With access to world-class performing arts institutions and renowned music and concert halls, it would be hard not to be inspired by music in NYC. Many venues offer lessons in everything from violin to voice. We spoke to some accomplished city kids about how they got their start in music and what it means to them.

Esteban Castro, 9

Piano, New York Jazz Academy

How did you get started playing the piano?

I had a little keyboard at home, and I liked playing it. My parents started me on piano lessons when I was four and a half years old.

What do you love about the piano?

The piano is a keyboard instrument, a string instrument and a percussion instrument all in one! You can make music and rhythm with it all at the same time. Lots of great composers played it like Mozart, Beethoven and Chopin.

Do you ever perform in front of audiences?

I’ve performed in Carnegie Hall, once as a soloist and once as part of an ensemble with the New York Jazz Academy, and at the Dicapo Opera Theatre. I have also performed in competitions and auditions in front of judges and in jam sessions with live audiences at various jazz clubs in New York (The Kitano, Smalls, Cleopatra’s Needle, Tutuma Social Club, Miles Café, Trumpets).

What do you enjoy about music and being able to play an instrument?

I like making people feel good when they hear my music. Music makes me feel good when I’m playing, too.

What impact does music have on your life?

It makes me more focused; it allows me to express myself and be creative. I enjoy composing. I composed my first classical piece when I was five and a symphony when I was six. I’ve also composed several jazz pieces, one of which I named “The Opposite Way,” which has been performed at recitals and jazz clubs.

Ana Brichta, 10

Violin, 92Y School of Music

How did you get started playing the violin?

When I was in Brazil, I began to learn how to play the recorder and then I saw all the other kids playing the violin. So I decided to play the violin, too.

What do you love about the violin?

I have always been interested in music since I was little, and my dad always sang songs to me. I just think [the violin is] really cool. I really like performing because there is so much you’ve learned, and everyone can hear your progress.

Do you ever perform in front of audiences?

Yeah, but not big audiences. This spring, I performed in Carnegie Hall. Sometimes I get stage fright.

Do you have any advice for other kids who want to play an instrument?

You can’t be afraid of trying something new. If you’re afraid to start something new, you will never know what you like.

What is your favorite song to listen to, and what is your favorite song to play?

On the violin, I think it’s any song that’s jumpy. If I had to choose from the ones I know, it would be “Theme” from Witches Dance by Niccolo Paganini. Besides the violin, I like to listen to pop and Lady Gaga.

Charlotte Mosler, 11

Cello, The Kaufman Center’s Lucy Moses School

How did you get started playing the cello?

When I was three, I went to a concert and I knew that I wanted to play the cello after that. My older brother David played the violin. I knew that I wanted to play a musical instrument [too].

What do you love about the cello?

I think it has a really nice, deep and beautiful sound.

Do you ever perform in front of audiences?

I perform a couple times a year at the Lucy Moses School/Kaufman Center as part of the music program there. I have also performed at Symphony Space and Lincoln Center with ISO (Inter School Orchestra).

What do you find most challenging about playing an instrument?

You have to work very hard to make beautiful music. Performing solo is still pretty difficult for me. I am not so comfortable by myself in front of an audience, but I am working on that. I am working on playing stronger and faster, with more vibrato and emotion, and that is really challenging for me to do and to play all the right notes with the right tone with the correct bowings all at the same time.

What impact does music have on your life?

I feel great when I have worked hard and mastered a hard piece. I hear music on TV commercials sometimes that I recognize as pieces I have learned. My mom and I went to the opera last year to see Hansel and Gretel, and I recognized one of the pieces that I had played in the orchestra, and that was fun!

Maggie Goldmark Pernambuco, 12

Drums, Church Street School for Music and Art

What do you love about the drums?

The drums are a crashing, bashing, get-all-your-feelings out now kind of instrument. It’s loud, it’s fun, and you can do whatever you want, if you’re wearing earplugs. I play drums four times a week, and two of those times it’s almost a free-for-all.

What do you enjoy about music and being able to play it?

Once you feel as though you really know how to play an instrument, every time you hear music, your experience changes, and you start listening for parts of even your favorite songs that you’ve listened to a million times differently. You notice things that you never really noticed before, and it’s very shocking at first, but after a while you can enjoy it.

How long does it take you to learn a piece of music?

It usually takes about two to three hours of crazy, scary and rather experimental playing if it’s a song played by more than one kid. If it’s individual, 10 minutes at the least.

Do you have any advice for other kids who want to play an instrument?

It’s a skill that comes in handy a lot, but the most important thing is that this is something you really want to pour your heart and soul into.

Alice Rogers, 11

Piano & Voice, The Diller-Quaile School of Music

How did you get started playing the piano and singing?

I have been playing piano longer than I can remember, so I can’t remember how I started. But I do remember that my mom liked the idea of voice lessons, so she signed me up for them.

What do you love about the piano and voice?

