Both group and private piano lessons offer valuable learning experiences, but they differ in structure and focus: Piano Performers Lessons Piano Performers lessons are held in a small class setting with 3-4 students of similar age or skill level. These sessions take place on campus of your child's school. Piano Performers focuses on building foundational skills through collaborative learning and peer interaction. Students benefit from a supportive, social environment where they can learn rhythm, ear training, music theory, and performance skills together. Our computer-based program is a great option for beginners, as they make learning fun and engaging while promoting accountability and motivation through shared progress. Private Piano Lessons Private lessons offer one-on-one instruction tailored specifically to the individual student’s needs, pace, and goals. These lessons allow for personalized attention, faster progress, and a deeper focus on technique, repertoire, and musical expression. Private instruction is ideal for students who prefer individualized learning, preparing for competitions or simply advancing their skills. Starting with group lessons can provide a strong foundation, and students may transition to private lessons as they grow and develop musically. If you’re unsure which option is the best fit for your child, we’re happy to help you decide based on their learning style, experience, and goals.

We are proud to provide group piano lessons at 9 different local elementary schools with our Piano Performers program: - Belforest Elementary - Christ the King Catholic School - Daphne Elementary - Fairhope East Elementary - Fairhope West Elementary - J Larry Newton School - Rockwell Elementary - Spanish Fort Elementary - Stonebridge Elementary We offer private studio lessons at 3 separate studios, spanning across the Eastern Shore, from Spanish Fort to Daphne: Spanish Fort Presbyterian Church 6620 Spanish Fort Blvd Spanish Fort, AL. 36527 Holy Trinity Lutheran Church 8271 Whispering Pines Rd Daphne, AL. 36526 Resurrection Church 2401 Main St. Daphne, AL. 36526 We are also pleased to offer the convenience of in-home lessons. With our Deluxe Traveling Teacher upgrade, your child can enjoy personalized instruction in the comfort and familiarity of your own home. Recently, we expanded Musical Beginnings into Mobile County, to broaden our horizons across the bay. Musical Beginnings Mobile is open for business for the 2025-2026 academic school year. Please spread the word to your friends and family across the bay!

Please see our Plans & Pricing page. We have affordable group piano classes averaging at approximately $15 per lesson. Lesson durations are available in 30-, 45-, or 60-minute sessions, depending on your child’s age, chosen instrument, and skill level. Lesson length will impact the overall cost. We also offer the option to upgrade to in-home lessons. Travel fees are applied to cover mileage and are reimbursed directly to our instructors. We have a price-point and music lesson package for everyone. Payment plans are available via our website or by automatic invoicing, if you choose not to apply for AfterPay or Klarna. If cost is a concern, we encourage you to reach out to us directly. Annual tuition can be divided into 10 monthly payments from August through May. For summer lessons, payment may be split into two monthly installments during June and July. While our website has been updated for a more streamlined experience, our previous payment plan options are still available. If you're not approved for a payment plan through the website, we’re happy to set up automatic monthly invoicing upon request, with payments due on the 1st of each month.

Our school year lessons begin the week of August 18, 2025, for both group and private instruction. Please select this week when booking on our calendar. To help students ease into their new school routines, we allow a short adjustment period at the start of the term. We follow the Baldwin County Public School Calendar for all holidays—if school is out, lessons are not held. The school-year lessons conclude around May 18, 2026, with end-of-year recitals to celebrate student progress. Lessons are a full academic year commitment, following a two-lesson trial period. Due to high demand, our instructors remain fully booked and cannot accommodate drop-in or short-term scheduling. When you register, your instructor reserves that time for your student for the entire year, ensuring consistency and dedication from both sides. We accept registrations throughout the school year, and tuition will be prorated based on your student’s start date. We offer summer sessions in June and July for continued musical growth and enrichment.

Please contact us directly to set-up in home lessons with the instructor of your choice. We will need to coordinate these lessons along their travel route - going from home to home. Please include: - Student Name - Preferred Instructor - Preferred Day & Time - You can go see what's available on the booking calendar. Go to studio lessons for your time duration (30, 45 or 1 HR) and search by instructor name. This will tell you what days and time they are working. Please do not request a time that is NOT available. -Home Address - This will help us organize their travel route and map things out to make everything run efficiently. MusicalBeginningsBC@gmail.com

As Christ the King Catholic School operates independently, its schedule may differ from the Baldwin County Public School System. In this case, please refer to Christ the King's School Calendar for holidays and school closures.

