For Adult Musicians Who Want to Jam and Grow in Community
Who this program is for
Circles is for those of you who feel a calling to express the music that lives inside of you. What would it be like to be able to play the music that you know, that you hear on your favorite records, and that you feel in your soul —and be able to share that with others in a group of like-minded musicians and music educators and mentors.
It’s about learning, growing, and playing with others, having it heard and enjoyed by our family, friends, and communities that we are part of, while strengthening our own friendships and community of families.
This program is for those who want to form a connection with a group of motivated musicians on the same path, and to receive expert guidance and mentorship from professional music educators and professional musicians.
This program is for those of you who have developed some confidence playing music with others and want to take the next step to see where the music can take you in this life.
What is the ‘Circles’ Program
This program will center around each participant joining a real playing group, comprised of both students and teachers of the program, as well as special guest players from the local musician community.
Main Components of Program
Group Sessions/Rehearsals
Weekly group sessions with your playing group. Rehearse the songs you want to learn, develop your playing style and sound, and learn something new for your playing every week. Each instrument has it’s own role in making great music, so we will work on arrangements for songs with individual parts that come together to make a beautiful whole.
Private Lessons
This program’s core membership will include two monthly private lessons to work out your parts, any necessary technique or instrument skills that you’ll want to learn and bring to your Circle, and allow you an opportunity to get personalized support on your playing in a private 1:1 setting.
Options available for additional private lessons and membership levels omitting private lessons
Playing Opportunities
Every 2 months, your group will have the opportunity to play somewhere—whether that be a family and friends social gathering, campfire jam among, a song or two at an open mic or performers circle, or wherever else feels like the right place for your music! Some groups may choose to wait a couple months and work out their set and arrangements before their first time playing for others. I will find and suggest opportunities that are compatible with your comfort level and experience, and offer an extra hand on the barbecue.
Quarterly Community Event, Feast and Concert
Every quarter, we will host a feast, BBQ and open jam or participate in a local community event—for Circles that want to share music with our friends, family, and community the way it was meant to be shared.
Why I Started the ‘Circles’ Program
I created this program because I wanted people to have a place they could call home for their music learning that wasn’t just week-after-week private lessons in isolation or a group learning program that never leaves the studio, but something that connects studio learning to the world around us in a meaningful way. I created this program to open up a tangible, inspiring, challenging, and safe musical pathway to go on with a motivating/motivated group of peers and guides—growing your musical confidence, deepening your abilities, creative expression, and enjoyment while receiving top-notch instruction using a proven framework.
I know how powerful of a teacher music herself is, and how profound and life-changing of an experience it is to be able to play freely with others, and experience the joy and creative expression that comes from getting together with a solid foundation in rhythm, deep listening, melody, harmony, space, improv, tone, musical communication, understanding common song forms and practical music theory, demystifying how music works and how to fit into it, and simply enjoying the process of being in it.
The Group Dynamic
At PlayReady Music, I seek to provide the safest, most welcoming, challenging (in a good way), fun, and fulfilling pathway for learning how to play music and share that gift with others. We will find a playing group for you that matches your musical interests, experience, goals, and comfort zone and be with you all the way in supporting your musical journey.
Instrumentation will be balanced across groups so you can get the real sound of an ensemble. Core instruments that don’t have students assigned will be filled by instructors and guest musicians from the local community, so you can really dive into the role of your instrument and how—at whatever skill level you find yourself—play in harmony with all the others in your group to make that beautiful sound and experience that makes music special.
Are you interested?
Applications are open! Limited spots available—2 playing groups to start with 4-5 folks in each group (including instructors). As of December 12, 2026 there are 3 spots remaining to fill the first two circles.
Apply for Circles Membership
Frequently Asked Questions (click question to expand)
What skills and experience do I need to have to join this program?
This program is designed for folks who have some experience and confidence jamming with others, perhaps identifying as an intermediate or advanced player. For beginners and those who want to develop core fundamental skills for playing with others, I recommend first completing the 12-week Learn to Jam Journey.
Part of the goal is to have musicians of different skill levels playing together in a way that sounds great, so we all learn and grow together.
If you want to brush up on any individual skills before entering this program, you may schedule a private lesson at my studio.
Do I need to have experience playing with others in order to join?
For this program, yes. If you haven’t had experience playing with others, I recommend first joining a 12-week Learn to Jam Journey.
How much does the program cost?
Membership dues vary depending on the level of support you are looking for in your journey and range between $250-$400/month —quotes for preferred level of service given after application completed. Core Circle membership program offerings including:
- Placement in a playing group/”band” (your circle)
- 2-3 (TBD, based on student needs) 90 minute coached group sessions/rehearsals per month
- 2 private lessons per month with option for additional or reduced number of private lessons
- Personalized take-home practice activities and open access to our growing library of resources
- Opportunity to play and grow in a supportive community of learners, local professional musicians, and music teachers
- Field trips and organized opportunities to play out with your circle
Membership payments will be due quarterly, in advance of registration. Payment plans are available (monthly payments). Discounts available for committed students who sign up for a whole year. Inaugural members will have the price guaranteed for 1 year. Membership dues reserve your spot in your circle.
Please reach out for need-based scholarship information—I absolutely want need PlayReady Music programs and offerings to be accessible to the wider community of musicians.
How can I make sure this is the right program for me?
There are many different programs and learning pathways out there, so I always encourage my students do their due diligence and reflect on where they want to take music in their life and what type of learning environment would suit them best. If you’re unsure and would like to talk it over, you are absolutely welcome and invited to book a free, no-pressure strategy call where we talk over your musical goals and see what learning path might be the best fit for you, whether it’s working with me or something else.
How do I reserve a spot in the group?
Enrollment is currently open. The first step is filling out an application, which will give me more information on your musical interests, goals, and experience to 1) make sure this program is the right fit for you, and 2) place you in a circle with like-minded folks who have the same interests.
Is there a distance learning (online) group?
There is an ongoing membership program for folks who live outside of the locale of Davis, California where my in-person studio is located. Students are currently joining in from California to Colombia. We have a growing and thriving community of folks from many places throughout the world. If you are interested in joining our distance learning community, please contact me.
Thanks to the tools available today for interactive lessons online, I would say there are some distinct advantages of learning online (beyond being able to learn from the comfort of your home). The framework that we work from in our online learning program is designed to translate directly to you being able to playing with others in your local community and has been validated with dozens of students online during and since the global shutdown of 2020 — the results have been overwhelmingly positive!
Juan David shares his experience in the 12-week Learn to Jam Journey distance learning program
Another question?
Feel free to reach out!
Book a Free Strategy Call to get clarity on your best learning path
Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.
– PlatoMusic is the universal language of mankind.
– Henry Wadsworth LongfellowMusic in the soul can be heard by the universe.
Lao Tzu