We’re delighted to share that, for the 6th year running, Abbey Road Institute has been named one of Billboard’s Top Music Business Schools for 2026. It’s an honour to be selected again and featured alongside our peers at Berklee College of Music, Belmont University, The Brit School and Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts. Thank you to the Billboard team for including us yet again.
Recognition is always welcome and greatly appreciated. But lists like this also raise a bigger question: what should music education actually provide to students and wider society today?
We live in a world where access to information is almost limitless, access to devices and the internet offers an answer to every questio. Tutorials, technology and now AI can help us acquire knowledge faster than ever. What is harder to replicate is experience: learning how to make decisions when there isn’t one correct answer; how to collaborate with other creative people; how to respond when a session doesn’t go to plan; and how to develop the judgement, confidence and resilience that professional life demands.
That has always been central to the Abbey Road Institute approach. We believe education should bring students as close as possible to the realities of the industry they hope to enter. That means learning by doing – in studios, on projects, alongside peers and with professionals who understand how the industry is evolving because they are part of it.
It is also why we believe our educational model has relevance far beyond the places where we already operate.
Our Mumbai campus opened in late 2025, and Los Angeles opens this October at Sunset Gower Studios. As our international network grows, we’re also looking to work with partners who share our belief in practical, industry-connected education and want to bring Abbey Road Institute to new markets.
We’re proud to be recognised by Billboard – and equally proud to share the list with peers who are asking the same important question: how do we best prepare talented people for an industry that never stops changing?
If you’d like to speak with our team to find out more about licensing, what our curriculum looks like, how we support our licensed schools or anything else related to what we do, get in touch! You can contact us on licensing@abbeyroadinstitute.com.
We are delighted to announce that Rafa Sardina will be opening Abbey Road Institute Los Angeles inside the iconic Sunset Gower Studios in Hollywood. Our new LA campus will be led by the 19-time GRAMMY and LATIN GRAMMY winner and will launch in October 2026.
Sunset Gower Studios: Hollywood’s Historic Studio Lot
Located at the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Gower Street in Hollywood, Sunset Gower Studios is one of the city’s most iconic working production lots. Established in 1912 and later home to Columbia Pictures during Hollywood’s Golden Age, the studio hosted landmark films such as It Happened One Night and Mr Smith Goes to Washington.
This historic studio complex provides a professional, industry-driven environment where students can experience firsthand premier music production and engineering practices within an active studio setting, with access to the legendary United Recording for selected classes and activities. From legendary artists like Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Ray Charles to modern icons such as Green Day, Radiohead, and The Red Hot Chili Peppers, United Recording has played host to generations of music legends. Each of the four studios within United Recording is equipped with renowned consoles that, for decades, have captured melodies responsible for over a billion records sold worldwide.
The Abbey Road Institute Los Angeles Diploma in Music Production and Sound Recording provides students the opportunity to learn and practice hands-on in a real-world studio environment at Sunset Gower Studios, directly connecting their education to the standards and expectations required for successful careers in the industry. Through structured access to United Recording, students further benefit from exposure to world-class recording facilities and high-level studio workflows.
Rafa Sardina at the helm of the new ARI LA campus
Rafa Sardina, whose extensive list of award-winning collaborations includes work with Stevie Wonder, Rosalia, Elvis Costello, Alejandro Sanz, Dr. Dre, Camila Cabello, Placido Domingo, D’Angelo, and Lady Gaga, has designed the new campus and studio complex to provide Abbey Road Institute students with a professional experience unique to Los Angeles. The Los Angeles campus will feature Abbey Road Institute’s renowned curriculum, along with a distinguished faculty comprising top LA-based producers, engineers, and musicians, including Alan Meyerson, Barry Rudolph, John Boylan, Vanessa Garde, and many more.
Abbey Road Institute offers an intensive, immersive education for aspiring music producers and engineers in a small, focused learning environment. The program emphasises hands-on, apprenticeship-style training to equip graduates with the skills necessary to thrive in the fast-paced music industry and forge their own career paths.
When asked about the new campus and its programs, Sardina shared: “Abbey Road InstituteLos Angeles is the culmination of a long-held dream. I want to share the invaluable professional experiences of my closest musical colleagues and myself with outstanding new generations of mixers, producers, and other music and music business professionals. I can’t wait to welcome our first students and witness the beginning of their exciting career journeys.”
Abbey Road Institute CEO, Luca Barassi, echoed this enthusiasm about the opening of the Los Angeles campus, stating: “We are thrilled to be working with Rafa and his team as we continue expanding our educational footprint in the U.S. Rafa has a strong affinity for how we teach, and an ambition to pass on his expertise to the next generation. Establishing our second U.S. campus in Los Angeles —a creative, dynamic, and globally influential city— will provide students with an immersive experience at the heart of a thriving international music scene.”