Our current instructors specialize in: Instrumentalists: - Classical Piano - Jazz Piano & Improvisation - Worship Music - Violin - Beginner to Intermediate Level - Guitar - Acoustic, Electric or Classical - Bass - Ukulele - Drums - Band Instruments - Music Theory Crash-Courses for Adults Vocal Students: - Opera - Voice Lessons & Coaching for Confidence Boosting - Musical Theatre - Singer-Songwriter Style - Performance Prep - Piano Accompaniment Services available upon request.

To perform in the winter or spring recital, students must receive approval from their instructor. This ensures each child is prepared and confident, helping to ensure a positive performance experience. Approval is based on several factors, including your child’s confidence, preparedness, practice consistency, and comfort with their piece. Students will not be approved to perform if they are not adequately prepared or if performing may cause unnecessary stress. Our goal is to support each student’s musical growth and prevent situations that could lead to discouragement. If a student is not approved to perform, they will receive an additional lesson in place of the recital. We appreciate your understanding and support as we work to create positive and rewarding performance experiences for all students.

It is the responsibility of each family to be aware of their child’s scheduled lesson time. We understand that occasional absences may occur. Each student is allowed up to two make-up lessons per term (Fall–Spring or Summer), which will be scheduled during the final two weeks of the semester. To qualify for a make-up, at least 24 hours’ notice must be provided. Missed lessons without prior notice may be made up at the instructor’s discretion. If more than two lessons are missed, even with notice, additional make-ups are not guaranteed and are subject to instructor availability. Please note that arriving late does not extend the lesson time. Instructors must adhere to a set schedule and cannot adjust for tardiness. In the event of extenuating circumstances, additional make-up lessons or a partial tuition refund may be considered. For such cases, please contact our Director, Mr. Christopher Beaudette, at: musicalbeginningsbc@gmail.com.

While most instructors recommend starting piano in kindergarten, some of our students began as early as age 3. If your child can count to five, recognize letters A–G, sit still, and follow directions for 30 minutes, we have teachers experienced in working with young beginners. For string instruments or drums, students can start once they’re able to follow instructions—but they must have a properly sized instrument. Playing on the wrong size (especially with guitar) can cause discomfort and lead to poor technique. Our instructors can help with sizing, or you can visit a local music store like Bay Music (Fairhope), Pickers Paradise (Bay Minette), or Guitar Center (Mobile/Pensacola). We welcome students of any age and ability, and we are proud to accommodate any students with special needs. We have teachers who specialize with working with special needs students from autism, ADHD, to dyslexia. When you register, please make a note of any special requests so we that we can accommodate to find the best fit for your family. We have also offered early childhood music classes in the past and may bring them back if there’s interest—they are a fun way to introduce little ones to music and connect with other families! Remember - it’s never too late to start. We proudly offer lessons for adults, college students, seniors, and even professional musicians looking to grow their skills or revisit music theory.

While your child will receive valuable instruction during their weekly lesson at school, regular at-home practice is highly encouraged to support their progress. Just a few short, consistent practice sessions each week can make a big difference in building confidence, reinforcing what they’ve learned, and helping them truly enjoy the experience of making music. We recommend 30-minutes per day, but any practice is better than none! We understand that every family's schedule is different, so we’re happy to offer guidance on how to make practice manageable and fun at home! Please feel free to reach out if you have any additional questions—we're here to help.

