Instrument and Class Information

Students who are taking private piano lessons should own or have access to a piano for practice during the week. Beginning piano students may use a touch sensetive electronic keyboard initially but soon will require a piano.
If you do not own a piano you may want to ask at the front desk and we can give you information on where to rent or buy.

Music theory includes the fundamental concepts of music - theory and meter, intervals, chords, major and minor scales, elements of musical forms, and the basics of tonal harmony (four-part writing). Each topic discussed is incorporated in ear-training drills (aural recognition of meter, rhythm, intervals, triads and seventh chords as well as ryhthmic, melodic, and polyphonic dictation). We prepare students for the written theory examination with the Royal Schools of Music.

Our instructors are competent at teaching both classical and electric guitar. Students will learn chords, guitar tabs and reading notes. Students are expected to bring their instrument with them from their first lesson onward.

Private, individual lessons include technical aspects and musical developement of violin playing. Scales, arpeggios, and etudes are studied alongside classical and popular music. Students age range from 3 to adult. The violin can be rented or bought from the Academy. Young children can start studying the instrument as early as 3 years old using the Suzuki method (more info below). Students will have the opportunity to perform at seasonal recitals individually or as a group.

Modeled on the educational philosophy of Shinichi Suzuki used in the music preparatory divisions of leading Universities and music conservatories around the world, this program nurtures the student’s musical sensetivity and listening skills.
Suzuki’s approach emphasizes naturalness and ease. Introducing the children to music at birth, and to the violin as early as 3 years of age, he teaches them to play just as a parent teaches a child to speak.
Participation is required for performance in an end of course recital.

Beginners learn basic rhythm skills and drumming techniques, while more advanced students may recieve instruction in any style of percussion.

Our woodwind and brass instructors teach a wide variety of instruments, including flute, clarinet, saxaphone, recorder, and trumpet.
Students should bring their instrument with them from the first lesson, or may purchase or rent wind and brass instruments from the Academy or a local music store.

Our voice department is composed of instructors who are proficient in classical, popular and Boradway styles. Students who study singing discover the unique qualities of their individual voices while learning proper vocal technique.
Group voice instruction is available in our Musical Drama class.

The musical drama class is a combination of singing, dancing, and acting in the Broadway style. Students participate in every aspect of producing a musical drama. They will use brainstorming and improvisational sketches to develop their storyline, characters and finally their experiences culminate into a final end of the school year performance.

For ages 4-6, Magic Keys is one of the most innovative music education programs available today. It is designed to introduce children to music at a young age. The program includes: singing, ensemble, playing on the keyboard and rythm instruments, listening skills, movement development, and music games. All weekly classes focus on concepts needed for future study, including various styles, instruments and musical cultures.

Ages 6-10:
This class focuses on music making appropriate for younger children. Singing games and movement provide a repertoire of musical experiences from which lessons in music theory and singing are derived. Students learn the basics of sound vocal technique (breathing posture, and diction) and fundamental music skills (sight reading, rhythm recognition). Students in this class will have an opportunity to perform in class recitals.

Ages 11-15:
This class, appropriate for older children, focuses on the development of sight reading skills and part singing emphasizing fundamental vocal technique, correct posture, breathing, tone production, and diction, and provides an opportunity to learn basic stage etiquette and poise. The class reperoire will span various periods and styles of music. Students in this class will have the opportunity to perform in class recitals.

Tap: Classes in tap include beginning steps to very advanced techniques. Tap is an excellent way to develop rhythmic skills and coordination.

Ballet: These classes will include barre excercises for warm-ups and technique development, floor work for basic steps, turns, leaps and combinations. Ballet classes are especially good for gymnasts, swimmers, skaters or models.

Jazz: This form of dance is very popular with all age groups. The classes include basic jazz techniques, combinations, turns, leaps, and funky steps. Jazz dancing provides very good excercise and helps to develop coordination.

Our art classes consist of a wide range of artistic styles from pencils and chalk, to oil painting and watercolors. Materials and techniques are varied to expose the student to many different experiences. Color theory, composition, shading and blending, drawing surfaces, and proper painting technique are just a few of the focuses in each class. If a student feels particularly drawn to specific style, our teachers will help them in that direction and work specifically on whichever style interests them. We prepare students who are interested in entering Art college.

Twice a year we have a student art exhibition open the to public.

Students in the Fashion Design course will learn a mix of three basic aspects of design.
The first is drawing, with emphasis on size and proportion, light and shadow, point of view, graphing technique and sketching.
The second is painting, with focus on using paint for textures, mixing colors, using a stencil and using a collage.
The third is composition which will include plastic and human anatomy for preparing costume drawings, choosing a design style (realism, abstract design, neo-realism), design elements (line, shape, size, value, color, direction, texture), and the properties of textile materials, fabric dying and painting.
Our fashion design instructor graduated from the Fashion Design Academy in Moscow and her works have been shown at exhibitions in the USA, Russia, and France.