Elm City Community Music School

Frequently Asked Questions

Private Lessons

What age can my child start? Our youngest students enrolled in private lessons are between 5-6 years old. Most schools accept students starting at age 5 or earlier for foundational music understanding, though this varies. 

Am I too old to learn? Never! We welcome students of ALL ages; it is never too late to learn an instrument.

Do I need an instrument? Generally, yes. We have some instruments available to rent and we are continuing to build our instrument library. Please reach out if you need to rent an instrument.

I want to buy an instrument, but I don’t know where to begin. Our teachers can help point you in the right direction when it comes to purchasing an instrument. Please reach out to info@elmcitymusic.org and we will connect you with a teacher.

What if I miss a lesson? When teachers cancel a lesson, you will receive an email notification and/or text, and a makeup lesson will be scheduled later in the session. If a student needs to cancel a lesson or does not show up, the lesson time and tuition is forfeited and will not be refunded. 

Enrollment & Tuition

How do I sign up? For new students, complete our interest form (found on our website) and a member of our team will contact you. For returning students, sign-up through your student portal or e-mail lizzie@elmcitymusic.org for help.

What are the costs? Here’s a breakdown of lesson rates:

Lesson Length and Rates

Is there financial aid? Yes! Thanks to the generosity of grants provided by Kennebec Savings Bank, Waterville Women’s Club and the Reprise Ensemble, we are able to offer financial assistance for private lessons. To apply, please submit a Financial Aid Application and we will be in touch with you.