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BEST RATED NANAIMO, BC MUSIC SCHOOLS

3 Best Music Schools in Nanaimo, BC

Expert-recommended Top 3 Music Schools in Nanaimo, BC. All of our music schools actually undergo a rigorous 50-Point Inspection, which includes everything from checking reviews, ratings, reputation, history, complaints, satisfaction, trust and price - all to ensure overall excellence. You deserve only the best!

Nanaimo music school Arbutus Music Education
Nanaimo music school Arbutus Music Education
Nanaimo music school Arbutus Music Education
Nanaimo music school Arbutus Music Education video
7+ YEARS IN TBR
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ARBUTUS MUSIC EDUCATION

(5.0 Score)
6324 Metral Drive,
Nanaimo, BC V9T 2L8 Directions

Since 1997

Specialty:

✓ Vocals ✓ Piano ✓ Violin/Fiddle ✓ Acoustic/Electric Guitar ✓ Electric Bass ✓ Drums ✓ Saxophone and Ukulele Classes ✓ Music Production ✓ Music Theory ✓ Banjo ✓ Dobro ✓ Trombone ✓ Trumpet ✓ Upright Bass ✓ Viola

“Arbutus Music Education has been serving the Nanaimo community for more than 27 years. Their instructors are top-notch, and their lessons are fun and effective. The music school offers one-on-one and group lessons to its students. They strive to become the standard of excellence for musical instrument education, fostering a love for music, creativity, and character in an active, student-centred learning community. Arbutus Music also provides music lessons, workshops, and consignment. If you need more details, please get in touch with them.

2025 Update: Paul and Wren Cimolini are experienced music educators and the owners of Arbutus Music Education. The school offers music recitals twice a year in the Spring and Winter. Arbutus Music Education has 9 music lesson rooms and offers both in-person and virtual classes.”

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Price:

MUSIC LESSONS
30 mins 30
45 mins $45
60 mins $60

Contact:

(250) 933-1900 (877) 290-2826

Mon-Fri: 12:30pm - 7:30pm
Sat: 12pm - 6pm
Sun: Closed

TBR® Inspection Report:

Nanaimo music school Long & McQuade Nanaimo
Nanaimo music school Long & McQuade Nanaimo
Nanaimo music school Long & McQuade Nanaimo
9+ YEARS IN TBR
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LONG & MCQUADE NANAIMO

(4.9 Score)
620A Comox Road,
Nanaimo, BC V9R 3J3 Directions

Since 1956

Specialty:

✓ Drums ✓ Guitar ✓ Bass ✓ Piano ✓ Woodwinds ✓ Brass ✓ Mandolin ✓ Ukulele ✓ Voice ✓ Theory and Strings Lessons

“Long & McQuade Nanaimo has over 10,000 square feet, including a 10-room lesson centre. Their school is the most significant chain of musical instrument retailers in Canada, with over 100 locations from British Columbia to Newfoundland. They feature professional studios, highly qualified teachers, and private instruction for all ages, levels, and styles. The teachers are carefully selected for their educational, performance, and teaching skills and have extensive performing and teaching experience. The music school offers private one-on-one lessons custom-tailored to the needs and goals of the individual student and a variety of group lessons. Long & McQuade Nanaimo has an extensive collection of folk and acoustic instruments from brands like Gibson, Martin, Taylor, Larrivée, Epiphone, Yamaha, Simon, Patrick, and more.

2025 Update: Long & McQuade Nanaimo is a proud dealer of Yorkville PA and Traynor amplifiers. They have the largest selection of musical instruments in the mid-island region.”

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Price:

Private Lesson 30min
Aaron Bales $34.00
Aaron Dimoff $28.00
Aaron Matheson $27.00
Abigail Elisha $31.00
Abraham Okolo $30.00
Adam Crossman $26.00
Adam Lefaivre $25.00
Adam Sperry $27.00
Adam Willey $31.00
Adrian Doering $30.00
Adrian Dunn $27.00
Adrian Smith $31.00
Aidan Wasse $27.00
Aiden Russell $28.00
Alan Jossul $30.00
Alan Tabz $31.00
Alex Moxon $29.00
Alex Tirolese $27.00
Alexandra Summach $27.00

Contact:

(250) 716-7261 (250) 716-7291

Mon-Wed & Sat: 10am - 6pm
Thu & Fri: 10am - 8pm
Sun: 12pm - 5pm

TBR® Inspection Report:

Nanaimo music school Dave Hart Music
Nanaimo music school Dave Hart Music
Nanaimo music school Dave Hart Music
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DAVE HART MUSIC

(4.8 Score)
4849 Fairbrook Crescent,
Nanaimo, BC V9T 6L6 Directions

Since 2000

Specialty:

