If you took music lessons as a kid, you and I probably had remarkably similar experiences.
Learning an instrument felt hard, scary, and overwhelming, and I dreaded lessons, even though I'd asked to take lessons when I was little.
I was quickly burnt out from all the nit-picky corrections, long instructor lectures that I didn't understand, guilt from never practicing what I was supposed to, and high expectations of competing at such a young age. I went to lessons with a knot in my stomach, and left with a headache, every single week.
As I grew older and studied from some amazing teachers elsewhere, I realized a pattern:
The majority of private music teachers put too much pressure on students to reach this classical, professional level of playing, whether or not the student really wants it. To earn the top awards, to play with perfect technique and note accuracy, and to prepare for nerve-wracking competitions and RCM exams.
But here's the thing...only 3% of piano players go pro...like those pianists in orchestras, or on soloing careers. Around the same percentage become school music educators or private teachers.
So WHY are we expecting that every child who expresses interest in music lessons wants to be at such a high level of playing and pressure?
Why hasn't the music education world challenged the status quo to make music lessons truly valuable and FUN for each student?
Because the traditional lesson model is all we've known...for over 200 years in fact.
I believe every student thrives best in a casual, hands-on music lesson environment that focuses on musical proficiency, boosting confidence, and FUN playing music, for life!
That's why I created:
Learning an instrument felt hard, scary, and overwhelming, and I dreaded lessons, even though I'd asked to take lessons when I was little.
I was quickly burnt out from all the nit-picky corrections, long instructor lectures that I didn't understand, guilt from never practicing what I was supposed to, and high expectations of competing at such a young age. I went to lessons with a knot in my stomach, and left with a headache, every single week.
As I grew older and studied from some amazing teachers elsewhere, I realized a pattern:
The majority of private music teachers put too much pressure on students to reach this classical, professional level of playing, whether or not the student really wants it. To earn the top awards, to play with perfect technique and note accuracy, and to prepare for nerve-wracking competitions and RCM exams.
But here's the thing...only 3% of piano players go pro...like those pianists in orchestras, or on soloing careers. Around the same percentage become school music educators or private teachers.
So WHY are we expecting that every child who expresses interest in music lessons wants to be at such a high level of playing and pressure?
Why hasn't the music education world challenged the status quo to make music lessons truly valuable and FUN for each student?
Because the traditional lesson model is all we've known...for over 200 years in fact.
I believe every student thrives best in a casual, hands-on music lesson environment that focuses on musical proficiency, boosting confidence, and FUN playing music, for life!
That's why I created:
The Young Musician's Workshop Lesson Program
The Young Musician's Workshop at Evergreen Music School is a comprehensive, engaging lesson program for ages 6-18 that allows students to experience and learn music within a fun, tangible, and well-rounded curriculum.
Traditional and non-traditional music teaching approaches are combined with a fully individualized curriculum and a warm, casual atmosphere to foster confidence, independence, and lots of FUN while learning for all levels of students!
Here is some of what students experience in the Workshop:
-Students help choose their own lesson materials and activities each week according to their personal interests and goals
-The average beginner student successfully completes their first method book in just 8-12 weeks–nearly four times as fast as the national average–and have fun while completing it!
-Students get weekly opportunities to freely explore musical ideas on their instrument during their lesson
-Students learn my 3 secrets to become masters of sight-reading music, a crucial skill to being a great musician in the everyday music world
-Students grow quickly in confidence, self-motivation, independence, and enjoyment of making music
-Students collaborate as they wish with other students during lessons, choosing from a wide range of duets, trios, and music theory games
Traditional and non-traditional music teaching approaches are combined with a fully individualized curriculum and a warm, casual atmosphere to foster confidence, independence, and lots of FUN while learning for all levels of students!
Here is some of what students experience in the Workshop:
-Students help choose their own lesson materials and activities each week according to their personal interests and goals
-The average beginner student successfully completes their first method book in just 8-12 weeks–nearly four times as fast as the national average–and have fun while completing it!
-Students get weekly opportunities to freely explore musical ideas on their instrument during their lesson
-Students learn my 3 secrets to become masters of sight-reading music, a crucial skill to being a great musician in the everyday music world
-Students grow quickly in confidence, self-motivation, independence, and enjoyment of making music
-Students collaborate as they wish with other students during lessons, choosing from a wide range of duets, trios, and music theory games
Here's what you get when you enroll in the program:
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Weekly 45-minute lessons
As the bulk of our program, regular lessons are a foundational part of students' musical learning and growth. Lesson curriculum and materials are fully individualized to your student, from the genres and specific skills they want to learn, to the method books and games that best suit your student's strengths, goals, and challenges. Scheduling flexibility that just makes sense Kids are sick? Reschedule for another day. Heading to see family out-of-town for a month? Cancel those lessons without needing to pay for that month. Homework piled up on your teenager this week? Reschedule for another day that's less busy. Life happens and you have to be flexible in a pinch, that's why I'm flexible for you too! Students can cancel for any reason and reschedule that lesson with 24+ hours notice. Same day cancellations are available to reschedule due to illnesses and extenuating circumstances that might come up. |
Exclusive access to the studio's sheet music library
I'm all about giving students songs to learn they already love and introducing them to genres they've never heard before. That's where our collection of literally THOUSANDS of fun, recognizable, and fresh songs for all levels comes in, created just for your student to copy or borrow.
