About
Ottley Music School (OMS) is a multi-faceted, musical learning institution established in the Washington, D.C. area in 1973. Its motto is "Excellence and Passion in Music Making.
We have over a dozen qualified teachers (with degrees bachelors and masters degrees in music and music education and teaching experience) who are teaching ONLY VIRTUALLY at this time, NO IN-PERSON lessons, because of the COVID-19. OMS is OPEN on MONDAY THRU FRIDAY ONLY. We are CLOSED WEEKENDS, Saturday and Sunday.
--piano and organ
--voice (singing in various styles) and drama
--stringed instruments (guitars, harps, the violin/viola, cello)
--percussion (drum set, snares, hand drums)
--Steel Drums
--winds (saxophone, clarinet, flutes, recorders, bassoon
French horn, trombone, trumpet)
OMS also offers classes in the various age groups of piano starting with the Pre-school program , "Music for Little Mozarts" program for 4-6 year-olds.
OMS trains students of all ages from 4 years old through elementary and secondary schools, college age, adults AND senior citizens.
Ottley Music School is found on Facebook and on our website at www.ottleymusic.org. It is a Better Business Bureau A+ rated business accredited,
Founder Nevilla E. Ottley has earned B.Mus. (music ed. and piano)., M.A. (music history and organ performance), M.Mus. (choral and orchestral conducting), and has received about a dozen awards for her work in the DMV. A full biography is found at http://www.iamaonline.com/Bio/Nevilla_Eloise_Ottley-Adjahoe.htm .
The students and the teachers come from the USA, Europe, Iceland, Asia, Africa, and the Pacific and Caribbean island countries. Teachers are trained, experienced and 98% are degreed instructors.
OMS has trained many successful citizens in all walks of life, and also renowned musicians, producers, actors, over the past 48 years, some of which have returned after graduating from institutions of higher learning to serve as instructors, as advisors, or on the Board of Directors of the School.
Students and families who come to us, become like family. We also are glad to see those who attended develop to be leaders in the community, the nation and the world.
We also llke the fact that the study of music enhances all other studies for developing minds, productivity in people of all ages in the work place, and for senior citizen slows down the development of Alzheimers, Dementia and other aging maladies. It enhances positive interactions between people in every area of their occupations.
OMS graduates are employed in leadership careers nationwide and overseas. They have entered and graduated from great universities, many on "Full Ride" (full scholarship) in many areas, science, engineering, music, education, law, architecture, management, etc.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Potential students send in the Registration form and are invited to have a first FREE consultation with the potential teacher to find out what kind of learner they are, then get the books that meet either their age, hand size (for piano and some other instruments), and level of knowledge. New students who already play or sing, are asked to prepare something for their first lesson, and bring some of their books from the most recent lessons. Then the teacher will know where to start.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
The 12 teachers at Ottley Music School are all college trained.
6 (25%) have a Bachelor's degrees, and of them 2 are in grad school. All have many years teaching and performing experience in their instrument.
3 (50%) have Master's degrees, and are experienced teachers and performers.
3 (25% are college trained without graduating but have 10 or more years of successful teaching. One of them was drafted into the Marines from college, and ended in the President's Own moving up to Gunnery Sargeant.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Registration: $35 per school year or part thereof.
Recital Fee: $45 per 14-week term or part thereof. There is a recital or two in the last week of each month.
Tuition: 55-minute class with 5-10 students = $25 per class
30-minute private lesson $45.00
45-minute private lesson $67.50
45-minute Family duo lesson $67.50
60-minute private lesson $88.00
How did you get started teaching?
Mrs. Ottley started teaching when parents asked her to teach their children when she was only 16 years old. She earned her degree in teaching, and also two masters degrees in music. Many of our teachers had similar experiences.
What types of students have you worked with?
Ottley Music School works with students of all ages from pre-K (Music for Little Mozarts program) all the way to senior citizens. OMS works with beginners, intermediates, and advanced students, preparing students for entrance into performing arts middle and high schools as well as for auditions to college, university or conservatory and graduate school. Students also enter college and graduate in science, medicine, law, administration, business, languages as well as in music.
We work also with students with learning disabilities, such as slow speech development, and others. I have taken the Mandt Course to assist with this.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
Over the past years OMS students have participated in many events:
--Orchestra, piano and vocal students Toured to Trinidad & Tobago, presented a concert with students of the National Youth Orchestra of Trinidad in 2007.
--Singers, Violinist, and Pianist performed at the MLK Library as part of the dedication of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. monument in Washington, D.C..
--Singers, Pianists, Steel Drums performed in churches in New York and Pennsylvania.
--Speaking, Singing, Playing the piano at Arlington House for the 150th Anniversary of the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation on Dec. 31, 2012 to January 1, 2013.
--Piano and Voice students performed at Carnegie Hall in 2018.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Look for teachers or a school who has a goal that will allow the student to realize his/her full potential in music and in life in general. The study of music enhances the productivity of humans in all areas of life. Look for a teacher who encourages you to excel and gives you opportunities to gain experience performing.