The Beginning of Little Mozarts

In Brownsville, Texas, Little Mozarts Musical Academy has become a place where people have the opportunity to grow through music and develop lifelong skills. Founded in 2010 by David Lopez, the academy was inspired by the piano lessons he took with his father as a child. “Since music has been a blessing all my life, I want to pass that to our students,” David said. What started as private piano lessons eventually grew into an academy offering a wide range of programs, all designed to help students build confidence and express themselves.

While completing his MBA at the University of Texas at Brownsville, David noticed a lack of local music education, and he wanted to change that. His goal was to give kids and families access to meaningful, personalized lessons within their community. Over the years, Little Mozarts expanded by adding more instruments, along with classes in art, chess tutoring, and various languages. The building that is home to Little Mozarts was designed from the ground up to meet the academy’s needs. It includes 14 soundproof classrooms and space for students and families to feel comfortable and supported.

Overcoming Challenges

Like many small businesses, Little Mozarts was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Classes stopped for months, and many families could no longer afford lessons. “We couldn’t teach at our location for around 6 months,” David explained. “As many other businesses got impacted by COVID, they couldn’t afford the classes. Consequently, around 70-75% of our business got impacted.”

With in-person learning on hold, David transitioned to virtual platforms like FaceTime and Zoom so students could continue learning from home. But  even with those adjustments, keeping the business running was a challenge. That’s when he heard about the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation and how they supported small businesses. “A friend told me about it,” he said. “It helped us to be able to pay our bills and pay staff. We were able to have a moment of peace knowing we had some funds to cover some of our costs during that difficult time.” The support helped David stay focused on his students, team, and mission.

Looking Ahead

Today, Little Mozarts works with over 300 students each week and employs more than 20 instructors, including local musicians and college students. Thanks to its dedicated team and engaging programs, the academy has been named Best Music and Art Academy in Brownsville for 13 years in a row. “Many parents have told us how happy they are with their children’s improvement,” David said. “Music and arts help students gain confidence, improve their grades, and express their emotions”

Looking ahead, David hopes to expand to other cities through franchising. “Maybe in the future we would like to expand with franchises so other cities can enjoy our services and our unique style,” he said. For now, his focus is on helping kids in Brownsville grow through music and building a space where students can explore and grow.

Little Mozarts offers guitar, voice, music theory, chess, recorder, art, and choir classes, among others; take a look at their website to see the full catalog of services: https://www.mozartsacademy.com 

Phone: (956) 551-1731

Location: 2706 N Coria Street, Brownsville, TX 78526

Hours: Monday – Friday: 2 – 9 PM • Saturday: 9 AM to 5 PM • Sunday: Closed

Do you have a business?

While the worst days of COVID-19 are now behind us, the need for accessible capital has not disappeared. Small businesses still face rising costs, growth challenges, and the need to invest in their next phase. Today, BCIC continues to support this initiative through the eBridge Fund, a low-interest financing option designed to help local entrepreneurs start, sustain, and expand their businesses. Upgrade your equipment, hire staff, or prepare for growth; the eBridge Fund exists to make sure Brownsville businesses have the tools they need to keep moving forward, just like Little Mozarts did when it mattered most.