On a Monday afternoon, in a room tucked inside the Salit Conservatory of Music in Burbank, Anthony Schnell is instructing two boys playing violin.
Brothers Kholin and Bryce Young (in background). “I wanted to learn violin because I thought it looked like a cool instrument,” shares Kholin.
“I want to challenge you to make your tremolo even stronger, faster. Think about it. What does tremolo sound like?” he asks.
Fourteen-year-old Bryce Young exclaims, “Tremble! It sounds like tremble.”
“Exactly,” Anthony replies enthusiastically. “You want to create that feeling, that exact emotion with the music.”
Bryce and his 16-year-old brother Kholin pick up the pace, smiling and clearly getting Anthony’s message.
This little interaction is representative of Salit’s overall teaching philosophy.
Above: Instructor Anthony Schnell leads a group of students rehearsing for an upcoming recital.
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“We’re not just focused on teaching the basic technical aspects of music, like notes and rhythms,” says pianist Rufus Choi, who has owned and operated the school with his wife, Ruth, since 2023. “Our goal is to help students become fluent in the language of emotion through music. We teach them to use sound as a vehicle for communicating feelings, allowing them to connect with audiences on a deeper level through performance.”
Rufus’ musical journey began at the age of 6. He remembers the sound of classical music filling his home.
“Among all the pieces that played, Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto stood out as my favorite. It stirred something deep within me, making me feel heroic and igniting a passion for the emotions that music could evoke.”
Student Lea Pages on violin
He began taking piano lessons—and was hooked. At 17 he enrolled at The Julliard School, where he earned a bachelor of music degree. He pursued further studies at the Musik Hochschule in Hanover, Germany, before returning to Julliard to complete a master of music degree. As a concert pianist, Rufus performed all over the world.
“We’re not just focused on teaching the basic technical aspects of music, like notes and rhythms. Our goal is to help students become fluent in the language of emotion through music.”
After Rufus married Ruth, also a pianist, in 2006, the two settled in Valley Village and started a family. Rufus taught piano, all the while harboring a dream of owning a music school. When a building at the former Pickwick Gardens events center became available, that dream began to take shape. Just a stone’s throw from ABC and Warner Bros. studios, and with ample parking, the property seemed perfect. Rufus signed the lease.
The school offers private and group lessons in classical piano, violin, cello, guitar, flute, music theory and more. Rufus, who teaches piano, believes the benefits of playing an instrument go beyond creating music.
Rufus Choi
“Imagination and emotion are what truly shape a performance. With a vibrant imagination, the physical act of playing transforms, allowing musicians to create limitless colors of sound that convey beauty beyond words. We strive to help our students unlock their own voice and share their gift with the world.”
Rufus and Ruth have three children, so it is no surprise that the space was designed with parents in mind. The school has a 140-seat recital space with a Steinway piano, a circular parquet wood floor, and a curved wall of large windows. Parents can observe lessons from waiting rooms with observation windows.
“As a parent myself,” says Rufus, “I understand how meaningful it is to watch your children grow and learn. I wanted to create a space where parents could be a part of that experience and see firsthand the progress their children are making. Additionally, I believe that a room without windows can feel a bit isolating and uninspiring. Natural light and a sense of openness can do wonders for creativity.”
Salit also emphasizes the art of performing. Classes put on numerous group and individual recitals each year.
“Without performance, a musician can plateau. It’s the act of presenting music to others that forces you to grow beyond your practice room, to push yourself and challenge your limits. The connection with the audience, the energy in the room—these elements help you discover new facets of your music and your abilities,” says Rufus.
He adds that Salit’s student population is split 50-50 between kids and adults. A few students are in their 80s.
“We also have a husband and wife who take lessons together. They come in and take their class, and every time they leave with big smiles. It’s really gratifying.”
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