Our Services
All lessons are private and available both in-person and virtually. New students are welcome to start with a trial lesson or single session before committing to anything. For those ready to dive in, booking a block of monthly lessons is the best value — tuition is billed monthly with no long-term contracts. Life happens, so students can pause at any time.
Professional Music Lessons in Buena Vista, Salida & Online
Whether you’re picking up an instrument for the first time or refining advanced technique, Coletrain Music Academy offers professional one-on-one lessons tailored to where you are and where you want to go.
We teach in-person at our studios in Buena Vista and Salida, Colorado, and virtually for students near and far. Every lesson is customized to fit your age, goals, and musical interests — so you’re always learning in a way that makes sense for you.
Instruments We Teach In Person
Violin • Viola • Mandolin • Ukulele • Acoustic Guitar • Electric Guitar • Upright Bass • Electric Bass • Piano
Instruments We Teach Online
Violin • Viola • Cello • Mandolin • Ukulele • Banjo • Acoustic Guitar • Electric Guitar • Upright Bass • Electric Bass • Piano • Harmonica • Percussion
Group Lessons, Workshops & Masterclasses
Beyond private lessons, Coletrain Music Academy offers group experiences for musicians who want to learn, collaborate, and grow together. As the official academy partner of Bonfire Entertainment, you can find us hosting workshops at some of the region’s most beloved festivals — including WinterWonderGrass and Smalltown Gathering. We also host an annual workshop at GoPro Games and Moab Folk Festival. And when we’re not on the festival circuit, we bring the energy home with open jams guided by a CMA instructor and masterclasses hosted right here at Coletrain. Keep an eye on our events calendar, subscribe to our newsletter, and follow us on social so you don’t miss what’s coming up.
Camp Coletrain | July 11th-15th, 2027
Camp Coletrain is an annual immersive music experience produced by Coletrain Music Academy and Camp Coletrain Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit — where expert-led instruction meets community, wellness, and outdoor adventure in the heart of the Colorado Rockies.
Designed for musicians of all levels, our workshops range from Intro to Acoustics for beginners to advanced courses for seasoned performers ready to sharpen their craft. For our youngest musicians, Strings & Song Kids Camp (ages 7–12) and Music Makers (ages 3–6) offer a joyful, engaging foundation in music that grows with them.
Each day is yours to shape. Mornings begin with an optional outdoor yoga session — helping musicians set intentions and tune into movement specific to their instrument — or you can start the day exploring Buena Vista’s stunning trails and riverside paths. Afternoons open up for free time in town, with vibrant cafes, food trucks, and local shops to discover. As the sun sets, camp comes alive with free evening concerts featuring instructors, students, and local musicians sharing the stage.
Led by accomplished performers and passionate educators, Camp Coletrain is more than a music camp. It’s a place to ignite creativity, build confidence, and grow as a musician — all while making lifelong memories in the mountains.
Come for the music. Stay for the magic.
On-Demand Music Lessons & Courses
Can’t make it to the studio? Coletrain Music Academy’s online music lessons bring professional music education straight to your screen — on your schedule, at your pace. Whether you’re a beginner picking up the violin for the first time or an experienced guitarist looking to deepen your theory knowledge, our e-lessons are designed to meet you where you are.
Created by CMA Founder Coleman Smith — a Master Violinist, internationally acclaimed musician, and music educator with 20 years of experience — every course is built on proven, results-driven curriculum with real-world application. You won’t just learn songs. You’ll understand the scales, chords, melody, and theory behind them, and how to play confidently with others.
Current courses include instruction in violin, fiddle, guitar, mandolin, and bass — with new lessons added regularly.
Available to students across Colorado and beyond, our online music courses start at just $12.99 per lesson — making professional music education more accessible than ever.
Record Your Own Lessons with CMA
Are you a musician, educator, or touring artist who wants to stay connected with your students even when life takes you on the road? Coletrain Music Academy’s professional recording studio is available to help you create your own on-demand lesson content — and we don’t just hand you the keys and wish you luck.
We’ll work with you to develop a curriculum outline, guide you through the recording process, and make sure the final product truly represents your teaching style. Because when you can’t be in the room, the next best thing is still you.
Our studio is equipped with professional-grade equipment and an experienced engineer, so your lessons look and sound exactly the way they should. Whether you’re building a full course library or simply want a reliable substitute for your students while you’re away, we make the process straightforward and the results something you’ll be proud of.
Ready to get started? Reach out today to book your studio session. Share a little about the instruments you teach and your background as a musician and educator — and we’ll take it from there.
Live Music Bookings
Music is at the heart of everything we do, and that extends well beyond the studio. Coletrain Music Academy works with venues, wedding planners, event coordinators, businesses, and organizations to connect events with exceptional professional musicians.
Whether you’re planning a wedding, private celebration, corporate gathering, fundraiser, festival, or community event, we can help curate the right musical experience. From a full band that keeps the dance floor moving to an intimate duo, solo artist, or string ensemble setting the tone for a ceremony or cocktail hour, we’ll help find the right sound for your event, style, and budget.
Based in Chaffee County, we regularly work with events throughout the region at venues including The Beach, Surf Hotel, Sunset Barn, Coyote Mezcalería, Orpheum Loft, The Lariat, and the Salida SteamPlant, with booking available for events throughout Colorado and beyond.
Through decades of performing, touring, and working within the music industry, Coletrain has built an extensive network of professional musicians across genres and ensemble sizes. We make booking live music simple, personal, and thoughtfully tailored to your event.
Monday Night Music Concert Series
When the days get shorter and the tourist season winds down, Buena Vista’s locals need somewhere to gather — and Mezcal & Music Mondays is exactly that. Running November through May, this free community concert series is our way of keeping the music alive and the community connected through the slower, colder months.
Hosted at Coyote Mezcalería y Cervecería and presented in partnership with Coletrain Music Academy, Mezcal & Music Mondays brings live music, great drinks, and genuine local connection to select Monday evenings throughout the season. The vibe is relaxed, the music is live, and everyone is welcome — whether you’re a lifelong local or just passing through.
Come early, grab a delicious cocktail, mocktail, beer or wine, and settle in for an evening that reminds you why you love this town.
Coletrain Accommodations — Cedar Street Retreat
When we’re not teaching, we’re hosting. Coletrain Music Academy offers weekend accommodations at the Cedar Street Retreat — a charming one-bedroom apartment and separate green room studio nestled in the heart of downtown Buena Vista, Colorado.
During the week, these spaces serve as working classrooms and housing for visiting teachers, masterclass instructors, and performing artists. On weekends, we open them up to guests who want to experience the Arkansas Valley the way the locals do.
We especially love welcoming fellow musicians and educators — and we offer special rates to reflect that. But we’re also the perfect basecamp for families and adventurers looking to explore everything this valley has to offer. Our location puts you steps from Buena Vista’s best trails, the Arkansas River, and the finest live music venues in the valley, including the Ivy Ballroom and The Lariat. For songwriters, it’s hard to imagine a better retreat — great scenery, creative energy, and inspiration around every corner.
Every booking directly supports Coletrain Music Academy’s mission to grow music education and live music in the Arkansas Valley. So when you stay with us, you’re not just finding a place to sleep — you’re investing in something that matters.
Special rates available for musicians, educators, and performing artists. Reach out to book your stay.
