Amelia WilliamsA few weeks ago, I found my teenager playing a virtual piano on his phone. I thought it was just a random game and that he was only bored. But just last night, he asked me if I could put him into a music school.
I was surprised but also happy. Together with my sister (who’s also a mom), we immediately asked around, searched online, and even joined lots of online groups where we could find the best music schools in Auckland.
As a mom, I want to pick the right one for him. A school that matches his interests and personality.
If you’re also looking for a music school, these are the music schools in Auckland that we found have a positive environment that’s perfect for supporting anyone’s skills and passion for music.
How much is it to enrol in a music school in Auckland?
A music school typically charges $40 to $80 per lesson. This depends on the instrument or type of lesson you’re planning to get. There are also some schools that charge annual fees instead of a per-hour rate.
1. DeBase Music Centre
Address: 31B Taylors Road, Morningside, Auckland 1025, New Zealand
Contact Details: +6498466266
Operating Hours:
- Monday – Friday: 3 pm – 10 pm
- Saturday: 9:30 am – 6 pm
- Sunday: 2 pm – 7 pm
DeBase stands out as a welcoming and supportive music school that focuses on creating a personalized learning experience for every student. Their customized music lessons are designed to match each learner’s skill level and preferred style, making it ideal for both beginners and advanced musicians.
The instructors at DeBase are known for their kindness, patience, and expertise. Students appreciate the encouraging environment and the personal attention they receive, which helps them progress confidently in their musical journey.
Testimonials from students like Zenith highlight the dedication of teachers such as Michael, who provide consistent and patient drum instruction. Others, like piano students Mridul and Soparri, describe their lessons as fun and full of enthusiasm, showing how enjoyable the atmosphere at DeBase can be.
Beyond lessons, DeBase offers affordable rehearsal rooms that are well-equipped for band practice. These spaces give musicians the opportunity to collaborate and apply what they learn in a professional, creative setting.
The school’s term schedule is clearly structured throughout the year, with flexible options across four terms in 2025. This setup makes it easy for students to plan their learning around other commitments while maintaining steady musical progress.
DeBase also takes pride in its family-like atmosphere that makes students feel right at home. This sense of belonging fosters long-term commitment and motivates students to continue improving over time.
Overall, DeBase is a trusted place for music education, combining quality teaching, affordable facilities, and a genuinely warm community spirit. It’s a great choice for anyone wanting to grow their skills in a supportive and inspiring environment.
My experiences have always been pleasant.
“I have been to debase with numerous people ever since 2021. My experiences have always been pleasant. The rooms are always tidy and whenever equipment became faulty, the owner was quick to help us with getting it sorted – whether it was fixing it, or helping us get a replacement. On that note, equipment and room treatment has always sufficed and we were always treated with respect! Highly recommend this place for anyone/band looking to jam out. Prices are comfortably competitive as well :D”
– Kiseo Yi, Google Review
Very friendly and hard-working staff.
“Very friendly and hard-working staff. They really care about their students. My child did her grade 8 piano exam with Eden and she really helped to fill in any technical and theoretical gaps.”
– Erik Kral, Google Review
2. Eliette’s Music Academy
Address: 6 Tarndale Grove, Rosedale
Contact Details: +64210676333
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday – Thursday: 10:30 AM – 9:00 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Sunday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Monday: 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Eliette’s Music Academy is a music school with four branches in Auckland. They’ve been shaping talents since 2016, and their experience gives us the confidence that they can provide a well-rounded foundation for new learners.
First thing we like about EMA is that they have classes for all ages. They accept toddlers, teens, and adults who want to pursue their passion in music.
They even have holiday programmes, which can keep your kids busy during school breaks.
Another plus is that they have online classes, if attending in person isn’t possible. We like this flexibility, targeting those busy families who may prefer learning at home.
However, we feel like this setup might not be the best for complete beginners. This is because hands-on is often important when you’re just starting out.
For their private classes, they offer drums, piano, and saxophone lessons. They also have singing lessons if your child is more of a singer than a player.
A parent enrolled her daughter for singing lessons with Eliette shared that her daughter and Eliette have a great teacher-student relationship. She also highlighted that Eliette knows what songs fit a student’s voice and that progress is evident.
Aside from private classes, they also have group classes. This is ideal for those interested in joining a drum club or choir, as well as for those who enjoy learning with others.
Supportive and fun teachers
“Our kids absolutely love their lessons here. Their teacher is so supportive and fun (whilst also keeping them on track). Watching their progress with drums, violin, piano, and guitar has been amazing. Highly recommended.”
-Ms. Helena Mitchell, Google Review
Incredible music school
“Eliette’s is an incredible music school with so many lovely and welcoming teachers and staff. I’ve never seen a student come through who isn’t having a great time. The versatility is also amazing with a wide variety of classes for all age ranges!”
-Mr. Tyler Jamieson, Google Review
3. Lila School of Bands
Address: 1 Pollen Street, Grey Lynn
Contact Details: +64226801634
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Lila School of Bands is famous for its band coaching. But no worries, they also have group and individual classes for those who want to have private instruction.
