Courses of Study
Private Lessons
Study technique and performance one-on-one with a specialist on your instrument, meeting for either 30 or 60 minutes weekly throughout the teaching session.
We offer instruction for:
Piano and keyboard instruments
Guitar
Mandolin
Bass (orchestral & electric)
Saxophone
Clarinet
Flute
Violin & orchestral strings
Trumpet & brass instruments
Drum Set & percussion
Ensembles
Engage hands-on with creative music, with one of the school’s performing ensembles. Meet weekly and perform throughout the teaching session. Each section is themed to fit the instructor’s area of expertise. Rehearsal length varies depending on the ensemble.
Current ensembles, with area of focus and instrumentation:
Preparatory Rock Ensemble, Wednesdays 5:30pm-6:30pm
Mid- to late-20th century rock and roll. Drums, guitar, bass, piano/keyboard, vocals, wind/brass.
Preparatory Soul Ensemble, Mondays 4:30pm-5:30pm
Mid- to late-20th century soul and R&B. Drums, guitar, bass, piano/keyboard, vocals, wind/brass.
Backbeat Ensemble, Thursdays 5:30pm-6:30pm
Common ground between hip-hop, rock, and funk. Drums, guitar, bass, piano, vocals, wind/brass.
Old Soul Roots Ensemble, Wednesdays 7:00pm-8:00pm
Early- to mid-20th century folk, roots, mountain, rag, and gospel music. Guitar, bass, piano, vocals, wind/brass, mandolin, fiddle, percussion.
Traditional Jazz Ensemble, Saturdays 11:00am-12:00pm
Early- to mid-20th century folk, roots, mountain, rag, and gospel music. Guitar, bass, piano, vocals, wind/brass, banjo/tenor banjo, fiddle.
Topic Courses
Courses at the school follow a seasonal cycle. In the fall, we run the American Canon Repertoire Workshop, which focuses on memorization. In the winter, it’s Transcription & Ear Training. In the spring, Harmonic Improvisation.
Most students take these courses repeatedly, building their skills over time in concert with other musicians at the school.