OUR STORY

It all began with a dusty guitar. As a kid growing up in a family where music was both an escape and a lifeline, our founder Daniel Powers Jr. found his uncle’s old six‑string and felt an immediate pull. Even with a grandmother who sang on big stages and a mom who eased her stress at the piano, he struggled to find a music school that catered to his learning style. Years later, after turning his grit into a professional career as a songwriter and performer, he realised that the best way to inspire others was to create the school he wished he’d had.

Today, Real Brave is both a music school and a community. For over two decades we’ve welcomed more than 13 000 students, delivered over 300 000 lessons, and hosted hundreds of concerts while also supporting a nonprofit that teaches formerly homeless children. Our instructors are professional musicians who not only master their instruments but relate to every student. Whether you’re looking for music lessons in guitar, piano, drums or vocals, you can learn with us in person at one of our New York/New Jersey studios or online through our virtual school.

Music isn’t just about lessons; it’s about performance. That’s why our students regularly take the stage at mini‑concerts and big shows, gaining confidence and becoming part of a supportive band community. Our online students enjoy live‑streamed classes that let them play favourite songs, see their progress and get real‑time feedback. From your first chord to performing four times a year, Real Brave helps you find your stage.

Follow us on social media (@realbraveinc) and join a music school where you can take guitar lessons, piano lessons, drum lessons, or voice lessons—whether in person or online—and be part of a community that celebrates every performance.

What sets Real Brave apart 

It is the way we combine a welcoming studio environment with a proven system. In‑studio students work with the best gear and a clear roadmap, while online learners use PracticePad™—our unique learning platform that provides practice videos, assignments, schedule management and progress tracking. Wherever you learn, you’ll have a teacher who “gets” you and access to the most organised program in the industry.

OUR STORY

2003

Real Brave Beginnings

Before Real Brave became a music school that inspires thousands, it started with one musician and a vision. Grammy-nominated artist Daniel Powers Jr. began his career the way many great musicians do — in the studio. A professional musician with dozens of releases to his name, Daniel spent years writing, performing, and recording before discovering that what truly drove him wasn’t just creating music, but helping others do the same.

What started as a small recording studio for local bands soon turned into something more. Between late-night recording sessions, Daniel began teaching on the side, showing young musicians how to capture their sound, play with confidence, and express themselves through music. Those early lessons sparked what would eventually become Real Brave — a place where learning, performing, and self-expression all come together.

From those humble studio sessions grew a movement: a music school built by musicians, for musicians, blending the artistry of performance with the heart of education.

2006

By 2006, Real Brave had entered what could only be described as its golden age. Daniel Powers Jr. opened the first official Real Brave location in Queens, New York, transforming a dream into a thriving community. What began as a modest space quickly filled with energy — 200 students enrolled within the first year, guided by a passionate team of seven teachers who believed in the power of music to change lives.

The walls echoed with music from every corner: guitars, pianos, and drums blending into the heartbeat of a new kind of school. Students performed proudly at local schools and community events, giving parents, friends, and teachers a front-row seat to their progress. Each performance wasn’t just a show — it was proof that confidence could be taught, one note at a time.

As word spread, so did the vision. Real Brave began to expand, reaching more families who wanted something different — a place where kids didn’t just take lessons, they found their stage.

2015

Expansion and Innovation

As Real Brave’s reputation grew, so did its reach. By the time enrollment climbed past 700 students, Daniel Powers Jr. began envisioning how to bring the Real Brave experience to new neighborhoods and communities.

In 2017, that vision became reality with the opening of a brand-new location in Oakland, New Jersey — a space designed to capture the same energy and creativity that had defined Queens. Not long after, another location in Manhattan opened its doors, extending Real Brave’s mission right into the heart of New York City.

But expansion wasn’t just about more buildings — it was about more impact. Powers founded a nonprofit organization that brought music education to formerly homeless children in the Bronx, giving them access to instruments, mentorship, and a sense of belonging through music.

At the same time, Daniel began developing what would become a cornerstone of Real Brave’s future: PracticePad™ — an innovative app that helps students track their progress, access videos, and stay motivated between lessons.

Today, Real Brave proudly serves over 1,000 students across the New York metropolitan area, continuing to expand its reach while staying true to its roots — providing world-class music education, in person and online, to help every student find their stage.

TODAY

Real Brave Today

Today, Real Brave is a thriving community of musicians, educators, and families united by one mission — to make learning music accessible, inspiring, and deeply personal. What started as a single studio has grown into a network that reaches far beyond New York.

We now teach hundreds of students in person every week across our Queens, Manhattan, and Oakland, NJ locations, where live instruction, collaboration, and confidence-building still define everything we do.

At the same time, our reach has gone national. Through our PracticePad™ platform and virtual lesson programs, we provide online music lessons in seven states, connecting students to real teachers, real feedback, and the same powerful Real Brave Method™ — no matter where they live.

And it’s not just about lessons. With dozens of performance opportunities throughout the year, our students take the stage at local venues, school events, and Real Brave concerts that celebrate every milestone. These performances are more than recitals; they’re a living example of what happens when passion, practice, and purpose come together.

From first-time learners to seasoned performers, Real Brave continues to help musicians everywhere find their sound, build their confidence, and take their next step forward — both on stage and off.

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