Ever wondered what it takes to lock in with other players and watch a song come alive as a band? Our Band Program drops you right into the rehearsal space for hands-on, real-world training.
Join the only Bay Area band program that combines rehearsals, recording sessions, and live shows. Work with a team of pros ready to guide you through the ins and outs of band life. You’ll learn how to create tight arrangements, run through setlists for live gigs, and track your parts in a pro recording studio.
Ready to plug in and play? Get in touch today.
Local Community
Join ModernTone’s vibrant community of musicians located in the heart of the East Bay. Our students come from Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Walnut Creek, Martinez, Danville, San Ramon, Pleasant Hill, Concord, and all over the Bay Area. Get together with like-minded music lovers and form musical friendships in your neighborhood. Our music programs encourage you to play in a band, participate in recording sessions, and work with songwriters on original tunes.
Live Support
Do you need extra help with your practice routine? Stuck on some notes that aren’t quite clicking yet? Even between sessions, we’re here to help! Contact us by phone, text, direct message, or email for live support as you hone your new skills in-between sessions. If you have any scheduling difficulties, payment questions, or other issues, just hit us up. We always respond within 24 hours (usually way faster). We look forward to hearing from you.
Secret Ingredient
We just love music. There’s no other way to say it. From teaching, to recording, to passing on knowledge and learning new things ourselves – every day at ModernTone is an opportunity to immerse yourself in music of all styles. Sharing the gift of music is nothing short of a labor of love, which comes through in each and every lesson we teach. We can’t wait to collaborate with you and show you how to be the kind of musician you want to be. Let’s play!
Choose Your Track
From guitar and vocals to drums, bass, keys, and beyond, we cover all the core band instruments and multiple genres. After you share your background — age, ability, and favorite styles — we’ll place you in a group where everyone complements each other. Check out the levels below to pick the path that’s right for you.
You’ve moved beyond the basics and can play your instrument with confidence — now it’s time to play with others. In this level of the band program, you’ll lock in rhythms, react to other players, and follow a band director’s cues. Learn to blend your ideas with the rest of the band – guitar, bass, drums, and vocals – gaining the skills to hold your own in any group setting. Join us today to develop the confidence and listening skills that make every performance feel tight and connected.
Ready for a challenge? Build on your experience and technique by tackling advanced songs, multi-part harmonies, and live improvisation with players who can keep up with you. Master complex arrangements, experiment with dynamics, and dial in your tone for both stage and studio. This level is for players who want to push their musicianship, sharpen their musical instincts, and step up their game. Join us today and find out how far music can take you.
Have original songs or a passion to be the lead singer? This track guides you through arranging and performing your own material in a band setting. You’ll workshop melodies, refine lyrics, and learn how to support a vocalist or front your own band. Learn how to translate demos into full-band arrangements and deliver your songs with confidence, both on stage in the studio. Ready to bring your ideas to life? Join us today and see how far your playing and songwriting can go.
Choose Your Track
From guitar and vocals to drums, bass, keys, and beyond, we cover all the core band instruments and multiple genres. After you share your background — age, ability, and favorite styles — we’ll place you in a group where everyone complements each other. Check out the levels below to pick the path that’s right for you.
You’ve moved beyond the basics and can play your instrument with confidence — now it’s time to play with others. In this level of the band program, you’ll lock in rhythms, react to other players, and follow a band director’s cues. Learn to blend your ideas with the rest of the band – guitar, bass, drums, and vocals – gaining the skills to hold your own in any group setting. Join us today to develop the confidence and listening skills that make every performance feel tight and connected.
Ready for a challenge? Build on your experience and technique by tackling advanced songs, multi-part harmonies, and live improvisation with players who can keep up with you. Master complex arrangements, experiment with dynamics, and dial in your tone for both stage and studio. This level is for players who want to push their musicianship, sharpen their musical instincts, and step up their game. Join us today and find out how far music can take you.