Having a quality instrument is imperative for the education of a student. As such, there are several factors to consider when evaluating pianos and digital keyboards. If you have a piano, the only criteria we would specify is that the instrument is in tune, all the keys function properly, and all 3 (or in some cases, only 2) pedals function properly. If you have a digital keyboard, we look for a five key factors: - Weighted keys: A real piano has over 10,000 parts, and each key contains over 100 parts. The complexity of this design gives each key resistance when being pushed. This feeling is important in digital keyboards as it replicates the actual feeling of a real piano. The terms you want to look out for are "fully weighted" or "graded hammer action". Be cautious of the term "semi-weighted" for it often indicates the keys will not feel realistic at all. - 88 keys: A real piano has (at least) 88 keys. The first year or two of a child's education may only consistently use 49 of these, but having the full range will be vital for their continued growth. Using a keyboard that doesn't have all 88 keys is akin to buying your child a pair of shoes at age 10 and expecting them to never need newer ones. We must give them room to grow. As a compromise, a 61 key keyboard may suffice. This range will be more affordable, however, it will be almost impossible to find a 61 key keyboard with weighted keys. We would only recommend this option if you are unsure whether or not your student will continue with lessons. - Brand: The brand of the keyboard is often a guarantee of quality or a lack thereof. We highly recommend Yamaha above all others. They are simply unrivaled in affordability and quality for their average student model pianos. Other comparable brands would be Casio and Roland. These three should be your first choices when in the market. Brands like Donner and Alesis should be avoided, as their instruments are closer to toys. - Sustain Pedal: A real piano has pedals. These have various functions that are vital to the operation of the instrument. Be aware, most digital keyboards will NOT come with a sustain pedal. Or if they do come with one, it will be a of such low quality that it would hinder the child. Any keyboard your purchase, make sure you are also purchasing a quality sustain pedal. - Stand: Most keyboards will not come with a stand. It is important that you purchase one so that your keyboard can rest at a comfortable playing height. Do not purchase a single x-brace style stand as they will wobble and move erratically while playing. Double x-bracing is the only acceptable x-brace, and z-style stands are preferred above all others. What follows are a few of our recommendations (prices may vary): The $450 Yamaha P-71 is one of the best-selling pianos in the history of the world and it's no wonder why. 88 keys, fully weighted with graded hammer action, and under $500. This is a keyboard you could own and play happily for the rest of your life. The $220 Casio CT-S1 is a budget keyboard that punches well above its weight class. It only has 61 keys, and they aren't realistically weighted, but they feel good under the fingers and the instrument sounds nice. If you aren't 100% sure that your child will stick with music, this is the choice for you. The $25 M-Audio SP-2 Universal Sustain Pedal is the gold standard in sustain pedals. The $75 Liquid Stands Z-Style Keyboard Stand will offer a rock solid solution for keeping your keyboard at a playable height. Easily adjusted and immovable. The $35 Rockjam Xfinity Double X-Style Keyboard Stand will be the more affordable option for your keyboard. It will not feel as safe and will wobble more with a full sized keyboard on top of it, be warned.

We have many special needs students who require extra parental involvement. Many of our teachers specialize in accommodating these families. Music is a gift that should be experienced by everyone regardless of external factors. Our instructors are highly skilled and happy to work with you in creating an environment for your child's success. Our flexible curriculum is designed to adapt to each student’s unique strengths and areas for growth. We encourage open communication — please do not be afraid to collaborate with your instructor when it comes to specific measures that need to be taken to give your child the best learning experience.

Unfortunately, our instructors follow a set teaching schedule and are unable to accommodate weekly rescheduling. Lessons are treated similarly to other scheduled activities like baseball practice or field trips—they occur at a set time and location and are not automatically rescheduled. We do understand that occasional conflicts may arise. If you notify us at least 24 hours in advance, our instructors will do their best to offer a make-up lesson within the same week. However, please note that make-up lessons are not guaranteed and depend on the instructor’s availability.

In the event of inclement weather, we follow local school closure announcements for both our Piano Performers and Private Lessons programs. The safety of our students and instructors is our top priority. For information on how weather-related cancellations are handled, please refer to our policy section.

While we do not sell instruments or music directly, we’re happy to help you locate reputable local music stores and online retailers that carry what you need. If you let us know what instrument or materials you're looking for, we’ll gladly point you in the right direction!

Piano Performers begins the week of August 18th. Please navigate to that week on the booking calendar to view available lesson times. Availability will not appear during the break between summer and school-year lessons. To secure your spot for the full school year, book a lesson during the week of August 18th. If you plan to start later, do not select a date—we will need to adjust it manually. If your preferred time isn't listed, feel free to contact us. It may already be reserved, but we are finalizing the schedule and may be able to accommodate your request.

