Inspiring Conversations with Jennifer Prado of Prado Music Academy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Prado.

Jennifer, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Music has been at the center of my life for as long as I can remember. I was born in Havana, Cuba, and began playing the piano with my father when I was just three years old. I was incredibly fortunate to grow up in a supportive family that encouraged my love for music and helped nurture my curiosity and discipline from a very young age.

At age eight I was accepted into the national conservatory system in Cuba, where I studied for ten years under a musical tradition strongly influenced by the Russian classical school. The training was extremely rigorous and demanded complete dedication. The conservatory accepted very few students, and if we failed any subject we could lose our place in the program. Those of us who were fortunate enough to pass the entrance exams had to work incredibly hard to remain there.

From the age of ten, I was preparing several piano competitions and recitals every year while balancing my academic studies. After a full day of regular school subjects such as math, literature, and science, we continued with intensive music training: piano lessons, solfeggio, choir, music history, and theory. Then we went home and practiced for several more hours. We were trained with the expectation that we would become professional musicians.

During my teenage years, I had the extraordinary opportunity to perform one of my favorite works, Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 1, with the Havana Symphony Orchestra. Experiences like that shaped not only my career but also my character. Music taught me discipline, perseverance, and the ability to commit fully to a goal. Those lessons later became the foundation of the way we teach our students today at Prado Music Academy.

During those same years, I moved to Spain, where I continued my musical studies at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Madrid, earning dual diplomas in Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy. Teaching was an integral part of our training, and it was there that I truly discovered how much I loved sharing music with others. I later completed two master’s degrees in Piano Performance and Composition from Rey Juan Carlos University, as well as a Master’s degree in Education from the Complutense University of Madrid, all while continuing to perform internationally and compete professionally.

Although practicing was not always easy, music remained my passion. It became my companion, my inspiration, and a lens through which I learned to see the world with greater depth and creativity. Looking back now, I am incredibly grateful for the discipline and opportunities that music gave me.

When I began teaching, I realized something important: the way I had been trained, while incredibly effective, was not always the best approach for every student. Sometimes it was very strict, and I began to ask myself how music education could be both structured and inspiring.

Over time, I dedicated myself to studying how children, teenagers, and adults learn most effectively. I discovered that students thrive when they are motivated, encouraged, and genuinely enjoying the learning process. Music education does not need to be boring or intimidating — it can be engaging, creative, and deeply rewarding.

That philosophy eventually led me to create Prado Music Academy.

My vision was to build a place where students could receive high-quality musical training while also feeling inspired, supported, and excited to learn. I wanted families to feel that their children were not only learning an instrument, but also developing confidence, discipline, and creativity. At Prado Music Academy, our lessons are carefully structured but also engaging and motivating. Our instructors are professional musicians who are passionate about teaching and committed to helping each student succeed.

Learning music offers extraordinary benefits beyond the instrument itself. It builds discipline, focus, creativity, emotional expression, and confidence. It teaches students how to set goals, work through challenges, and celebrate their progress. These life skills are just as important as the musical skills we develop.

I opened the first Prado Music Academy location in Granada Hills almost 10 years ago with just a few students, and at the beginning I was the only teacher. Slowly, through dedication, community support, and a deep commitment to my students, the academy began to grow. Today we have two locations — Granada Hills and Calabasas — and an incredible team of professional musicians who share the same passion for music education.

As the academy grew, I also developed my own teaching curriculum, and I am excited that the first two preparatory books for young beginners will be released very soon.

The journey was not without challenges. Starting a business from scratch was intimidating, and learning how to manage everything from operations to software systems was a completely new experience for me. Then, just as the academy was growing, the pandemic hit and threatened everything we had built.

That period was one of the most difficult moments of my life. But something incredible happened: our students and families believed in us. They continued their lessons online and supported the academy during an incredibly uncertain time. Because of that loyalty and trust, we were able to continue growing and now offer both in-person and online lessons.

Today, what makes me most proud is the community we have built.

At Prado Music Academy, we see children gain confidence as they master new pieces, teenagers discovering their artistic voice, and adults returning to music later in life. Our students perform in recitals, achieve personal goals, and develop a lifelong love of music.

Our academy is more than just a music school — it is a place where creativity, structure, and joy come together. Seeing a student leave their lesson with a smile after accomplishing something they once thought was impossible is the greatest reward of all. Moments like that remind me every day why music education matters so much.

