Classes: You can try out a class if you are unsure it it’s the right one for you. The cost for each trial session is the pro-rated class rate plus $2. If you decide to enroll in the class, then the total amount that you have spent will be applied to the regular tuition.

Faculty: Teaching styles, student learning styles, and the personalities involved are all different. We encourage you to schedule a lesson or two with a couple of different teachers to find the one that you want to spend time learning with.

Instruments: It’s equally important to find the right fit with your instrument(s). For the elementary set we recommend our Music Box class, where they can try out 10-12 different ones over the course of a term. For older students we suggest creating your own “music box – take a month each of piano, violin, and/or saxophone and choose based on some experience and what literally feels right. [We have short-term rental instruments available so that you don’t make an initial major investment to acquire one.]

Pacing: There’s no rule that lessons have to be weekly! The regularity of weekly lessons is often great for all concerned, but during school holidays or when preparing for a special performance, some students take more than one, for example. Many adults prefer every other week. Still others schedule lesson by lesson as their calendar allows. And one fellow drove down from Washington for a morning lesson, practiced at The Shedd all day, and then took another in the afternoon before driving home! We encourage you to set your own pace.

Your music: Explore all the fun things you can do with your instrument – wanting to play fiddle tunes, quartets, rock, or jazz doesn’t mean forsaking Chopin, folksongs, or soloing. Check out current group classes and upcoming camps, or ask your teacher to help you form a group to play with.

Have fun with your music-making!