New scores available @ www.almanovaduo.com

Kay's Dream and Zapjevala Sojka Ptica, the songs from our "Journey for Flute and Guitar" album are now available for purchase on our site. Please click here to go directly our store page.

SUMMER ROCK CAMP 2017 We are thrilled to announce the dates of Sierra Madre Music Summer Rock Camp!  We are now in our 5TH season!!! Due to its popularity, we have added more sessions.  Please be advised that we may ask some students to audition for a spot.  We are limiting each session to the following instrumentation: 1 drummer 1 bassist 3 guitarists 3 singers 1 keyboardist 1-2 instrumentalist other than guitar All sessions are Monday thru Friday, 9am-12noon.  The final concert and pizza party will be held each Friday at 7pm. Please reserve your spot soon!  Applications are available at the front desk! Pricing: $299.00 for non-SMM students $269.00 for SMM students $249.00 for returning Rock Camp students SESSION DATES SESSION 1 JUNE 19-23 SESSION 2 JUNE 26-30 SESSION 3 JULY 24-28

SESSION 4   JULY 31-AUGUST 4 CHECK OUT THESE AWESOME CLIPS FROM LAST SUMMER REHEARSAL click here CONCERT click here

Abram and Almer in D.C. performing for former VP Joe Biden

Amazing evening in DC. :) Abram and I played for ACBiH and special guests including former Vice President Joe Biden, who gave a truly moving speech. He was honored by ACBH’s “Lifetime Achievement Award” for his steadfast moral leadership and dedication to ending the genocide and ethnic cleansing in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
More info click here

Abram and Almer live in D.C. on 2/25/17 for ACBH 10th Anniversary Gala

Student of the Month: Evan!

We are excited to announce our Sierra Madre Music, January 2017 Student of the Month:

EVAN! 

Evan has been a guitar student here for a few years already and has blossomed into an amazing musician! He is a founding member of the rock band "The Golden Aces" where he plays lead guitar alongside his band mate Charlie.  They are an amazing duo within the group....working together like real side-by-side guitarists, trading riffs, having fun and encouraging each other.  Evan studies with our master guitar instructor, Tyler.  Tyler is always impressed with Evan's drive, focus and positive attitude.  He is a Sierra Madre Music SUPERSTAR!!!

We had a chance to speak with Evan and here's a little bit more from our Student of the Month!!!!


Q: WHAY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR INSTRUMENT?
A: When I was 8 yrs.old I chose the guitar because I felt like it was an instrument that really stood out and felt it was important to music.

Q: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR INSTRUMENT?
A: I love th freedom and the diversity to be able to stumble upon something new and create a whole new sound.

Q: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE STYLE OF MUSIC?
A: Classic rock like Led Zeppelin and older pop/rock like ELO

Q: HOW HAS MUSIC CHANGED YOUR ROUTINE/ DAILY LIFE?
A: It has given me an appreciation for the opportune city I have to play guitar and learn more about music.  I also have met some great friends like my bandmates and teacher at Sierra Madre Music!

Q: PRACTICE TIPS???
A: This can always be something I could do more of!  Make the time to practice...it's the only way you can become better because you can always improve!


AWESOME!  THANKS EVAN!

Business Profile: Sierra Madre Music

Students of Sierra Madre Music benefit from world-class lessons as well as ample opportunities to perform at local venues – Courtesy photo

By Emily G. Peters*

Sierra Madre Music is making a mighty musical impact with the help of its owners, award-winning musicians Almer Imamovic and Dr. Jessica Pierce. Founded as an extension of the duo’s heart for music, the couple elevated the offerings of a small-town music shop with their impressive musical background. Imamovic, a classical guitar professor at Occidental College, obtained degrees in music from Royal Welsh College, USC and Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris, where he and Pierce met. Pierce is a skilled flutist and chamber musician, holding her doctorate in musical arts from USC. With their ensemble duo AlmaNova, the pair has traveled everywhere from Mexico to Wales showcasing their musical mastery. Yet their desire to raise a family and establish an outlet for their shared love of music education led them to launch Sierra Madre Music in 2012, paving the way for a new musical movement in the city.

The shop is more than just a place to purchase, rent or repair an instrument. It’s a harmonic hotspot for the city and surrounding neighborhoods. “Sierra Madre is special—an intrinsically artistic community,” said Pierce. “People living here care about their kids, their education, and they’re proud of where they live. Giving them access to world-class music education and supplies without having to travel or deal with big stores—it was something that was needed.”

That respect for artistry helped Pierce and Imamovic focus on providing the highest-quality of musical instruction while still remaining flexible to the needs of their clients, stocking musical necessities as well as fulfilling special requests. Their gifted staff, most of whom posses at minimum a Master’s degree, offer classes in guitar, bass, ukulele, piano, drums, saxophone, violin, flute, clarinet, trumpet, voice, music theory, rock band and more. Students as young as three all the way to octogenarians have joined the Sierra Madre Music family, proving you’re never too young or too old to learn.

The Sierra Madre Music team is also busy developing the music scene in the city. Their new collaboration with Sierra Madre Playhouse begins Dec. 18, bringing world-class concert performances to the local stage, with more events slated throughout the year. Students in their musical outreach program host monthly recitals at nearby Kensington Assisted Living Residence, while student bands showcase their artistry at gigs in town and in the city’s “Concert in the Park” summer series. What’s more, Sierra Madre Music’s curriculum will soon expand beyond performance with offerings in music appreciation, music history, and even a course on the Beatles.

Ultimately, it’s the camaraderie of performance that Pierce finds to be the heartbeat of their organization. “That’s what keeps it exciting for the students—not just the practice, but to create and play music with others,” she said. And as Sierra Madre Music moves into its fifth year, it’s an exciting time for anyone to become a part of this musical movement: one chord progression at a time.

