The Malibu String Academy is the special jewel of our local music community.  Rather than merely give music lessons and a few recitals, they nurture an environment so crucial to musicianship in our young players: practicing and performing as a means to self satisfaction and enjoyment, frequent association with their peers, watching and learning from the best of the area's professionals, and gaining confidence in their own abilities.  My own son, Coleman studied with Maia for two years and was awakened to an entire new aspect of his personality.  That he feels the music so strongly within him I attribute in large part to the creative, fun yet disciplined world that is the Malibu String Academy.

--Marco Beltrami, film composer

 

The Malibu String Academy has taught my children more about fun, culture and style than they could have learned anywhere else.  Being taught by first rate musicians has instilled in them a lifetime of love for music.  Of course, the best thing for me is that I now have a good band to jam with at home!

--Hans Zimmer, film composer

 

My wife and I are both Emmy-winning composers, so when it comes to music education, we want the best.  Our daughter has been enrolled in the Malibu String Academy for over three years.  She had been playing the violin for a few years before that, but when she began taking lessons with the MSA, her technique was immediately improved, as well as her musicality.  She wants to practice now because she enjoys playing well and the Zanders make the lessons fun and very productive.  We recommend the MSA with enthusiasm and without reservation.  They're amazing!
           
--Steven and Julie Bernstein, film composers
 

 

Our daughter Samantha began taking violin lessons from Dr. Zander at age 4.  I first met Maia when my daughter was attending preschool.  When our daughter Samantha first began preschool at age three, she was very shy.  At home she was an outgoing chatterbox, but at preschool she did not even speak to teachers or classmates during the entire school day for the first year.  The director of the school reassured us that "every child grows at their own pace" and not to worry about Samantha's extremely reserved attitude.   During the second year of preschool,  Maia joined the staff of the preschool and came weekly to visit Samantha's classroom. Since neither my husband or I have musical background or any instruments at home,  Samantha loved hearing, seeing and touching the instruments that Maia brought the classroom.  One day when I came to pick Samantha up from school she ran over to me and said "Mommy, I want to take violin lessons with Maia!"  I was so shocked and amazed at her speaking freely, I knew then that there was something very special about Maia. We enrolled Samantha, and never looked back.  She has now transitioned to be the same exuberant child that she always was at home, in Kindergarten and everywhere she goes. 

Samantha truly looks forward to every lesson because Maia makes learning a joyful game that she plays with her students. Maia's endless patience and extensive knowledge make her love for music contagious.   It is hard to put into words the transformation Samantha has experienced due to her involvement with her lessons.  It has given us such pride to witness Samantha up on stage fearlessly giving performances of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star",  including her participation in her elementary school's yearly talent show.  I never would have imagined that violin lessons could change our lives so dramatically and we are so grateful to Maia for helping our little musician blossom.
            
--Lora Rodgers, prop master