Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Friedland.
Hi Matt, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Music Lessons Arizona began from a shared desire to create a space where people could experience the joy, creativity, and community that music brings.
I (Matt Friedland) studied Jazz Guitar Performance at Arizona State University and have been teaching professionally since 2007. Over the years, I noticed many adult musicians hit a wall trying to learn on their own—they could play scales or songs, but struggled to play with others. That insight shaped our adult programs, which focus on helping guitar, bass, and drum students gain confidence, freedom, and connection through jamming and performance.
One of our signature offerings, the Performing Artist Program, gives adult students the opportunity to rehearse and perform in real bands at venues like the Mesa Arts Center. Many of our students describe it as a life-changing experience—the moment they finally feel like real musicians.
My wife, Sherin Moustafa, is a classically trained pianist with a Master’s in Collaborative Piano and National Certification in Music Education, a distinction held by less than 1% of teachers nationwide. She directs our piano division, which includes both private instruction and structured group programs such as our Class Piano for Kids and Classical Piano Program. Her approach combines artistry and structure, helping students build musicianship, focus, and confidence.
Today, our school serves over a hundred students each week, supported by a team of dedicated teachers who share our vision. Together, we’ve built a welcoming community where students—young and adult alike—learn, collaborate, and perform while discovering a deeper connection to music and themselves.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like most small business owners, our path has had its share of challenges. Building a music school from the ground up meant wearing many hats—teaching, marketing, managing staff, and keeping operations running smoothly—all while maintaining the level of care and quality our students deserve.
When we first started, one of the biggest challenges was finding the right balance between being great teachers and effective business owners. Over time, we learned how to build systems, hire and train an amazing team, and create programs that reflect our shared values of community, growth, and musicianship.
There were also moments of uncertainty, like navigating the pandemic years and adapting to new ways of connecting with students. But through it all, our mission—to help people connect more deeply with music and with each other—has kept us grounded and moving forward.
Today, every challenge we faced has shaped Music Lessons Arizona into the supportive, thriving community it is now.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At Music Lessons Arizona, we specialize in helping both adult and young musicians grow in a way that’s creative, structured, and community-driven. We’re known for creating a learning environment that’s both high-quality and human — where students feel supported, inspired, and part of something larger than themselves.
On my side, I focus on working with adult guitar, bass, and drum students who want to move beyond practicing alone and start playing music with others. Our programs—especially the Jam Experience and Performing Artist Program—help students gain the skills and confidence to improvise, perform, and collaborate in real band settings. Seeing adults who once doubted themselves get on stage and experience the joy of performing is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.
Sherin leads our piano division, which includes both private lessons and structured group classes for children and adults. She’s known for her detailed, classical approach that blends artistry, focus, and musical expression. Many parents and students appreciate that she combines professional-level training with warmth and encouragement, helping students not just play notes, but make music.
What truly sets us apart is our commitment to community. We’re not just teaching music—we’re helping people find connection, confidence, and meaning through it. Watching our students grow musically and personally, and seeing them support one another along the way, is what we’re most proud of.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
For me, risk has always been part of growth. Every meaningful step I’ve taken in my career came with uncertainty—whether it was leaving the safety of traditional teaching to start my own music school, or creating programs for adult musicians when most schools primarily focus on kids.
Launching Music Lessons Arizona was a leap of faith. There was no guarantee it would work, but I believed deeply in the idea that music could be more than a weekly lesson—it could be a community experience where people grow together. Starting our Performing Artist Program was another major risk. Most of the adults who joined had never performed on stage before, and putting them in a position to rehearse, collaborate, and then step into the spotlight for the first time required trust, courage, and a lot of guidance. Seeing them overcome their fears and experience that sense of accomplishment has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career.
Sherin has taken her own meaningful risks as well. When she designed our Class Piano for Kids and Classical Piano Program, she moved away from the traditional one-on-one lesson model to create a structured, collaborative classroom experience that helps children develop both musicianship and confidence. It was a bold move in a field that often resists change, but the results have been incredible.
For both of us, risk-taking isn’t about chasing success—it’s about believing in something before there’s proof it will work, and trusting that growth comes from stepping outside your comfort zone.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://musiclessonsarizona.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musiclessonsarizona/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Music.Lessons.Tempe.Arizona
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@musiclessonsarizona1778
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/music-lessons-arizona-tempe