✓ Guitar ✓ Lead and Rhythm Guitar Lessons ✓ Finger Picking ✓ Performance ✓ Improvisation ✓ Jamming Skills ✓ Pitch and Ear Training ✓ Music Theory ✓ Scales ✓ Song Writing ✓ Recording and Production Classes

“Dave Hart Music Studio offers acoustic soundscapes of light jazz, blues, rock, and contemporary styles. Dave Hart is a professional music instructor and event performer serving Vancouver Island, which includes the Ladysmith, Nanaimo, Parksville, and Courtenay regions. He is known for his versatility and interactive performances, blending various music styles on classical and electric guitars. Seasonal registration is open for students interested in acoustic and electric guitar lessons, where they can learn their favourite songs, improvisation, theory, and other musical concepts. If you are interested in rates, fees, equipment requirements, and event-type availability, please feel free to get in touch with them.

2025 Update: The school offers modern guitar lesson programs for all ages 10 and up.”

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License #FM1038120

Price:

First 4 Lessons $149

Contact:

(250) 816-5816

Mon-Thu: 11am - 7pm
Fri: 11am - 6pm
Sun: 11am - 4pm
Sat: Closed

TBR® Inspection Report:

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ARBUTUS MUSIC EDUCATION REVIEWS

Great prices. Huge selection from beginner to pro and vintage instruments. Friendly and knowledgeable staff. There’s no judgements or pressure from the people that work there about your ability or interests. I’ve been to a lot of other music shops that can be like that. I’ve had two guitars setup here and they are play amazing. Intonation and action is perfect. I’ve had them do neck work and pick up swaps and they are all done perfectly. Can’t say enough good things about their guitar setup work. I’ll always try to stop in when I have time.

I cannot describe how helpful, affordable and wonderful my experience was at this store. I live remotely and I needed a set of studio monitors. I had about a grand for my setup. They got me a set of high quality monitors, a phenomenal mic, some cables a mic stand and a pop screen for $800. They offered me resources to help me with my music work and were all around helpful. If you live on van island, this is the music store for you. They are so knowledgeable and good people.

What a great store! Stopped in randomly while on vacation and was pleasantly surprised with really good vintage gear at good prices. Would be well worth your visit and all of the staff were great and went above and beyond. Wish they were in my neighbourhood!!!!

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LONG & MCQUADE NANAIMO REVIEWS

Long and McQuade has a great selection of instruments, accessories plus knowledgeable and helpful staff. I've purchased several instruments from them over the years and it has always been a positive experience.

We run QB Skaters and organized to rent equipment for a skate competition. Had the most amazing experience with the staff and rental price for our non profit. So awesome when you can deal with a friendly and competent business!!

Great staff!! Very helpful and polite. I ONLY go there as I have had bad experiences with other places in nanaimo.

DAVE HART MUSIC REVIEWS

Our daughter started guitar lessons with Dave this past year and has quickly fallen in love with music at a new level. Dave is incredible at finding the music and styles she likes, and adapting his instruction to feed her interests (as opposed to sheet music / classical teachings). She is playing current music that she (and I!) love = Coldplay, Santana, Billie Eilish, to name a few! The best part is she is enthusiastically requesting more time with Dave. Her Grandpa/my Dad also started guitar lessons when he was experienced Dave’s enthusiasm.

After years of teaching myself guitar, with limited success, taking lessons with Dave has been an eye opener. He is definitely pushing me out of my comfort zone, but his enthusiasm for the music process is infectious. He even makes music theory interesting!

Dave did an awesome job of providing music for our staff holiday celebration over the weekend. He is a fantastic guitar player and seasoned performer who added so much to our special evening!

TBR® Inspection Score Report

ARBUTUS MUSIC EDUCATION Total Inspection Points: 119/120
Business Images: 9
Acknowledgments: 10
Complete Info: 10
Contact Info: 10
Current Evaluation: 10
Exact Services: 10
Experience: 10
Legitimate Ratings: 10
Pricing: 10
Reviews Accuracy: 10
Videos: 10
Website Source: 10

TBR® Inspection Score Report

LONG & MCQUADE NANAIMO Total Inspection Points: 118/120
Complete Info: 9
Reviews Study: 9
Acknowledgments: 10
Business Hours: 10
Business Images: 10
Contact Info: 10
Exact Services: 10
Experience: 10
Legitimate Ratings: 10
Pricing: 10
Reviews Accuracy: 10
Website Standard: 10

TBR® Inspection Score Report

DAVE HART MUSIC Total Inspection Points: 116/120
Experience: 8
Business Hours: 9
Complete Info: 9
Acknowledgments: 10
Business Images: 10
Contact Info: 10
Exact Services: 10
Legitimate Ratings: 10
Pricing: 10
Reviews Accuracy: 10
Website Source: 10
Website Standard: 10

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