About Westminster Arts Academy
Orange County's Favorite Place to Learn The Arts!
Our Story
Westminster Arts Academy is the latest generation of one of California's longest-running privately owned music schools. Our music education history dates way back to the mid-1960s when our founder began teaching piano to the local community. Located in the City of Westminster since 1991, at Westminster Arts Academy, you will be able to learn almost any instrument at almost any age! Music instruction is available to as young as 18-months-old, children of all ages, and adults. We don't just teach music, however. Dance classes and Arts classes are also available seven days a week! Read on to get to know a bit about our story and how we got here!
Voice student picks up the morning paper while at Sunday brunch and sees her music school on the front page.
The Move to Orange County
In 1991 founder Dr. Robert Rios and his wife Thuy Rios made the move from Los Angeles County to Orange County, landing first in the City of Westminster. The first generation of OC music schools was born with the name Kamala Flowers and Music, located on the corner of Magnolia Ave. and Westminster Blvd. Thuy, being a florist, shared this first location with her husband, making it half Flower Shop, half Piano School. Divided by a glass wall, on one side you would smell beautiful, fresh-cut flowers, and on the other, hear the sound of eight acoustic pianos playing in sync. It was a true artistic marvel, and it did not take long for the couple's reputation of excellence to reach the community. Some years later, Dr. Rios opened more locations in cities around Orange County, including Irvine, Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Tustin, and Anaheim, under the name Rios Piano Centers. In 2004, the current location on Beach Blvd was opened.
Nationally Recognized Music School in Orange County
In 2019, Westminster Arts Academy was awarded the National Music School of the Year Award. Our school made the front page of both the Los Angeles Times and the Nguoi Viet, and was featured on major television networks NBC and Univision. Since then, we have reached an active enrollment of over 1,200, and in 2021, we began our exciting expansion to the State of Arizona.
Westminster Mayor, City Council, Chief of Police, Chamber of Commerce, and more, gather in celebration of the national award.
Founder, Robert Rios, teaches a group piano class to the community.
Los Angeles, 1976
Be a part of Music Education History
Westminster Arts Academy is the latest chapter of a long history of music education at its finest. We have been in the music teaching business for over 50 years. Our founder started teaching at the age of 16 and spent decades instructing thousands of children and adults, instilling his love of music and the arts onto his students. We have always been a family business that is heavily active in the community. Since the passing of founder Dr. Robert Rios in 2013, the schools are now run by his son Francis and daughters Teresa and Augustina all of who have been involved in the business since the very beginning. This is what they do, what they have always done, and what they truly love!
When taking lessons at Westminster Arts Academy, you are part of a long lineage of music instruction and performance. Thousands have learned at our schools and for good reason. We truly care about your experience. We want learning music to be fun and exciting! Your experience is everything to us. Combined with professional and caring instructors, students have the best chance of success when learning in such an environment. Come join the fun, dream big, and let’s make some music!
Directors of Gilbert School of Music and Westminster Arts Academy, Augustina, Francis, and Teresa.
