Blue Bear School of Music – Little Bears, Kids & Teens Programs

Blue Bear School of Music – Little Bears, Kids & Teens Programs offers music lessons and music classes that include band workshops, rock band camps, songwriting camps, and DJ camps. The program also offers private lessons in computer-based music creation, along with Teen All Star Bands showcases, a DJ Showcase, and Adult Bands showcases.

• Ages: 0–18 years old
• Schedule: Office hours Monday–Thursday 1–8 pm, Saturday 10:30 am–3:30 pm

Blue Bear School of Music describes itself as the Original School of Rock & Roll since 1971 and notes that it is celebrating 50 years of making music. It states that it is San Francisco’s home for music lessons and classes for all ages and all skill levels, covering styles from rock, jazz, blues, folk, and pop to DJ and electronic music. The Little Bears programs are for toddlers from 4 months to 5 years, and the Music for Kids & Teens programs include school-age bands and private lessons. The organization also offers adult music programs at all levels, summer rock band, songwriting, and DJ camps, and Tracks and Tech private lessons in computer-based music creation.

The program reports that it has served 50,000 students historically, employs over 60 teaching musicians, and works with more than 2,000 students per year. It notes that its teachers have many years of experience in the music industry and can provide instruction across a wide variety of instruments and skill levels. Blue Bear also states that it offers sliding scale tuition and scholarships to assist students from families with financial need.

Blue Bear’s mission statement is “Making Music Changes Lives,” and it describes a commitment to social equity through teaching popular music such as rock, blues, urban, and world music, and making it accessible to a greater number of youth in the community for over 50 years. The organization reports partnering with schools, shelters, and community centers in San Francisco to bring free music programs to underserved populations, and states that in the last year it has served over 500 children and young adults through its Outreach Programs.

Testimonials from parents and students include comments about professionalism, patience, and mentoring from teachers, long-term participation in band workshops, and appreciation from partner organizations such as Hamilton Families. A testimonial from Jack Black notes that Blue Bear has been teaching kids to rock since 1971 and refers to it as “the original school of rock.” The school also notes some unique trivia, including that Tracy Chapman took four piano lessons there and that there are 47 known Blue Bear marriages.

Last updated March 7, 2026.