Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Juan Mata. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Juan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

Our story started it out with a passion for music. My brother Abraham and I wanted to teach music to kids so they could experience the joy of music too. In 2012 we started City Light Music Academy back then it was called integrity music institute. we started working with our local community of kids. My brother and I didn’t know much about teaching music but we did it anyway with trial and error. Along the way we met so many wonderful kids and families. As the years have gone by my brother and I learned proper ways and techniques to better help these kids/teens learn music fast and well. In 2022 we saw a need in our hispanic community and other communinites struggling financially. many of the families were unable to pay for music classes. We decided to add a non profit branch to our academy, this area would help families acquire music lessons at a lower cost. that same year we also started a free tutoring program in Encinitas paid in full by our sponsors. over the years City Light Music Academy has grown and our success is due to the amazing people we serve and our staff. We continue to strive for excellence and care for these children in teens through the joy of making music.

Juan, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My story is interesting I got into teaching music simply because I was playing piano at my local church. I knew a couple families and they wanted me to teach their kids. I didn’t know much about teaching or music. I started studying and practicing more I figured if I’m going to start teaching I want to give my clients the best version of myself. As the years progressed and I’ve been getting more and more clients I came to find out that these people I was serving really trusted me to teach their children music. Ive come to see it as every child is a special project. not every child learns the same. Over the years I’ve worked on developing techniques to cater to the needs of an individual not some curriculum. I think what sets us apart as the front man of City Light Music Academy is that we truly care about our clients not just about teaching music but how our clients are doing in their daily lives. Music is only an ice breaker into the lives of our clients. one of my favorite quotes came from my college music professor it said like this “Doctors learn to operate on the human body, Musicians learn to operate on the human Soul”. every child we have the privilege to teach is going to provide the next generation with music and we take that very seriously!

How’d you meet your business partner?

My business partner is my brother Abraham. many people don’t know but the success of City Light Music Academy has a lot to do with him. My brother is a phenomenal musician but he’s also a “behind the sciences” kind of guy. He’s the perfect business parter he does our mercy, websites and all marketing. he’s a genius when it comes to color palettes and aesthetic. My brother and I grew up playing music in my dads mariachi norteno band. he’s always been a better creative than me. he could always draw and do things I couldn’t. When we started playing music and running this business together great things were meant to happen he has all the creative and art mind that I don’t have.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

People trust us. whenever were out in the community playing at a live event or just out and about, were bound to run into someone that knows us. Over the years our CLMA team has been well known in our town and that makes me happy because we have some amazing people in our staff of teachers, media and tutors. people know that when they send their child to our school they’re getting the absolute best!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.citylightofficial.com/citylightmusicacademy
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/citylightmusicacademy/