Today we’d like to introduce you to Walter Zooi.
South Pasadena Music Center & Conservatory started as an 1100 square foot small storefront music school 16 years ago with 6 teachers and 70 students by husband and wife team Walter and Rachel Zooi. Walter Zooi had a background in music education administration, working both at USC’s Thornton School of Music and Cal Arts and Rachel had a background in early childhood music. The school moved to its current industrial brick warehouse building 10 years ago and has become the center of music education and performance events in South Pasadena. By day, it’s a boutique music school with an international faculty and about 200 students. By nights and weekends, it’s a site of music rehearsal spaces and concerts of all sorts. It is truly a gem tucked away in the charming City of South Pasadena.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We were accepted by the community very quickly, which was wonderful; during the economic downturn 2007-2008, thanks to the strength of the core student base we were able to make it through even though many other small businesses failed. In the beginning, we had some difficulties with the city, permit-wise for ensembles and live performances; but were worked out fairly quickly.
Please tell us about South Pasadena Music Center & Conservatory.
One of the things Walter loves most about SPMCC is the literally thousands of lives that we’ve been able to bring music into. He is most proud of is the longevity of SPMCC as a small business in South Pasadena.
Pricing:
- Individual Lesson Rates with Artist-Instructors 30-minute lessons: $35/lesson 45-minute lessons: $50/lesson 60-minute lessons: $64/lesson
- Individual Lesson Rates with Master Teachers 30-minute lessons: $38/lesson 45-minute lessons: $55/lesson 60-minute lessons: $75/lesson
- Group classes ranging from 45-60 minutes are $70/month
Contact Info:
- Address: 1509 Mission Street, South Pasadena, CA 91030
- Website: www.southpasadenamusic.com
- Phone: 626.403.2300
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/436409262/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southpasadenamusic/
