With years of music and teaching experience, Armando and Alicia Rodriguez started Six Strings Music Academy to bring hands-on music education to Cy-Fair.
6 Strings opened in October 2005 as a music academy for all ages, Armando said. After learning to play the guitar at a young age and teaching music for Houston and Aldine ISDs, Armando said he wanted to start his own school with his wife, Alicia.
“I was teaching [in Aldine] and running home after work to teach kids in my neighborhood,” Armando said. “The lightbulb went off, and I thought about starting my own shop and doing music lessons.”
Armando and nine other instructors at 6 Strings teach a variety of musical instruments—including guitar, drums, piano, cello, banjo, mandolin and flute—in one-on-one sessions. All teachers have music-based degrees, including musical performance and audio engineering, Armando said.
The sessions are meant to teach fundamental music principles, like rhythm and counting, before putting the instrument in the student’s hands, Armando said.
6 Strings also sells merchandise to customers, including strings and guitars, Armando said.
“We supply all the needs for what’s in-house,” he said. “If [you] wanted to take guitar lessons and all you had was an old guitar your grandfather gave you that you needed fixed up, we will do those repairs.”
6 Strings teaches students age 3 and older and also provides lessons for disabled students, Alicia said. Those classes are taught by instructors who have received special training to work with those students, she said.
6 Strings also hosts several events, including an annual battle of the bands. Performances are held both at an in-house performance art center and at local venues like Lone Star College campuses.
Armando said he is passionate about the future growth of his business and reaching more students.
“I really do enjoy running my own business,” Armando said.
16718 House & Hahl Road, Cypress
281-320-9180
www.6stringsma.com
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., closed Sundays
