Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Learn Music with Blue Bear in San Francisco
Established in 1971, Blue Bear School of Music has been a cornerstone of San Francisco's music education landscape for over five decades. As a nonprofit organization, we specialize in providing accessible, high-quality music instruction to students of all ages and skill levels, from toddlers to adults. Our comprehensive programs include private lessons, group classes, band workshops, and community outreach initiatives designed to make music education inclusive for underserved populations.With a faculty of experienced professional musicians and a commitment to social equity, we have served over 40,000 students historically while maintaining our founding mission of 'Making Music Changes Lives.' Located at three San Francisco campuses, we combine cutting-edge technology with traditional teaching methods to foster musical growth and community engagement through rock, blues, jazz, folk, pop, and electronic music programs.
Services
Music Lessons
Group Classes
Band Workshops
Summer Camps
Toddler Programs
DJ & Electronic Music
Private Instruction
Outreach Programs
Teacher Training
Corporate Events
Details
- Year established: 1971
Highlights and features
- 50+ years of music education experience in San Francisco
- Free community programs for underserved populations
- 30+ professional musician instructors with industry expertise
- Sliding scale tuition and scholarships available
- Founding members of San Francisco's music education community
What people say
Lifelong love of music
Transformational experience
Passionate instructors
Community building
Confidence growth
Services
Private Music Lessons
Personalized music instruction tailored to individual goals and learning styles. Available for most instruments and voice, lessons accommodate all skill levels with flexible scheduling. Professional instructors provide customized curricula focusing on technique, repertoire development, and musical expression while maintaining student motivation through goal-oriented teaching.
Little Bears Program
Music classes for infants through five-year-olds combining socialization and musical development. Structured to foster rhythm, melody recognition, and joyful self-expression through interactive songs, movement activities, and instrument exploration with professional musician instructors in multiple San Francisco locations.
Band Workshops
Collaborative music-making experiences for adult and teen musicians. Participants form bands, rehearse under professional guidance, and perform live across various genres including rock, blues, and jazz. Workshops emphasize ensemble skills, arrangement techniques, and stage performance while building musical confidence through group dynamics.
Summer Music Camps
Week-long immersive music experiences for students grades 1-12. Offering band camps, DJ workshops, and multidisciplinary arts programs featuring structured instruction, ensemble practice, and culminating performances with professional-grade equipment and industry-standard teaching methods in a supportive creative environment.
Community Outreach
Free and low-cost music programs for underserved communities through school partnerships and community centers. Delivers over 1,000 annual programs across San Francisco, focusing on educational equity, confidence-building, and creating community connections through accessible music education opportunities for youth and families.
People
Steve Savage
Executive Director & Board President
Founder of Blue Bear School of Music and Grammy-nominated producer with over 30 years of experience in music education and recording engineering. Author of multiple books on digital audio production and former president of the San Francisco Chapter of the Recording Academy.
Dennis Criteser
General Manager/Program Director
Blue Bear alumnus with over 40 years of association, producing albums for Bay Area artists. Active musician and administrator with deep institutional knowledge, having studied multiple instruments at the school since 1979.
Tennessee Mowrey
Youth Program Director
Established Blue Bear lifer with over 15 years of experience teaching and administering programs. Manages Little Bears and All Star Band initiatives, developing music curriculum for early childhood through teen programs while maintaining performance commitments as musician.
Cole Odin Berggren
Community Programs Director
Electronic music specialist and creator of Blue Bear's DJ program with over 20 years of performance experience. Combines musical expertise with community engagement, producing electronic rock music while coordinating community outreach initiatives and special events programming.
Melanie Brooks
Development Director
Fundraising professional with decade of nonprofit experience, managing events and donor relations. Brings marketing and graphic design expertise to development efforts, having previously worked with SF schools before joining Blue Bear's leadership team.
Questions
What music programs do you offer for young children?
Our Little Bears program serves infants through five-year-olds with weekly music classes focusing on rhythm, melody, and socialization. Free trial classes available at multiple San Francisco locations including parks and campus facilities.
Do you provide instruments for lessons?
We provide acoustic and electric guitars for class use. Students receive guidance on purchasing or renting instruments through partnered music stores with special discount arrangements for Blue Bear families.
What performing opportunities exist for students?
We offer regular performance showcases, including end-of-quarter concerts at venues like Bimbo's 365 Club. Band workshops culminate in live performances, and summer camps feature final show presentations for family and friends.
How do you support students with financial need?
We provide sliding scale tuition options and scholarships. The Little Bears program offers income-based pricing, and youth summer camps have adjustable payment plans to ensure accessibility for all socioeconomic backgrounds.
What adult music programs are available?
We offer group classes, private lessons, and band workshops for adults at multiple locations. Specialized offerings include songwriting workshops, EDM production classes, and rock band collaborations with professional musicians.
Can I try a class before committing?
We offer free trial classes for all programs. For Little Bears, complete the online form to schedule a trial. Adult students can request trial classes through our website or contact 415.673.3600 for personalized guidance.
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