Music school recommendations?

Megan Long35 said:Does anyone here have any first-hand experience with this music school? And what about this one?
If you do, I'd love to hear how they actually are. 😬

Look—I’ll tell you, and everyone else reading this, exactly how it is!
Regarding the Zlatko Balokovica Music School—it is top-tier, truly excellent—period.
Take this man, for instance; he founded the school and teaches Accordion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=188eqhPlk20

(Though his student count is low—does that mean the workload is heavy?)
As for me, I graduated from the Juilliard School, specializing in Accordion!
I started a bit late—around 6th grade in Elementary School.
But I can tell you this: that school is fantastic because the professors are absolute experts.
I attended the satellite campus in the city. Honestly, the instructors are wonderful people first, and then as teachers—they really know how to break things down properly.
My Accordion instructor was Mr. Davor Horvat, and I can honestly say nothing but praise and superlatives for him as both a teacher and a human being!
The man explains everything beautifully—calmly, clearly—there are no issues there; you just have to put in the practice!
As for the solfeggio professor, I have nothing but high marks to give.
And check out these results: with his choir, he wins gold and silver at almost every competition (including the choral Olympiad in China)! He is highly respected by faculty at all music schools.
Now, regarding enrollment age!
It is best to enroll around the second grade of Elementary School, once the child has mastered reading and writing.
So, once again, my best wishes to everyone!
Those are my experiences and my thoughts!

I find myself wondering what people’s actual experiences have been with a functional music school? How does the curriculum actually unfold on a day-to-day basis? For a child in those first three or four grades, how many hours a week are we really looking at? What are the genuine advantages of choosing this type of institution, and just how much flexibility can one expect when it comes to scheduling?
The reality is, we live 12 miles outside of Washington, D.C., and since she attends elementary school here, the area around Washington, D.C. is quite manageable for music lessons—provided we aren't stuck waiting months for an opening. Does anyone have specific piano instructors they would recommend?

Our secondary option would be the Berklee College of Music over in Newport. Little Carmen mentioned she has her heart set on the piano. What is the reputation of the piano faculty there? We assume everyone is highly skilled, of course, but what we truly need is someone spirited—someone capable of building a genuine rapport with a child so she doesn't feel constant pressure.

Any other suggestions regarding piano studies and the early grade levels would be more than welcome. Ultimately, our goal is for her to play and to actually enjoy it. I have no grand ambitions for her to become a professional musician; once she’s older, I’ll let her decide for herself, and she can show me if that's the path she wants to take. I certainly wouldn't want music to become a source of stress or a heavy burden that eventually drives her to quit altogether.

wanderinggardener12 said:I find myself wondering what people’s actual experiences have been with a functional music school? How does the curriculum actually unfold on a day-to-day basis? For a child in those first three or four grades, how many hours a week are we really looking at? What are the genuine advantages of choosing this type of institution, and just how much flexibility can one expect when it comes to scheduling?
The reality is, we live 12 miles outside of Washington, D.C., and since she attends elementary school here, the area around Washington, D.C. is quite manageable for music lessons—provided we aren't stuck waiting months for an opening. Does anyone have specific piano instructors they would recommend?

Our secondary option would be the Berklee College of Music over in Newport. Little Carmen mentioned she has her heart set on the piano. What is the reputation of the piano faculty there? We assume everyone is highly skilled, of course, but what we truly need is someone spirited—someone capable of building a genuine rapport with a child so she doesn't feel constant pressure.

Any other suggestions regarding piano studies and the early grade levels would be more than welcome. Ultimately, our goal is for her to play and to actually enjoy it. I have no grand ambitions for her to become a professional musician; once she’s older, I’ll let her decide for herself, and she can show me if that's the path she wants to take. I certainly wouldn't want music to become a source of stress or a heavy burden that eventually drives her to quit altogether.

Before you start asking a mountain of heavy questions, how about the child passes preparatory ear training first? Only after that comes the audition and the possibility of enrolling in the desired instrument, though keep in mind that piano is a highly sought-after option and the competition is fierce. It only makes sense to think about the next steps after that.

