Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS THE BEST AGE TO START?
ANY AGE, so long as the learning is developmentally appropriate. We have different programs for every age from child to adult that work with and enhance the learning style of each student. For private lessons, most teachers at Orpheus accept students as young as four. The reason we can start lessons at an earlier age than most schools is our specialized training which works with students to utilize their aural, visual, kinesthetic (movement), and cognitive learning skills.
WHY DO STUDENTS NEED TO TAKE THEORY CLASS?
Our group theory classes benefit the students’ development in a wide variety of ways:
WHAT IS THE KODALY METHOD?
The Kodaly method is a philosophy of music education that develops a complete musician through the finest musical experiences. This approach emphasizes a graded introduction of musical concepts, the use of great music (not “kiddie songs) and a total sensory learning experience. Each concept is learned through aural, visual, kinesthetic and cognitive activities so that the student has complete mastery over the music. We use this approach to ensure that every student develops as a complete musician: Able to play great, read well and understand all musical concepts.
WHAT ABOUT SUMMER STUDY?
We have a variety of different options for the summer so that students can keep learning while accommodating their summer plans, and also provide awesome summer music camps. For a full camp schedule refer to our summer program page for more information.
WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO START GUITAR, PIANO OR VIOLIN?
The best age to start [guitar, piano, violin, singing] is when the child is excited to play developmentally ready to learn. This will be different for every child, but in our experience, most children are ready to start learning [guitar, piano, violin, voice] between the ages of four and six. Because we use many fun activities to learn such as singing, movement, visuals and creative exploration, our approach works well with any age. Research has shown that it is essential for a child to have a positive early experience with music. Therefore we carefully evaluate each student before accepting them into lessons to ensure that they are ready to start. If a child starts too young then their natural and appropriate developmental might make it difficult for them to follow the lesson either physically or behaviorally. This difficulty can lead to a less joyful experience which can, in turn, reduce their love of music and motivation to practice. When a child is truly ready they will experience the lesson as a fun and creative exploration of the instrument. They will follow the teacher’s instruction because it makes sense to them and they will want to practice because they will be able to learn to play songs they love in a reasonable period of time.
WHAT IS THE COMMITMENT?
Our school is open year-round and we are continually enrolling new students. While we recommend that you give lessons a 1-year trial, you can drop lessons any time with just a 30-day notice. All you have to do is reach out to our friendly admin staff to fill out a withdrawal notice.
ANY AGE, so long as the learning is developmentally appropriate. We have different programs for every age from child to adult that work with and enhance the learning style of each student. For private lessons, most teachers at Orpheus accept students as young as four. The reason we can start lessons at an earlier age than most schools is our specialized training which works with students to utilize their aural, visual, kinesthetic (movement), and cognitive learning skills.
WHY DO STUDENTS NEED TO TAKE THEORY CLASS?
Our group theory classes benefit the students’ development in a wide variety of ways:
- The students develop their internal musician – improving their sense of pulse, pitch and rhythm.
- Students learn to interact musically with other kids their age in fun environment.
- Students learn essential musical skills like sight-reading, improvisation and dictation.
WHAT IS THE KODALY METHOD?
The Kodaly method is a philosophy of music education that develops a complete musician through the finest musical experiences. This approach emphasizes a graded introduction of musical concepts, the use of great music (not “kiddie songs) and a total sensory learning experience. Each concept is learned through aural, visual, kinesthetic and cognitive activities so that the student has complete mastery over the music. We use this approach to ensure that every student develops as a complete musician: Able to play great, read well and understand all musical concepts.
WHAT ABOUT SUMMER STUDY?
We have a variety of different options for the summer so that students can keep learning while accommodating their summer plans, and also provide awesome summer music camps. For a full camp schedule refer to our summer program page for more information.
WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO START GUITAR, PIANO OR VIOLIN?
