When professional musician and teacher Andrew Cohen debuted The Mark Music Studio nearly six years ago in the Inner Sunset, he offered a variety of classes for beginners and bourgeoning professionals.
Due to increased demand, he's since expanded his offerings to include classes for infants and parents, along with more space for rehearsals and music lessons, rebranding the studio as Village Music (1383a 9th Ave. at Judah).
"I changed the name of the studio because I feel [the new name] matches the vibe of the students and the musicians," Cohen told Hoodline. "It represents community, and it's fun."
Cohen said business has picked up since we first spoke with him two years ago, leading him to build an additional room to accommodate growing numbers of aspiring and professional musicians who've been seeking space.
With three rooms available, "it's for any musician who wants to have the space," he said. "People use it for rehearsals, we have local rock bands that rehearse here. And we have musical teachers who rent rooms every week here."
Cohen, who also gives lessons, said he owes a lot of his success to a lack of affordable rehearsal spaces in the city.
"There aren't a lot of places where you can pay to rent a room ad hoc," he explained. "I have singers who rent space late at night, an opera singer, concert pianists, brass bands. Very talented classical musicians that come to play."
But while Cohen provides professional space with quality equipment like "two very nice pianos, a Yamaha U3 and a U1 with very good sensitivity," 60–70 percent of his clients are between the ages of six and eleven.
"We work on songwriting, creativity, rhythm, singing. It’s really wonderful to see kids grow into their own voice as musicians," He said.
Beginning in January, the space will also be a center for Music Together group classes for infants and parents four days per week.
When asked about what types of students he sees at the studio, he said, "I tell people there are options for everyone. And I also work with everyone’s budget, too."
The first 30 minute Lesson is free and pricing varies per instructor. However, most lessons average between $60-70 per hour. Please call for rates 415-297-2535"
