Payam Music opens first school in California
Hello, California! We have officially opened our first Southern California school in Santa Monica, CA.
We’re over-the-moon to announce that Payam Music has officially opened in Santa Monica, CA. Located at 829 Broadway, this marks our first California location and a major milestone in our mission to provide every student with the opportunity to fall in love with piano.
Why Santa Monica?
The sunshine, of course! (Our first two schools are outside of Seattle, so pardon the weather joke.) We chose to open our first California school in Santa Monica because the community truly values creativity, education, and the arts—just like we do. Payam Music has also been fortunate to hire some inspirational teachers from the incredibly talented pool of musicians in Los Angeles. Our teachers are excited to offer students a place where they can fall in love with piano, express themselves through music, and build confidence—all in a city that already feels like home to our mission.
A different kind of piano education
We started Payam Music as an alternative to traditional piano lessons. Piano lessons get a bad rap for good reason. Limited song choices, intimidating sheet music, and slow progress lead students to quit. We’re on a mission to change that! Our methodology provides a learning experience that’s joyful, motivating, and deeply personalized. Our unique curriculum—rooted in the Payam Method—teaches piano using the psychology of language, where our students learn how to “speak” music first, then read it. We introduce piano in a natural way starting with an intuitive ABC and 123 notation system. Students learn to play songs they love from day one using our easy-to-understand notation system.
Fast track to mastery
Our students reach diploma level—often considered the “black belt” of piano—in just four years, compared to the national average of twelve. This accelerated progress is possible because we focus on pattern recognition, technique mastery, and fun (yes, piano lessons can be fun). In fact, 96% of our students continue beyond their first year, a stark contrast to the 15–20% retention rate in traditional lessons.
What to expect at Payam Music
🎶 Learn the songs you love: From classical pieces to contemporary hits to traditional cultural songs, lessons are tailored to each student’s musical interests.
🚀 Progress faster: Our curriculum emphasizes mastery of patterns and techniques instead of boring repetition.
🌟 Build confidence: Students learn from inspirational teachers in a positive environment, achieving their potential at their own pace.
🎼 Compose your own music: Beyond playing, students learn to write music, providing an outlet for creativity.
How to join our music school
Payam Music may be new to California, but we’re not new to teaching piano. Our schools in Washington have been teaching award-winning students for over a decade.
We’re now enrolling students ages 4 and up for in-person lessons in Santa Monica. Whether students are complete beginners, tried piano previously, or looking to build skills, Payam Music offers a supportive and engaging environment where students actually enjoy playing–and practicing–piano.
We’re open for lessons this summer! If you’re interested, we encourage you to secure your spot now instead of waiting until the fall. Sign up for a free orientation and first lesson today. We can’t wait to meet you!
📍 829 Broadway, Santa Monica, CA 90401
P.S. We love our new neighborhood. There are lots of opportunities to go on walks, run errands, and eat while students are in their lesson. Some of our favorite local businesses include our immediate neighbors Sweetfin and Pono Burger, Bay Cities deli, La Purepecha. Plus, there's a free parking garage!
Frequently asked questions
Q: Where is Payam Music's first California location and when did it open? A: Payam Music's first Southern California location is in Santa Monica, California at 829 Broadway. The school officially opened in March 2025 and is now enrolling students ages 4 and up for in-person piano lessons.
Q: Why did Payam Music choose Santa Monica for its first California school? A: Payam Music selected Santa Monica because the community shares the school's values around creativity, education, and the arts. The area is home to a talented pool of musicians in Los Angeles, and the community environment aligns with Payam Music's mission to help every student fall in love with piano.
Q: How does Payam Music's approach differ from traditional piano lessons in the Santa Monica location? A: The Santa Monica school offers the same innovative Payam Method curriculum used in Washington schools. Instead of following rigid songbooks, students learn the songs they love from day one using an intuitive ABC and 123 notation system. Teachers focus on pattern recognition, technique mastery, and making piano fun—helping students reach diploma level in four years versus the national average of twelve.
Q: What can I expect when visiting Payam Music in Santa Monica? A: You can expect to learn songs you love, progress faster through a customized curriculum, build confidence in a positive environment, and have the opportunity to compose your own music. Students also benefit from access to inspirational teachers and a community environment. The school offers a free orientation and first lesson to help families experience the difference.
Q: Is there parking available at the Santa Monica location? A: Yes, the Santa Monica location at 829 Broadway benefits from a free parking garage nearby. The area also has many local businesses including Sweetfin, Pono Burger, Bay Cities deli, and La Purepecha, making it convenient for parents to spend time in the neighborhood during lessons.