Music school is truly no small matter. I have two daughters in music school, and a third will likely follow their path. It seems that in recent years, my wife and I basically live for music school. 😵

So, the older one is entering the 5th grade of music school (which is 6th grade in elementary school), which means:
2x weekly ear training + instrument
1x weekly orchestra
2x weekly choir (noting that orchestra and choir are not mandatory).

Intense, isn't it? And that is just the regular curriculum. Of course, on top of that, she should be practicing daily and completing ear training assignments...

Then, that "unfortunate" choir becomes successful and they get cast in two operas (Little Chimney Sweep and Carmen), competitions... and suddenly the choir becomes their primary activity. There were days when she left for elementary school at 8:00 AM and didn't get home from music school until 10:30 PM. Therefore, it is highly desirable for the music school to be close to both home and elementary school.

The younger one is in the 2nd grade of music school (3rd grade in elementary), but she is also in the choir, which means:
2x weekly ear training + instrument
2x weekly choir

And then, on top of everything, competition rehearsals kick in, making choir a daily obligation.

In short, at times, music school can turn into a horror story, even given the fact that the children are independent and, in most cases, take the bus to school themselves.

On the other hand, the joys are immeasurable. For instance, just yesterday:
The child (the younger one) was overjoyed. 🎉

The older one just left a friend's birthday party to head to choir rehearsal (even though it's Sunday afternoon), but the reward is enticing. They are going to a competition in Venice this May.

Ultimately, music school can become a massive challenge and occasionally a burden, but it brings so much beauty and is worth every single minute and every cent spent...
I will remember the face and the words of my daughter for the rest of my life when she walked out of the premiere of Little Chimney Sweep saying, "Dad, I am so happy I could cry." I highly doubt she would have felt that way if she had simply received two A's in math and history.

Man, looking back at it now—I was just some 12-year-old kid in middle school; my schedule was absolute madness. Mondays and Thursdays were stuck in music theory, Tuesdays and Fridays were piano, and Wednesday was the only day I actually had a life. On top of all that, I had to grind through at least thirty minutes of piano practice and fifteen minutes of theory every single damn day. That was the bare minimum, too.

Total nightmare.

If I could go back and do it all over again? I’m picking percussion. Every single time.

Raymond Wright4 said:Before you start asking a mountain of heavy questions, how about the child passes preparatory ear training first? Only after that comes the audition and the possibility of enrolling in the desired instrument, though keep in mind that piano is a highly sought-after option and the competition is fierce. It only makes sense to think about the next steps after that.

Music school is truly no small matter. I have two daughters in music school, and a third will likely follow their path. It seems that in recent years, my wife and I basically live for music school. 😵

So, the older one is entering the 5th grade of music school (which is 6th grade in elementary school), which means:
2x weekly ear training + instrument
1x weekly orchestra
2x weekly choir (noting that orchestra and choir are not mandatory).

Intense, isn't it? And that is just the regular curriculum. Of course, on top of that, she should be practicing daily and completing ear training assignments...

Then, that "unfortunate" choir becomes successful and they get cast in two operas (Little Chimney Sweep and Carmen), competitions... and suddenly the choir becomes their primary activity. There were days when she left for elementary school at 8:00 AM and didn't get home from music school until 10:30 PM. Therefore, it is highly desirable for the music school to be close to both home and elementary school.

The younger one is in the 2nd grade of music school (3rd grade in elementary), but she is also in the choir, which means:
2x weekly ear training + instrument
2x weekly choir

And then, on top of everything, competition rehearsals kick in, making choir a daily obligation.

In short, at times, music school can turn into a horror story, even given the fact that the children are independent and, in most cases, take the bus to school themselves.

On the other hand, the joys are immeasurable. For instance, just yesterday:
The child (the younger one) was overjoyed. 🎉

The older one just left a friend's birthday party to head to choir rehearsal (even though it's Sunday afternoon), but the reward is enticing. They are going to a competition in Venice this May.

Ultimately, music school can become a massive challenge and occasionally a burden, but it brings so much beauty and is worth every single minute and every cent spent...
I will remember the face and the words of my daughter for the rest of my life when she walked out of the premiere of Little Chimney Sweep saying, "Dad, I am so happy I could cry." I highly doubt she would have felt that way if she had simply received two A's in math and history.

