These guidelines will help you or your child have a successful and rewarding experience learning an instrument or learning to sing. These are practical tips we have discovered from our years of teaching and the wisdom we have gained through this lifetime of experience.

HOW YOUNG IS TOO YOUNG? HOW OLD IS TOO OLD?

1) Preschool - This age level is best taught in a SMALL group with an instructor especially trained to handle young children. At this age, private lessons generally do not work as the child has not yet experienced the formal learning environment of kindergarten or school. Besides, in a small group the preschooler will have fun learning the basics of music through a game oriented environment. (see our Music Together program we offer)

2) 5 to 7 years - This is the perfect age for starting piano lessons. Their finger coordination is more developed, they are used to reading from left to right, and the attention span for a half hour lesson is there for most children. (Yes, we have several piano teachers who are passionate about teaching the piano)

3) 6 to 11 years - Does your child love to sing? By now you'll know if they have already memorized the latest Disney tune from their favorite DVD. We do not recommend private voice lessons at this age as the mechanics involved in learning to sing "correctly" involve mature ability to control or NOT control various muscles of the body. (See our Children's Show Choir program offered on Mondays at 3:45 to 4:45 p.m.)

4) 8 years - Guitar! What a fantastic instrument to learn! At age 8 a child's fingertips are ready to handle the amount of pressure needed to press on the strings. Any sooner and their small hands make playing a guitar uncomfortable. This could mean a bad experience. (Our guitar teachers are highly recommended by other parents.)

5) 9 years - When it comes to playing flute, this is the age when a child has the lung capacity to start learning to play flute as well as other wind instruments. (Yes, our flute teacher will love teaching your child this beautiful instrument.)

6) 11 years and up - Private vocal, private piano, private guitar, etc. From this age everything is open. As children reach their teens they have the energy to "learn it all". Studies on this age group have found that keeping a teenager busy in non-sexual related activities is a protection. It builds self-esteem not based on the attention of the opposite sex (more information on this is available upon request).

7) Adults - Adults can start an instrument or start singing lessons at any age. Their success is based on how willing they are to commit to practicing, not on the fact they are "just too old." With proper technique and upkeep NO singer has to sing with a "wobble" just because they are up in years. It isn't age that makes a bad singer; just loss of proper technique. Many adults no longer locked into child raising or a full time job enjoy using their free time to pursue positive hobbies like music to keep themselves challenged and growing. (Check out the private lessons we offer, as well as Voice 101 Workshops and Adult Chorus)