The best age to start [guitar, piano, violin, singing] is when the child is excited to play developmentally ready to learn. This will be different for every child, but in our experience, most children are ready to start learning [guitar, piano, violin, voice] between the ages of four and six. Because we use many fun activities to learn such as singing, movement, visuals and creative exploration, our approach works well with any age. Research has shown that it is essential for a child to have a positive early experience with music. Therefore we carefully evaluate each student before accepting them into lessons to ensure that they are ready to start. If a child starts too young then their natural and appropriate developmental might make it difficult for them to follow the lesson either physically or behaviorally. This difficulty can lead to a less joyful experience which can, in turn, reduce their love of music and motivation to practice. When a child is truly ready they will experience the lesson as a fun and creative exploration of the instrument. They will follow the teacher’s instruction because it makes sense to them and they will want to practice because they will be able to learn to play songs they love in a reasonable period of time.
WHAT IS THE COMMITMENT?
Our school is open year-round and we are continually enrolling new students. While we recommend that you give lessons a 1-year trial, you can drop lessons any time with just a 30-day notice. All you have to do is reach out to our friendly admin staff to fill out a withdrawal notice.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD MY CHILD PRACTICE PLAYING? MUST THEY PRACTICE EVERY DAY?
Regular practice is an important part of making steady progress. However, we emphasize how to make practice fun and effective so that the student is drawn to practice and can easily see their results. Our director regular teaches classes at Orpheus and around the country on the topic “Loving Practice / Developing Discipline” that covers how to turn what can be an onerous chore into a positive and rewarding experience.
WHAT ARE THE PREREQUISITES FOR ME TO START LEARNING PIANO, GUITAR OR VIOLIN?
There are no conditions to start other than an eagerness to learn and an open mind! Come as you are and we will guide you to finding the right [size guitar, size violin, best piano for you etc]. All ages and abilities are welcome!
I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO READ MUSIC. WILL YOU PROVIDE PRACTICAL AND THEORY LESSONS?
We make learning music theory and music “sight-reading” fun and easy! Our innovative approach for kids has them learning “Musicianship” (the combination of all the most important musical skills including ear-training, sight-reading and music theory) in groups with their peers so that they can focus more effectively on their songs and technique in the lesson. For adults, our method books, online videos, and highly trained teachers make it easy to learn!
WHAT WILL I LEARN IN MUSIC LESSONS?
Our teachers understand that every student is an individual, with personal musical needs and goals. We make it a priority to tailor how we teach and what we teach to your individual needs. In addition, our teachers have detailed curricula that will smoothly guide you to success in developing all the skills you need to excel at your instrument.
When you enroll for lessons, your teacher will ask you about your favorite type of music, and set goals to help accomplish whatever musical aspirations you have for yourself or your child. Together, you will develop a plan to achieve your goals!
WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED?
We have two convenient locations in NW Austin and Cedar Park. Our Austin location is conveniently located in the Northwest Hills Neighborhood on Far West just a few blocks west of Mopac. Our Cedar Park location is conveniently located near the communities of Avery Ranch, Leander, Round Rock and Cedar Park off of Parmer Lane. For directions and more information about both of our locations click here.
WHAT STYLES OF MUSIC CAN I LEARN?
We teach all styles: rock, pop, jazz, country, blues and classical. We combine the important fundamentals with the music YOU want to play. With over 35 teachers at Orpheus Academy of Music, you are sure to find the best match for YOU.
WHAT ARE YOUR HOURS?
Our front desk staff is available to answer your questions Monday – Friday: 7:30 am – 8:00 pm
and Saturday: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm. Private music lesson availability depends on each individual instructors availability but in general most instructors are available from 3:00 pm-7:30 pm, with some early afternoon and late evening availability.
WHEN CAN I START?
Enrollment is always open, so you can begin anytime!
ARE YOUR INSTRUCTORS QUALIFIED?
Our instructors are the most highly qualified in Central Texas, with plenty of teaching experience, advanced degrees, and most importantly, a passion for teaching. Many of our teachers come from around the country to teach at Orpheus Academy of Music because of our reputation for excellence in the field of music education. In addition to their experience and training, our teachers attend many workshops every year at Orpheus to keep their skills sharp and broaden their teaching repertoire. Most importantly, our instructors strive to relate their teaching to each individual student’s learning style.
