The Musical Journey
Though every student's reason for seeking lessons is unique, learning to play a musical instrument is a journey. Your child has embarked on a quest to learn another language - the language of music. To become truly fluent, a good deal of reading, writing, listening, theory, practice, and performing is needed. Progress isn't always linear. Like watching the stock market, their learning will be a series of peaks and valleys, and when the valleys hit, given time and patience, progress will again trend upward. Becoming musically fluent is great fun, and can provide a lifetime of enjoyment and sharing with others. But, as with anything worth achieving, playing a musical instrument takes some effort, and most especially...time.
It's a marathon, not a sprint.
We don't yet know exactly what the path looks like for your child on their musical journey, but we're here to give them the tools and confidence they'll need for unlimited growth and lasting enjoyment of music. We're also here to make it easy! Our lesson format is carefully designed so students are unaware they're innately absorbing this amazing language, and simultaneously developing countless other valuable life skills.
At The Music Studio, there's never pressure for a student to move into another group or level, but we do communicate and work closely with parents and students to guide them into the best possible learning situation for growth and success -- and, of course, fun! As your child progresses, there are opportunities to help keep them moving upward and excited for new challenges.
The Accelerated Program, for Independent Learning & Sightreading
This is our 60-minute weekly lesson program, where all students begin! They're reading and playing music from the moment they sit down at the first lesson. Teachers carefully guide students forward through their lesson books in a way that promotes independence, high practice standards, and ownership of the learning process. Students are asked to "practice" a song until they feel they have it mastered, at which point they signal the teacher to evaluate and "pass" them to the next assignment. Continuous playing is encouraged the entire session, and songs must be played correctly (and checked) in order to move forward. From an outside perspective, lessons look much like a practice "lab"; however, there is constant conscious and subconscious instruction taking place, and all students are closely monitored for progress and have access to a teacher as much as they need during the hour.
The Advanced Program, for Exploring more Challenging Repertoire
Students in the Advanced Program attend two 60-minute lessons per week. There is a continuing emphasis on sightreading, but students have progressed to a reading level where we introduce short to medium-length classical works of the minor and major composers. At this level, we encourage students memorize and maintain a repertoire list, and consider performing in musical events.
The Ensemble Program, for Piano, Strings, & Band Instruments
We offer three different small ensemble or "chamber music" opportunities at The Music Studio. Our Piano Orchestra, String Chamber Ensemble, and Band Instrument Ensemble, are open to students ages 7 through Adult who have had at least one full year of instruction or prior playing background. The Ensemble Program is open to both current and non-current students who are interested in a more social musical experience, and enjoy the challenge of playing and performing with others. Rehearsals are separate from regular (Accelerated) lessons. The groups perform in several events throughout the year, to include studio recitals.
Private Instruction, for all Instruments
Our Private Instruction Program combines the Accelerated Program (mandatory) with an additional 30-minute weekly one-to-one instructional session. Continuation in the Accelerated Program ensures sightreading skills continue to improve through advanced levels, while more challenging performance repertoire, technique, music theory, and performance skills are polished during the 30-minute private sessions. Students at this level should have completed the first 4 levels of their lesson books and are typically interested in being more immersed in their music, or want to pursue music at a competitive or collegiate level.
We recognize the importance you've placed on introducing your child to music lessons, and thank you for choosing and entrusting The Music Studio to get your child started. Parental support and engagement are crucial to achieving musical success. There will be challenges throughout your child's musical journey -- scheduling complexities, limited practice time at home, competing activities, apprehensions about participating in recitals or events. Let's stay committed to working through the rough spots together, and enjoy the excitement of seeing where the path takes them!
It's a marathon, not a sprint.
We don't yet know exactly what the path looks like for your child on their musical journey, but we're here to give them the tools and confidence they'll need for unlimited growth and lasting enjoyment of music. We're also here to make it easy! Our lesson format is carefully designed so students are unaware they're innately absorbing this amazing language, and simultaneously developing countless other valuable life skills.
At The Music Studio, there's never pressure for a student to move into another group or level, but we do communicate and work closely with parents and students to guide them into the best possible learning situation for growth and success -- and, of course, fun! As your child progresses, there are opportunities to help keep them moving upward and excited for new challenges.
The Accelerated Program, for Independent Learning & Sightreading
This is our 60-minute weekly lesson program, where all students begin! They're reading and playing music from the moment they sit down at the first lesson. Teachers carefully guide students forward through their lesson books in a way that promotes independence, high practice standards, and ownership of the learning process. Students are asked to "practice" a song until they feel they have it mastered, at which point they signal the teacher to evaluate and "pass" them to the next assignment. Continuous playing is encouraged the entire session, and songs must be played correctly (and checked) in order to move forward. From an outside perspective, lessons look much like a practice "lab"; however, there is constant conscious and subconscious instruction taking place, and all students are closely monitored for progress and have access to a teacher as much as they need during the hour.
The Advanced Program, for Exploring more Challenging Repertoire
Students in the Advanced Program attend two 60-minute lessons per week. There is a continuing emphasis on sightreading, but students have progressed to a reading level where we introduce short to medium-length classical works of the minor and major composers. At this level, we encourage students memorize and maintain a repertoire list, and consider performing in musical events.
The Ensemble Program, for Piano, Strings, & Band Instruments
We offer three different small ensemble or "chamber music" opportunities at The Music Studio. Our Piano Orchestra, String Chamber Ensemble, and Band Instrument Ensemble, are open to students ages 7 through Adult who have had at least one full year of instruction or prior playing background. The Ensemble Program is open to both current and non-current students who are interested in a more social musical experience, and enjoy the challenge of playing and performing with others. Rehearsals are separate from regular (Accelerated) lessons. The groups perform in several events throughout the year, to include studio recitals.
Private Instruction, for all Instruments
Our Private Instruction Program combines the Accelerated Program (mandatory) with an additional 30-minute weekly one-to-one instructional session. Continuation in the Accelerated Program ensures sightreading skills continue to improve through advanced levels, while more challenging performance repertoire, technique, music theory, and performance skills are polished during the 30-minute private sessions. Students at this level should have completed the first 4 levels of their lesson books and are typically interested in being more immersed in their music, or want to pursue music at a competitive or collegiate level.
We recognize the importance you've placed on introducing your child to music lessons, and thank you for choosing and entrusting The Music Studio to get your child started. Parental support and engagement are crucial to achieving musical success. There will be challenges throughout your child's musical journey -- scheduling complexities, limited practice time at home, competing activities, apprehensions about participating in recitals or events. Let's stay committed to working through the rough spots together, and enjoy the excitement of seeing where the path takes them!
