private lesson program
All students in SFYSA programs are expected to take
private lessons on their instrument
private lessons on their instrument
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
SFYSA is dedicated to providing high quality private lessons to our students in financial need.
Lessons are taught by skilled teachers, and are the same length as those taken via private studios.
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*This program is currently fully funded by Los Alamos National Laboratory Foundation. If you would like to donate towards this program, it will help us fund more students with high quality lessons they can afford. |
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There are a limited number of spots, and are first come, first served.
If you are interested in SFYSA Private Lessons for the 2023-2024 season, please register for them alongside your ensemble.
Registration opens early June, 2023.
We will be in contact with further information in order to schedule lessons.
If there are no remaining spots available, you will be placed on a waitlist in case more funding becomes available.
If you are interested in SFYSA Private Lessons for the 2023-2024 season, please register for them alongside your ensemble.
Registration opens early June, 2023.
We will be in contact with further information in order to schedule lessons.
If there are no remaining spots available, you will be placed on a waitlist in case more funding becomes available.
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What's Included Each student will receive a 30 minute lesson once per week for 12 weeks per semester. |
Location All lessons will take place in the SFYSA offices, with the exception of inclement weather, which will be online. |
Scheduling
- Lessons will be scheduled in advance, and will have a regular time, like a group class would.
- Lessons will be available Monday-Friday, 3-7pm, at a time that can be arranged between the student and teacher.
Teachers
- Students currently taking lessons will be placed with their current teacher, if possible.
- New students will be assigned a teacher based on their instrument, age, and scheduling.
Policies
- Behavior and attendance are monitored throughout the year.
- If a student is unable to attend regularly, and/or does not regularly behave in an appropriate manner (this includes enough practice at home to make progress from one lesson to the next), they will become ineligible for financial aid the following year.
- Details regarding cancelling and rescheduling lessons will be covered with the students involved.
Financial Aid
- Students must apply for financial aid at the beginning of each year, when the student registers. Students must reapply each year.
- If they qualify for financial aid, they are eligible for reduced tuition on private lessons through our sliding scale tuition.
FAQ
WHY TAKE private lessons?
Taking private lessons on your instrument isn't the same as getting a tutor for a subject you struggle with in school. There are many details when learning an instrument (technique, note reading, theory, musicality, etc.), and it's very challenging, if not impossible, to learn all of these things in a group setting.
One person may need to move their hand up by an 1/8 of an inch so their fingers can land in the right place, and the person next to them might need to focus on breathing at the right time.
Every person has something different that they need in order to improve. That's where lessons come in!
One person may need to move their hand up by an 1/8 of an inch so their fingers can land in the right place, and the person next to them might need to focus on breathing at the right time.
Every person has something different that they need in order to improve. That's where lessons come in!
What do they look like?
Private lessons are usually once a week, and often range from 30 minutes to an hour.
The private teacher can help you improve your performance of your orchestra/band/SFYSA music, prepare for auditions, and learn the techniques needed for everything to work properly. Sometimes this means that they give you an assignment that includes music or exercises outside of what you've been given in class. No matter what it includes, your teacher will give you a weekly assignment of what to practice, and how to do it. It's your job to practice what you've been given so that the next week they're able to give you a new assignment.
Your lesson is NOT time set aside for you to practice your music, it is when you get additional instruction to improve the quality of your practice.
The private teacher can help you improve your performance of your orchestra/band/SFYSA music, prepare for auditions, and learn the techniques needed for everything to work properly. Sometimes this means that they give you an assignment that includes music or exercises outside of what you've been given in class. No matter what it includes, your teacher will give you a weekly assignment of what to practice, and how to do it. It's your job to practice what you've been given so that the next week they're able to give you a new assignment.
Your lesson is NOT time set aside for you to practice your music, it is when you get additional instruction to improve the quality of your practice.
How do I find a teacher?
In looking for a teacher, many people like to get recommendations from teachers and friends, do online searches, or get a list from a local shop. It's very important to find a teacher that will help you meet your goals, and is comfortable working with a student your age.
Many teachers have a specialty, a method, or an age they prefer to work with. It's good to make a short list of the things that are important to you, and discuss them with whomever you call or email for more information.
Finding a teacher will almost always take a bit of calling around, but once you find a good fit, you may be able to stay with that teacher for years!
Many teachers have a specialty, a method, or an age they prefer to work with. It's good to make a short list of the things that are important to you, and discuss them with whomever you call or email for more information.
Finding a teacher will almost always take a bit of calling around, but once you find a good fit, you may be able to stay with that teacher for years!
Affording Private Lessons
Private lessons can be expensive- you're getting one on one time with someone who has put years, if not decades, into not only honing their own playing ability, but into teaching it as well.
If you are concerned about being able to afford lessons, there are non-profit programs that can help connect you with a teacher!
Private lessons can be expensive- you're getting one on one time with someone who has put years, if not decades, into not only honing their own playing ability, but into teaching it as well.
If you are concerned about being able to afford lessons, there are non-profit programs that can help connect you with a teacher!
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Dream Big - by the Santa Fe Chamber Music Association
Dream Big provides private lessons to students at Capital High School, Ortiz Middle School, and Nina Otero Community School. If you attend one of these schools, please contact them at dreambigcoordinator@gmail.com for more information. |
SFYSA Private Lesson Program We offer lessons to students who are in SFYSA ensembles, and do not qualify for Dream Big. There are a limited number of spots, and are first come, first served. *This program is currently fully funded by Los Alamos National Labs. If you would like to donate towards this program, it will help us fund more students with high quality lessons they can afford. |
If you are a non-profit institution that provides low-cost private instruction in northern New Mexico and would like to be considered to be listed here, please contact Haley Lovelace at haley@sfysa.org.