As a member of the Abbey Road Institute board, Sally Davies, Managing Director of Abbey Road Studios®, emphasises the impact of the Institute’s graduates: “We are incredibly proud of the success of Abbey Road Institutegraduates. Some of them have earned multiple GRAMMY and Billboard awards, along with numerous GRAMMY and LATIN GRAMMY nominations. Bringing Abbey Road Institute’s world-class education to Los Angeles will provide aspiring producers and engineers with the training they need to make a strong entrance into the music industry.”
For more information about Abbey Road Institute Los Angeles, visit the dedicated ARI LA website.
If you’d like to speak with our team about licensing Abbey Road Institute in your city and want to find out more about how to do this, contact us at licensing@abbeyroadinstitute.com
We are proud to announce the launch of Abbey Road Institute Los Angeles, our newest campus in the heart of the global music industry, Los Angeles, California. Opening in 2025, the new campus will be led by 19-time GRAMMY® and Latin GRAMMY® winner Rafa Sardina.
Sardina, whose extensive list of award-winning collaborations includes work with Stevie Wonder, Rosalia, Elvis Costello, Alejandro Sanz, Dr. Dre, Camila Cabello, Placido Domingo, D’Angelo, and Lady Gaga has designed the new campus and studio complex to provide Abbey Road Institute students with a professional experience unique to Los Angeles. The Los Angeles campus will feature Abbey Road Institute’s renowned curriculum, along with a distinguished faculty comprising top LA-based producers, engineers, and musicians, including Alan Meyerson, Barry Rudolph, John Boylan, Vanessa Garde, and many more.
Abbey Road Institute offers an intensive and immersive education for aspiring music producers and engineers in a small, intimate environment. It focuses on high-quality audio education delivered in a hands-on apprenticeship style, which prepares graduates to enter the fast-paced music industry and create their career trajectories. Graduating students will receive a Diploma in Music Production and Sound Engineering, as well as Diplomas in Audio Post Production for Film and TV and Music Business in the future.
When asked about the new campus and its programs, RafaSardina shared:
“Abbey Road Institute Los Angeles is the culmination of a longtime dream of mine to share my and my closest musical colleagues’ significant professional musical experiences with outstanding generations of up-and-coming mixers, producers, and other music and music business professionals. I can’t wait for our first students to enter the doors and start their exciting next career chapter.”
Abbey Road Institute Global CEO Luca Barassi echoed this enthusiasm about the opening of the Los Angeles campus, stating:
“We are thrilled to be working with Rafa and his team and excited to continue expanding our educational offering in the US. Rafa has a strong affinity with how we teach and an ambition to pass on his expertise to the next generation. Opening our second US school in LA, a creative, dynamic and globally influential city will immerse our students in an international hub, alongside other creatives and a thriving music scene.”
Member of the Abbey Road Institute board, Universal Music Group’s Chief Operating Officer, David Sharpe, emphasizes the impact of the Institute’s graduates:
‘We’re incredibly proud of the success of Abbey Road Institutes graduates, including multiple Grammy and Billboard awards and an array of Grammy and Latin Grammy nominations. Bringing Abbey Road Institute’s unique education to LA will enable aspiring producers and engineers to get the training they need to put their best foot forward in the music industry.’
Abbey Road Institute is named one of Billboard’s Top Music Business Schools for the fourth consecutive year in 2024. The Billboard feature focuses on our core programme, the Advanced Diploma in Music Production and Sound Engineering. The diploma has a music business module embedded within the third term.
The list of top music business schools selected by Billboard is based on industry recommendations, alumni information provided by honorees from our multiple power lists, information requested from each school and nearly a decade of reporting on these programs. The selection focuses on face-to-face, campus-based programmes rather than those delivered online.
Billboard on Abbey Road Institute
‘In the decade since it was established as a music production school by Abbey Road Studios and the studio’s owner, Universal Music Group, the institute has created affiliated programs across Europe and in the United States, Australia and South Africa. The institute’s specialist music production program provides hands-on practical training in all areas of music production, engineering and music-making. Its courses are designed in collaboration with the industry to offer a fast-paced and intensive education that reflects the realities of the business. Its alums have earned multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy Award nominations. According to the school, over 90% of the graduates of the program in London secure industry-related jobs within six months of graduation.
Among the numerous engineers and producers who have been guest speakers at the institute is Phill Brown, a veteran of sessions with Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, Traffic, Cat Stevens and Bob Marley.’
The list focuses primarily on schools in the US. We’re delighted to be included alongside fellow UK educators, including The BRIT School and Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts.
Welcome to Abbey Road Institute London, the first of our music production schools, which opened in 2015. Watch our short film and read on to learn about the origins of Abbey Road Institute London, our flagship school. Meet the team and some of our students and alumni who share insights into what and how we teach.
