Who else gave up their musical aspirations after the recorder? Just us?
Learning to play an instrument is a brilliant way to explore your creativity and it’s also a wonderful skill to have (just imagine how impressed your mates will be at your next dinner party when you start playing Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro – the look on their faces. Priceless).
Fancy strumming a guitar? What about wacking out the week’s stresses on a set of drums?
Well, here are the very best places in Abu Dhabi to learn how to play a musical instrument.
Who knows, you could be the next Jimi Hendrix…
Berklee Abu Dhabi
Aspiring musical stars needn’t look any further than prestigious American arts college Berklee, which boasts a school on Saadiyat Island. The famous college, which was first opened in Boston, Massachusetts in 1945 by founder Lawrence Berk (a pianist and composer), has helped the likes of Quincy Jones and John Mayer on their career paths – need we say more?
Saadiyat Cultural District, Saadiyat Island, berkleeabudhabi.ae (02 657 5920).
International Music Institute
Founded in 1994 with the goal of nurturing musical education here in the UAE, International Music Institute (IMI) offers all types of music lessons taught by professionally trained instructors. Classes range from piano, strings, wind instruments, and percussion and the institute also offers a wide range of dance programmes to including ballet, modern dance and belly dancing.
Zayed The First Street, imig.ae (02 621 1949).
Melodica Music Center
With an impressive ten branches across Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Melodica Music Center is one of the largest music institutes in the UAE. Take your pick from the piano, guitar, violin, drums, flute, recorder (oh, those were the days), keyboard, or our personal favourite – the ukulele (go on, be the Hawaiian trendsetter) and get ready to impress your mates with your unfound musical talents.
Various locations across Abu Dhabi including Abu Dhabi Mall, melodica.ae/music-classes (02 553 1137).
Royal Institute of Music & Arts Abu Dhabi
Founded by two sisters way back in 1999, Royal Institute of Music & Arts has established itself as one of the leading music institutes in the capital. The Ministry of Education-approved school is run by certified and professional music teachers, and courses include piano, guitar, keyboard, drums, singing classes and even arts and crafts.
Khalidiya Tower, royalmusicabudhabi.com (02 622 5410).
The Music Hub
You’re never too old to learn a new skill and this Abu Dhabi music institution aims to provide the best quality tuition in music for both little ones and adults, too. The experienced music educators and performers work to foster a love of music through fun, life-enhancing and confidence-building experiences, and classes on offer include clarinet, drums, flute, guitar, piano, saxophone and violin.
Falcon Tower, Al Nasr Street, musichub.ae (02 632 7888).
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