Frequently asked questions

How much are lessons?

The first lesson is a 50% off trial and wouldn't require a long-term commitment. The trial lesson would cost half of the prices listed below. These rates are set to increase in January of 2022 by $3 per lesson. Lesson rates are as follows: 30 minute lesson: $32 per lesson, $33 for Saturday guitar lessons 45 minute lesson: $42 per lesson, $43 for Saturday guitar lessons 60 minute lesson: $52 per lesson, $53 for Saturday guitar lessons



How old do you have to be to take lessons?

We typically don't accept any students below the age of 5. Sometimes exceptions can be made based on the student's attention span and physical capabilities.



Do you teach adults?

Yes we do! We have many adult students enrolled. It's never too late to start learning a musical instrument.



What instruments do you teach?

We offer lessons on a wide range on instruments. Click on the "lessons" tab in the menu to see a full list of instrument lessons that we offer.



Which forms of payment are accepted?

We accept cash/check/credit/debit payments. There are a variety of ways in which we accept payment including online payments, auto-payments and in-person payments.



What is your make up/cancellation policy?

When students need to cancel a lesson they're issued a makeup credit which they can use to schedule a makeup lesson or extend their regular lesson time provided the schedule allows for it. For example, if a student misses a 30 minute lesson they could potentially extend their next two lessons by 15 minutes each. There is also an option to schedule a makeup lesson through our student portal on our website. To view our lesson policies you can click here.



Are there performance opportunities for students?

Yes there are. We provide two optional recitals per year. We invite all of our students to participate although participation is not required. Additional opportunities may be provided although not guaranteed.



Which holidays is the studio closed for?

You can view a full list of studio closures in our lesson policy agreement by clicking here.



Do you sell or rent instruments?

We do not sell or rent instruments but we have various shops that we recommend. Feel free to ask for a recommendation!



How much time should students practice for?

We generally recommend 20 - 30 minutes a day for 4 - 5 days out of the week. This is a question best answered by the teacher that the student would be assigned to.



Can we take lessons every other week?

Unfortunately we don't offer every other week lessons. Our lessons take place once a week.



How long are the lessons and how often?

We offer lessons in lengths of 30, 45 and 60 minutes. These lessons take place on a weekly basis. When deciding how long you'd like your lesson to be here are some general guidelines: 30 minute lessons can sometimes seem a bit rushed but for younger students, who generally don't have that many questions and have a shorter attention span, this is a good option. 45 minute lessons are perfect for children who practice regularly and make progress quickly. They're also a good option for adult students because adults generally have more questions than younger students. 60 minute lessons are good for students who practice more than average and make progress quickly. This extra time allows for more material to be assigned and covered in the lesson thoroughly enough to allow for successful practicing.



Do you offer discounts?

Yes, we do. The first lesson for new students is a 50% off trial. We also offer a family referral discount. When existing students sign up more than one family member for four or more lessons they'll receive a one time $20 discount per additional family member. We provide existing students with a general referral discount of $20 when they recommend someone to take lessons with us who also signs up for four or more lessons.



Are your teachers qualified?

All of our teachers have extensive experience with both performing and teaching on their instrument. You can visit the various instrument lessons pages to view biographies of our teachers and read up on them in detail.



What are the studios hours?

Hours can vary depending on student enrollment but here are some general hours that we're consistently open for: Monday: 2:00pm - 8:30pm Tuesday: 2:00pm - 8:00pm Wednesday: 12:00pm - 8:00pm Thursday: 3:00pm - 8:00pm Friday: 3:30pm - 8:00pm Saturday: 9:00am - 12:00 Sunday: Closed



What is your tuition policy?

Students are required to pay for the first trial lesson at the lesson itself. If, after the trial, the student decides to continue then they would receive a bill for the rest of the lessons for that month due at the next lesson. From that point forward the student would receive a bill on the first of every month, detailing all of the charges for the lessons in that month and the payment for that bill would be due by the 15th of that month. Students can discontinue lessons at any time provided they give the studio 30 days notice.



Does the student need to have the instrument at home?

Yes. Practicing is crucial for success when studying a musical instrument so having access to an instrument at home to practice on is very important.



Can I watch my child while they're in their lesson?

Yes you can. Parents are always invited to sit in on the lesson. If the parent chooses not to sit in on the lesson they can always sneak a peak through the glass door.



Do I have to sign a policy and a photo release?

If the student decides to continue past the trial lesson then we ask the student, if they're an adult, or a parent/guardian to sign our policy agreement which you can view by clicking here. We have a photo release for students to sign but it is optional to sign. It's up to the student/parent regarding whether or not they'd like to sign. You can view our photo release by clicking here.



How long does it take to learn an instrument?

It would depend on what your specific goals are but there is always room for improvement no matter how good a student gets. No student is ever truly finished with their study. It's more important to enjoy the learning process itself in order to stay motivated with the practice routine. A consistent practice routine will lead to consistent progress and that's what really matters.



Do I need to know how to read music to start lessons?

No. We teach a wide variety of students ranging from those who have never studied before to those who have been playing for years. We also teach a wide array of genres. We accept students of all ages, style preferences and ability levels.



Do you offer virtual lessons?

Yes, we do. We started these types of lessons in response to the COVID19 pandemic. We will be offering virtual lessons as a permanent service even after the pandemic subsides. These lessons are taught via Skype and each lesson is one on one with a live instructor.



What protocols are in place in order to ensure the health and safety of everyone at the studio?

Listed below are the various protocols that will be put in place in order to ensure the safety of teachers, students and staff at Main Street Music. - Teachers and students are given the option of either teaching/taking a lesson virtually or in person depending on what they feel comfortable with. - Lessons will be scheduled with 5 minute breaks in between in order to allow for the disinfection of surfaces in the room. - Anyone inside the studio will be required to wear face masks. - Voice lessons take place with a teacher and the student in separate rooms. They can see each other through a window installed in the wall and they can hear each other through a mic/headphone system in each room allowing for the teacher and student to take their masks off during the lesson which is important for an effective voice lesson. - All teachers, students and staff who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 will be required to stay home. Virtual lessons will be an option for those symptomatic teachers/students who still feel up to taking lessons but would prefer not to come in. - In every room, there will be an air purifier with a UV sterilization feature in addition to a HEPA filter. As the air gets filtered it also passes through a UV light to help kill airborne viruses and bacteria. - Anyone waiting to take their lesson and those who aren’t taking a lesson will be asked to wait outside. - Piano keys and other surfaces will be disinfected in between every lesson.