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PALAKA Center
Where young minds discover the joy of music through creative play and learning.
5(5 reviews)
$$
school
cultural-center
music-lessons
About PALAKA Center
PALAKA Center is a family-run music school and cultural hub in Oakland, offering engaging music classes for children of all ages. Specializing in programs like Preschool Prodigies and group piano, we focus on teaching pitch, rhythm, and musicality in a fun, supportive environment. Our experienced instructor, Heidi, uses innovative activities with instruments like xylophones and bells to keep kids excited and learning. With a 5-star rating from happy families, we provide affordable, high-quality music education that fosters creativity and confidence in a well-ventilated, safe studio.
Business Info
Location
5549 Claremont Ave, Oakland, CA 94618, USA
Services Offered
Preschool Prodigies Music Class
Fun, interactive classes for young children to learn pitch, rhythm, and musicality through creative play and activities.
Group Piano Lessons
Engaging beginner piano classes using xylophones, cards, and songs to teach notes and skills in a lively, supportive group setting.
Music Play Dates
Casual sessions for toddlers and parents to explore instruments and learn interactive music play in a flexible environment.
Bell and Instrument Activities
Hands-on learning with bells and other instruments to build pitch and tempo skills without requiring advanced dexterity.
Family-Run Music Education
Personalized, affordable music programs led by experienced instructor Heidi, focusing on positive energy and child engagement.
Reviews
5(5 reviews)
Rating Distribution
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Kate Jackson Hobbs
via Google
about 1 month ago
We love this family-run music school! Our 4-year old loves the Preschool Prodigies music class. He’s learning pitch, rhythm, and musicality in a fun, creative environment. He’s learned a lot quickly and gets excited to go every Saturday. We are excited to do preschool piano next semester!
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Eliot Changvia Google
about 2 months ago
We recently moved to Rockridge and discovered Palaka music classes for our daughter. She took one class and talked about it for weeks! We look forward to taking more classes!
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Monika Aldarondovia Google
over 2 years ago
We did a trial class this week of Ms. Heidi's group piano class and it was so great. She had students doing a couple hands on activities with xylophone and cards with musical notes before even getting on the pianos. My 8-year old loved the class. He said the class was so fun, he loved all the activities, the xylophone, the fun songs and using colors for notes. It is a great setting for beginners and so affordable. Ms Heidi sent her observations after and even in a group setting, you could tell she was attuned to what he was doing and noticed the skills he already has. Heidi, thank you for letting us try the class. I have already recommended it to my friend who lives a few blocks from your studio and will continue sharing with others. I loved the lively energy and how you had so many transitions and activities to keep kids engaged. You are so sweet and so good with kids.
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Marc Adamsvia Google
over 2 years ago
We've really enjoyed the variety of activities centered on music education. We started the classes assuming it would be 45 minutes of having the kids sit at keyboards, trying to mimic what the teacher, Heidi, were showing them on her or playing for them on theirs. Instead, it seemed every week there were new activities, new instruments, new ways of engaging the kids (having them sitting, standing or marching around a circle) that all tied back to piano and/or general music education. All this while maintaining plenty of positive encouraging energy and a contagious smile. Our daughter very much looked forward to lessons each week. One of the activities we've loved is the use of the bells, a seemingly much easier way for our daughter to initially learn pitch, tempo and the basics of notes without the dexterity required to press down on keys with her little fingers (strength we of course hopes she builds with time). I also loved that masks were required for everyone present and that the studio was seemingly very well ventilated with active fans and open doors and windows to cut down on risks of Covid, RSV, flu and any other airborne virus. Overall, we've had a very positive experience, making our trek from Mountain View for lessons each week more than worth it.
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dayna rosevia Google
over 2 years ago
Heidi Tumang Kelly-Tuason offers great music classes for young children. My 17 month old and I went to a music play date at Heidi’s Palaka Music space in the Laurel District in Oakland. We had a great time and really enjoyed learning how to play and interact with the instruments. Heidi did an excellent job being flexible and responsive to my son ✨
