Darrell Leffler’s Academy of Music

Darrell Leffler’s Academy of Music offers specific music activities including the Music Discovery workshop (piano lessons for ages 4-5), Music For Little Mozarts, Guitar Workshop, Piano Workshop, Vocal Lessons, private lessons, group piano classes, and group guitar classes. The school’s specialty is making lessons fun, and teachers use games, humor, and laughter in their teaching. Students meet new friends and the class becomes a social event.

• Ages: 4–18 years old
• Schedule: Class options Monday–Friday in the late afternoon and evening, and on Saturdays during the day

Darrell Leffler has owned the music school since 1989, and the school has over 30 years of proven experience. He earned a BA in Music Education at San Francisco State University and an MA in Piano Pedagogy at San Jose State University, and he has won CreaTV’s best director award for his television show Maestro Darrell’s Music Workshop. The leadership team includes Darrell Leffler (Director/Owner), Minh Thai (Vocal Director), Jose Sanchez (music director for Mariachi Oroazul de SJSU), and Caylee Correia (Lead Vocalist). Staff members include Paden Schmidt, who graduated from San Jose State University with a Bachelor’s in Music Composition; Aaron, who graduated in 2013 from San Jose State University with a Bachelor’s of Music in music composition; Jose B. Sanchez, who holds a Bachelor’s of Music Degree with a concentration in Trumpet Performance from San José State University; and Minh Thai, who earned his Music Degree from San Jose State University.

The music school states that it offers education that is both quality and fun and that its goal is to help children become lifelong musicians. It also states that its mission is to make music affordable, fun, and educational to as many young musicians as possible, and that its staff is talented and friendly. One parent reports that two children have been going to the school for a long time, have learned a lot, and developed their interest in music, and that Mr. Aaron is very good at teaching piano lessons and has lots of patience. Another parent states that a daughter has been learning piano for a few months, that the instructor is very kind and patient, and that the child is enjoying music. Additional comments from parents describe the teachers as great and knowledgeable, say that classes are enjoyable, and note that children are enthusiastic about attending each week.

Last updated March 22, 2026.