Community School for the Arts: Traditional Music Lessons
The Community School for the Arts (CSA) offers lessons on all major orchestral instruments (wind/brass/percussion/strings), piano, guitar, and voice. Lessons are taught by Illinois State University graduate or upper-class music students who have taken courses in pedagogy. All teachers are recommended by Illinois State faculty members.
Summer 2021 Lesson Information
- Summer Session I: May 17-June 27
- Summer Session II: June 28-August 8
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), all wind/brass/voice lessons will be taught through Zoom only. String and piano students have the option for Zoom OR in-person lessons pending teacher availability.
Please note the following details for in-person lessons:
- Only piano and string lessons are available for in-person lessons at this time.
- String teachers listed as ‘Zoom’ below are only available for Zoom lessons.
- In-person lessons will take place during regular business hours only (Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) in Centennial East classrooms with plastic dividers. Parents will be asked to wait in the Centennial East downstairs lobby or their car after walking their child into the building, but they can request a Zoom live feed link of the lesson for safety and pedagogical purposes.
- Teachers and students are required to wear masks at all times.
- All parties are required to follow the CDC guidelines regarding quarantines and exposures.
- Lessons will transition to online Zoom lessons if either party is in quarantine. No adjustments to the pricing will be given for unexpected transitions to online teaching.
- Zoom and in-person lessons cost the same amount.
- Teachers will schedule a 15 minute buffer between in-person lessons.
- Only 30 and 45 minute lesson times are available for in-person lessons.
- All students taking in-person lessons will be required to have a signed waiver on file before lessons begin.
- 30-minute online lessons: $240 per session
- 45-minute online lessons: $315 per session
- 60-minute online lessons: $375 per session
*A 5% discount is available to families enrolling their second child or lessons on a second instrument through CSA. However, this discount is only available to families who pay in full at the time of registration. Individual lesson days/times are determined between the instructor and the family.
CSA Summer 2021 Online Teachers
Victoria Suich (Masters)
Rose Ortega (Zoom and in-person)
Shelby Fick (Zoom only)
Alex Hibbard-Brown (Zoom and in-person, 2nd session only)
Hunter Thoms (Zoom and in-person)
Jackson Miller (Junior)
Samantha Adams
TBA
Anastasia Ervin
TBA
Andrea McAfee (Junior)
Katherine Shindledecker (Masters)
AJ Nemsick (Senior)
Mary Monaghan (Masters)
TBA
Elliot Godinez (Masters)
*It is recommended that voice students be middle-school aged or older.
Private Music Lesson General Information and Policies
Private lessons are offered to students age five through adults for weekly private 1/2 hour, 45-minute, or 1-hour lessons.
Student musicians are required to provide their own instruments for lessons and practice (pianos and some percussion instruments are provided for lessons). Vocalists may be required to pay an accompanist fee for the final performance.
Please note that students may be required to purchase music assigned by their instructor.
Piano/string lessons may be held in-person starting summer 2021 in Centennial East classrooms during regular business hours Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. All wind/brass/voice lessons will be on Zoom only. String/piano lessons are subject to coronvirus (COVID-19) policies listed above. In the event of absence, notify the instructor directly. One make-up lesson is granted each session for excused absences, provided at least 24 hours (or as much notice as possible) is given. Sporting practices/events and family vacations are not considered excused absences. Be certain to make appropriate arrangements if you plan to be absent.