Question 1

Are there any important things to consider before signing up my child?

Accepted Answer

Your child needs to express an interest in learning an instrument. We like to know if your family has a musical background, what your child's reason for taking lessons is, and what they hope to achieve. From the student and family, we expect commitment to regular lesson attendance and home practice.

Question 2

What is the enrollment process? How do I enroll my child?

Accepted Answer

Enrollment begins with a basic questionnaire and setting up a trial lesson with a prospective teacher. Official enrollment usually follows after the trial lesson.

Question 3

After enrollment, does the lesson happen at the same time every week?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A regular weekly lesson plan works best for educational progress.

Question 4

What is the tuition rate?

Accepted Answer

$225/month for a 30-minute private lesson once a week recommended for beginners under age 7. $330/month for 45 minutes recommended for age 7 and up including teens and adults. $420/month for 60 minutes recommended for adults or advanced students.

Question 5

How much should I expect my child to practice at home?

Accepted Answer

As a general guide: 20 min daily practice for a 30-min lesson, 30 min for a 45-min lesson, 40 min for a 60-min lesson. True practice isn't playing the music over and over — it's isolating a problem and working on it.

Question 6

Do you offer a sibling discount?

Accepted Answer

Yes — we waive the 3rd registration fee if 3 or more students all sign up on the same day. We also offer a special referral bonus for every successful enrollment you refer to Amabile.

Question 7

What is a good age to start private piano lessons or the music group class?

Accepted Answer

Age 4 after evaluation by a teacher; age 5 and above are ready for private lessons. Group Class: ages 4 and 5 age 3 or younger must be evaluated.

Question 8

What is a good age to start a string instrument violin viola cello?

Accepted Answer

It depends on a child's ability to concentrate and their interest in the instrument — this can be as young as 3. Violas and cellos are bigger instruments and need bigger hands so a transition from violin is often easier.

Question 9

What is a good age to start voice lessons?

Accepted Answer

Voice lessons can be beneficial at any age. For young children lessons can be productive as long as they don't force the child's vocal cords. We typically begin discussions around age 8 or 3rd grade.

Question 10

What is a good age to start a woodwind instrument?

Accepted Answer

Many students start in 5th or 6th grade when school band programs start but starting around 3rd grade also works. Some woodwinds need fingers big enough to cover holes; saxophone and flute don't have holes to cover.

Question 11

Do you accept adult students?

Accepted Answer

Yes — we accept students at all levels. Many of our adult students are equally as dedicated as younger students.

Question 12

What is the length of each lesson?

Accepted Answer

Lessons are 30, 45, or 60 minutes. 30 minutes is recommended for beginners ages 5–6. 45 minutes is recommended for age 7 and above including teens and adults. 60 minutes is recommended for advanced students.

Question 13

What if my child is sick and can't attend a lesson?

Accepted Answer

Let our front desk know immediately — call (415) 682-7738 during school hours or email frontdesk@amabilemusic.org outside school hours. More than 24 hours notice gives us time to inform the teacher.

Question 14

What happens if I need to cancel or reschedule?

Accepted Answer

We offer unlimited group make-up classes when a student must miss a lesson. You can sign up before or after the absence at any time that's convenient. Unless it's a genuine emergency please give at least 24 hours notice.

Question 15

What happens if an Amabile teacher cancels a lesson?

Accepted Answer

We let students and parents know as soon as possible. Our staff arranges either a make-up lesson or a qualified substitute teacher at or close to the regular lesson time.

Question 16

Can my children take lessons at the same time on the same day or back-to-back?

Accepted Answer

Scheduling is handled by our office staff and every effort is made to accommodate parental requests. If we can't accommodate a preference we note the request and contact you when the preferred time becomes available.

Question 17

Is it possible to have a lesson every other week?

Accepted Answer

We don't usually encourage bi-weekly lessons — they create slower progress and scheduling difficulties and it's unfair to the teacher to reserve a slot used only every other week. Under certain circumstances we sometimes allow it for example an adult student or a financial constraint.

Question 18

What is your withdrawal policy?

Accepted Answer

Tuition is month-to-month. To discontinue submit a withdrawal form by the 15th of your last month. We do not prorate the last month's tuition.

Question 19

Do you offer in-home lessons?

Accepted Answer

Yes but only if on-site lessons are impossible. In-home lessons include an extra travel fee passed to the teacher and the student can feel detached from the school. On-site students and parents have a strong sense of community and full use of facilities.

Question 20

We don't have a piano at home where can we rent or purchase one?

Accepted Answer

For beginners renting is a good idea. Buying a used quality upright piano is another good option. Reputable piano stores include piedmontpiano.com. Craigslist also lists pianos — always have a qualified piano technician inspect before buying. We don't recommend an electronic keyboard for daily practice; even an expensive full-size weighted keyboard is a short-term solution.

Question 21

Do Amabile students perform in public?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Amabile hosts seasonal recitals at venues like the San Francisco Conservatory Steinway Gallery the Atrium Theater NVM the Orinda Theater and on-site at our campuses. Students get a chance to perform on professional stages followed by refreshments photographs and socializing.

Question 22

Does Amabile hold less formal student performances?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We provide on-site events and recitals that are friendly and stress-free especially for young beginners. Our teachers are also encouraged to hold studio classes for their students.

Question 23

Do students ever perform in local institutions?

Accepted Answer

Yes — our seasonal Local Outreach Program gives students the experience of performing for patients and residents at local hospitals and senior centers where music plays an important role in their therapy.

Question 24

How will I know if my child is progressing?

Accepted Answer

Following each lesson most teachers give parents verbal feedback. Written comments are also provided via the student's Practice Log or Assignment Booklet which tracks assignments and daily practice.

Question 25

Are parents guardians or siblings allowed to sit in on lessons?

Accepted Answer

We welcome 1 adult guardian parent to sit in during trial lessons with respectful non-interference with the teacher's work.

Question 26

How do I join my online lesson?

Accepted Answer

Before your lesson our staff will email you an invitation link and passcode for a Zoom meeting. Use a recent iPad or laptop with speaker camera and microphone or download the Zoom app for smartphones.

Question 27

How do I make the best of an online lesson?

Accepted Answer

Use a fully charged iPad or laptop with a good camera microphone and speakers. Make sure you have a reliable Wi-Fi connection and use headphones if possible. Set up the device so the teacher can see the student playing. Younger students may need a parent present to help focus. Have your music sheet ready as a screenshot or PDF to share over Zoom.

Question 28

Can I keep doing online lessons even after restrictions are lifted?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Online lessons are available for as long as you feel comfortable continuing them. We offer lessons online seven days a week.

Question 29

How do I improve sound quality in Zoom lessons?

Accepted Answer

In your Zoom Audio settings disable Automatically adjust microphone volume. Under Advanced disable Suppress Intermittent Background Noise and enable Show in-meeting option to Enable Original Sound from the microphone.

Two campuses, plus online from anywhere.

San Francisco campus

Moraga campus

Serving Bay Area families since 2008.

San Francisco area

Lamorinda area

Ready to try a lesson?