Piano is fun because it is very different from most of the instruments; there are a couple that are like it, but not many. Voice is awesome because you don’t have to lug around an instrument.

Do you ever perform in front of audiences?

Yes, it’s very stressful. One mistake and BAM! You ruin your piece. But if you do it correctly, everyone loves it. It’s one thing for a cute four-year-old violinist to mess up…it’s a totally different thing for an eleven-year-old pianist to mess up.

What do you enjoy about music and being able to play it?

Playing in recitals, and, of course, eating cupcakes after recitals.

What impact does music have on your life?

A big one. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t doing music!

Kinara Phillips, 9

Acoustic & Electric Guitar, New York Jazz Academy

How did you get started playing the guitar?

I started by playing the ukulele when I was five years old and switched to guitar when I was six.

What do you love about the guitar? And what do you find most challenging?

That you can play all kinds of music with it. The most challenging part was learning my first chords and notes.

Do you have any advice for other kids who want to play an instrument?

A lot of kids start with the piano—you should start with the piano because it helps you learn music.

What impact does music have on your life?

It gives me a lot of special time with my dad and my family, and it helps me express myself. I can play sad songs when I am sad and happy songs when I am happy.

What is your favorite song to listen to, and what is your favorite song to play?

My favorite song to listen to is “Take the A Train.” My favorite song to play is “Hotel California.”

Music Classes For The Very Young

92Y School Of Music. 1395 Lexington Avenue, 212-415-5500, 92Y.org. (Ages newborn to 18 years)

apple seeds. 10 West 25th Street, 212-792-7590, appleseedsnyc.com. (Ages newborn to 5 years)

The Diller-Quaile School Of Music. 24 East 95th Street, 212-369-1484, diller-quaile.org. (Ages 4 months and up)

Eastside Westside Music Together. Various locations on the UES and UWS, 212-496-1242, eswsmusictogether.com. (Ages newborn to 7 years)

Gymboree Music. Various locations in Manhattan, 877-449-6932, gymboreeclasses.com. (Ages 6 months to 5 years)

Gymtime Rhythm & Glues. 1520 York Avenue, 212-861-7732, gymtime.net. (Ages 2 to 3 years)

Hands On! Various locations, 212-339-9915, handson4music.com. (Ages 4 months to 3 years)

Little Maestros. 344 East 69th Street, 212-772-2177 or 212-396-3977, littlemaestros.com. (Ages 3 months to 5 years)

Moey’s Music Party. The New York Junior League, 130 East 80th Street, 917-680-6739, moeysmusicparty.com. (Ages newborn to 5 years)

Music For Aardvarks. Various locations, 718-858-1741, musicforaardvarks.com. (Ages 6 months to 5 years)

Music Together In The City. Various locations, 212-358-3801 or 800-728-2692, musictogethernyc.com. (Ages newborn to 4 years)

Musical Kids International. 1296 Lexington Avenue, 212-996-5898, musicalkids.net. (Ages 6 months to 7 years)

School For Strings. 419 West 54th Street, 212-315-0915, schoolforstrings.org. (Ages 12 months to 18 years)

The Early Ear. 48 West 68th Street, 110 West 96th Street, 353 East 78th Street, 212-877-7125, theearlyear.com. (Ages 4 months to 5 years)

Three Little Birds Music. 266 East 78th Street, 212-744-0404, tlbmusic.com. (Ages 4 months to 5 years)

WeBop At Jazz At Lincoln Center. Frederick P. Rose Hall, Broadway at 60th Street, 212-258-9800 or 212-258-9922, jalc.org. (Ages 8 months to 5 years)

When They’re Ready For Music Lessons

92Y School Of Music. 1395 Lexington Avenue, 212-415-5500, 92y.org. (All ages)

Church Street School For Music And Art. 74 Warren Street, 212-571-7290, churchstreetschool.org. (Ages 16 months and up)

The Diller-Quaile School Of Music. 24 East 95th Street, 212-369-1484, diller-quaile.org. (Ages 4 months and up)

Greenwich House Music School. 46 Barrow Street, 212-242-4770, greenwichhouse.org. (All ages)

Lucy Moses School Of Music. 129 West 67th Street, 212-501-3308, kaufman-center.org/lucy-moses-school. (Ages 18 months and up)

Manhattan School Of Music. 601 West 122nd Street, 212-749-2802, msmnyc.edu. (Ages 5 and up)

Music House. 504 East 88th Street, 212-744-8840, nycmusichouse.org. (Ages 5 and up)

New York Jazz Academy. Various locations, 718-426-0633, nyjazzacademy.com. (All ages)

The Piano School Of NYC. Various locations, 212-386-2274, pianoschoolofnyc.com. (Ages 3 and up)

Piano Teacher USA. In your home, 888-222-3098, pianoteacherusa.com. (All ages)

Turtle Bay Music School. 244 East 52nd Street, 212-753-8811, tbms.org. (Ages 18 months and up)