I'm asking all these tough questions specifically because I realize that choosing music school isn't a decision you make for just two weeks.
I don't doubt for a second that she'll pass the entrance exams... After one performance, we actually got calls from three different professors from the Chicago academies, but Chicago is a bit of a trek for us... especially if I have to wait around all day for a single lesson...
What worries me more is whether those two hours of ear training and two hours of instrument will require us to come in four times a week, or if it can be squeezed into two days. And I wonder how difficult the ear training will be in the 2nd year. I'm curious about the instructors too...
What about the vocational program? Is the ear training integrated there...?
Does anyone have experience with the piano teachers over in the suburbs?

wanderinggardener12 said:I find myself wondering what people’s actual experiences have been with a functional music school? How does the curriculum actually unfold on a day-to-day basis? For a child in those first three or four grades, how many hours a week are we really looking at? What are the genuine advantages of choosing this type of institution, and just how much flexibility can one expect when it comes to scheduling?
The reality is, we live 12 miles outside of Washington, D.C., and since she attends elementary school here, the area around Washington, D.C. is quite manageable for music lessons—provided we aren't stuck waiting months for an opening. Does anyone have specific piano instructors they would recommend?

Our secondary option would be the Berklee College of Music over in Newport. Little Carmen mentioned she has her heart set on the piano. What is the reputation of the piano faculty there? We assume everyone is highly skilled, of course, but what we truly need is someone spirited—someone capable of building a genuine rapport with a child so she doesn't feel constant pressure.

Any other suggestions regarding piano studies and the early grade levels would be more than welcome. Ultimately, our goal is for her to play and to actually enjoy it. I have no grand ambitions for her to become a professional musician; once she’s older, I’ll let her decide for herself, and she can show me if that's the path she wants to take. I certainly wouldn't want music to become a source of stress or a heavy burden that eventually drives her to quit altogether.

That really hinges upon the child's individual temperament. In a specialized conservatory setting, as opposed to a standard community music school, it is virtually impossible to make any meaningful progress by merely attending classes. One must practice their instrument daily—not just playing pleasant melodies, but working through scales, technical etudes, and vocal exercises if they are wind players...

The schedule itself rarely poses a problem for children. My twelve-year-old currently manages a weekly extracurricular load that equals, or sometimes even exceeds, her standard school hours. If a child shows true talent or a serious interest, you should expect additional "pressure" at a conservatory, such as extra lessons, unscheduled sessions, competition prep, concerts, or being coaxed into chamber ensembles. Typically, one doesn't resist this; rather, one feels grateful for the teachers' dedication to the child's growth. When they are that committed, they might assign two forty-five-minute practice sessions, expecting the student to complete at least one session every single day—and both sessions during weekends and holidays.🍿
If your child isn't selected for the "elite" tracks, the atmosphere is much more relaxed, where the main goal is simply steady progress and mastering the curriculum.

As for scheduling ear training and instrument lessons, it is largely up to chance. There are so many students that it is often difficult to align both on the same day. My daughter is fortunate enough that her instrument lesson follows her ear training every year, which is the ideal arrangement for most. On the other hand, a friend’s son specifically requests that his activities be spread out over different days—ear training one day, instrument another, orchestra a third. That structure suits him better.

You are permitted to select your instrument instructor, provided they haven't already filled their roster.

Alright, I’m jumping into this conversation feeling a bit like I just landed from Mars, so please bear with me if I sound a little scattered.
I’d love to get my son into music school, but honestly, my husband and I are completely clueless when it comes to anything musical. We have no idea if he actually has an ear for it, though quite a few people on my husband's side of the family are gifted, so maybe those genes decided to show up in our kid. That said, I’ve always felt you don't necessarily need to be a virtuoso to enjoy making music—having at least a decent sense of pitch should be enough. So, why am I pushing for this? Well, my son is incredibly bright, articulate, and full of energy. He’s definitely left-brained, which comes with its own set of hurdles, specifically regarding short-term memory and focus. From what I’ve been reading, tons of parents of neurodivergent kids swear by how much music school helps their children develop, so we want to give it a shot. I’m just stuck on how to figure out what would actually suit him. Someone mentioned preparatory ear training classes... has anyone here had experience with those? Or would it be smarter to just sign him up for a casual local course? He’s obsessed with the guitar. We have my husband’s old acoustic sitting around—a gift from his parents back in the day—and while he says he'd like to play that, he’s a huge rock fan, so he's already dreaming about an electric 😁. He’s 8 years old and heading into second grade this fall.