For their individual classes, they offer very limited music lessons. They only have guitar, singing, and piano lessons. So, if your child is into the violin, this school might not be for you.
For us, their limited music lessons are understandable because they’re more focused on band and boot camps. For instance, a parent sent her child to the school’s 2-day songwriting boot camp and came home with an original song.
What’s even great is that the songs originally written by the students will also be performed on the day of graduation for families to enjoy. This is a nice experience for both the student and parents.
We also like the school programs they offer. They have group instrument lessons, wind ensembles, and custom programs. These give students the opportunity to collaborate with others, great for building teamwork and improving confidence.
However, we noticed that they have a small team of instructors. Also, the majority are band coaches, and we feel like they lack other specialised mentors for specific instruments.
Fantastic and inspirational
“Lila School of Bands has been a fantastic and inspirational resource for my son. Both his one-on-one and band sessions have been brilliant. He is inspired, motivated, challenged and encouraged to pursue and develop his passion. As a parent, I highly recommend this music school.”
-Ms. Angela Bonfiglio, Google Review
Professional and experienced instructor
“My daughter has been at Lila School of Bands for a year, and we’re so impressed with the opportunity it’s given her to be part of a band, learn how to play music with others, and express herself. She’s also had excellent private music lessons with their tutors. We love seeing her band and other bands perform at regular times during the year. Jesse is professional, experienced and also kind and encouraging.”
-Ms. Victoria F., Google Review
4. Modern Music Learning
Address: 2 Sanders Avenue, Takapuna
Contact Details: +6421407986
Operating Hours:
- Monday – Friday: 3:30 PM – 7:30 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Modern Music Learning is a North Shore-based music school, led by Peter, who’s a music teacher himself. We like the school’s offerings, spanning from bass lessons to singing lessons.
It’s also worth mentioning that they also teach kids at least 4 years old and up with their specialised programs. This program is perfect if you want to introduce your kids to music early.
In fact, a mother enrolled his 8-year-old son in Modern Music Learning to learn electric guitar. She’s surprised the school accepted his son because other schools typically only accept students in this age bracket for acoustic violins.
Aside from that, the school also offers an easy-to-access student portal online. This is where students can see their syllabus to keep track of their learning or do advanced learning. This is also a helpful resource for parents in monitoring their children.
Parents also commend the instructors, noting they can naturally connect to kids. Some also argue that teachers provide immediate feedback right after the lesson, which is an effective way to reinforce what students have learned.
However, note that the school has limited music teachers. This could affect their availability, so make sure to book your child’s music lessons accordingly.
Professional and warm teachers
“Modern Music Learning NZ has been absolutely fantastic! My two daughters have been attending for the past year, and we couldn’t be happier. The teachers are professional yet warm, making each class fun and creative. They really connect with the kids and support them throughout their learning journey. It’s wonderful to see how much my girls enjoy their lessons and how far they’ve come. Highly recommended!”
-Ms. Manizheh Erfanian Sabaee, Google Review
Amazing team of tutors
“My daughter recently started piano lessons at Modern Music Learning with Cherie, and she absolutely loves it! Cherie is incredible; she’s patient, fun, and has a natural ability to connect with young children. Peter also leads an amazing team of music tutors. Highly recommend!”
-Ms. May, Google Review
5. Music Education Centre
Address: 75 Bentley Avenue, Glenfield
Contact Details: +64800893939
Operating Hours:
- Monday – Friday: 9:15 AM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Music Education Centre is a long-standing and reputable music school with four branches in Auckland. They’ve been supporting students with a passion for music since 1981.
Their experience tells a lot about their strong team today, which has over 90 specialised music tutors. This makes their music lessons highly diverse, giving students the chance to learn from teachers who really master the instrument.
For example, one of their teacher in drums is Georgi. Many parents commend him for helping students read music sheets and teaching different music styles like jazz. Aside from technical skills, Georgi also taught the kids how to build confidence.
Another parent also mentioned Robyn, a piano teacher, for handling her 7-year-old son. She noted that Robyn is patient and fun to be with, which are important in keeping the interests of young learners.
When it comes to their offerings, we’re pretty satisfied with what they have. They offer music lessons in 10 different instruments and voice classes for those interested in singing.
What’s even great is that they offer a free class to see if their program fits your kids.
Downsides? You can’t book a class easily online. Instead, you need to book a call and wait for them to reach you. It’s not that efficient and could result in waiting times.
Professional and committed teachers
“The teachers are very professional and truly committed — they go beyond just teaching music. The location is perfect for me, right near the train station. You can really feel the passion they put into what they do, and there’s always a lovely, uplifting message at the entrance.”
-Ms. Ana Maria Munoz, Google Review
Excellent teachers
“We have two young children learning different instruments with two excellent teachers, and they are all amazing. We appreciate their hard work and dedication to our children. They always encourage my kids to learn music in a fun way. And the teachers are always so easy to communicate with, happy to listen to the parents. By now, I’m 100% trust them.”
-Ms. Kelly Gong, Google Review