Sierra Madre Music is located at 280 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. in Sierra Madre. Learn more about their services at Sierra Madre Music or call (626)316-7017 or go to sierramadremusic@yahoo.com and follow them via Facebook and AlmaNova Duo’s YouTube channel.

*Article published in Pasadena Independent by Emily G. Peters. Click here for the original published link.

And the Coolest Kid Award goes to...... KASEY!!!

One of the wonderful things about running music school is the opportunity to get to know so many amazing young people!  Aside from being musical, the amount of talent and achievement in all areas is astounding!  I was yet again taken by surprise when one of our favorite pianists, Kasey,  came back from a trip to NYC.....little did I know the trip was because she and her production partner Makenna tied for second place in the 9 to 13 category in the Peace in the Street Global Film Festival Competition for their video, KINDNESS. They were invited to the UN for the award ceremony which took place on October 28.

Please take the time to celebrate with me this amazing accomplishment by CLICKING HERE to watch her creation!  It will give you hope for a better world to come with a whole new generation of young people already making their mark and creating their positive future!  

Kasey, you are a ROCK STAR!!!

Thursday, October 13th at 11:45am Music Career Workshop at El Camino College

September 2016 Student of the Month: Violist, CLAIRE!

We are especially excited about this month's Student of the Month!  Claire is a VIOLIST...not a VIOLINIST....the viola is the alto voice within an orchestra and right now, Claire is our only viola student.  She has been taking lessons regularly for over a year and is extremely committed to her craft and choice to be an amazing violist...and she is well on her way.  We would like to share a few things she said about being a violist and musician:

1. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THE VIOLA?
I was really drawn to the sound...it wasn't as screechy as a violin :)

2. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT THE VIOLA?
The rich, dark sound.

3. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE STYLES OF MUSIC?
 Rock!!!  I love Evanescence!  It's especially cool that the lead singer is a woman!

4. HOW HAS MUSIC CHANGED YOUR DAILY ROUTINE?
I feel like it's great to know how to play any instrument...that makes me proud!  Plus, I feel like my ears are better and I am developing my sense of relative pitch.

5. ANY PRACTICE TIPS?
Practice early!  Don't wait until the end of the day when you are already tired.  If you are tired, take small breaks instead of just powering through!

How cool is this violist!?!?  What great advice from a budding musician who respects and loves her art but can still rock out to all sorts of music!!!!

Do I see Rock-Viola in her future?????????

Congrats, Claire!!!!!

Pink Lemonade -Sierra Madre Music -Parade July 4th 2016

New Website for Sierra Madre Music

Rock Camp 2016

Rock Camp 2016 Sierra Madre Music 280 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. (626) 316-7017 sierramadremusic@yahoo.com www.sierramadremusic.com We are thrilled to announce the dates of Sierra Madre Music Summer Rock Camp!  We are now in our 4TH season!!! Due to its popularity, we have added more sessions.  Please be advised that we may ask some students to audition for a spot.  We are limiting each session to the following instrumentation: 1 drummer (ALL DRUM SLOTS TAKEN) 1 bassist 3 guitarists 3 singers 1 keyboardist 1-2 instrumentalist other than guitar All sessions are Monday thru Friday, 9am-12noon.  The final concert and pizza party will be held each Friday at 7pm. Please reserve your spot soon!  Applications are available at the front desk! Pricing: $299.00 for non-SMM students $269.00 for SMM students $249.00 for returning Rock Camp students SEE SCHEDULE BELOW.... DATE TIME CONCERT/PARTY June 20-24 9am-12 noon June 24 @ 7pm June 27-July 1 9am-12 noon July 1 @ 7pm July 11-15 9am-12 noon July 15 @ 7pm July 18-22 9am-12 noon July 22 @ 7pm

MAY SALE All Guitars 15% Off Take advantage of our AMAZING SALE We have a full stock of all guitars...JASMINE BY TAKAMINE, 1/2, 3/4 AND FULL SIZE CLASSICALS, SQUIRE BY FENDER AND MANY MORE!!!!  Whether you are in need of a beginner guitar or want to upgrade to a beautiful intermediate instrument, this is the best time to buy!   Guitars also make great MOTHER'S DAY gifts!!! Give your mom the GIFT OF MUSIC!!! Stop in and check them out! Squire electric guitar $127.49 + TAX (regular price $149.99) New World Guitars $760.75 + TAX (regular price $895)

Student Concert This Friday!  Where: Peppertree Grill on Sierra Madre Blvd When: Friday April 22nd at 6:30pm We're so excited to see our rock band, vocal, el. guitar and drum students rock the stage! Come join us this Friday to support local young talent! We will have a recital for all other instruments in May! Have a fun week and hope to see you Friday! Rock on :) Sierra Madre Music

Sierra Madre Music: STUDENT OF THE MONTH....ELLA CLAYTON

We are so excited to announce the Student of the Month for March...ELLA CLAYTON!!!

Ella is an amazing young musician to say the least!  We first met her at our Rock Camp Band session about 2 years ago.  She came in as a singer and we were amazed at her beautiful voice, incredible intonation and harmonizing skills!  She was a stand-out student then and still is!

She now is a drum student here at Sierra Madre Music studying with Jose Garcia.  She also is in a Rock Band where she drums and sings.  She recently impressed us all by filling in at the last moment when another band needed a drummer for a gig.  She did an amazing job and rocked the house!  She acted and performed like the true professional she is and for that we are so proud the is a student here at Sierra Madre Music!  GO ELLA!!!