The Academy of Language and Music Arts (ALMA) in Orinda sets out to offer lessons for all ages in a thoughtful, rich and meaningful fashion. The school was founded by Dr. James Fiatrone—also known to students as “Dr. Jim.” Fiatrone believes that from elementary through graduate school, we acquire a lot of knowledge and improve or gain skills, but there isn’t always a lot of thought behind it as to why.
“My feeling has always been that education has to have another reason behind it,” says Fiatrone. “We try to teach people how to use their art not only for self-fulfilment, but for others. People can tell the difference. Do you do what you do because you love it or for the recompense?”
A humanitarian philosophy is infused into the teaching style, culture and physical space at ALMA, intending to create a therapeutic and educationally intriguing experience for students that may be lost in at-home, online or even in-school lessons.
Fiatrone earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees at UC Berkeley, studying Italian language, literature and culture with a minor in music. He then taught Italian at UC Berkeley, Southern Methodist University and at Bocconi University in Milan, Italy. Fiatrone learned clarinet and piano from his parents, who ran a music school in Pinole, and developed his perspective on music education early on. With an itch to start something of his own and keep both his interest in language and music alive, he opened the academy.
At ALMA, learning music and language is never about excelling for the sole sake of competition or profit. ALMA is focused rather on planting a meaningful seed in students that enriches their approach to education and other activities.
“We’ve had students perform at hospitals and convalescent homes, and we surely encourage that,” says Fiatrone. “We teach people how to use their art not only for self-fulfillment, but for others. Even if it’s something as simple as, ‘Call your grandmother and play this for her; she’ll probably know this song.’ Just the idea of, again, whatever we learn, whether it’s a language or an art form, really any skill, how can you use that out in life, out in the world? Not just professionally, but to help bring good vibes, and make the world a better place.”
Recognizing it can be difficult to philosophize about “the why” in a rigorous and competitive school or work setting, ALMA aims to offset that, giving students an opportunity to be mindful, slow down and explore their passions away from outside stressors or worrisome competition.
“We have, for example, a student who does clarinet,” says Fiatrone. “She’s a California state judge. All day long, you have the courts and the arguments, but she comes here, and it’s just kind of like a sigh. This is the time to turn off the message machine.”
Fiatrone shares how his parents taught a young Billie Joe Armstrong, Green Day’s lead singer. Though the star’s potential was clear from the start, he recalls his father saying, “If he does it for money, he’ll become very good. He’ll become professional and probably successful, but people won’t know why he’s doing it. And if he does it because he loves to sing and entertain, he’ll become even greater. And people will know the difference.” Fiatrone adds, “Ironically, he then became super-duper successful as a man, and in a financial sense, too. But maybe that was his point.”
These ideas are woven into the teaching as well as the physical environment at ALMA—which is not only a school, but a full-service music store, filled with memorabilia and sheet music. The academy is located in an older building surrounded by greenery and shared with a yoga studio and flower shop. For Fiatrone, language and music taught in the same building is an immersive way to understand the culture carried by music and vice versa.
“Context is important in anything we do,” Fiatrone says, explaining that ALMA’s physical space is designed to evoke curiosity, peace and comfort.
ALMA carries several shelves of sheet music for students to pick and discover material from, allowing them not only to follow their interests, but to find unexpected gems. Instruments of all kinds are displayed, intriguing students to ask questions and try new things. Fiatrone recognizes and values this as another indirect form of education ALMA offers.
Students are meant to feel welcome, familiar and at-home. In fact, the door frame is covered with holiday and graduation cards from families and students who’ve attended ALMA, and are close with their teachers and Fiatrone.
Regarding the youngest students, Fiatrone says, “I think sometimes they have a funny feeling about what it’s going to be like going somewhere to take lessons. Maybe it sounds like going to the doctor or something. But we’re kind of wild and crazy. People are always coming in and out, and I try to know every person, whether or not they’re my student. It’s the life of the place that makes a big difference.
“We’re not judgemental,” he adds. “You don’t have to worry about how you’ll be evaluated. We try to eliminate that spirit. Just come out and put in a good session.”
Fiatrone encourages potential students—and their parents—who aren’t yet entirely sure how committed they are to learning music or a language, to just come down and try a lesson, because the environment and culture of ALMA may make a difference.
ALMA, 99 Brookwood Rd., Orinda, 925.254.5056; open 11am–9pm Mon–Fri, 10am–6pm Sat, closed Sun.
