"What if my child has trouble focusing or sitting still?"
Our veteran teachers have a lot of experience working with children of all ages and maturity levels. With our very young students, and those who might occasionally be a little squirmy, we encourage them to stay on task for short 5 to 10 minutes sessions, with fun musical activities during intervals. We work on lengthening focus and practice time as the student progresses. When students are having fun and love their lessons, focus is not a problem! Students of all ages and levels are surprised at how quickly the time passes.
"What instruments do you offer?"
Please note that due to studio space, we are currently only able to accept Piano Students in-studio. We'll be offering in-person instruction for Strings, Guitar, Woodwinds, and Brass instruments again soon! Virtual (online) Lessons are available in all instruments as a temporary alternative until new time slots open up!
"How do I get my child to practice at home?"
Our Accelerated Piano & Strings Program focuses on solving the problem of home practice. In traditional piano lessons, a significant set back can be the lack of confidence students have in their abilities, and therefore unwillingness to practice on their own at home (in other words, practice feels like work). Our not-so-traditional Accelerated Program strengthens their reading skills, and develops a sense of confidence and independence that leaves our students feeling accomplished and excited about music. Here are some of the benefits:
- Student’s musical reading ability will drastically improve
- Students will complete their method books faster
- Practice at home will become easier
- Students will have fewer questions at home
"Will lessons be boring or too strict?"
At The Music Studio, we've developed a unique lesson program that delivers all the wisdom and quality of traditional classical instruction with an innovative new format that excites and motivates students to play more music than ever before! Our teachers are fun, energetic, and know how to keep students engaged and moving easily to the next level of playing.
How long do I have to commit to lessons? Is there a contract?
While we hope that you'll love our lessons so much that you'll take forever, we do not ask our families to sign a contract for any specific length of time. Lessons simply continue on a month-to-month basis. We do ask that new families to read and sign our studio policies regarding procedure, payments, and the calendar, prior to beginning lessons.
Is your Lesson Program for Piano & Strings a group setting?
In our Accelerated Lesson Program, there will be other students present (typically 3 to 4 per class). However, each student is taught individually and works directly with a teacher. Because all students work with headphones, the lessons are quiet and private, and there is no pressure to play in front of others. Our program is specifically designed to help students progress faster and with stronger reading skills by incorporating instructor-monitored practice into each lesson.
Why do kids progress faster in the Accelerated Lesson Program for Piano & Strings? How can this be better than "private" instruction?
It's true...our students do progress faster in our Accelerated Lesson Program than they do in private lessons. And, to be clear, this is not traditional group instruction. Our lessons are individualized, and tailored to the student, with each student receiving lots of personal attention. Most students complete their lesson books in half the time they would with traditional private instruction. The key to the "accelerated" part is the lesson length and teaching style.
First, our "groups" are not collaborative. Each student in the class works independently (with headphones) at their perfect pace, and is instructed at their level. Classes are a mix of ages and levels, and students are neither held back nor pressured to compete with others. A teacher is always at the ready to present a new concept from the lesson book, answer a question, or listen to a finished song.
Second, each weekly class is 60 minutes. The longer session allows for time to learn plenty of new music and practice it during the lesson. When a new song is completely mastered, it's listed on the student's assignment page for rehearsal at home, and we move forward to a new song!
Third, the hour-long lesson allows the teacher to step away (although we're always on the lookout for struggles) and let students work more independently. We have noted a huge increase in student confidence and initiative, and they typically will accomplish well beyond our expectations.
Finally, students play A LOT of music in an hour. More music = better sightreading.
Won't students miss the personal one-to-one time with the teacher if they are in a group?
No. Students get as much one-to-one personal attention in our lesson format as they need.
Private lessons have been the standard for years, but there is a serious flaw with lessons in this format. Success in private lessons hinges on the fact that students actually "know" how to practice. The reality is that only a very, very small percentage of students actually have good practice habits in place when they begin lessons. Not even 'being from a musical family' or 'having musician parents' is indicative that kids are going to be successful in private lessons from the beginning. The whole objective to being successful in any type of lesson format is that children understand and know how to practice. They have to be able to self-evaluate and analyze. They have to be able to troubleshoot. They have to be independent. They have to be willing to repeat something multiple times just to get it right and not be lazy about doing it. The Accelerated Lesson format addresses and solves ALL of these issues and more. In fact, these very important foundational skills can only be learned in a group setting.
We don't mean to bash private lessons. But, when stacked against the benefits of the Accelerated "group" Lesson Program structure -- it's group lessons for the Win! Our Accelerated group students focus better, work more thoroughly and conscientiously through their songs, are more motivated, confident, and sight-read like crazy. And, when students read well, playing feels easy and they want to keep playing!
Are parents allowed to sit in on lessons? Do parents have to be present during lessons?
Of course, parents are always allowed to be with their children during lessons, if they wish. We have an open door policy at The Music Studio. There is also a waiting area separate from the classrooms, for convenience. However, if you need to run errands or get siblings to other activities, drop and go is OK, too.
Do you offer Private Lessons?
We do offer private instruction (30 minutes weekly) to children with special needs. And, we offer Elite Private Instruction (as an add-on) to advanced students (30 to 45 minutes weekly). In order for an advanced student to be eligible for Elite Instruction, there is a strict practice requirement minimum. They are also required to continue with their weekly 60-minute Accelerated Lesson.
