The school prioritizes working with students ages 5 through 18, as well as advanced college-age students. Please feel free to contact us for availability.

Yes, please reach out to us to request the official studio policy.

Please call or email us to schedule your consultation/trial lesson free of charge. We will meet with you to determine your needs for lessons as well as discuss any special circumstances/accommodations to ensure a positive and enriching learning experience.

Your child may start lessons as early as 3 years old, however, we recommend waiting until the child is at least 5 years old, as this gives them the maturity, coordination, and fine motor skills to progress more quickly while still gaining the neurological benefits of learning an instrument at a young age. We recommend starting private lessons before enrolling in a school orchestra program in order to build the proper foundation in a one-on-one setting.

If you are interested in renting locally, Haggerty's Musicworks offers a great selection of rental instruments in the Black Hills area. Other online rental/buying options include Shar Music and Johnson Stringa. We encourage parents not to rent/purchase instruments without first consulting the teacher.

All lessons are held weekly and depend on the age and level of the student. Having regular weekly lessons sets the student up for success, simultaneously building responsibility, accountability, and discipline. Missing lessons leads to frustration and learning gaps on the student's part and is detrimental to their overall enthusiasm and commitment to learning.

For beginning students, we find that 30 minutes is adequate for providing them with a solid foundation. However, as they progress, parents should expect the lesson duration to increase to a minimum of 45 minutes. For some students, we find that 2 shorter lessons per week is the most beneficial. (See the expected lesson length timetable below*)

In the first 6-12 Months: 30/45 min

1st-2nd Year: 45/60 min

3rd Year+: 60/90 min

*Lesson length recommendations may vary based on what your teacher believes to be in the best interest of the child.

Absolutely, performance opportunities are vital to the the students’ success and comfort with their instrument. All students with concert-ready repertoire will have opportunities to perform through studio concerts as well as occasional outreach concerts. A minimum of two Studio Performance Classes will be held throughout the year with opportunities to make music with their peers as well as perform with piano accompaniment. Attendance at studio-organized events is expected from all students. Please note that virtual students will have unique accommodations which must be discussed with your teacher.