Piano Performers Weekly Schedule: Monday - Daphne Elementary Tuesday - Fairhope West Elementary Christ the King J Larry Newton Elementary Wednesday - Belforest Elementary Spanish Fort Elementary Thursday - Rockwell Elementary Stonebridge Elementary Friday - Fairhope East Elementary

Students are released to piano class or After School Care immediately after the school dismissal bell. Students that do not attend after school care and are assigned to the second or third groups may wait quietly in the piano room until their lesson begins. This keeps the students accounted for at all times. We encourage parents to pack a small activity—such as a book, coloring page, or homework—in their child’s backpack to help pass the time. Students enrolled in extended-day care will be signed out and escorted to their piano lesson by an instructor, then returned to after-care once their lesson ends. Parent pick-up will take place at the designated school-specific location. For safety reasons, these details will be shared after registration is complete. Following the final lesson group, teachers require approximately 10 minutes to pack up equipment. The last group of students will be escorted out with the instructor after this time. Students cannot be dismissed earlier, as doing so would result in the teacher being locked out of the facility. Timely pick-up is essential. Lessons are scheduled back-to-back, and we do not have the option for students to wait in the front office, out of respect for school staff. If a parent is excessively late, students will be taken to extended-day care at the parent’s expense. Repeated late pick-ups that cause an instructor to miss subsequent lessons may result in a charge equal to the missed lesson rate. Please remember: a 10-minute delay for one student can result in an hour-long delay by the end of the day, affecting students with evening lessons and disrupting their routines. Thank you for respecting our instructors’ time and helping us serve every family in our program with professionalism and consistency.

Please notify your instructor immediately regarding any absences, whether due to illness, travel or other activities. Instructors must remain focused on teaching and are unable to leave class to search for absent students. Additionally, contacting the school office disrupts staff and should be avoided when possible. To maintain a healthy learning environment, please do not send your child to lessons if they are sick. While we understand the desire to avoid missing lessons, bringing a visibly ill student (fever, nausea, sore throat, congestion, pink eye, etc.) creates a cycle of illness for others. Students showing signs of illness will be sent home. We allow two excused absences per semester, which can be made up during our designated make-up weeks at the end of the school year. These weeks are built into our calendar to accommodate common absences such as illness, travel, family emergencies, teacher sick days, and weather-related cancellations. Please do not request weekend make-up lessons. If a teacher is available to offer an extra session, they will reach out. Many of our instructors have full schedules and long commutes, and we strive to protect their time to avoid burnout—for both students and staff. Refunds will not be issued for missed lessons due to sports, extracurriculars, or scheduling conflicts. While we’re happy to consider time-change requests, we cannot guarantee availability, as most of our instructors are fully booked. If another family accommodates your schedule, we kindly ask that you extend the same courtesy later in the year. Please plan ahead for seasonal activities. For extenuating circumstances, such as ongoing health concerns, we will work with families to find a solution. These cases will be reviewed by our Director, Mr. Christopher Beaudette, and may require a doctor’s note to pause or adjust the lesson schedule. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis with the student’s well-being in mind.

