Our History

Established in 1973 by Nevilla E. Ottley, B. Mus. Ed., M.A., and M. Mus., as a private piano and music theory lesson studio, the Ottley Music School is now a non-degree-granting community school offering private music lessons (including techniques, ear-training, and literature) in voice, piano, organ, most band and orchestral instruments–drums, all strings including harp, all types of guitars, woodwinds and brass. Lessons in indigenous instruments like the Steel Drums of Trinidad, recorders, and African Drums are also offered. Other offerings include church music, music theory, conducting, orchestration, the history of music including Black composers, and drama within voice classes.

Ottley Music School also offers classes for pre-schoolers (Music for Little Mozarts), for ensembles-symphony orchestra, choir, opera production, jazz ensemble, string and flute ensembles. Students return with their children, or as teachers, or to serve on the Board of Directors, going full circle.