Individual Lessons

Individual Lessons are available on all instruments and in voice, composition, and jazz improvisation with Community Music School instructors and interns. We offer lessons online with any faculty member, and in person lessons are also available if the teacher and student agree to the in-person format.

For most instrumentalists the recommended age for beginning private study is age 7. Piano and most string instruments may be started at a younger age; for vocalists the recommended age is about 10.

Click here for a complete list of lessons offered. 

Students may choose to study with instructors or interns:

  • Instructors are professional artist-educators who are Western New York’s most sought after teachers and performers.

  • Interns are Eastman School of Music students who are among the best and brightest young performers in the world.

In addition to instructors and interns, some members of the Eastman School of Music collegiate faculty also offer lessons through the Community Music School; each sets his or her own individual fee. Call the Community Music School office for more details.

School Year Lessons

Tuition 

School year tuition is billed in two semesters of 17 weeks each. Fall lessons are automatically re-registered for Spring semester, unless the student submits a written request to cancel before the semester begins. All quoted prices are per semester. Click here for billing details, including monthly payment plans.

2022-23

Lesson Length
Instructor Tuition
(17 week semester)
Intern Tuition
(17 week semester)
30-min weekly

$589
($34.65/lesson)

$423
($24.91/lesson)
45-min weekly

$872 
($51.31/lesson)

$614
($36.11/lesson)
60-min weekly

$1,092
($64.26/lesson)

$762
($44.81/lesson)

2023-24

Lesson Length
Instructor Tuition
(17 week semester)
Intern Tuition
(17 week semester)
30-min weekly

$613
($36.03/lesson)

$440
($25.90/lesson)
45-min weekly

$907
($53.36/lesson)

$638
($37.55/lesson)
60-min weekly

$1,136
($66.83/lesson)

$792
($46.61/lesson)

How to Register

New Students:

  • Please complete the ECMS Registration Form for placement with a teacher. Lessons may begin any time of year.
  • Each new student requesting lessons will be assigned to an intern or instructor. Requests for a particular teacher will be honored when possible. Once the assignment has been made, the teacher will contact the student directly to schedule lessons based on a mutually agreed upon lesson time and day.

Continuing Students:

  • Students continuing lessons with their same teacher may register online from May through mid-September.
  • Alternatively, continuing students may submit the ECMS Registration Form at any time.

Click here for complete details on registration and policies.

Summer Lessons

Summer is a wonderful time to continue lessons or try something new! The ten-week session goes from June 18 – August 26, 2023, though individual teachers’ availability and schedules may vary. Please register by July 1.

Tuition (Summer 2023)

Lesson Length
Instructor Tuition
(10 week semester)
Intern Tuition
(10 week semester)
30-min weekly
 $360 $259
45-min weekly
 $534 $376
60-min weekly
 $668 $466

How to Register

New Students:

  • Please complete the ECMS Registration Form for placement with a teacher. Lessons may begin any time of year.
  • Each new student requesting lessons will be assigned to an intern or instructor. Requests for a particular teacher will be honored when possible. Once the assignment has been made, the teacher will contact the student directly to schedule lessons based on a mutually agreed upon lesson time and day.

Continuing Students:

  • Students continuing lessons with their same teacher may register online from late April through mid-August.
  • Alternatively, continuing students may submit the ECMS Registration Form at any time.

Click here for complete details on registration and policies.