Every lesson

How a lesson goes

On every instrument, a lesson has the same three parts.

01
Step 1: Warm-up
Scales, long tones or a vocal warm-up, chosen to prepare you for the day's work.
02
Step 2: New material
A passage, a technique or a new piece, taken apart slowly and put back together.
03
Step 3: A plan for the week
Your teacher writes down what to practice and how, so that home practice is clear.

Lesson lengths

30, 45 or 60 minutes

Age, level and the instrument set the length. Your teacher suggests one after the placement visit, and tuition follows it.

30 minutes
For beginners and younger students, and for adults who want a short, regular lesson.
45 minutes
For students who play a longer piece or who are preparing a recital.
60 minutes
For advanced students and for chamber coaching.

At home

Ask your teacher before you buy or rent an instrument. Size and quality matter.

Piano
For beginners from about age six. A piano or a full-size keyboard at home, and a stool at the right height.
- Taught by Rukhsar Dogar and Sakina Thigpen
Violin and viola
A correctly sized instrument, a bow, rosin and a shoulder rest if your teacher asks for one. Children are sized each year.
- Taught by Kevork Terzian
Cello
A correctly sized cello, a bow, rosin and a rock stop or a strap for the endpin.
- Taught by Domenic Cardillo
Voice
A pencil and a folder, and a quiet place to sing at home. Sakina plays the piano part in lessons.
- Taught by Sakina Thigpen
Flute and clarinet
An instrument in good repair, a cleaning cloth and, for clarinet, a few reeds your teacher chooses.
- Taught by Giada Marchetti
Theory and ear training
A weekly class of up to eight students. A pencil, manuscript paper and your instrument if it is portable.
- Led by Rukhsar Dogar

Book a placement visit and a teacher will help you choose.