About CVSOM
Castro Valley School of Music is a community music school dedicated to bringing high-quality, private music instruction to students of all ages and skill levels in the East Bay.
Music Education for Every Student
At Castro Valley School of Music, our mission is simple: to provide exceptional private music instruction in a welcoming, supportive environment — for students of all ages, all backgrounds, and all skill levels.
We believe that learning music is one of the most rewarding things a person can do. It builds discipline, creativity, confidence, and a lifelong connection to something beautiful. Whether you're a child picking up an instrument for the first time or an adult returning to music after years away, we're here to help you grow.
Our instructors are working musicians and dedicated teachers who care deeply about their students' progress. Every lesson is tailored to the individual — their goals, their pace, and the music that excites them.
Castro Valley School of Music Opens
CVSOM was founded with a simple mission: to bring high-quality, private music instruction to the Castro Valley community. Starting with just a handful of instructors and a few lesson rooms, the school quickly became a beloved local institution.
Expanding Our Instrument Offerings
As word spread throughout the community, we grew our faculty and expanded our curriculum to include drums, violin, woodwind, brass, voice, and the guzheng — one of the few schools in the East Bay to offer traditional Chinese instrument instruction.
Serving the Entire East Bay
Today, CVSOM serves students from Castro Valley, Hayward, Ashland, San Lorenzo, Fairview, San Leandro, and beyond. We offer private lessons on 10+ instruments for students of all ages and skill levels, from age 4 through adult.
What We Stand For
These are the values that guide everything we do at Castro Valley School of Music.
Passion for Music
We believe music enriches every life. Our instructors are working musicians who bring genuine passion and real-world experience into every lesson.
Community Roots
We are proud to serve Castro Valley, Hayward, San Lorenzo, San Leandro, and the surrounding communities. Music education strengthens the neighborhoods we call home.
Excellence in Teaching
Our instructors are carefully selected for both their musical ability and their skill as teachers. We hold ourselves to a high standard in every lesson.
Student-Centered Learning
Every student is different. We tailor our approach to each individual — their goals, their learning style, and the music that excites them.
Meet the Owner of CVSOM
The vision, passion, and dedication behind Castro Valley's #1 music school.
Shane Sharkey
Founder & President
Shane Sharkey
Founder & President — Castro Valley School of Music
Shane Sharkey founded Castro Valley School of Music in 2013 with a clear mission: to bring world-class private music instruction to the East Bay community. As a working musician, songwriter, and music professor with over a decade of experience teaching elementary school music, Shane built CVSOM from the ground up into the largest music school in Castro Valley.
Under his leadership, CVSOM has grown to serve over 500 students, expanded to 10+ instruments, and assembled a faculty of 30+ expert instructors. Shane's philosophy is simple: every person has music inside them — the school's job is to bring it out. He believes music education builds not just skill, but confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning.
"If you've been told you are tone deaf or uncoordinated, I'm here to inform you that everyone can improve their musical skills."
Want to meet the full teaching team? View our instructors →
"Music is not just what we teach — it's who we are."
— Castro Valley School of Music
Proudly Serving
Students from across the East Bay.
Ready to Get Started?
Call us today to schedule your first lesson or ask about our instructors and availability.