A large metropolis such as New York, Chicago, or Toronto is host to hundreds of music schools — from major academies to part-time tutors running lessons out of their homes. With so many options to choose from, it’s difficult to know which school is the best for your child’s musical education.
First of all, it’s important to be aware that there are music schools that specialize in different instruments, and even different musical styles. Between the ages of 5 and 12, it can be difficult to know which direction your child’s musical curiosity might take them, so it pays to enroll your child at a music school that offers instruction in a number of musical disciplines from guitar to piano to vocals to drums, and more.
You’ll also want to look for a school that offers private music lessons, taught by experienced, degree-holding instructors. If your child is a toddler and you want to introduce them to music early in their life, you’ll want to look for schools that offer early-childhood lessons that introduce very young children to the joys of music.
There’s also another factor (and arguably the most important) to consider — whether the teachers at the school have ample qualifications. Before committing, you should be asking the school administrators about some important things.
Do the instructors hold university degrees in music performance or degrees in music education? Does the institution train its teachers, or offer professional development opportunities? And finally, are the instructors employees or independent contractors?
When an institution hires employees instead of contractors, they are able to control the quality and consistency of teaching. This means that they can ensure the teacher has a proper background (experience and education) as well as the skills to actually teach.
The best music schools will be able to provide your child with a varied musical education — visit https://torontoartsacademy.com to see what a well-rounded professional school has to offer, including opportunities for group lessons on top of individual instruction. When your child has the opportunity to play in ensembles to test their abilities with other musicians and singers, they will have a better chance at improving.
Ensembles offer opportunities for students to understand foundational concepts and apply their learning in an organic whole. It also exposes them to different musical instruments, and how they all work together to create a living piece of music.
No matter what school you choose for your child, having a university-trained faculty with a range of musical knowledge will benefit your child immensely. It’s not just about learning a single instrument but rather the intricacies of music as a whole, and how its various parts come together to create magic.
Adapting to the individual needs of each student is also important; a good school should provide flexible scheduling that doesn’t interfere with their regular studies. With these elements in mind, you’ll be able to narrow the selection process down and choose from the best drum, piano or guitar classes Toronto or New York or LA have to offer.
More choice equals more opportunity to find a school that suits your child’s unique learning needs — if you know how to whittle it all down!