And knowing that we are helping families in the San Fernando Valley experience the transformative power of music makes every challenge along the journey worthwhile.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not at all — the journey has been incredibly rewarding, but it has definitely not been a smooth road.

When I first opened Prado Music Academy in Granada Hills, I started with only a few students and was the only teacher. I had a very clear vision of the kind of music education I wanted to offer, but building a school from the ground up was challenging. I had to learn everything about running a business — from administration and scheduling systems to marketing, finances, and managing growth — all while continuing my own career as a performing pianist.

There were many long days balancing teaching, practicing, performing, and learning how to build and manage a company. As musicians, we are trained to master our craft, but entrepreneurship is an entirely different skill set that I had to learn step by step.

Just as the academy began to grow and we were building a wonderful community of students and teachers, the pandemic hit. That was by far one of the most difficult moments. Practically overnight, everything changed, and I truly feared that the school I had worked so hard to build might disappear.

However, something incredible happened during that time. Our students and families showed extraordinary loyalty and support. Many of them continued their lessons online and trusted us to guide them through that transition. Because of that support, we were able not only to survive but to grow stronger. We expanded our online programs and today we proudly offer both in-person and online lessons to students across different communities.

Looking back, those challenges taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of building a strong and supportive community. They also reinforced my belief that music education plays a meaningful role in people’s lives — especially during difficult times.

Today, I feel incredibly grateful for the journey and proud of what Prado Music Academy has become: a place where students of all ages can learn, grow, and experience the joy and discipline that music brings.

As you know, we’re big fans of Prado Music Academy. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Prado Music Academy is a music school dedicated to providing high-quality, inspiring music education for students of all ages and levels. We offer private lessons in piano, voice, guitar, ukulele, drums, violin, viola, cello, and other instruments at our two locations in Granada Hills and Calabasas, as well as online lessons for students who prefer to learn from home.

What makes our academy unique is the philosophy behind how we teach. My own professional training was very rigorous and disciplined, which gave me a deep respect for strong musical foundations. However, over the years of teaching, I realized that students learn best when they are motivated, inspired, and genuinely enjoying the process. At Prado Music Academy, we combine structured, high-level musical training with an engaging and supportive learning environment.

Our instructors are all professional musicians who are carefully selected not only for their musical qualifications but also for their ability to connect with students and inspire them. We focus on building solid technique, musical understanding, and confidence while ensuring that lessons remain enjoyable and meaningful.

Music education offers many benefits beyond simply learning an instrument. It develops discipline, focus, creativity, emotional expression, and confidence. Many of our students begin lessons as young children and continue for years, growing not only as musicians but also as individuals. We also have many adult students who return to music later in life and rediscover the joy of learning something new.

One of the things I am most proud of is the community we have built. Prado Music Academy started with just a few students and has grown into a vibrant environment where families, teachers, and students share a passion for music. We host recitals where students can perform, celebrate their progress, and experience the excitement of sharing their music with others.

For me, the most meaningful moments are seeing a student leave a lesson feeling proud of what they accomplished. Whether it is a child playing their first song, a teenager preparing for an audition, or an adult achieving a lifelong dream of learning an instrument, those moments remind me why I started this journey.

Ultimately, Prado Music Academy is about more than music lessons. It is about creating a place where people can grow, gain confidence, and discover the lifelong joy that music can bring.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Throughout my life, music itself has been my greatest teacher and source of inspiration. As a classical pianist, many of the books and scores I study are works by great composers such as Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Prokofiev, and Bach. Studying their music is like having a conversation with some of the greatest minds in history. It constantly challenges me to think deeply, stay disciplined, and continue growing both as a musician and as a person.

In terms of personal development, I enjoy reading books about education, psychology, and motivation, especially those that explore how people learn and how we can help students reach their full potential. As an educator and academy director, understanding how different people learn has been incredibly valuable in shaping the way we teach at Prado Music Academy.

I also find inspiration through conversations with other musicians, teachers, and entrepreneurs. Running a music academy requires not only artistic dedication but also continuous learning about leadership, communication, and community building.

At the end of the day, however, the most powerful source of motivation for me is seeing the progress and joy of my students. Watching a student develop confidence, overcome challenges, and discover their love for music is the reminder that keeps me inspired to keep learning, improving, and giving my best every day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.pradomusicacademy.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pradomusicacademy/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pradomusicacademy
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.es/biz/prado-music-academy-granada-hills-granada-hills?osq=prado+music+academy
• Other: https://www.yelp.es/biz/prado-music-academy-calabasas-calabasas?osq=prado+music+academy