Have original songs or a passion to be the lead singer? This track guides you through arranging and performing your own material in a band setting. You’ll workshop melodies, refine lyrics, and learn how to support a vocalist or front your own band. Learn how to translate demos into full-band arrangements and deliver your songs with confidence, both on stage in the studio. Ready to bring your ideas to life? Join us today and see how far your playing and songwriting can go.
What to expect
A True Band Experience
In the Band Program, you’ll dive into every aspect of playing together: locking in grooves, balancing dynamics, and structuring songs for live audiences. Our rehearsals use full back-line setups and real-world run-throughs. From first beats to final bows, you’ll experience what it takes to function as a working band.
Personalized Growth
Small-Group Cohorts
We cap each band to keep group sizes small — usually four to six players — so every member gets personal attention. In this tight setting, you’ll receive part-specific coaching and hands-on guidance, ensuring you develop the muscle memory and musical instincts to stand out onstage and track in the studio.
What it's like
Hands-On Rehearsals
Go beyond one-person practice — here you learn by doing. You’ll rehearse with fellow guitarists, drummers, bassists, keyboardists, and vocalists under the guidance of seasoned band leaders and music producers. Expect honest feedback, on-the-fly adjustments, and a rehearsal room that feels more like a workshop than a classroom.
Beyond Practice
Real-World Skills
Playing in a band is about more than chords and notes — you’ll master sound checks, cable management, and stage setup. Learn how to troubleshoot live mix issues, cue your bandmates, and maintain tight timing onstage. These practical skills make every gig smoother and boost your confidence when the lights go up.
Get on stage
Live Gigs
Show what you’ve built in live showcases and partner-venue performances around Lafayette and the East Bay. You’ll curate setlists, rehearse run-throughs, and handle backline setups before stepping into the spotlight. Each performance is a chance to apply your rehearsed material in front of a live crowd.
Record Like a Pro
Studio Sessions
Take your songs offstage and into a professional recording studio. You’ll learn mic placement, live tracking workflows, and overdub techniques alongside music producers and audio engineers. By the end, you’ll have confidence behind the glass and a rough mix that captures your band’s true sound.
Invest in Yourself
Lifelong Benefits
Band life teaches teamwork, active listening, and adaptability — skills that extend beyond music. As you collaborate on arrangements and solve show-day challenges, you’ll develop communication, leadership, and problem-solving abilities that serve you in every area of life.
Musical Team work
Band Synergy
Bringing varied influences together — whether it’s bluesy riffs, funk rhythms, or indie-pop hooks — creates a spark you can’t achieve solo. In hands-on band practices, you’ll co-develop transitions, layer harmonies, and tweak song structures with your fellow bandmates. Through real-time brainstorming and open improvisation, you’ll discover unexpected musical ideas and harmonies that elevate your material. This process not only fuels creativity but also builds trust and camaraderie, turning a group of players into a united creative force.
Band members are invited to explore private music Lessons. Questions? Send us a note or call (925) 297-5336.
Band Director
Jan Fidelis
Jan Fidelis is a seasoned multi-instrumentalist, composer, and educator who’s spent years writing for bands, chamber ensembles, choirs, and jazz orchestras. Since 2016, he’s taught guitar, piano, ukulele, bass, music theory, and composition—guiding students of all backgrounds through practical, hands-on learning. Jan holds a B.A. in Music Composition from the University of California and an M.A. in Music Composition from Cal State East Bay, where he focused on tonal harmony and contemporary techniques. Alongside his academic work, he collaborates regularly with Bay Area bands, venues, and studios, bringing real-world insight into every rehearsal and recording session. Leading ModernTone’s Band Program since 2023, Jan provides the clear, straightforward guidance musicians need to solidify their live performance skills and studio know-how.
We are the highest rated music studio in the Bay Area and maintain a 5-star rating on Yelp, Facebook, Google and Thumbtack. Check out what our clients have to say about their experience at ModernTone.