| What age do children have to be to start music lessons? | For private lessons, children can begin Suzuki piano at age 5, although a few children also begin violin instruction around age 5. Traditional piano and violin lessons begin profitably at ages 6-7. Guitar, bass, flute, sax, clarinet and drums are usually best begun around third grade. Voice lessons can begin around age 8. Your child, of course, is an individual, so these ages are only guidelines. We will be happy to direct your inquiry to one of our teachers for a phone response which will help you decide if your child is ready. Keep in mind, as well, that we have a policy which allows you to withdraw in the first four weeks of the semester with no penalty, a good time in which to "test the waters."
For Music Together®, we offer classes from birth through age four. "MT" is a group experience for infants/preschoolers and their parent or caregiver. Each 45-minute class involves music, movement, voice and instrument play, and each participant goes home with a CD to continue the fun at home. |
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| What is Suzuki piano? | The Suzuki method teaches young children to play music in much the same way as they learn to speak: by imitating what they hear. Parent and child are engaged in a lesson with the teacher which helps children learn to play the piano by imitating what he/she hears the teacher, and later the parent, play. As the child progresses in his/her understanding, the lesson can gradually change to a traditional piano lesson. | |
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| Do you ever have adult beginner students? | All the time! It’s never too late to learn to play an instrument, or to pick up where you left off. All of our teachers are experienced in helping adults find success on an instrument. | |
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| Do we have to own a piano for piano lessons? | While you can get away with a good keyboard for a while, a piano at home is a good investment if a student is going to continue his/her interest. The experience of playing the piano actually is very different from the keyboard experience.
If you are going to purchase a piano or a keyboard in order to begin lessons, please talk to your teacher for guidance on the perils and pitfalls to avoid! |
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| Do you know where I could rent an instrument? | Call the office for the names of local businesses which rent violins, cellos, flutes, saxophones and clarinets. | |
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| Can I come in for a trial lesson? |
No, little can be determined from just one lesson, either about the teacher or the student. We encourage you to make the commitment to begin lessons. However, our policy allows for a penalty-free withdrawal in the first four weeks of the semester. That is, if you register for the semester and decide to withdraw in the first four weeks, you will receive back whatever tuition you haven’t already used. After the first four weeks, we expect you to finish the semester, as we have reserved that spot for you. | |
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| If I miss a lesson, can I have a make-up lesson? | Students are entitled to one make-up lesson per semester, usually held during make-up week at the end of the semester, for excused absences (absences with 24-hour notice). Unexcused absences ("no-shows") are not entitled to make-ups. Of course, we make up all teacher absences or lessons missed because we have to close the school (for example, snow days). | |
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| Can I bring my friend to my lesson? | Please don’t bring friends to lessons. However, parents are welcome to sit in at any time. | |
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| How will I know if the school is closed for weather? | For weather announcements, call our number (973-377-7108) and press "2" for the Office. If there is a weather closure, it will be recorded for you there. | |
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| How can I get in touch with my teacher? | Call our phone number (973-377-7108) and listen for the voicemail instructions. Each department (piano, strings, etc.) has a voice mailbox: leave a message there for your teacher. |