Q: What’s the best age to introduce my child to music class?
A: It’s never too early to introduce your little one to music. Our toddler classes begin at 16 months and include the parent/caregiver in each lesson.
Q: At what age can my child begin piano lessons?
Our piano program begins at age 4.5 - 5 yrs. Prior to that, children can be part of our toddler programs (16m -3’s), where the emphasis is on experiencing music and musical concepts in a fun setting with other kids and parents. At age 4 they can do our piano readiness course called ‘Music in Me’. From there they move to our group piano program.
Q: How is the Harmony Road course different than traditional private lessons?
The group structure of Harmony Road allows children and parents to experience a wide variety of activities not typically done in a one-on-one private lesson. Singing, movement, ear training, rhythm & keyboard ensemble, along with the activities at the piano keyboard, engage students in a total musical experience. They’re not sitting at the piano the entire lesson, as is typically done in private lessons.
Q: What are the benefits of learning piano in a group setting vs private lessons?
Most people are only familiar with private piano lessons. Here are just a few benefits of learning piano in a group setting:
Students learn a strong sense of rhythm by playing in time with other students and orchestral tracks.
Students find that performing in front of other isn’t stressful since they do it every week in class.
Singing, ear training, theory games and rhythm/keyboard ensembles are FUN when done in a group with other students.
The group structure is extremely motivating. Kids love getting together with their musical friends each week.
Our curriculum is specifically designed for group involvement. The interaction each week between students, parents, and teacher provides the basis for successful and natural musical development.
Q: Can I enroll my child at any time?
We offer new classes 3x a year (September, January, and during the summer).
Q: Do I need to have a piano at home?
Students enrolled in our group piano program need to have a keyboard (minimum 61 full-size keys), digital or acoustic piano at home for daily practicing. We recommend Yamaha keyboards (Costco, Sams Club or Best Buy). For digital pianos we suggest Roland, Yamaha or Kawaii brands. Please call us if you have questions about a specific model!
Q: What kind of performance opportunities are available to students?
Our group piano classes have 2 recitals per year (Dec & May). Students who complete the first 4 books of the program will be offered the opportunity to participate in various adjudicated events such as Piano Guild, National Federation of Music Clubs, and MTAC festivals and recitals.
Q: At what point do students move to private piano lessons?
After students have completed our core program (which takes usually 4-5 years to complete), we do a combination of group class and private lessons. The students still love getting together with their friends each week (we work on theory, improvisation and perform for each other) but they also work on piano repertoire with their Harmony Road teacher in a private lesson. We have students at our school who began their musical journey with us as toddlers and are now in junior high!
Q: Why is the parent required to attend class each week?
All of our programs involve the parent in each weekly class. In our toddler classes the musical experience is a shared one between parent and child (singing, moving, dancing, rocking, swaying). In our group piano classes parents participate in class and at home, where they guide students in practicing and help as needed. Parent attendance in class is essential for helping to insure a successful musical education!
Q: What do I do about siblings who come with me to piano class?
Our policy is that any non-enrolled siblings must remain in our waiting area (age mature 4 and up). Infants must remain in seats or carriers as the parent will be actively participating in the class with the enrolled child.