Sonica
Your computer is a musical instrument.
Music lessons redesigned for kids and teens who want to produce, record, and create their own tracks using laptops, DAWs, and digital tools.
the studio setup
Real music education, no expensive instrument required.
Sonica lessons are built on the same foundations as any music school: melody, harmony, rhythm, and ear training; explored through Ableton Live, one of the most-used production tools in the industry. No experience needed, and no expensive instrument to buy: with just a laptop, a small MIDI keyboard, and headphones, every student is set up to create from lesson one. Based in Amsterdam, with lessons in-studio or online, one-to-one, in English or Spanish, on a fixed weekly slot to keep progress consistent.
Laptop as instrument
Ableton Live becomes the keyboard, the drum kit, and the orchestra, all in one window.
Pads & keys
A compact MIDI controller for hands-on playing, without years of technique first.
Headphones on, world off
Focused one-on-one sessions where every idea gets tried out loud.
Straight from an Ableton session.
A quick look at what a lesson actually sounds like — a drum rack loaded with samples, played live from a MIDI clip. More clips coming soon: sound design, sampling, and full tracks in progress.
Four ways in, pick a starting track.
Every student starts somewhere different. These are the channels most lessons open on, mix, match, or follow your own curiosity.
Beat Making Basics
Build your first drum pattern and learn why some beats make you want to move.
Your First Track
Turn a loop into a finished song, verse to drop, start to end.
Weird Noises, On Purpose
Twist synths and samples until they sound like nothing else, then use them.
Perform & Release
Export, share, or play a track live: music made to be heard, not just finished.
Simple structure, real progress.
Lessons run in 5-, 10-, or 20-lesson packages — 45 or 60 minutes, one-to-one, on a fixed weekly slot to keep momentum going. The 5-lesson Introductory package is a great way to try things out. Flexible payment plans available on longer packages.
Pricing is tailored to package length, session duration, and format; get in touch and we'll figure out what fits best. A laptop with Ableton Live installed is recommended alongside the studio equipment.
Omar Medina
Hey! I'm Omar Medina, a composer, guitarist, and producer based in Amsterdam. With over 20 years in music, from studying Jazz Guitar in Mexico City to earning my Master's in Live Electronics at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. I bridge the gap between real instruments and digital production. I created Sonica to cut through the noise and show you how to build your own tracks using tools like Ableton Live and GarageBand. Let's get into the DAW, build your creative confidence, and start making tracks that sound like you.
Questions people usually ask.
Does my kid need any musical experience?
No experience needed. We build core musical skills: rhythm, timbre, melody, the same way musicians always have: through creating, not memorising theory first.
What age is this really for?
Sonica is designed with kids and teens 10+ in mind — but honestly, anyone curious about learning music creation with modern tools is welcome, regardless of age.
Is there a way to try it out first?
Yes — the 5-lesson Introductory package is a low-commitment way to see if it clicks, before moving to a longer 10- or 20-lesson package. And if plans change later, packages can be cancelled with one month's notice.
What equipment do we need at home?
A laptop with Ableton Live installed (the free Lite version is a great place to start), a small MIDI keyboard, and headphones — a modest one-time investment. We'll help you find the right options for your budget.
Where do lessons take place?
In Amsterdam — at our studios in Oosterparkbuurt (Oost) or NDSM (Noord) — or online from anywhere. Home visits are available for group lessons, charged per student.
Can we pay in instalments?
Yes — packages can be paid in full or split into instalments. Get in touch and we'll figure out what works best for you.
Ready to press record?
Send a note with the student's age and what they're into musically — we'll take it from there.
sonicaeducation@gmail.com