Having a quality instrument is imperative for the education of a student. As such, there are several factors to consider when evaluating pianos and digital keyboards. If you have a piano, the only criteria we would specify is that the instrument is in tune, all the keys function properly, and all 3 (or in some cases, only 2) pedals function properly. If you have a digital keyboard, we look for a five key factors: - Weighted keys: A real piano has over 10,000 parts, and each key contains over 100 parts. The complexity of this design gives each key resistance when being pushed. This feeling is important in digital keyboards as it replicates the actual feeling of a real piano. The terms you want to look out for are "fully weighted" or "graded hammer action". Be cautious of the term "semi-weighted" for it often indicates the keys will not feel realistic at all. - 88 keys: A real piano has (at least) 88 keys. The first year or two of a child's education may only consistently use 49 of these, but having the full range will be vital for their continued growth. Using a keyboard that doesn't have all 88 keys is akin to buying your child a pair of shoes at age 10 and expecting them to never need newer ones. We must give them room to grow. As a compromise, a 61 key keyboard may suffice. This range will be more affordable, however, it will be almost impossible to find a 61 key keyboard with weighted keys. We would only recommend this option if you are unsure whether or not your student will continue with lessons. - Brand: The brand of the keyboard is often a guarantee of quality or a lack thereof. We highly recommend Yamaha above all others. They are simply unrivaled in affordability and quality for their average student model pianos. Other comparable brands would be Casio and Roland. These three should be your first choices when in the market. Brands like Donner and Alesis should be avoided, as their instruments are closer to toys. - Sustain Pedal: A real piano has pedals. These have various functions that are vital to the operation of the instrument. Be aware, most digital keyboards will NOT come with a sustain pedal. Or if they do come with one, it will be a of such low quality that it would hinder the child. Any keyboard your purchase, make sure you are also purchasing a quality sustain pedal. - Stand: Most keyboards will not come with a stand. It is important that you purchase one so that your keyboard can rest at a comfortable playing height. Do not purchase a single x-brace style stand as they will wobble and move erratically while playing. Double x-bracing is the only acceptable x-brace, and z-style stands are preferred above all others. What follows are a few of our recommendations (prices may vary): The $450 Yamaha P-71 is one of the best-selling pianos in the history of the world and it's no wonder why. 88 keys, fully weighted with graded hammer action, and under $500. This is a keyboard you could own and play happily for the rest of your life. The $220 Casio CT-S1 is a budget keyboard that punches well above its weight class. It only has 61 keys, and they aren't realistically weighted, but they feel good under the fingers and the instrument sounds nice. If you aren't 100% sure that your child will stick with music, this is the choice for you. The $25 M-Audio SP-2 Universal Sustain Pedal is the gold standard in sustain pedals. The $75 Liquid Stands Z-Style Keyboard Stand will offer a rock solid solution for keeping your keyboard at a playable height. Easily adjusted and immovable. The $35 Rockjam Xfinity Double X-Style Keyboard Stand will be the more affordable option for your keyboard. It will not feel as safe and will wobble more with a full sized keyboard on top of it, be warned.

As lessons are held on school campuses, parents and guardians are not permitted to sit in on group sessions. This policy is in place to ensure the safety of all students and school staff. Students will be escorted to the designated pick-up area or returned to after-school care following their lesson.

We offer private studio lessons at 3 separate studios, spanning across the Eastern Shore, from Spanish Fort to Daphne: Spanish Fort Presbyterian Church 6620 Spanish Fort Blvd Spanish Fort, AL. 36527 Holy Trinity Lutheran Church 8271 Whispering Pines Rd Daphne, AL. 36526 Resurrection Church 2401 Main St. Daphne, AL. 36526 We are also pleased to offer the convenience of in-home lessons. With our Deluxe Traveling Teacher upgrade, your child can enjoy personalized instruction in the comfort and familiarity of your own home.

Please contact us directly to set-up in home lessons with the instructor of your choice. We will need to coordinate these lessons along their travel route - going from home to home. Please include: - Student Name - Preferred Instructor - Preferred Day & Time - You can go see what's available on the booking calendar. Go to studio lessons for your time duration (30, 45 or 1 HR) and search by instructor name. This will tell you what days and time they are working. Please do not request a time that is NOT available. -Home Address - This will help us organize their travel route and map things out to make everything run efficiently. MusicalBeginningsBC@gmail.com

We are proud to be an open-door studio and strongly encourage parent involvement, as it plays a key role in a student's musical growth. Parents are always welcome to observe lessons, provided it does not disrupt instruction or the student’s progress. However, some students may feel added pressure or anxiety when being observed, which can make it harder for them to fully engage in the learning process. Since music involves a lot of trial and error, it’s important for students to feel comfortable making mistakes as they grow. In these cases, we ask parents to limit in-person observation to the first two lessons of the semester, allowing their child the space and confidence to thrive independently. At some studio locations, access is limited to designated areas. Please coordinate with your instructor in advance so we can arrange the accommodations if necessary.

Please notify your instructor immediately regarding any absences, whether due to illness, travel or other activities. To maintain a healthy learning environment, please do not send your child to lessons if they are sick. While we understand the desire to avoid missing lessons, bringing a visibly ill student (fever, nausea, sore throat, congestion, pink eye, etc.) creates a cycle of illness for others. Students showing signs of illness will be sent home. We allow two excused absences per semester, which can be made up during our designated make-up weeks at the end of the school year. These weeks are built into our calendar to accommodate common absences such as illness, travel, family emergencies, teacher sick days, and weather-related cancellations. Please do not request weekend make-up lessons. If a teacher is available to offer an extra session, they will reach out. Many of our instructors have full schedules and long commutes, and we strive to protect their time to avoid burnout—for both students and staff. Refunds will not be issued for missed lessons due to sports, extracurriculars, or scheduling conflicts. While we’re happy to consider time-change requests, we cannot guarantee availability, as most of our instructors are fully booked. If another family accommodates your schedule, we kindly ask that you extend the same courtesy later in the year. Please plan ahead for seasonal activities. For extenuating circumstances, such as ongoing health concerns, we will work with families to find a solution. These cases will be reviewed by our Director, Mr. Christopher Beaudette, and may require a doctor’s note to pause or adjust the lesson schedule. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis with the student’s well-being in mind.

