Lamorinda Academy of Music and Arts offers piano, keyboard, organ, violin, viola, cello, guitar, voice, music theory, composition, and kindermusic lessons to the community of Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Walnut Creek, as well as for other cities in the East Bay. The academy, which is located in downtown Lafayette, opened its doors eight years ago and evolved from a small piano studio of Dr. Umida Avloni to an Academy with three departments - music, art and chess. Students, whose ages range from three to over seventy, take their instructions in private or group settings according to the chosen class. They learn at their own pace and have an option to choose an amateur or professional path. Our outstanding faculty includes winners of international competitions and professionals teaching at UC Berkeley, Stanford, The Crowden Music Center, San Dominic College and John F. Kennedy University. Because of the excellent level of instructions, our students are well prepared and successfully participate at music recitals, concerts, competitions, tests, art exhibitions and chess tournaments. Lamorinda Academy also has become a flourishing cultural center. It has provided the people of the East Bay with many charitable events at schools, hospitals, retirement homes, senior citizen centers and churches, and overall has ensured that serving the community is the essential part of students' upbringing. As a result of the students’ achievements and many activities of the Academy, our school has become a magnet for students throughout the East Bay. They come not only from the Lamorinda area but also from areas that range from Oakland and Berkeley to Martinez and Antioch, Hercules and El Sobrante to Danville and San Ramon. All of our work is done for the love of music, art and chess. We understand that the sheer joy of involvement in these various arts will enrich our students’ lives from childhood to old age regardless of the path that they may choose for their future.