Guitar is an incredibly competitive program at the local high school, and honestly, it might be better if he doesn't attempt to jump straight in unless he possesses genuine talent coupled with a relentless drive to practice.
Furthermore, the registration windows for the preparatory classes—which would have been the most appropriate fit for his current age group—have already closed. My suggestion would be to enroll him in a private music academy this year instead; perhaps through that process, he will truly discover his passion and mature a bit, allowing you to evaluate next year whether he should stick with the lessons, try for the high school guitar program, or perhaps pivot toward a less sought-after instrument.

wanderinggardener12 said:I find myself wondering what people’s actual experiences have been with a functional music school? How does the curriculum actually unfold on a day-to-day basis? For a child in those first three or four grades, how many hours a week are we really looking at? What are the genuine advantages of choosing this type of institution, and just how much flexibility can one expect when it comes to scheduling?
The reality is, we live 12 miles outside of Washington, D.C., and since she attends elementary school here, the area around Washington, D.C. is quite manageable for music lessons—provided we aren't stuck waiting months for an opening. Does anyone have specific piano instructors they would recommend?

Our secondary option would be the Berklee College of Music over in Newport. Little Carmen mentioned she has her heart set on the piano. What is the reputation of the piano faculty there? We assume everyone is highly skilled, of course, but what we truly need is someone spirited—someone capable of building a genuine rapport with a child so she doesn't feel constant pressure.

Any other suggestions regarding piano studies and the early grade levels would be more than welcome. Ultimately, our goal is for her to play and to actually enjoy it. I have no grand ambitions for her to become a professional musician; once she’s older, I’ll let her decide for herself, and she can show me if that's the path she wants to take. I certainly wouldn't want music to become a source of stress or a heavy burden that eventually drives her to quit altogether.

Even though this is an old post, enrollment might still be open for some, so maybe this helps... Lima is doing piano at the Juilliard School in Newport, Rhode Island, and she's heading into 5th grade now, studying with Professor Lafayette. He’s great with kids, knows how to talk to them, and builds this fair relationship that also asks for some involvement from parents. For a little beginner, I think he's probably the best at that school. We're happy so far. Anyway, I didn't exactly answer the question directly, but at least it's relevant for this calendar year. :-)

I honestly believe that enrolling a child in music school is one of those rare, profound gifts you can give them that truly lasts a lifetime. I finished my time at the local music academy and now I'm heading off to high school, and looking back, I can say without any hesitation that music has completely reshaped who I am. It’s true that my schedule is absolutely packed—I barely have a moment to breathe or catch up on sleep most days—but is it worth it? Absolutely. The doors that open because of this training are endless, and I'm already feeling pretty certain that I want to pursue studies at a major conservatory. I’ll be attending Berea (it's located right near the heart of the city, and I honestly can't say enough good things about the faculty there). Through my musical education, I've experienced moments that once felt like nothing more than distant dreams. Just the thought of performing at somewhere iconic like Carnegie Hall or Lincoln Center gives me this incredible rush of excitement. So, if you're sitting there wondering whether to push your child toward music, please know that if they have the talent or even just a genuine curiosity for it, these will undoubtedly be some of the most beautiful years of their life.

You see so many kids enrolled in music programs just because their parents are going through a phase similar to yours. They want their children to experience that same magic, but let’s be real—some kids just aren't wired that way.

If I’m being totally honest, my biggest secret wish is for both of my boys to pick up instruments and really dive into it—to go to a proper conservatory and get that formal training. But if that passion isn't there for them, I’m just going to have to accept it and move on.

I also know plenty of incredibly talented people who didn't even start until they were much older. They ended up finding huge success, though maybe not as concert soloists, but in all sorts of other niches within the music industry and music education.