A large, supportive, and positive musical community
YMW students are invited to perform in semesterly studio-hosted recitals, where they can show off their maturing musical skills and cheer on their peers outside of lessons! YMW families get a weekly family newsletter sent to their email, packed with student achievement highlights, event announcements, and more to stay in-the-know. Students have opportunities to learn duets or work on collaborative music projects together during lessons as they wish.
I'm all about giving students songs to learn they already love and introducing them to genres they've never heard before. That's where our collection of literally THOUSANDS of fun, recognizable, and fresh songs for all levels comes in, created just for your student to copy or borrow.
A large, supportive, and positive musical community
YMW students are invited to perform in semesterly studio-hosted recitals, where they can show off their maturing musical skills and cheer on their peers outside of lessons! YMW families get a weekly family newsletter sent to their email, packed with student achievement highlights, event announcements, and more to stay in-the-know. Students have opportunities to learn duets or work on collaborative music projects together during lessons as they wish.
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Student awards and evaluation festivals opportunities
Each year, YMW students of all ages and levels have opportunities to participate in studio recitals and local festivals and evaluations. Students can earn awards (certificates, medals, pins, trophies, etc.) for years of study, performances in studio recitals, achievements in non-studio events, to name a few. Quick and easy access to the essentials YMW parents receive 24/7 exclusive access to the School's lesson schedule, with easy online payments you can set and forget until you decide to upgrade or add another student from your family! BONUS for pianists: FREE piano learning app subscription Every piano student enrolled has a free app subscription included with tuition to use at the School AND at home (iPad needed for at-home use). We use Piano Maestro to give students more interactive learning, a wider choice of songs to learn, and instant feedback on their learning progress! |
BONUS for guitarists: FREE and discounted string instrument repairs, restringing, and maintenance
Did you know that the average guitar student never gets their strings changed unless one breaks? It's important to keep stringed instruments maintained to avoid warping, poor sound quality, and green gunk building up. You will get discounts on services including restringing, instrument checkups, polishing and cleaning, and initial guitar setup by me.
Did you know that the average guitar student never gets their strings changed unless one breaks? It's important to keep stringed instruments maintained to avoid warping, poor sound quality, and green gunk building up. You will get discounts on services including restringing, instrument checkups, polishing and cleaning, and initial guitar setup by me.
WHAT INSTRUMENTS ARE currently OFFERED?
PIANO
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GUITAR (age 10+, or transfer students age <10)
pick from acoustic, electric, bass |
Parents and I are seeing the difference in students' lessons. Our students from elementary to high school look forward to playing their instruments at home; their creative potentials are blooming (many even express interest in writing music for their instrument, and do just that); they run happily to the studio for their weekly lessons; and they are excelling beautifully in their musical skills and independence. The average piano student at EMS, for example, completes their first method book in just 8-12 weeks...around four times as fast as the publisher's completion estimate.
What parents are saying:
My daughter never wants to leave her lessons with Niki each week! It is hard to get her to stop playing the pianos at the end of lessons and now at home too. Niki definitely has that teacher magic that is so rare to find!
-Jennifer D., parent of student age 7
We love Niki! She is the only teacher that’s been able to make our boys interested and engaged!! She communicates very well and always keeps us up to date!!
-Georgie W., parent of piano students ages 6 and 10
We love you and your style of teaching!!!
-Jennie T., parent of piano student age 8
I think [my daughters] have really taken off...[my daughters] are playing all the time at home!
-Kristy F., parent of students age 8 and 11
Our daughter has made amazing progress since we switched to [Evergreen] for her guitar lessons!
-Lisa B., parent of student age 13
We are so happy, this is the longest [my daughter] has stuck with anything, and she's loving it!
-Tricia W., parent of student age 8
what students are saying:
I've finally found my passion...guitar and songwriting!
-Sophia H., age 12
Thank you for always believing in me and pushing me to be my best. You're so sweet, and funny too!
-Clara A., age 14
Lessons are the fastest minutes of my week.
-Cale Z., age 13
-Kathryn S., age 12
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-Rylee P., age 9
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How Much is Tuition?
Tuition is a flat, comprehensive rate and pre-paid on a monthly basis.
$109 / month
$109 / month