Our Origins At Abbey Road Studios
The London Institute is where it all started. Our founding team worked with producers, engineers and colleagues at Abbey Road, along with our wider music industry network, to create an industry-focused curriculum. An education that hones in on the practical, technical, creative, problem-solving, and collaborative skills needed to succeed in the music industry. Combined with a pace, intensity and approach to teaching that mirrors the reality of the working world.
This set us on the path to launching our flagship school in September 2015 with our first intake of students. At that time, our tech lab, mixing studio and production suites were located inside number 5 Abbey Road, the house owned by and adjacent to the Studio. The live room and control room of our ‘Custom 75 Studio’ were, and remain today, inside the main studio.
Outgrowing Capacity at Abbey Road
In the following years, demand for our specialist training has grown substantially. It was fundamental that we find a suitable space in London that would allow us to expand our industry-standard facilities and train more students. In early 2021, we secured and revived the beautiful Angel Recording Studios in Islington, North London. This enabled us to move into another iconic recording studio with a unique history and important role within the London music scene. Our students learn in dedicated facilities alongside a commercial studio in a set-up not dissimilar to that at Abbey Road. The move allowed us to add an extra Tech Lab, Production Suite, and Atmos Suite and provide two dedicated studios for our students.
Expansion Of Our Portfolio
The move into our Islington home has seen our capacity grow and our portfolio of courses expand. These now include the Song Production Masterclass, Advanced Diploma in Audio Post Production for Film & TV and the Drums Recording Masterclass.
The commercial studio, Angel One, has welcomed many clients since we reopened. These include Jacob Collier, Sam Smith and Kim Petras, Cat Burns and projects such as Wonka, Pain Hustlers, and Magic Mike 3, along with the upcoming ‘Beetlejuice 2’, set for release later in 2024. Graduates from our Music Production Diploma can apply for a one-year work placement at Angel. This gives many a stepping stone into the commercial studio scene in London. It fosters further opportunities for networking and other routes into the industry.
If you’re interested in understanding how a school can successfully integrate into and complement a commercial studio, get in touch. In addition to London, we have further schools that operate within an existing studio business, with classes, teaching, and sessions happening side by side.
This year’s Latin Grammys witnessed the meteoric rise of the young and talented artist, Joaquina, who graduated from Abbey Road Institute Miami this summer. Recently awarded ‘Best New Artist’ Joaquina’s journey from our Miami Institute’s studios to the grand stage of the Latin Grammys is a testament to her artistic creativity, talent and dedication.
Joaquina’s Musical Education
Joaquina’s artistic journey started at a young age, having learned piano and violin from the age of seven. She has honed her craft and developed a unique voice that has captivated the Latin music scene. Her time at our Miami Institute laid the foundation for a promising career. It’s incredibly inspiring to see her achievements recognised on such a prestigious platform so early in her music journey.
A graduate of our school, Joaquina’s success reflects her musical talent. It underscores the dedication she committed to her education with us and the artistic nurturing provided by the team. Her time during her studies evidently played a pivotal role in shaping her into the artist she is today.
Latin Grammys Triumph
The Latin Grammys, a pinnacle in the Latin music industry, awarded the 2023 title of Best New Artist to Joaquina. She also received a nomination for Best Singer-Songwriter Album, Los Mejores Anos, making her the youngest artist to receive this nomination. The title song was produced by Julio Reyes Copello, Managing Director of Abbey Road Institute Miami. Multiple award winner Copello also received two nominations at the 2023 Latin Grammys for his work on Los Mejores Anos.
Impact on the Industry
Winning Best New Artist at the Latin Grammys is no small feat, and Joaquina’s success signals a promising future in the Latin music industry. Her achievements inspire aspiring artists, proving that dedication, innovation, and a strong foundation can lead to extraordinary success. Joaquina’s music is a fusion of diverse influences, seamlessly blending traditional Latin rhythms with a contemporary pop sound. Her ability to infuse authenticity into her work has resonated with fans and critics alike. Her unique style is clearly making waves and contributing to the dynamic landscape of Latin music.
Global Recognition
Joaquina’s music has garnered international acclaim. Her win at the Latin Grammys is not only a personal triumph but also a moment of pride for all at Abbey Road Institute. It showcases the global impact of the education and artistic values instilled in our graduates.
Joaquina’s journey from Abbey Road Institute to the Latin Grammys stage is a source of pride. Her success highlights the quality of education and artistic development provided by her alma mater. Joaquina is a shining example of the talent that emerges from our family of schools. We congratulate her on this well-deserved recognition and eagerly anticipate the continued brilliance of her musical career.
Work With Us
If you have the ambition to support, educate and nurture the next generation of artists, producers, and engineers, get in touch. Our aim is to bring our unique education to upcoming talent and contribute to journeys worldwide like Joaquina’s. Contact us at licensing@abbeyroadinstitute.com or via the button at the top.
