Question 1

How do I register?

Accepted Answer

Private Lessons

Sign up for an introductory lesson by filling out our simple online form.(https://www.keystosuccessnyc.com/signup) One of our office staff will reach out via email to explain billing and schedule your introductory lesson. After your lesson, the office will reach out to see how things went and ask whether you want to move forward with regular lessons. At that point, you will receive a link to our formal registration form.

You can always schedule another introductory lesson if you'd like to try working with another teacher or playing a different instrument.

Group Lessons

You can sign up directly for group lessons by exploring our available offerings here.(https://www.keystosuccessnyc.com/group-lessons)

Question 2

At what age should lessons start?

Accepted Answer

While there is no strict minimum age for private lessons at Keys To Success, our program is generally best suited to students aged three and a half and older.

Anyone can learn to play an instrument, but our curriculum demands certain skills, namely the ability to sit and focus on a single task for 15 minutes and the dexterity to press and play notes with different/multiple fingers.

Question 3

Do you teach adults?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We love teaching adults, whether in private lessons (https://www.keystosuccessnyc.com/private-lessons)or group classes.(https://www.keystosuccessnyc.com/group-lessons)

For private lessons, instead of asking that adults commit to a semester, we offer a scheduling and payment structure that can accommodate your busy schedules. Please contact us for more information on adult lessons.

Question 4

What levels do you teach?

Accepted Answer

We teach all levels, from beginner to advanced.

Question 5

What styles/genres do you teach?

Accepted Answer

Our staff has a wide range of knowledge and experience, from jazz and classical to pop and rock! We can match students with the right teacher (https://www.keystosuccessnyc.com/faculty-staff)to help them grow in their desired genre.

Question 6

How does the program work?

Accepted Answer

We believe that anyone can become a performing musician with thriving creative expression. We do this by providing students in our semester- or school-year-long program with private lessons, performance workshops and semester recitals; coaching them in exams and competitions; and instructing our students in improvisation.

We also offer group lessons to students who want to broaden their musical horizons in a more social setting and in a shorter timeframe.

You can read about our program in detail here,(https://www.keystosuccessnyc.com/our-program) learn more about group lessons here,(https://www.keystosuccessnyc.com/group-lessons) and learn about the process of signing up for private lessons here!(https://www.keystosuccessnyc.com/private-lessons)

Question 7

How many lessons are in a semester, and how long is a semester?

Accepted Answer

Students receiving weekly lessons receive roughly 16-18 lessons each semester, depending on the day of the week on which their lesson falls. (For example, Monday students may have one or two less lessons than other students due to federal holidays.)

The Fall Semester at Keys generally runs from the Wednesday after Labor day in September to late January. The Spring Semester generally runs from early February to mid-June.

Question 8

What can I expect to cover in a lesson/semester?

Accepted Answer

Over the course of a semester, students will receive technical instruction, learn scales, work on aural training, and practice improvisation — all while, of course, learning new pieces of music.

Question 9

Do you offer group classes?

Accepted Answer

Yes! You can learn about the group lessons we currently offer here.(https://www.keystosuccessnyc.com/group-lessons)

Question 10

Can a student take two instruments at once?

Accepted Answer

Certainly! The only limitation to the number of instruments one can learn is the amount of time the student spends practicing.

Lessons are a great way to learn new skills, but students should plan for regularly scheduled practice times between lessons in order to hone their skills and work on materials.

Question 11

Do students participate in exams or competitions?

Accepted Answer

Yes! If students and parents want to, we are happy to help them participate in regular level testing and competitive performances. You can read more about the testing and competitions we participate in here.(https://www.keystosuccessnyc.com/our-program)

Question 12

Are recitals mandatory?

Accepted Answer

While our recitals are not mandatory, participation is highly recommended, as it affords students a deeply rewarding and energizing sense of accomplishment.

We find that setting concrete goals and working towards them can help students learn how to face uncertainty and develop discipline that will carry over into other aspects of their lives. "I'm going to learn how to play this piece in time for the end-of-semester recital" is an excellent example of such a goal.