Ear training, tutors, metronome tools). Its NAICS code is 51223 and its SIC code is 7372.