Does it matter if I or my child has never had any sort of music lesson experience? 
No, we are great at teaching those brand new to music lessons. Our methods also encompass the older beginner and adult students whether beginner or more experienced. With elementary and high school students, we integrate and incorporate the materials that they are studying at school and encourage them to attain higher levels.

What if my child or I am somewhat experienced, do we have to restart at the beginning?
No. For those who have some experience, we assess the level that you have attained, bridge the gaps in knowledge and then continue on from there.  In some cases it may be necessary to review/learn new or different techniques that will be more productive especially if you or your child have been working on your own.  It is very easy to pick up habits that may be detrimental to your progress.

How do I know what the best instrument is for my child/me if I don't know what I like or am having a hard time choosing?

Everyone responds differently to each instrument.  Some like a particular sound or they have seen someone playing the instrument and like the looks and sounds of it.  Some have no particular preference until they try playing an instrument.  Oftentimes with children, the parents choose with varying results.  At our studio, we conduct a fairly extensive questioned approach to find out what the student is thinking about, likes and dislikes of sounds, what the parents/prospective adult student preferences are and then make a recommendation based on the outcome of the process.  Happily, most students do come to the initial meeting with some preferences already articulated.  

How long will it take before I can play something?
You will be playing ‘something’ by the end of the first lesson! Having said that, it takes time to be able to play music that is familiar to you. New music students can be playing a familiar tune in as little as a few weeks/months depending on age. How long it takes to achieve your goals depends on how much time you put in, what instrument you have chosen and what you have set as goals.

Do you offer group lessons?
Sometimes. We have found in our many years of teaching, that group lessons do not present the best way for an individual to learn an instrument. Each person has different methods and rates of learning, It is often a distraction in a group lesson where a teacher stops to work on a specific challenge with one student and the rest zone out or become bored because it is not a problem for them.  We recommend individual lessons for these very reasons. Group lessons work well when students of similar levels would benefit from ensemble rehearsals where the focus is on learning to follow conductors or listening to tuning etc.

Do I need a musical instrument to take music lessons? 
Yes. Learning to play a musical instrument is like a sport – you are building and developing muscle skill, hand–eye coordination, along with learning a new language (music notes and symbols) and much more. To make progress, a student needs to be able to have a tactile relationship with the chosen instrument and to become aware of the sound, tone production etc. Consistent and daily practice is imperative. Without an instrument, the student will struggle much harder, become frustrated, lose interest and ultimately stop working or quit.

Are adults harder to teach music than kids? 
Adults and children approach the learning of music from differing perspectives.  Children love the excitement of exploring new ideas and opportunities but they need close monitoring and encouragement around the issue of practicing and the development of fine motor skills necessary for the playing of a musical instrument. Aspects such as hand and finger placement and arching, posture and issues around relaxing while playing are not exciting and need to be constantly reworked to keep the student engaged. 

Adults usually have clearer musical goals, a good track record at goal setting and realization.  Since they are paying for the lessons, they have a vested interest in accomplishing their stated goals. Their self expectations are high but as adults, time to practice or the way they organize and prioritize their time can be an issue. Harder is therefore not an applicable word.  Different approaches are necessary but key is to keep the element of fun and excitement alive in each lesson.

Can we take music lessons every other week instead of every week?
At first this might seem like a good idea, but we have tried this in the past and we do not offer it. Consistency is the best way to make steady gains on your musical journey. Challenges that crop up or mistakes that are easily correctable become  almost insurmountable major issues when left for longer periods.  If you happen to miss a lesson or two, that problem would have a month to become a habit and habits are quite difficult to change.  We have found that attending weekly music lessons will enhance the learning momentum and generate mastering a skill more quickly.

Can a parent ‘sit in’ on a music lesson, are they expected to stay away or always be there?
We have an open door policy. It is your choice whether to sit in, sit in the lobby or run some errands. Some music students find a parent in the room distracting and some work better with Mom or Dad in the room. It is highly recommended that parents sit in with younger aged children.  The knowledge gained from the lesson and your support and encouragement are very valuable tools in helping your child enjoy and progress.  Without that knowledge, it is challenging for a parent to know how best to help during practice sessions. The teacher will be happy to help you decide which option is best for you and your child(ren).