About Peace Valley Studios
Music Lessons for Everyone
Peace Valley Studios is a community-focused music school located in Chalfont, Pennsylvania, dedicated to providing high-quality music education in an encouraging and welcoming environment. We believe music should be accessible to everyone, regardless of age, ability, or experience level.
Today, our team serves students of all ages through private lessons, group programs, band experiences, and community performances. Our goal is simple: to help every student build confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love of music.
How We Got Here
Peace Valley Studios began in 2016 when founder John Leahy started teaching guitar lessons from his parents' home as a teenager. In 2017, he launched Music At Your Door, a traveling lesson service that brought music instruction directly to families throughout Bucks County.
During those early years, John partnered with the YMCA to develop summer music programs and continued building relationships throughout the local community.
In 2020, drummer and educator Max Parlow joined the team. Together, John and Max expanded the program and laid the foundation for what would become Peace Valley Studios.
In 2021, Peace Valley Studios opened its first brick-and-mortar location in a small business complex. The studio quickly outgrew the space and, within a year, moved into its current freestanding building on Park Avenue in Chalfont.
What began with two instructors has grown into a team of eight dedicated staff members who continue to serve a steadily growing community of musicians throughout Bucks County.
Built on Community
Peace Valley Studios is more than a music school—it's a place built on relationships.
Our studio has become known for its friendly atmosphere, consistency, and exceptional student retention. Many of our students have been with us for years, growing alongside our programs and becoming part of the Peace Valley Studios family.
We regularly host student showcases, band performances, and community events that give students opportunities to perform, collaborate, and build confidence beyond the lesson room.
As our studio continues to grow, so do our offerings. From traditional lessons to band programs, DJ and production classes, and specialized group experiences, we are always looking for new ways to serve our students and community.
Inclusive by Design
At Peace Valley Studios, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to experience music in a way that works best for them.
Founder John Leahy is Autism Certified through the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), and members of our staff have experience working with students with autism and diverse learning needs. Through continued education and hands-on experience, we strive to meet students where they are—creatively, socially, and developmentally.
Our mission has always been to create a safe, supportive environment where students can grow at their own pace and celebrate their own successes.
Real-World Experience
Our instructors bring more than teaching experience to the classroom.
Founder John Leahy has worked throughout the music industry as a performer, booking agent, promoter, and event organizer. Throughout his career, he has opened for nationally recognized artists including Secondhand Serenade, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Hawthorne Heights, and A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie.
John has booked events at venues including The Trocadero, Voltage Lounge, The Gem Theatre, The Fire, Siren Records, and many other independent venues throughout the Philadelphia area. He also spent several years as a national tour booking agent, helping artists from both the United States and abroad organize tours across the country.
These experiences allow our instructors to provide students with practical knowledge that extends beyond simply learning an instrument.
Our Team
John Leahy – Founder & Guitar Instructor
Max Parlow – Program Director | Drums, Bass, DJ & Music Production
Sheila Fox – Piano & Voice Instructor
Nick Matty – Guitar Instructor
Nicholas Crystal – Piano, Guitar, Bass & Violin Instructor
Justin Darcy – Music Instructor
Savahn Duerksen – Social Media Manager
Together, our team supports students of all ages, skill levels, and musical interests through personalized instruction and performance opportunities.
Looking Ahead
From a small home-based lesson program to a thriving music community, Peace Valley Studios continues to grow with the same mission that started it all:
Music Lessons for Everyone.
As we continue expanding our programs and building our community, our vision remains focused on creating opportunities for students, supporting families, and one day bringing the Peace Valley Studios experience to additional locations.