Frequently Asked Questions

2018 and 2019 Tally Award Winner

At 19 years we are Tallahassee's Oldest Music and Dance School, Owned by the Same Owners!

Now Enrolling for Summer Camps 2019!

Click the desired page for more information,

or call 850-412-0102, option 1 to speak directly to the owners, Ruth and David Mason

Q: How do I register for classes?

A: Our group classes (Arts After School, Kindermusik, Dance, Group Piano, Group Guitar and Camps) are available to register online.  Click any of the Register Online links.  For individual lessons, please call 850-412-0102, option 1 to register.  Since individual lesson openings vary, it is best to call for openings.  You can call to register for any of the group classes as well. 

Q: Can I start lessons if I'm a beginner?

A: Yes. We offer lessons for beginners, intermediate and advanced students

Q: How do we differ from in-home or in-school lessons?

A: Attending lessons in a professional school environment means that the teacher and student are free from home distractions. At home, the distractions could be; TV's in the next room, door bells and after school friends, siblings, and pets. At school, lessons the distractions could be; constant changing lesson locations, cleaning or maintenance crews and general after school noise. Also, lessons that occur at the student's school gives the students the feel that the lessons are part of school and not a separate after school enrichment. Also, most in school lessons use keyboards instead of real pianos. All of our students use real pianos at our studio. Students tend to take their music study a little more seriously when they are coming to a professional school situation, bringing their books and materials to the lessons each week. Also, students gain excitement about the music making process when they are surrounded by other people of all ages engaged in music learning for many different instruments. Also, we can offer many group music learning opportunities and yearly recitals and festivals that most in-home or at-school teachers cannot provide. We also offer a computer music theory lab at our studio. We also have a recital hall at our studio and host at least two recitals per year. At-home or in-school lessons are not able to offer this very important benefit.

Q: Is the teacher qualified?

A: Yes. All of our teachers are university trained in their instrument of specialization. Our teachers are experienced professionals and are chosen not only for their qualifications, but for their love of teaching and their ability to relate to the students. Our faculty have spent years developing their skills on their instruments or vocal training and studied with many master teachers.

Q: What if the student's and teacher's personalities don't mesh well or the student is dissatisfied?

A: This is one of the advantages of taking your lessons at our school - we have several teachers for each instrument so if a problem occurs - which is extremely rare - you can switch to one of the other teachers. If you think you may get more out of lessons from a teacher with a different teaching style, we have the flexibility to change you to another instructor.

Q: Do I need an instrument at home to take piano lessons?

A: Yes. Without regular practice at home, achievement on the instrument is impossible.

Q: Do I need a piano at home to take piano lessons?

A: It is ideal if you do have a piano at home, but you can start lessons by using an electric keyboard to practice on. We recommend a keyboard that has regular sized keys and a touch sensitive response. A touch sensitive keyboard means if you press a key harder it will play louder and if you press a key softer it will play quieter.

Q: Do I need a full drum set to take drum lessons?

A: No you do not need a full drum set to start drum lessons. Students can start lessons by using a practice pad. This is a small dinner plate sized pad that is used for practicing basic drum rhythms.

Q: Do you teach adults?

A: We do. Our teachers are qualified to teach students at any age.

Q: How long does it take to learn an instrument?

A: There is no set answer of how long it takes to learn an instrument. With regular practice a basic level of playing can be accomplished in a few months. Most of our students take lessons on a long term basis because they want to be constantly improving and because they find the lessons enjoyable.

Q: How much should I practice?

A: The most important aspect of practicing is that it be regular. More can be accomplished by spreading one hour of practice over several days, than at one time. Most beginning students should practice at least 45 minutes a week, intermediate to advanced should practice at least two hours a week.

Q: I don't have any musical background or ability; can I still help my child practice?

A: Yes. Even if you don't have a musical background you can ask the teacher for advice on how to help your child practice. By simply monitoring that they are doing exercises a certain number of times per day the student will progress. Many parents occasionally sit in on their child's music lesson to get an idea of the proper way a song should sound or how the student should be positioning their hands.

Q: What if my child starts the lessons and does not like the instrument?

A: Usually students have "begged" to start music lessons on a particular instrument, so we suggest that the student sticks with their instrument choice for several months before switching to another instrument or voice lessons. If this situation occurs, the parent should contact our office right away so we can give the teacher any feedback and discuss ways to generate more interest. Students can switch to another instrument at any time during the year, another benefit of taking lessons in a professional school environment.

Q: Do you offer discounts on music lessons if I put more than one child in?

A: Yes. Family members receive a discount on any lessons or classes at our school.

Q: Can I sit in on the group music class?

A: If the parents sit in every week it is too distracting for the students. There are too many authority figures and the children either lose class time looking for Mom & Dad's approval, or they act out to see what reaction they will get. We encourage parents of young children to wait in our waiting rooms so that if they are needed they are close by.

Q: Can I sit in on my child's private music lesson?

A: Yes - we have an open door policy. It is your choice when to sit in. Some students find it distracting and some work better with Mom or Dad in the room. The teacher will give you some advice on this after they get to know your child.

Q: Can my two children have a music lesson together, or both myself and my child?

A: We generally have found that student progress better in separate lessons. There are situations where this works however and we would be happy to discuss this with you. If you are looking for convenience, you can ask about scheduling both lessons at the same time with different teachers or book them back to back.

Q: Can we take lessons every other week instead of every week?

A: At first this might seem like a good idea, but we have tried this in the past and we do not recommend it (if you miss a lesson, it would be an entire month before you saw your teacher again!). It is really important that the teacher checks your progress and corrects your form every week. Also, attending weekly lessons will continue the learning momentum and generate mastering a skill more quickly.

Q: Can I just take one month of lessons?

A: We think that one month does not give the student an accurate indication of lessons. We typically think that two months gives the student a better indication of what the lessons will be like on a long term basis. If after the two months, the student is free to quit or try another instrument or teacher if requested.

Q: Do you have a practice incentive program?

A: Yes. We have an awards system that awards students for practicing, participation in recitals and attendance at outside musical events. Typical awards are medals, trophies, plaques, etc.

Q: Do you have student recitals?

A: Yes. We have at two recitals per year. One at the end of the fall semester and one at the end of the spring semester. All recitals are at our studio in our recital hall.

Q: Are recitals mandatory?

A: No. We want the students' experience to be positive. If recitals cause apprehension or if they are not "your thing", you are not required to participate.

Q: Can I schedule lessons at the same time for multiple members of the same family?

A: Yes. Since we have teachers that teach different instruments, it is possible to have lessons scheduled at the same time, whether they are for the same instrument or different instruments.

Q: What is your makeup policy?

A: We offer hour long Enrichment Classes several times per semester which can be used as a makeup, or simply for an "extra" educational class.

Q: Do your students have the opportunity to participate in competitions and judged evaluations?

A: Yes. We are members in national, state and local music associations. These allow our students participation in many competitions and evaluations such as Howard Wilson Piano competition, District Student Day, and our Studio Festival.

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