Private Studio or Music Studio? Which is better?

If you’re considering signing yourself or your child up for music lessons, chances are you’ve contemplated what would be the best type of studio for your family.  At first glance, lessons at a private teacher’s home, or in your home, may seem like the most convenient option.  After all, what could be easier than having a music teacher come to you?  However, before you go for that “easy” option, and trust us, its not always necessarily “easy,” read on to learn more and help make the best decision for your family.

Safety (and Quality) First!

Sure, there are online reviews about individuals who provide music lessons, addressing teachers’ professionalism, experience, and rapport with students and families, but in this day and age, can you really be sure about who you’re inviting into your home (or whose home you’re entering)? You may do a quick interview or trial lesson to see if it’s a good fit, but the unknowns can sometimes be daunting. At CAM, each teacher goes through an extensive interview process as well as background checks. In addition, our administrative team works closely with families to find the best teacher fit for each student.

We don’t simply seek out highly trained teachers, we look for those who have a passion for teaching with a focus on meeting each student where they are and developing an individualized lesson program specific to their learning needs and goals .

An extended musical family

You’ll often hear us refer to our CAM family. We take relationships seriously as we know a supportive community can make all the difference in a student’s musical journey and their life in general. Ask longtime CAM students about this and they will let you know how they feel supported by not only their teacher, but our faculty and staff collectively. Don’t take our word for it, check out these testimonials…

“My time at CAM was defined not only by personalized instruction, through which I was challenged to grow technically and artistically, but also by the tight-knit community of CAM, where I felt supported by everyone from administration and teachers, to fellow students and their families.”  John Paul Zalaquett

“Although I spent a majority of my time under the wing of Ms. Restiano, all of the other teachers at CAM showered me with support and appreciation making feel a part of their musical family at the Academy. Without such relationships I do not think that I would have found it possible to develop and grow as a musician in the manner that I have.” Sarah Austin

“I first sought employment at the Academy to meet and build a network with outstanding colleagues as a learning resource for myself.  I soon discovered that the teachers at the Academy are professional in every way and are always willing to share information and resources to further a student’s development. I have found that the teachers and staff at the Academy are more like family than co-workers.  I also quickly discovered that the Academy provided many opportunities for my students to participate in performances, competitions, and to collaborate with other students and make friends.” Phyllis Teague

The energy of a music studio

Taking lessons at home or in a teacher’s home can feel like a solitary activity. It also can be full of distractions – brothers and sisters, pets, sports, and of course screens of all sorts, from smartphones to tablets and TVs. At CAM, our studio is solely for the purpose of music and musical theatre education. There is an excitement and energy when students come to our studio to learn.

One of the biggest reasons students quit lessons is musical isolation.  Think about it —– students attend a private lesson alone, and then have the entire week to practice (you got it, alone).  With in-home lessons or lessons at a teacher’s home studio, often there are few opportunities to collaborate with other like-minded individuals. Additionally, teachers who go from home to home are less likely to schedule recitals because the logistics are too overwhelming and expensive to secure a mutually beneficial date and geographically convenient location. CAM has its own performance space which is made accessible to our students and teachers at no additional charge. Seek out a thriving studio like CAM with a calendar packed with performance opportunities, workshops, summer camps, and special events to keep your student progressing all year long!

Convenient Scheduling

Overscheduling ourselves is easy to do. So having consistent yet flexible scheduling is desirable.  When you choose to take music lessons out of your (or the teacher’s) home, you might assume that scheduling is easier and less “rigid” than a music studio.  While it may seem easier, that often isn’t the case. A music school ensures consistency by reserving your time with your teacher in a master schedule, and manages teachers’ schedules so that they aren’t double scheduled or overbooked for lessons. Additionally, since there are several teachers of multiple instruments on any given day, you may be able to schedule multiple family members at the same time. No need to schlep to multiple locations for simultaneous lessons. A  music studio such as CAM also has an experienced staff to help each student find a teacher that best fits their musical goals, learning style, and personality.