Having a quality instrument is imperative for the education of a student. As such, there are several factors to consider when evaluating pianos and digital keyboards. If you have a piano, the only criteria we would specify is that the instrument is in tune, all the keys function properly, and all 3 (or in some cases, only 2) pedals function properly. If you have a digital keyboard, we look for a five key factors: - Weighted keys: A real piano has over 10,000 parts, and each key contains over 100 parts. The complexity of this design gives each key resistance when being pushed. This feeling is important in digital keyboards as it replicates the actual feeling of a real piano. The terms you want to look out for are "fully weighted" or "graded hammer action". Be cautious of the term "semi-weighted" for it often indicates the keys will not feel realistic at all. - 88 keys: A real piano has (at least) 88 keys. The first year or two of a child's education may only consistently use 49 of these, but having the full range will be vital for their continued growth. Using a keyboard that doesn't have all 88 keys is akin to buying your child a pair of shoes at age 10 and expecting them to never need newer ones. We must give them room to grow. As a compromise, a 61 key keyboard may suffice. This range will be more affordable, however, it will be almost impossible to find a 61 key keyboard with weighted keys. We would only recommend this option if you are unsure whether or not your student will continue with lessons. - Brand: The brand of the keyboard is often a guarantee of quality or a lack thereof. We highly recommend Yamaha above all others. They are simply unrivaled in affordability and quality for their average student model pianos. Other comparable brands would be Casio and Roland. These three should be your first choices when in the market. Brands like Donner and Alesis should be avoided, as their instruments are closer to toys. - Sustain Pedal: A real piano has pedals. These have various functions that are vital to the operation of the instrument. Be aware, most digital keyboards will NOT come with a sustain pedal. Or if they do come with one, it will be a of such low quality that it would hinder the child. Any keyboard your purchase, make sure you are also purchasing a quality sustain pedal. - Stand: Most keyboards will not come with a stand. It is important that you purchase one so that your keyboard can rest at a comfortable playing height. Do not purchase a single x-brace style stand as they will wobble and move erratically while playing. Double x-bracing is the only acceptable x-brace, and z-style stands are preferred above all others. What follows are a few of our recommendations (prices may vary): The $450 Yamaha P-71 is one of the best-selling pianos in the history of the world and it's no wonder why. 88 keys, fully weighted with graded hammer action, and under $500. This is a keyboard you could own and play happily for the rest of your life. The $220 Casio CT-S1 is a budget keyboard that punches well above its weight class. It only has 61 keys, and they aren't realistically weighted, but they feel good under the fingers and the instrument sounds nice. If you aren't 100% sure that your child will stick with music, this is the choice for you. The $25 M-Audio SP-2 Universal Sustain Pedal is the gold standard in sustain pedals. The $75 Liquid Stands Z-Style Keyboard Stand will offer a rock solid solution for keeping your keyboard at a playable height. Easily adjusted and immovable. The $35 Rockjam Xfinity Double X-Style Keyboard Stand will be the more affordable option for your keyboard. It will not feel as safe and will wobble more with a full sized keyboard on top of it, be warned.

Yes, students are required to have an instrument at home for in-home lessons. For piano students, either an acoustic piano or a full-sized, weighted keyboard is mandatory to ensure proper technique and progress.

