Confidence. Creativity. Can-do attitude. It all starts here.
Individual (private) instruction, group classes, ensembles, and specialty classes for young children and adults.
Classes: Individual and Group Options
Individual (Private) Instruction
Private lessons (individual instruction) is available for piano, voice/singing, guitar, violin and other strings, drums & percussion, and brass & woodwind (band) musical instruments.. Lessons typically are weekly, 60 minutes (one hour) duration. Twice-weekly and/or double-hour lessons may be available. (Note: we generally do not offer 30-minute lessons, which are overall less effective and do not meet the standards of our teaching and learning philosophies and approaches. Much better alternatives are available; please inquire.)
Students receive in-person (or online, if desired), one-on-one instruction from a dedicated teacher, and move at a pace that is comfortable and attainable while also being challenging and rewarding. (Online options may be available; please inquire.)
Group Instruction
Group courses in piano, pre-piano, voice/singing, guitar, drums & percussion, and various vocal and instrumental ensembles for all ages from the youngest through adult, in appropriate age groupings. We offer both traditional classical and contemporary or popular music focus and repertoire. Also available: Early Elementary (including Mommy & Me style) and Piano Preparatory (Pre-piano) for very young children, and the fun “Piano & Brew” for adults. Lessons typically are weekly, 60 minutes (one hour) duration. Twice-weekly (accelerated) classes may be available for some courses, and Piano & Brew for adults is a double-hour course (two hours).
Group piano lessons and classes are a predetermined duration which varies depending on the level (Book 1-4) and pacing: Andante (walking tempo / graceful and leisurely), Allegro (a faster pace), Vivace (a very fast pace), and Accelerando (the fastest pace, an accelerated course of study, which provides twice-weekly lessons). Pacing options are age-appropriate and tailored-to-fit based on student and family goals, needs, and objectives. (Online options may be available; please inquire.)
What piano course pacing is right for me? Consider whether one or more (not necessarily all) of the following circumstances and/or preferences are true for you:
Andante: young children ages 5-6; anyone who prefers a more leisurely pace; prefers very little to no daily practice requirement; possibly does not have regular access to an instrument; may be heavily involved in other activities or sports; may or may not wish to participate in piano recitals and forums.
Allegro: older children and youth ages 7 and up and adults; will meet the minimum daily practice commitment appropriate for level and pacing; have regular access to an instrument; are not as heavily involved in other activities or sports; will participate in some piano recitals and forums.
Vivace: older children and youth ages 9 and up and adults; prefers a more aggressive pace; will meet and exceed the minimum daily practice commitment appropriate for level and pacing; have regular access to an instrument; are not as heavily involved in other activities or sports; will participate in most piano recitals and forums.
Accelerando: older children and youth ages 7 and up and adults; prefers a much more aggressive pace; has substantial available time to commit to lessons; will meet and exceed the minimum daily practice commitment appropriate for level and pacing; have regular access to an instrument; are not as heavily involved in other activities or sports; will participate in most recitals and forums; class meets twice weekly.
Group Instruction is also available for:
MTAC Certificate of Merit exams preparation.
Themed Recital preparation.
Music Theory, Music Composition, and Songwriting
Please inquire.
Specialty Classes for Young Children
Mommy & Me: Parent and child together in small groups of 2-3 families (child ages 0-3). Focus is on singing, movement and dancing, feeling the beat and rhythm, playing some musical games, and playing with some musical instruments. Songs and music prepare participants for future music lessons, including learning useful folk songs, children’s songs, and traditional melodies, dances, carols, and hymns.
Piano Preparatory (Pre-piano): Very young children (ages 4-5) who are able to participate in music lessons on their own but may be too young or small for regular piano lessons. Groups up to 6 participants. Focus is on singing, movement and dancing, feeling the beat and rhythm, playing some musical games, and playing with some musical instruments, especially the piano keyboard. Songs and music prepare participants for future piano lessons, including learning useful folk songs, children’s songs, and traditional melodies, dances, carols, and hymns - specifically those that will be used in upcoming piano lessons.
Specialty Classes for Adults
Piano & Brew: Grab your friends! Or make new friends! Adults (18 years and older) who wish to add a social component to their music lessons, join Piano & Brew! Classes are two hours (120 minutes) and include 60 minutes of piano instruction on-site, and up to 30 minutes of general music and/or music history instruction (based to a degree on student interest), plus up to 30 minutes of discussion and social interaction off-site at a local coffee shop or café (may require some travel time).
Piano Course Levels and Durations
Piano, Book 1
(Beginner to Early Intermediate)
Andante - 18 months (one and a half years)
Allegro - 12 months (one year)
Vivace - 9 months (three quarters of one year)
Accelerando - 6 months (one half of a year)
Piano, Book 2
(Early Intermediate to Intermediate)
Andante - 30 months (two and a half years)
Allegro - 24 months (two years)
Vivace - 15 months (one and one quarter years)
Accelerando - 12 months (one year)
Piano, Book 3
(Intermediate to Late Intermediate)
Andante - 18 months (one and a half years)
Allegro - 12 months (one year)
Vivace - 9 months (three quarters of one year)
Accelerando - 6 months (one half of a year)
Piano, Book 4
(Late Intermediate to Advanced)
Andante - 30 months (two and a half years)
Allegro - 24 months (two years)
Vivace - 15 months (one and one quarter years)
Accelerando - 12 months (one year)
Full Piano Course Duration
Beginner to Advanced
(College Audition Ready*)
Andante - 96 months (8 years) (Note: this is as fast or faster than the suggested MTAC Certificate of Merit pacing.)
Allegro - 72 months (6 years)
Vivace - 48 months (4 years)
Accelerando - 36 months (3 years)
(All 4 Levels at Same Pacing Schedule)
* Students who complete a full course from beginning to end are eligible to apply for a college scholarship from Laguna Niguel School of Music, Dennis Frayne Music Studios.