Cost of lessons, make-up policy, practice suggestions and requirements, access to instruments…
Pricing & Policies
Pricing: How Much Do Piano Lessons Cost?
The cost of piano lessons varies based on certain features that include individual private or group instruction, instrument (piano, voice, guitar, strings, drums, ensembles, early childhood music), course duration, and selected payment plan. With these choices and variables in mind, the cost of weekly, hour-long (60-minute) piano lessons for one student presently is $179 monthly for small group classes or $358 monthly for individual private lessons. We presently require a 30-minute introductory lesson for $45 (in-studio) or $65 (in-home) for most instruments and lesson formats. A la carte one-time 60-minute music lessons cost $149 and can be scheduled on a lesson-by-lesson basis.
Dennis Frayne Music Studios operate on a membership / tuition basis, much like traditional schools, academies, colleges, and sports leagues. Each quarter term consists of eleven weeks of lessons and one recital (twelve weeks total), and generally includes one week “off” per quarter. Typically, this means 11 weekly 60-minute lessons and 1 recital per quarter (12 weeks total, with 1 week off). (Twice-weekly and double-hour courses are exceptions; please inquire.) Each quarter term also includes several optional online forums or master classes that also can serve as make-up lessons. (Time and location TBD for each recital event).
For private instruction, we encourage students and families to commit to lessons on a yearly or annual basis. This is not required — you can end lessons as desired at the end of each month or term. Each student’s and each group’s place is held in the studio schedule and guaranteed for the year. Please see our Price for Life Guarantee below (under More about Pricing) - your tuition rate will never increase for as long as you maintain continuous enrollment. Monthly, quarterly, and annual payment plans are available. Membership / tuition is prorated if starting mid-month or mid-term. For group instruction, we ask students and family to commit to the full course term, which can range from six months to two years.
More about Pricing
We know that piano lessons done right can seem expensive. If costs are a concern for you, please consider the following options and opportunities. We are striving to make quality piano lessons possible for everyone!
Military Discount / Rates
At all Dennis Frayne Music Studios, including our Laguna Niguel and Lake Forest music school locations, we offer, with gratitude, military discounts and rates, which are 10% lower than our regular rates. We sincerely thank you for your service and your families for their sacrifices.
Sibling Discount / Rates
At all Dennis Frayne Music Studios, including our Laguna Niguel and Lake Forest music school locations, we offer sibling discounts and rates, which include a) 50% off each additional student annual registration and materials fees (after the first student), and b) 10% our regular monthly membership rates. We appreciate our families and for all they contribute to our communities and world.
Lock in Your Rate – Price for Life Guarantee
Your membership rates for music lessons will never be raised as long as you continue lessons (remain enrolled) uninterrupted. Your price will be locked in, for life – forever!
Small Group Classes
Small group classes can reduce costs and provide additional opportunities for students. Small group classes of 2-6 reduce per-student membership rates from $358 to $179. Students must be able and willing to participate cooperatively and productively in a group setting.
Help us start a weekday morning-time small group class and get free lessons for a year!
If you help us put together a small group class of 4 total students (including yours), we will give you free lessons for your student in the class, for one year. All the other students will receive a 35% discount, for the year. Classes must take place between 7:00am and 2:15pm on a weekday morning.
Referral Program
Click here for more information about our referral program. You and your friends can earn rewards, plus we give to organizations that help children in need.
Scholarship Opportunities and Financial Aid
We have scholarship opportunities and provide financial aid to families in need of tuition assistance. Please inquire.
How Do You Handle Make-up Music Lessons?
We offer unlimited make-ups! Here are some options and considerations:
Make-up lessons can be mitigated via online lessons. When that is not possible, lessons can be provided via online video instruction, lesson materials sent home, Saturday morning forums and group make-up classes, master classes, recitals, performance opportunities, and other special sessions. In this way, students will have the resources they need to keep up with the course pacing despite any missed lessons. Similar to schools, academies, colleges, conservatories, sports leagues, and membership programs, there are no individualized make-up lessons for sessions missed by students. But group make-up lessons not only recover the missed lesson, but they provide supplemental learning that students cannot receive in their regular lessons in the same way. Some of these supplemental musical activities are invaluable to music learning for musicians.
Any sessions missed by teachers for which a suitable substitute teacher cannot be found will be made up or reimbursed.
How Much Should Music Students Practice?
Regular home playing and practice is recommended for many students, but not all. Some students do better without the pressure of regular practice, and all students progress regardless of whether they practice regularly or not. Students who wish to progress at a faster pace must commit to regular practice, at least 5 days per week, according to the practice requirements and guidelines for their course and pacing. For younger beginners this might mean 5 to 15 minutes at a time; for intermediate level and more advanced students this will mean 30-60 minutes; and for students preparing for testing, competitions, college or university auditions, and specialized performances, this will mean 60-120 minutes (one to two hours) or more of daily practice.
The amount of practice will vary depending upon each student’s age, goals, and interests. Practice should include playing from memory for family and friends, playing fun duets and ensemble pieces, and experimenting, improvising, and even composing and arranging, in a serious way or just for fun.
Parental involvement in home playing and practice can be important for many students’ success. However, we do not recommend any situation that causes tension, stress, anxiety, or unhappiness. We strive for tension-free, stress-free, anxiety-free, and happy musical experiences for all our students and famiies. Consider helping your student establish and stick to a playing and practice routine, calendar, and schedule, and ensuring that playing and practice time is free of distractions.
Do Music Students Need an Instrument (Piano) at Home?
As with practice time, an instrument (piano) is generally needed - but not always. Many piano students, especially in the early months and even years, can do without a piano at home. Piano students wishing to make faster progress should have an acoustic piano or a digital piano keyboard for home practice. The better the quality of instrument, of course, the better the experience for students. For many students, the quality of their home instrument (piano) may play a significant role in their potential for success, especially as they advance.
For some instrumental music lessons, instruments are required. This is true when a student must bring their own instrument to lessons. These instruments include: guitar, bass guitar, ukulele, violin, viola, cello (string instruments), flute, clarinet, saxophones, trumpet, trombone, tuba (woodwind and brass instruments). Drums & percussion lessons use studio instruments, so students can get away without having an instrument at home, at least in the beginner stages.
A note regarding pianos: Acoustic pianos should be tuned at least once a year, and kept in working order. If you prefer a digital piano keyboard, please invest in a full-size keyboard (88 keys) with fully weighted, touch-sensitive keys and pedals.
Call today or stop by the store to sign up for lessons that are perfect for you.