Many of our instructors have gone on performance tours and have years of professional performance and teaching experience. In addition to their teaching credentials, our teachers have warm personalities, are extremely friendly, and strive to get to know each student and their parents on a personal level. Our teachers all pass a teaching background check (including trial lessons in front of current faculty prior to interviewing for the position) as well as a criminal background check. We search high and low for the BEST teachers, so you don’t have to!
WHAT IF I WANT TO SWITCH TEACHERS?
If you are not connecting with your teacher for any reason, we are happy to help you make a change! You do not have to feel bad for switching teachers or instruments. We are here to help YOU have the best experience possible! And that includes finding the right teacher with the style that’s right for you.
HOW OFTEN DO I COME?
All Private Lessons are held once a week, on the same day and time for either 30, 45 or 60 minutes. Students under the age of 10 receive an additional 45-minute group class each week to develop their musicianship and ensemble playing through fun games, singing, and movement.
We have two convenient locations in NW Austin and Cedar Park. Our Austin location is conveniently located in the Northwest Hills Neighborhood on Far West just a few blocks west of Mopac. Our Cedar Park location is conveniently located near the communities of Avery Ranch, Leander, Round Rock and Cedar Park off of Parmer Lane. For directions and more information about both of our locations click here.
WHAT STYLES OF MUSIC CAN I LEARN?
We teach all styles: rock, pop, jazz, country, blues and classical. We combine the important fundamentals with the music YOU want to play. With over 35 teachers at Orpheus Academy of Music, you are sure to find the best match for YOU.
WHAT ARE YOUR HOURS?
Our front desk staff is available to answer your questions Monday – Friday: 7:30 am – 8:00 pm
and Saturday: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm. Private music lesson availability depends on each individual instructors availability but in general most instructors are available from 3:00 pm-7:30 pm, with some early afternoon and late evening availability.
WHEN CAN I START?
Enrollment is always open, so you can begin anytime!
ARE YOUR INSTRUCTORS QUALIFIED?
Our instructors are the most highly qualified in Central Texas, with plenty of teaching experience, advanced degrees, and most importantly, a passion for teaching. Many of our teachers come from around the country to teach at Orpheus Academy of Music because of our reputation for excellence in the field of music education. In addition to their experience and training, our teachers attend many workshops every year at Orpheus to keep their skills sharp and broaden their teaching repertoire. Most importantly, our instructors strive to relate their teaching to each individual student’s learning style.
Many of our instructors have gone on performance tours and have years of professional performance and teaching experience. In addition to their teaching credentials, our teachers have warm personalities, are extremely friendly, and strive to get to know each student and their parents on a personal level. Our teachers all pass a teaching background check (including trial lessons in front of current faculty prior to interviewing for the position) as well as a criminal background check. We search high and low for the BEST teachers, so you don’t have to!
WHAT IF I WANT TO SWITCH TEACHERS?
If you are not connecting with your teacher for any reason, we are happy to help you make a change! You do not have to feel bad for switching teachers or instruments. We are here to help YOU have the best experience possible! And that includes finding the right teacher with the style that’s right for you.
HOW OFTEN DO I COME?
All Private Lessons are held once a week, on the same day and time for either 30, 45 or 60 minutes. Students under the age of 10 receive an additional 45-minute group class each week to develop their musicianship and ensemble playing through fun games, singing, and movement.
WHAT OTHER COSTS WILL INCUR?
There is a one-time registration fee of $35 per student (maximum 1 per family) and an annual $48 activities fee to cover our many performance opportunities. Books are extra, but we stock them in our studio and your teacher will help you know what you need to purchase. Most students purchase about $25 worth of books per year. There are no other hidden costs.
DOES MY CHILD HAVE TO PRACTICE AT HOME?
Home practice is the best way to make steady progress – but don’t worry! We make home practice easy, fun and highly effective through our detailed practice sheets, Parent Education Classes, and thorough communication. Most kids start out with just 5-10 minutes of practice a day and gradually increase the time as their pieces get longer.
DO YOU OFFER TRIAL LESSONS?
