Real music-making
Play complete, satisfying songs from the very first gathering.
Get in touch Music belongs to everyone
Learn together,
play together.
A joyful, participatory way for families, couples, friends, and small groups to make real music—side by side.
No experience needed✿Ages 5 to 105✿Ojai, Santa Barbara & Eagle Rock
What is Side by Side Music?
Nico explains how it works—and how anyone can join in.
A different kind of music lesson
Less watching.
More making.
Side by Side Music brings people out of the audience and into the music.
You’ll sing, strum, tap, improvise, and build songs as an ensemble. No recitals to prepare for. No pressure to be perfect. Just the delight of finding a groove with people you love.
Music is something we do together.
Human connection
Listen, respond, and discover what your group can create together.
Playful learning
Learn naturally through rhythm, movement, games, and curiosity.
Everyone belongs
Parts are adapted so beginners and experienced players can share the song.
Choose your adventure
Ways to play sidebyside
Every gathering is hands-on, encouraging, and shaped around the people in the room.
FOR GROWN-UPS + KIDS
Family Workshops
Multi-week musical adventures for a small circle of families. Parents and children learn songs, instruments, rhythms, and ensemble skills together.
- Ages roughly 5–8
- 3–6 families
- 60-minute weekly sessions
FOR YOUR FAVORITE PEOPLE
Small-Group Lessons
Learn music alongside your partner, family, or friends. We’ll build parts around everyone’s experience level and work toward playing the songs, artists, and styles you love—so the music feels personal from the very beginning.
- 2–8 people
- In your home or a local space
- Beginners warmly welcomed
Side by Side stories
What happens when music comes home?
Lisa shares how learning music together has brought more joy, play, and connection into her family’s everyday life.
Lisa · Side by Side Music parent
Yelp review excerpts
★★★★★
“Nico is wonderful! He has been teaching my 7 and 9 year old boys piano and guitar for one year now and are doing amazing. Nico is patient, kind, and incorporates lots of fun things while he teaches my boys.”
Val D.EXCERPT FROM YELP
★★★★★
“He’ll watch and follow their learning process and just adapt. My daughter is always super excited to practice.”
Anthony U.Excerpt from Yelp
★★★★★
“But my favorite thing about Nico is how he meets you where you are.”
Jordan R.Excerpt from Yelp
Nico Rattray 5.0 on Yelp 32 reviews
Read more reviews on Yelp
Hi, I’m Nico
I believe music is something we do together.
I’m a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and music teacher working across Ojai, Santa Barbara, and Eagle Rock (Los Angeles).
I graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a degree in music performance, and I’ve spent 25 years performing as a singer, guitarist, and pianist. I’m also a certified Trauma-Informed Artist & Educator through the Fox Method’s MuscleMusic Nervous System and the Arts program.
After two decades of teaching private lessons, I kept coming back to one question: what if learning music felt less solitary—and more like the reason humans made music in the first place?
Side by Side Music grew from that question. I create accessible parts, imaginative songs, and a warm space where people can take risks, be playful, and experience the particular joy of making something together.
Nico ♪
The Side by Side Method
Start with a song.
Build it together.
Instead of practicing alone for months before music feels like music, we begin with the joy of playing together—and learn the skills along the way.
“
The goal isn’t perfection.
The goal is participation.
- 1
Find the pulse
Move, clap, and feel the shared heartbeat of the music.
- 2
Learn a part
Choose an inviting part—voice, ukulele, keys, bass, or percussion.
- 3
Listen across the room
Notice how your part fits, supports, and responds to everyone else.
- 4
Make the song your own
Switch roles, improvise, add ideas, and experience the magic of an ensemble.
Come play with us
Upcoming programs
17SEP
NOW FORMING
Ask about a spot Ojai Family Music Workshop
A joyful small-group workshop for families with children around ages 5–8.
⌖ Ojai, California◷ Weekly · 60 minutes♪ 3–4 families
BUILD YOUR OWN
Start a workshop Create Your Own Workshop
Gather two to four families you’d love to make music with, and we’ll create a workshop shaped around your group.
⌖ Ojai or Santa Barbara◷ Dates that work for you♪ 2–4 families
Ready when you are
Let’s make music together.
Tell me who you’d like to play with, where you are, and what sounds fun. You don’t need to know exactly what you’re looking for yet.
Send Nico a message