Meet Alexandra Adams | Owner and Founder of Yellow Bird Music – A music studio where children and music soar!

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alexandra Adams and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alexandra, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
That took a long while to figure out. I’m still learning. But for me more than anything, it’s a feeling. A feeling of what feels good within me. Am I happy? Being present in the now, holding tight to moments that make everything in my world go round. Taking time to enjoy this life I live. If I feel a sense of balance, then so can everyone around me. Life is ever changing with no clear paths, ever. It’s how we understand and learn from these life events that give us our own balance, or learning of, I feel.

What should our readers know about your business?
I have the sweetest music studio called Yellow Bird Music in the heart of Santa Barbara CA. It’s such a special place to me, and my home away from home.
We specialize is music classes and lessons for ages 3 months and up. We offer parent and child music classes, private lessons in piano, violin, guitar, ukulele, voice and accordion. We also host family drum circles, birthday celebrations and offer special events like musical guest week! This is where musicians come in and play their instruments for the children and parents. This gives children an opportunity to see musicians and their instruments up close and personal. It definitely inspires the youngest at heart.
As well as nurturing our younger children, we nurture the growth and learning development of teens and adults. Our music program is for every age!
We have a wonderful teaching staff that specializes in music and instrument. The gift is truly within the love and soul of each teacher, sharing the love of music and teaching together as one.
Yellow Bird Music is quite special as we are celebrating our 20th year. We have stood the test of time because our program teaches and comes from the heart.💛

I am so very honored to be teaching children and their families. Music has always been such a part of what makes me whole as a person. And to be able to do this as a career in such a beautiful place as Santa Barbara, I am truly blessed! Every family that I have met in one capacity or another has filled my heart. Life is good when you love what you do!

Some of the things that set our music program apart from others are that I am continuously creating new material for Ybm. music. In fact, I have a wonderful music team that produces all original music for each themed curriculum. We have put out 9 original albums, which you can find on all streaming devices. We also have fun creating new musical themes that we feature each season. Themes such as In the Jungle, At the Park, Birds of a Feather and many others. This continuous creativity is so important for artistic growth and learning.

During Covid I had to pivot and be creative making Ybm Videos for parents to view in the comfort and safety of their homes. It was so important that I keep something familiar and consistent in children’s lives during a time that was constanly changing. And because of this I was able to connect with children and families from all over the world. I had families join me from Chicago, New York, Oregon and beyond. Because I had to pivot in this new direction, I was able to create reach and meet families from near and far. A blessing in disguise to say the least!

Zoom became a very popular way for people to connect and stay in touch. We were also able to switch to Zoom for classes, private lessons and host birthday parties! We were able to celebrate with grandma and grandpa who were a state away. Another wonderful blessing.

I have always loved working with children. I just got kids and they got me. And music, well I was pretty much born singing. You put these two things together, and you get my dream of opening Yellow Bird Music.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Santa Barbara has so many gems! It’s a very special place with so many wonderful things to do with families and friends! The Funk Zone is the newest and most exiting place to be, it’s the hip new hangout spot with wineries, breweries, and food places to eat galore. For families we have numerous museums and places to visit. Here are a few of my favorite: The Santa Barbara Zoo, The Moxi Museum, The Natural History Museum, The Botanical Gardens, Lotusland, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, The Sea Center, and so many more! Favorite places to eat: Brophy Brothers and The Fish House for great a fresh seafood, The Boathouse or Shoreline Cafe to sit and relax with your toes in the sand and a front row view of the ocean. If you like to hike, here are a few of my favorites: Tangerine Falls, Inspiration Point, Gaviota Wind Caves and the Douglas Preserve. We also love to bike ride along the beach near the pier and along Shoreline Drive. Downtown State Street has shops, bars and restaurants. Pick one each day you visit! Besides the perfect temperature and scenery, you won’t find a friendlier community of people. Santa Barbara is a true gem, and I am so lucky I’ve been able to build my life and business here!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My Dad, for always giving me all the love in his heart and always teaching me to believe in myself.

My husband Mondo, for always supporting and believing in my dreams.

My mom, for always being my sounding board and giving me wonderful business tools and ideas to use along the way.

My sister, an amazing business woman herself, who has always guided me in new ways to grow my business.

And to Paul Burri, my mentor, for always making me think outside the box, giving me goals to set and reach within myself.

Website: yellowbirdmusic.com

Instagram: yellowbirdmusic.sb

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yellowbirdmusic.sb

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/yellowbird-music-santa-barbara

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzC86hGWHkg4WOMVOojMOUA/featured

Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/1xRwyJj0xu5uvYw2710Vtg?si=K3w-USukQIiSKnws_8f_aA Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/yellow-bird-music/516296761

Image Credits
Photographs by Tristin Tracy Photography and Sara Prince