FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

Where are lessons taught?
We offer private in-home lessons in the Boston Metrowest, at Nashoba Brooks School, Newton Country Day School and The First Parish of Sudbury. Our teachers travel to homes in Boston, Cambridge, Arlington, Newton and other points west, including Sudbury, Concord, Lincoln, Weston, Wellesley, Lexington, Wayland, Natick, and Acton. 

What age groups does the studio teach?
Students as young as 3 years old may begin lessons on some instruments. When working with preschoolers, we do ask that the student can reliably identify their number 1-10, letters A-G, all primary colors, and are reliably toilet trained. Each teacher has a recommended age for the instrument he or she teaches. Students are never too old to begin lessons. 

How long are lessons?
Generally, we recommend the following guideline for a weekly lesson length based on the student's age. The lesson length also varies based on the student's skill level and goals.
Ages 3-4: 15 minutes
Ages 5-8: 30 minutes
Ages 9-13: 45 minutes
Ages 14+: 60 minutes 
Please note: We require a minimum of a half-hour lesson for an instructor to travel to your home for lessons. Shorter lessons may be added on if a teacher is already teaching another student in the household.

Are online/virtual lessons offered? 
In addition to in-person lessons, the studio offers online/virtual lessons through Zoom, Facetime, Google Meets, etc. 

When are lessons taught? 
We offer all year-round lessons with no set semesters. 

What type of lessons are offered? 
Note-worthy Experiences® offers lessons in Piano, Organ, Harp, Cello, Violin, Viola, Bass, Guitar, Ukulele, Flute, Piccolo, Clarinet, Saxophone, Bassoon, Oboe, French Horn, Trumpet, Cornet, Trombone, Baritone, Sousaphone,  Tuba, Percussion, Voice, Theory, and Chamber Ensembles.  All of our students are taught note reading, sight reading, ear training, and basic theory. 

What musical styles are taught? 
We offer lessons in all styles of music ranging from classical and baroque to jazz, rock, and contemporary.

How are my lesson plans determined?
Each instructor works with each student (and parent) to determine attainable long and short-term goals.  The instructor then creates achievable and appropriate lesson plans for each student.  Renee is available as a resource to assist instructors and students in creating these goals and plans.

How much should my musician practice?
Each instructor and student should work together to create a practice routine and plan to achieve the students' long and short-term goals.  Here is a blog article by studio owner, Renee Bordner about practicing that also may be helpful:
https://www.note-worthyexperiences.com/blog/how-much-should-a-student-practice.

What languages are lessons taught in?
All of our teachers teach in English and some of our teachers also offer lessons in other languages including Spanish, Mandarin Chinese and Taiwan Mandarin.

What type of certifications and programs are offered?
Note-worthy Experiences® is proud to offer the Royal Conservatory of Music Program, ABRSM, and National Piano Guild auditions. 

Do I need to have my own instrument?
Students must have a working, tuned instrument and a music stand. Information on instrument purchases and rentals, including pianos, can be found at this link.  

Which lesson books are used?
Teachers will have individualized book recommendations for each student. The books are often available for purchase directly from the studio.

Which teacher will I have?
Every effort is made to match students with a teacher who can accommodate the student's schedule, musical goals, and individual learning style.  

Will I have homework?
Students will be assigned homework each week and are expected to practice throughout the week. 

What are the opportunities to perform?
Recitals, nursing home performances, group classes, social events, and competitions are offered throughout the year and are optional for students to participate in.

What if I need to miss a lesson?
24 hours' written notice is required for any lesson cancellations in an email to the instructor, Renee and Office Manager. Lessons canceled within 24 hours are non-refundable and will not be credited (unless it is an extreme emergency or sudden illness). Students may opt to reschedule or take a lesson via Zoom, Google, Skype or FaceTime.  

How much do lessons cost?
​Tuition rates vary between teachers and depend on the length of the weekly lesson. Tuition rates remain the same for online and in-home lessons. Lesson rates will increase with the standard cost of living after 1 year of lessons. The rate may increase before your lesson anniversary if you opt to switch instructors. There is a one time $50 registration fee for new students.

Does the studio offer free trial lessons? 
We do not offer free trial lessons as we are dedicated to paying each teacher for their time traveling to the student's home for each lesson. However, if a family is not sure they want to commit to lessons right away, they may wait to pay the registration fee until they have decided the teacher is a good fit for them. 

How is tuition paid?
Tuition is either due at the beginning or at the end of the month for all lessons scheduled in that month. Tuition may be paid by check payable to Note-worthy Experiences Music Studio or online through your financial institution, or Zelle. Please see the Tuition and Payment page for more information. 

What discounts does the studio offer? 
Note-worthy Experiences® offers free registration to children of active duty service members and veterans.

Can I get a referral credit? 
If you currently take lessons with the studio and refer someone to us, you will receive a half-hour lesson credit to your account once they have completed 4 or more lessons.

May I give our instructor a gift?
You are not obligated to give gifts to your instructor.  However, if you feel moved to do so, you may certainly do so.

What infection control protocols are in place?
We refer to the current CDC guidelines for illness prevention, including quarantine, masks, etc. Each instructor will also follow the safety protocols that each family has for their home. Some examples include: If a family would like for the instructor to remove his or her shoes prior to coming inside, the instructor will do so. An instructor will bring his or her own pencils to use if that is the family preference.  Our infection control and prevention protocols are individualized in order for the student, family and instructor to feel safe and comfortable for an optimal learning environment.

Note-worthy Experiences Music Studio voice student