Music practice needs to become a family routine like breakfast, homework and brushing teeth before bedtime! We don’t typically ask children if they want to do their homework—we set aside time and simply expect it. The same consistency should apply to music practice. Most students won't naturally gravitate toward their instrument each day without a consistent routine in place. Even if they're excited about lessons, children will almost always choose toys, outdoor play, or screen time over practice. On the other hand, some students become so engaged they’ll want to practice nonstop! Until that habit forms, it's the parent’s role to create the right environment for success. Until then, it is the parent's responsibility to set up a quiet practice space, a practice environment, a steady practice schedule at a set time, and encourage students to simply start. Set a timer for 5 minutes, and slowly increase by one minute each and every day, if 30 minutes is too demanding from the get-go. The ultimate goal is 30 minutes of practice. Students who practice regularly experience faster progress, deeper understanding, and greater enjoyment playing the instrument. Without practice, much of the lesson time is spent reviewing old material rather than moving forward. The more students practice - the more they see and feel the results of hard work, discipline, and they start to see their own progress and growth as young musicians. This is when the extrinsic motivation kicks in. This is when students start to learn the reward of discipline. We don't recommend rewarding practice with video games, prizes, etc. because then the focus quickly shifts to... how soon can I play my video games? Can I get this prize? Are we done yet?! Music practice needs to become a routine and daily ritual, just like homework and other healthy habits. Try to get the whole family involved with practice. Create a quiet space for practice, be on standby to offer encouragement. If your student is stuck - create a quick video asking a question or snap a photo of the music, to send it to the teacher. Most teachers are more than happy to create video, and answer questions via Facetime, when they aren't busy with lessons. If you need help with setting up a practice routine, don't hesitate to ask your teacher for tips, tricks and advice!

Slowly, but surely. Please trust the process. A key thing that sets Musical Beginnings apart from other studios is that we have an open-door policy for parental involvement, and we care more about your child's memories of music lessons, rather than pushing them to perfectionism. We care more about creativity and artistry, and the joy of making music, rather than the super strict traditional instruction of the past. We believe that it takes a blend of both to create the ultimate music student. While a strict approach may build technique quickly - it's the heart of the music teacher that helps a student feel comfortable on stage. We do not force students to perform before it is "their time to shine" at Musical Beginnings. We use a "gentle parenting" approach to protect our students from any intense external pressure, and to help them navigate those unfamiliar butterflies in their stomachs. While we can't avoid the butterflies or make them go away, we can work on exposing them to performance environments little by little at their own pace, and comfort level. It's kind of like exposure therapy! Short bursts of performance with... ZERO PRESSURE... this is key... will add up to create a confident performer, over time. Please trust us in guiding them through this process, at their own unique timeline. Our 30+ years of experience tells us that pushing students to perform before they are ready, typically causes them to resent it, become embarrassed over a bad experience with negative emotions, and most of these students "quit before they ever really start." Recital performances must be approved by the instructor. At Musical Beginnings, we’re committed to creating positive, encouraging performance experiences—so we do not place students on stage before they’re ready. While we understand your excitement, it’s important to consider how your child feels. Even the most enthusiastic students can become anxious when it comes to performing. Our goal is to help them succeed and build lasting, positive memories through music. If a parent has concerns about the difficulty level of their child’s assigned piece, they are welcome to submit a video of the student confidently performing the piece. This will allow us to thoughtfully reassess the student’s readiness for participation at that level. While we do allow parents to sit in on lessons, we do ask that you work together with the teacher on what is best for your student. We see ourselves as part of your extended musical family—a team working together for your student's success. Please be open to your instructor’s guidance with trust and receptiveness. Many of us have been in your shoes and understand how impactful a supportive learning environment can be. Therefore, we strive to teach with compassion, patience, and understanding.

Most students aren't going to spread their wings to practice on their own, until they are a few weeks into lessons. Piano typically allows for a smoother start, while instruments like guitar or violin require more careful guidance. In fact, some techniques—if practiced incorrectly—can lead to hand tension or discomfort. For this reason, our instructors introduce skills gradually in class and only assign home practice once a student is ready to work on them safely and effectively. We encourage parent involvement! You can be involved by letting the instructor know that you have questions before the lessons. The instructor may invite you in to see what your student is working on or provide tips to support your child’s practice at home. You might even be asked to help film a quick practice video to reinforce what was covered in class. If your student is struggling, you’re also welcome to send a quick video or photo of the issue. Our instructors are happy to help outside of lesson time. We are a tech savvy studio. We are not just your instructors at the studio - we are always available for students who are devoted to their practice. Please keep in mind that the end of a lesson is not the best time to bring up detailed questions. Our instructors follow a tightly scheduled day, often with limited time to travel between lessons. We schedule this way so that we can serve as many students as possible. You might get a short or quick response if an instructor is in a hurry! For the most helpful response, it’s best to reach out before or outside of scheduled lesson time. Please mention any questions or let your teacher know that you are struggling.

