Do you have a passion in music and want to become one of the best musicians in your generation? If so, you’ve come to the right place! This post will guide you in finding the best music schools in California. Check out the list:

1. University of California-Los Angeles

The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music offers world-class programs that help students enhance their unique abilities and broaden their knowledge in their chosen career. Among their offers are Bachelor of Arts in Music, Bachelor of Arts in Ethnomusicology, and Masters of Arts in Musicology. Aside from these, this institution also provides wonderful events, such as public concerts, musical theater productions, and public lectures enrich the lives of its students and members. The cost of tuition for academic year 2013-2014 is $11,220.

2. University of California-Berkeley

For several decades, the Department of Music at UC Berkeley has been consistently ranked among the top music departments in the country. Its faculty, researchers, and alumni have won different awards, including Nobel Prizes, Fields Medals, and Academy Awards just to name a few. This institution brings preeminent faculty members, top-notch students, professional and dedicated staff, as well as state-of-the-art facilities. The school considered itself small, yet big enough to offer a variety of high-challenging programs that enable students to discover and enhance their talents.

3. University of Southern California-Thornton School of Music

Founded in 1884, USC Thornton School of Music is one of the best and premiere music schools not only in California but in the whole country. It is also one of the oldest operating arts institutions in the state. It brings stellar faculty members and musically gifted students from all over the world. Located at the center of Los Angeles, this school offers a traditional conservatory-style education that anyone will surely appreciate. The estimated tuition fee is $45,602.

4. San Francisco Conservatory of Music

San Francisco Conservatory of Music is committed to providing the best music programs that prepare their students to the real world of music and arts. Located in San Francisco, CA, this music school has state-of-the-art facilities and spaces that help students find their distinct talents. The school’s tuition for the 2013-2014 academic year is $38,900

5. California Institute of the Arts-Herb Alpert School of Music

The Herb Alpert School of Music at CalArts provides high-challenging courses that shape their students’ talents and future in the field of music. This institution also offers world-class facilities and venues that allow their skilled students to maximize their true potential. The school provides different music programs, which include composition, musical arts, jazz studies, and voice lessons just to name a few. The school’s tuition for 2014-2014 academic year is $41,700.

6. California College of Music

Founded in 1998, CCM is known for its nurturing environment that helps students develop their skills and interest in music. The courses they offer are also taught by the most outstanding and stellar music professionals in the country. The school is located in Pasadena, CA — in close range with many different concert studios and Hollywood music venues.

7. University of the Pacific, Conservatory of Music

Conservatory of Music (COM) is among the seven schools at University of the Pacific. It is the first accredited music school on the west coast and one of the top music institutions in the nation. With a faculty-student ratio of 1:7, COM offers the highest level of education to prepare its students in the very competitive world of music and related fields. The estimated cost of attendance for 2014 is $20,411 plus applicable fees.

8. The Colburn School

The Colburn School is a world-class music, dance, and drama institution located in the heart of Los Angeles, neighboring the Music Center, Broad Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art, and Walt Disney Concert Hall. Since 1950, it consistently offers the highest educational programs that equip its students’ skills and help them achieve their dreams. The admission to this institution is highly competitive, which makes them one of the most prestigious schools in the nation.

California is one of the beautiful places in the US that boasts of wonderful beaches and mountains, but it also offers great music programs for the musically-inclined students. If you really want to excel in the music field and enhance more of your music ability, then be sure to check out these top music schools in California that were featured.