Preparatory Music At Holy Names University
About
We are a community music school located on the campus of Holy Names University, in the Oakland hills off of Highway 13 and Redwood Rd.
For nearly 50 years, our expert and passionate faculty have provided private and group instruction as well as orchestras and chamber music. Our students have multiple performance opportunities throughout the year, including unique events such as a concerto competition, a Pops Concert, and Music Festival.
www.hnu.edu/preparatorymusic
Highlights
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
When a family contacts me about music lessons at Preparatory Music, I share with them how our program works (how I refer them to a potential instructor, how scheduling and payment work, the extra musical opportunities we offer) and refer them to an instructor based on their schedule and the student's personality.
I encourage them to meet the instructor with their child to make sure it feels like a good fit, as we hope for the teacher/student relationship to be a long-term and successful match.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Our instructors have professional teacher-training and performance experience on their instrument. Our teachers are passionate about music education, and love music and working with children and students of all ages.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Our instructors are independent contractors who teach at our school on the Holy Names University campus. Their hourly rates are competitive with Bay Area rates, and prorated according to lesson length.
How did you get started teaching?
Our program was founded in 1968 as a teacher-training program and grew into a community music school serving 240 families in the Oakland and nearby areas, including Berkeley, San Leandro, San Ramon, LaMorinda, Pleasanton and Fremont.
We have a track record of hiring dedicated and trained teachers who love to teach and perform.
What types of students have you worked with?
Our students' ages range from babies and toddlers (our Early Childhood Education program) to elementary through high school (private music lessons and chamber music) as well as adults (amateur adult learners as well as those in our Adult Musicianship and Sight Singing classes).
We have a modest tuition assistance fund to help students whose families are enduring financial challenges.
Our students are from a wide range of ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
Our Concerto Festival Concert and Pops Concert are two of our favorite events. The Concerto Festival features winners of our concerto competition as well as piano and string ensembles.
Our Pops Concert features performances of movie, Broadway and musical themes with performers in costume.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Look for a teacher who has ongoing commitment to their own continued development as a musican and teacher, who seems to enjoy teaching and playing, and whom you feel comfortable with.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
These are good questions to ask:
What are the expectations of the teacher: how much practicing do they require?
What kinds of materials (books, etc.) does the student need?
How many performance opportunities does the teacher provide?
Does the instructor routinely communicate his/her satisfaction or concerns about progress with the student and family?
What are the goals of the student and/or parents and are they in alignment with the teacher's philosophy and goals for his/her students?