Glassell Park's Minibop Music Is Ready to School L.A.'s Future Rock Stars

Classically-trained musician Marsha Smith remembers how she was feeling at any given point in her life based only on the albums she was listening to. 

"Music has brought me through some of my hardest times and brightened up some of the best times in my life," Smith tells UncoverLA. She grew up playing piano, belonged to an a capella group for five years, and earned her master's degree in music management from Boston's prestigious Berklee School of Music. That said, it's no surprise that the Mount Washington-based entrepreneur would use her passion for music to help others — particularly L.A.'s future musicians by way of Minibop Music, a new educational space in Glassell Park.

In April, Smith and her photographer husband, Benjamin Smith (both new parents themselves), opened their colorful 808-square-foot space at Verdugo Plaza to help "socialize kids through music" via lessons, playdates, and birthday parties for babies to kids ages five and up. 

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Whether it's a one-on-one class, a parent-and-kid session, or a group jam sesh, Minibop thoughtfully designs lesson plans so budding beat-makers can develop their coordination, self-expression, concentration, communication, social, and motor skills. All classes include basic music theory, singing, movement, storytelling, games, instruments, and props.

Pricing ranges from $35 for a single group class, $120 for four-class group series, $250 for a 45-minute entertainment session for birthdays, and $360 to $500 for a live music show for parties. Parents of new students can DM Minibop Music on Instagram to try a free group class. Minibop also sources, hires, and trains musicians and teachers.

The creative couple chose the Northeast L.A. location "because there are so many great neighbors," says Marsha Smith. "Verdugo Plaza is vibrant and really focused on the future of the community." The bright white and yellow building is also home to Gregga salon, Lemon Poppy Kitchen, and cool plant boutique The Juicy Leaf, to name a few.

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With public schools increasingly cutting creative and arts programs, including music, Smith was propelled to start her musical venture. "I was reminded how important it is to incorporate music in these little humans' lives," says Marsha Smith. "It just felt like the right time to expand and make a difference."

Minibop isn't her first music-powered venture: She's also is the founder of PitStop Musicians, an online music community that aims to help "musicians find better opportunities and opportunities better find musicians."

Running a business is hard work. When she needs to relax, Smith will go to one of three places — the Americana at Brand, the gym, or Salt and Straw — and, of course, bumping music. "Everything from the band Jungle is my jam right now," she adds.

Get an inside look at the store through the gallery above, and check out the store's address and full hours below.

Minibop Music, 3326 Verdugo Rd., Suite 3326, L.A., 90065; Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.; (323) 645-3695