“Top music school! I took an electric bass course and the experience was amazing. Also I was able to play along with more amazing musicians. I highly recommended!”
— Miguel F.
“Dan and the Morningside crew provide a wonderful service to the community, and they do a great job. If you want to play some great jazz with great people, and improve as a musician while having fun, Morningside is the way to do it.”
— Gary O.
"Morningside has really helped me progress in my musical studies. I've played in three ensembles at Morningside - a blues ensemble, an R&B (Blues/Funk) ensemble, and a jazz ensemble. The band leaders were excellent, and I got to know a lot of like-minded musicians. In addition, I took private lessons from wonderful teachers.
Early on in the pandemic, I was able to participate in three virtual, music collaborations that eventually were posted to Youtube. This was a really cool way to keep the music connections going, despite the pandemic.
If you are looking for a way to improve your musicianship, I highly recommend that you check out Morningside."
— Eric S.
“I've been a member of one of the Morningside ensembles for about a year and a half. This has literally been a life-changing experience for me! I played in bands as a teen, then left it alone for several decades, and now have rediscovered how much fun it is to make music with other people and perform in front of others. Dan has enabled a great community of talented, yet welcoming, amateur and professional musicians. I look forward to it every week.”
— Phil H.
“I highly recommend Morningside. The teachers and other students are great, and over the last few years, I've gotten to know a lot of interesting people. There are regular chances to perform, as well as jam sessions and music-related travel opportunities (Cuba, New Orleans). After many years of not playing jazz, it's been a really good experience and has definitely helped me improve!”
— Brian T.
Good music lessons aren't so hard to come by - but creating opportunities for people to participate in ensembles is what really sets Morningside apart. I have been wanting to learn bass for a while now, and I would never have stuck with it, let alone improved so quickly, if I hadn't had access to awesome teachers and the chance to play in an ensemble through Morningside.
I've learned something new from all the teachers I've interacted with. And the other members of my ensemble were friendly and super encouraging, even though I was pretty novice at the beginning. I'm so grateful for everything Dan Fox, the owner, and the other folks at Morningside do to bring music into people's lives.
— Carrie C.
"Morningside has great teachers providing a welcoming and encouraging environment for learning. The ensembles are a unique opportunity for beginners to learn to play in groups under the guidance of a teacher."
— Brian G.
“I started taking lessons here after almost a decade of only private lessons. It's so important to learn music by playing it and not just practicing in your bedroom. Dan's created a great environment for people of all skill levels to learn in.”
— Philip K.
"Morningside has been an awesome place/experience since I joined about a year and half ago. I had played bass in a rock setting, and started to play jazz bass (whole 'nother animal) with a friend who had experience with Morningside. Morningside "match made" an ensemble of like-minded musicians of comparable skill, and arranged convenient evening sessions with these same "students" and professional jazz instructors (Berklee professors, or professional jazz drummers, guitarists, etc.).
We play our tunes, and get immediate/professional critique from the instructor, and have a chance to play out publicly at the end of the "semester."
It's a low-stress, high-value experience. I've learned a lot about jazz etiquette, trading "fours", soloing, etc. Dan, the instructors, and the school is top-notch, classy, and professional. Highly recommended."
— David S.
"Playing in several different groups at Morningside really helped me wrap my head around making music in real time with other people. The level of talent and dedication in the group leaders is astonishing. I recommend the program to anyone looking for the best route to grow as a musician."
— Matthew D.
"I've been playing with a Funk/Blues ensemble for a few months and It's a lot of fun! I've become a better musician–better at playing rhythm and improvising, better at music theory and reading music, better at performing–all while playing music I love with cool and dedicated people."
— David K.
"The Jazz ensemble program that Dan Fox has put together is a GREAT way for adults to either develop or advance their jazz chops. Dan makes sure that no one is placed in a group that is way above their current level but he also makes sure you're in a group that will stretch your abilities and thus end up becoming a better musician.
I am entering my second year with a jazz ensemble and my playing, as well as the performance level of the entire group, has grown tremendously. Tunes we would have shied away from just six months ago are now part of our repertoire. I am very excited to be associated with Morningside and I look forward to being part of this growing program for many years to come."
— Dan F.
"This has been a great supplement to the school band program. My child has learned to improvise, and really enjoys playing in a smaller group with his peers. He got to hear other musicians and has had some terrific performance opportunities. The program has fueled a true love of music. Dan is extremely professional and runs a scholarship program for students who might not be able to afford lessons or classes."
— Kara C.
"Morningside studios gives adult jazz musicians an opportunity to shine and learn the craft in a non judgmental and supportive environment. The faculty are first class seasoned professional musicians and the ensembles are helping a whole bunch of student jazzers to feel empowered and take theirmusic to the next level. Dan Fox is a great director."
— Todd B.