Are group lessons less/more expensive compared to private lessons?
The 30-minute private lesson for children with special needs is the same cost as our 60-minute Accelerated Lesson. Please contact us about the pricing for our Elite Private Instruction Program.
What if I have to miss a lesson?
We are very flexible! Students in the Accelerated Lesson Program may simply reschedule into another class if they have a conflict or get sick. All make up lessons can be scheduled through our online calendar.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept cash (in person) or checks (in person, or by mail). If electronic payment is preferred, we accept Veem (ACH type transaction), and CashApp. However, we are not set up to accept credit or debit cards in person.
While we hope that you'll love our lessons so much that you'll take forever, we do not ask our families to sign a contract for any specific length of time. Lessons simply continue on a month-to-month basis. We do ask that new families to read and sign our studio policies regarding procedure, payments, and the calendar, prior to beginning lessons.
Is your Lesson Program for Piano & Strings a group setting?
In our Accelerated Lesson Program, there will be other students present (typically 3 to 4 per class). However, each student is taught individually and works directly with a teacher. Because all students work with headphones, the lessons are quiet and private, and there is no pressure to play in front of others. Our program is specifically designed to help students progress faster and with stronger reading skills by incorporating instructor-monitored practice into each lesson.
Why do kids progress faster in the Accelerated Lesson Program for Piano & Strings? How can this be better than "private" instruction?
It's true...our students do progress faster in our Accelerated Lesson Program than they do in private lessons. And, to be clear, this is not traditional group instruction. Our lessons are individualized, and tailored to the student, with each student receiving lots of personal attention. Most students complete their lesson books in half the time they would with traditional private instruction. The key to the "accelerated" part is the lesson length and teaching style.
First, our "groups" are not collaborative. Each student in the class works independently (with headphones) at their perfect pace, and is instructed at their level. Classes are a mix of ages and levels, and students are neither held back nor pressured to compete with others. A teacher is always at the ready to present a new concept from the lesson book, answer a question, or listen to a finished song.
Second, each weekly class is 60 minutes. The longer session allows for time to learn plenty of new music and practice it during the lesson. When a new song is completely mastered, it's listed on the student's assignment page for rehearsal at home, and we move forward to a new song!
Third, the hour-long lesson allows the teacher to step away (although we're always on the lookout for struggles) and let students work more independently. We have noted a huge increase in student confidence and initiative, and they typically will accomplish well beyond our expectations.
Finally, students play A LOT of music in an hour. More music = better sightreading.
Won't students miss the personal one-to-one time with the teacher if they are in a group?
No. Students get as much one-to-one personal attention in our lesson format as they need.
Private lessons have been the standard for years, but there is a serious flaw with lessons in this format. Success in private lessons hinges on the fact that students actually "know" how to practice. The reality is that only a very, very small percentage of students actually have good practice habits in place when they begin lessons. Not even 'being from a musical family' or 'having musician parents' is indicative that kids are going to be successful in private lessons from the beginning. The whole objective to being successful in any type of lesson format is that children understand and know how to practice. They have to be able to self-evaluate and analyze. They have to be able to troubleshoot. They have to be independent. They have to be willing to repeat something multiple times just to get it right and not be lazy about doing it. The Accelerated Lesson format addresses and solves ALL of these issues and more. In fact, these very important foundational skills can only be learned in a group setting.
We don't mean to bash private lessons. But, when stacked against the benefits of the Accelerated "group" Lesson Program structure -- it's group lessons for the Win! Our Accelerated group students focus better, work more thoroughly and conscientiously through their songs, are more motivated, confident, and sight-read like crazy. And, when students read well, playing feels easy and they want to keep playing!
Are parents allowed to sit in on lessons? Do parents have to be present during lessons?
Of course, parents are always allowed to be with their children during lessons, if they wish. We have an open door policy at The Music Studio. There is also a waiting area separate from the classrooms, for convenience. However, if you need to run errands or get siblings to other activities, drop and go is OK, too.
Do you offer Private Lessons?
We do offer private instruction (30 minutes weekly) to children with special needs. And, we offer Elite Private Instruction (as an add-on) to advanced students (30 to 45 minutes weekly). In order for an advanced student to be eligible for Elite Instruction, there is a strict practice requirement minimum. They are also required to continue with their weekly 60-minute Accelerated Lesson.
Are group lessons less/more expensive compared to private lessons?
The 30-minute private lesson for children with special needs is the same cost as our 60-minute Accelerated Lesson. Please contact us about the pricing for our Elite Private Instruction Program.
What if I have to miss a lesson?
We are very flexible! Students in the Accelerated Lesson Program may simply reschedule into another class if they have a conflict or get sick. All make up lessons can be scheduled through our online calendar.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept cash (in person) or checks (in person, or by mail). If electronic payment is preferred, we accept Veem (ACH type transaction), and CashApp. However, we are not set up to accept credit or debit cards in person.
Would you like to schedule a time to visit our studio for a tour, and possibly sample a lesson?
Click here to view our calendar openings (these are not the open lesson times, just available meeting times):
Click here to view our calendar openings (these are not the open lesson times, just available meeting times):