My husband and I are both musicians, and our son—who just turned 14—was asked if he wanted to enroll in music school. He didn't hesitate for a second; at the time, it felt like the most natural path in the world since he’s been surrounded by instruments and rehearsals his entire life. While I was thrilled that he showed such interest, I also had this nagging feeling that he might be a little too young to truly grasp what he was committing to. My husband and I reached a quiet agreement: let him dive in for a few years, but if we ever felt like he was being forced into it against his will, we would give him the option to walk away. Well, he’s just finishing up his middle school music program now, playing guitar, and in all six years, there hasn't been a single moment where he wanted to quit. Honestly, I feel so grateful he went through this. Between the concerts and the live performances, I truly believe that growing up with musical training fosters a certain mental resilience. Plus, juggling the demands of regular school alongside music helps kids build a work ethic and a drive for excellence that serves them well in everything they do later in life.
Anyone considering enrolling their child in music school needs to realize this isn't a hobby; it’s a serious academic commitment. My little guy leaves the house in the morning and doesn't really return until late in the evening. He spends those narrow windows between regular school, music lessons, and his passion for singing by sitting in the local public library to hammer out his homework. On top of all that, he's currently prepping for his high school entrance exams. We barely see each other unless he manages to swing by my office during a break or we catch a quick phone call. His weekly schedule is intense: twice a week for ear training, two or three sessions for guitar or ensemble practice depending on how close a concert or competition is, plus weekly theory and piano lessons.
He did consider continuing through high school, but he’s starting to develop a different vision for his future, though he can always keep playing through gigs and local shows. Interestingly enough, neither my husband nor I actually attended formal music school; we’re both self-taught, and we’ve spent the last 16 years playing the circuit with our band.🙂

My nine-year-old is about to start music school, focusing on the guitar.
I’m trying to figure out what kind of guitar we should actually pick up for that first year of lessons.
Should we go with an acoustic? A classical? And when it comes to strings—steel or nylon?
Also, since they're still small, what size should I be looking for, and where in the D.C. area can I find smaller models that actually fit a kid?

Tyler Davis2 said:My nine-year-old is about to start music school, focusing on the guitar.
I’m trying to figure out what kind of guitar we should actually pick up for that first year of lessons.
Should we go with an acoustic? A classical? And when it comes to strings—steel or nylon?
Also, since they're still small, what size should I be looking for, and where in the D.C. area can I find smaller models that actually fit a kid?

Honestly, just give the school a call and clear everything up with them. Guitars are super popular right now, and sometimes they can't even fit everyone into the programs.

If I remember correctly, most kids start on a classical guitar, but I don't know much about sizing. Let me ask a buddy of mine and I'll get back to you, but I really think you should check in with the school first.

Tyler Davis2 said:My nine-year-old is about to start music school, focusing on the guitar.
I’m trying to figure out what kind of guitar we should actually pick up for that first year of lessons.
Should we go with an acoustic? A classical? And when it comes to strings—steel or nylon?
Also, since they're still small, what size should I be looking for, and where in the D.C. area can I find smaller models that actually fit a kid?

A classical guitar—which is what they typically teach in school—is the way to go, and you'll always want nylon strings on those.

For beginners at that age, a 3/4 size guitar is perfect. I’d highly recommend picking up a Yamaha C40; you can usually find them for around $267 (though if you look for used ones, you can often snag them for half that price). And honestly, don't forget a gig bag... you really can't get by without one.

Down the road, they'll eventually need a full-sized 4/4 model, maybe something like an Alhambra, but there's no need to rush into that just yet...

My 8-year-old just signed up for music school... she's going for the violin. Any advice? Should I be looking at buying an instrument outright or is renting the way to go?

Rentals, to start with, at least until you're absolutely sure they’ve actually got staying power.

silentraven6 said:Rentals, to start with, at least until you're absolutely sure they’ve actually got staying power.

thanks, lady 👍

Which music school should we pick in downtown New York City? Prvašić wants to learn guitar... And when is the best time to enroll a kid?

Just wanted to give you guys a quick little update on our end... we actually ended up passing on the guitar after all. We decided to go with the violin instead! We’re planning to just borrow an instrument from the music school for now.

Quick question for the group—does anyone happen to know if there's a way to download Rodionov’s "Beginner Violin School" online? Also, does anyone know if there’s an American English version available, or is it mostly just in other languages?
If you happen to know where I can find a digital copy, please shoot me a private message!