"The effectiveness of the instruction depends upon your efforts." - Petrus Lutece Progress in music is directly tied to consistent, focused practice—it’s truly that simple. No great musician has ever reached their potential without dedicating hours to regular, intentional practice. Our instructors can always tell when a child has or has not practiced. Once a child understands the fundamentals of music, there is no problem that practice cannot solve. Furthermore, daily practice is paramount in the retention of knowledge. It is a use-it-or-lose-it situation when it comes to music. Once a student has a grasp of the fundamentals, nearly every challenge can be overcome through consistent effort. At a minimum, we recommend 10 minutes of daily practice, and ideally, more as the student grows. It's also important not to skip practice on lesson days. This is actually one of the most critical times to review what was just learned while it’s still fresh. Reinforcing concepts the same day helps solidify new skills and boosts long-term retention. Think of it like any other discipline: you wouldn’t expect your child to hit a home run without going to baseball practice. Likewise, you can’t expect musical growth without regular practice. Your support at home plays a vital role in your child’s success—and we’re here to help guide you every step of the way.

Yes, tuition is due at the time of registration. We offer two convenient payment plans through our website via Afterpay and Klarna. If you're not approved for either option, we can set up automatic monthly invoicing with payments due on the 1st of each month. In addition to automatic monthly invoicing, check payments are acceptable. If paying by check, all monthly installments must be post-dated and accompany the registration fee to the below address: Musical Beginnings P.O. Box 1748 Point Clear, AL. 36564 We’re committed to making music education accessible and have payment solutions for every family. If cost is a concern or you're unable to complete payment through our website, please reach out—we can manually add your student to our schedule and arrange an alternative plan. Please note that late fees will apply to overdue payments.

Although we have updated our website for a more streamlined experience, we still offer the same payment plans you may have been using before. If you are not approved by payment plan via our website, we can set you up with automatic invoicing by request, to be due on the 1st of each month.

Enrolling in Musical Beginnings is a full-year commitment for the student, parent, and teacher. Your scheduled lesson time is reserved just for you. We cannot fill your spot in your absence, so regular attendance is expected. Missed lessons due to sports, vacations, or extracurriculars will not be rescheduled or refunded. Tuition is non-refundable and confirms your commitment for the entire school year.

Please note that no refunds will be issued after the first two lessons. Registration is a commitment for the full school year. Exceptions may be considered only in cases of extended illness (with a doctor’s note) or relocation of 20 miles or more (with documentation).

Our group lessons and private lessons follow public school closures for inclement weather. The safety of our students and instructors is top priority. We will make up one weather-related closure per year. Additional make-ups will depend on teacher and space availability.

Musical Beginnings reserves the right to dismiss a student. This is rare and any remaining tuition will be refunded.

- NSF Checks: A $30 fee will be charged for checks with insufficient funds. - Late Pick-up Fee: Timely drop-off and pick-up are required. If a student is not picked up on time, a late fee of $5 per 10 minutes will apply, payable at pick-up. Please be mindful that our instructors follow a tightly scheduled day, and delays can impact subsequent lessons. - Late Payment Fee: A $25 fee will be charged per week until payment is received.

Private Students: Must purchase required printed music and supplies based on teacher recommendations. Piano Performers: All sheet music is provided. Students must bring their folder to each lesson.

Assignments are written in the student’s music folder. Teachers may leave notes or remarks on music sheets. You can contact your teacher directly (name and number on the folder), or call/email the main office. We aim to respond within 24 hours. You may also leave notes for the teacher clipped to the folder.

Instructors may take up to two sick days each semester without making up the lessons. Any additional missed lessons will be made up during the final two weeks of the school year.

If your child is sick, please cancel directly with the instructor. Do not send students with contagious conditions (e.g., pink eye). Each student is allowed two 'sick days' per year without requiring a make-up lesson.

Regular attendance is expected. Students are charged for all scheduled lessons. No make-ups for absences due to extracurriculars, vacations, or school field trips. We may offer up to two make-up lessons per semester for absences due to illness or family emergencies. These may be held at a different time or location. Please email the office to request a make-up.