Meet Maya Thompson. Maya is 31 and has been taking ukulele lessons at Angeles Academy for the past eight months. She lives near Beckford Avenue in Reseda, just a short drive from our Tarzana campus. 

Originally from Portland, Oregon, she moved to Los Angeles for work and found an unexpected sense of routine and joy through music. We recently spoke with Maya about her experience.

"I Didn't Move Here Knowing Many People."

Tell us a little about yourself.

Maya: "I'm originally from Portland, but I moved to Los Angeles last year for work. I'm a UX designer for a healthcare technology company, so I spend most of my day in front of a computer. I absolutely love my job, but moving to a new city as an adult is... different than I expected."

She pauses for a second before smiling.

"Everyone tells you Los Angeles is exciting, and it is. But it can also feel surprisingly lonely when you don't already have your people."

Looking For Something Outside Work

After settling into her apartment, Maya started looking for something that could get her something that doesn’t have screen time.

"I wanted something I'd actually look forward to every week. Something creative."

She'd never played an instrument before.

"I kept seeing videos of people playing the ukulele, and it looked approachable. It felt fun instead of intimidating."

After searching online for ukulele lessons near me, she discovered Angeles Academy.

"The reviews were fantastic, and Tarzana was only about a ten-minute drive from where I live."

Why Ukulele?

Why not guitar or piano?

Maya laughs.

"Honestly? The ukulele just seemed happier. I wanted something light because my work is soo busy. Nathan also advised me to take up ukulele so I went with it."

"It felt like an instrument you could pick up after work without putting pressure on yourself. I wasn't trying to become a professional musician. I just wanted to learn something completely new."

Eight Months Later

Today, music has become part of Maya's weekly routine.

"It's one of the few hours every week where I'm not thinking about emails or deadlines."

She's learned dozens of chords, several complete songs, and now feels comfortable accompanying herself while singing.

"I never imagined I'd actually play songs all the way through. That seemed impossible when I started."

More Than Learning Chords

What surprised Maya most wasn't how much she'd learned.

It was how much she enjoyed coming back every week.

"The teachers are incredibly encouraging. Nobody makes you feel silly for making mistakes. It's just a really welcoming environment."

She also appreciates meeting people of different ages and backgrounds.

"There are kids, teenagers, adults, retirees... everyone is here because they love music. That's pretty cool."

Advice For Someone Thinking About Ukulele Lessons

What would you tell another adult who's considering music lessons?

Maya doesn't hesitate.

"Don't wait until you think you'll have more time. You probably won't."

"I kept telling myself I'd learn an instrument someday. I'm really glad someday finally became this year."

Looking back, Maya says the ukulele has given her more than a new hobby.

"It's given me something that's completely mine. Every week I get a little better, and that's a really satisfying feeling."

For Maya, the short drive from Reseda to Tarzana has become more than a trip to a music lesson. It's become a welcome break from the workday, a creative outlet, and a reminder that it's never too late to learn something new. 

If you're in Los Angeles and looking for ukulele lessons near you, we'd love to welcome you to Angeles Academy of Music.

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