Absolutely! We want you to have a great experience, so trying out lessons ensures that you will love your teacher and that your teacher can get the right materials ready for you on your first official lesson. All students come for a 25 minute trial for the discounted rate of $25 so that they can see if the teacher is a good fit for them. Afterward, they will learn about our programs with our administrative staff. If they want to sign up they fill out the application materials and a director will call them at home to help ensure they are ready for great music lessons at Orpheus Academy!
DO YOU OFFER ADULT LESSONS?
Yes! We have over 50 amateur adult students from age 20 to 82! We know how busy adults’ lives can be and can tailor the lesson experience to the amount of practice you can get in. Many of our adults enjoy meeting up once a month to listen to each other perform at our monthly “Impromptu” informal music classes.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN AT YOUR FIRST LESSONS?
Since we will already have an idea of what kind of music you love from the trial lesson we will get right down to learning your favorite music. The teacher will provide you with the technical and musical foundation to learn in a way that is best suited to your learning style. For example, with very young children, we teach mostly through singing, movement and games. With older children and adults, there will be a clear explanation followed by tailored practice suggestions. Whatever we are teaching, we do our best to make it work for your individual needs.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING WITH ME FOR MY LESSON?
Just your interest, excitement and an open mind! We will provide all the music and instruments in the first lesson. If you need to rent or purchase a violin, guitar, or piano we can help you make an informed decision about that during the trial lesson. If you have studied music before it may be helpful to bring the music you were working on at that time, but if you can’t find it that is no problem!
WE DON'T HAVE A PIANO - IS A KEYBOARD OK FOR HOME PRACTICE?
Yes! The best keyboards have 88 keys and what is called “weighted action,” but any decent keyboard will due to start. As you progress you may want to get a better instrument to express yourself – but we can cross that bridge when we come to it!
There is a one-time registration fee of $35 per student (maximum 1 per family) and an annual $48 activities fee to cover our many performance opportunities. Books are extra, but we stock them in our studio and your teacher will help you know what you need to purchase. Most students purchase about $25 worth of books per year. There are no other hidden costs.
DOES MY CHILD HAVE TO PRACTICE AT HOME?
Home practice is the best way to make steady progress – but don’t worry! We make home practice easy, fun and highly effective through our detailed practice sheets, Parent Education Classes, and thorough communication. Most kids start out with just 5-10 minutes of practice a day and gradually increase the time as their pieces get longer.
DO YOU OFFER TRIAL LESSONS?
Absolutely! We want you to have a great experience, so trying out lessons ensures that you will love your teacher and that your teacher can get the right materials ready for you on your first official lesson. All students come for a 25 minute trial for the discounted rate of $25 so that they can see if the teacher is a good fit for them. Afterward, they will learn about our programs with our administrative staff. If they want to sign up they fill out the application materials and a director will call them at home to help ensure they are ready for great music lessons at Orpheus Academy!
DO YOU OFFER ADULT LESSONS?
Yes! We have over 50 amateur adult students from age 20 to 82! We know how busy adults’ lives can be and can tailor the lesson experience to the amount of practice you can get in. Many of our adults enjoy meeting up once a month to listen to each other perform at our monthly “Impromptu” informal music classes.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN AT YOUR FIRST LESSONS?
Since we will already have an idea of what kind of music you love from the trial lesson we will get right down to learning your favorite music. The teacher will provide you with the technical and musical foundation to learn in a way that is best suited to your learning style. For example, with very young children, we teach mostly through singing, movement and games. With older children and adults, there will be a clear explanation followed by tailored practice suggestions. Whatever we are teaching, we do our best to make it work for your individual needs.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING WITH ME FOR MY LESSON?
Just your interest, excitement and an open mind! We will provide all the music and instruments in the first lesson. If you need to rent or purchase a violin, guitar, or piano we can help you make an informed decision about that during the trial lesson. If you have studied music before it may be helpful to bring the music you were working on at that time, but if you can’t find it that is no problem!
WE DON'T HAVE A PIANO - IS A KEYBOARD OK FOR HOME PRACTICE?
Yes! The best keyboards have 88 keys and what is called “weighted action,” but any decent keyboard will due to start. As you progress you may want to get a better instrument to express yourself – but we can cross that bridge when we come to it!
