Music Lessons

private instruction in Piano, guitar, voice, ukulele, Flute, violin, viola, euphonium, trombone, guitar/voice, and piano/voice

Musical Pathways Foundation Music Lessons are designed to tap YOUR unique talents to build a life-long love of your instrument while helping you achieve a joy and mastery of all aspects of music. Teachers provide quality, experienced instruction for one-half hour weekly according to our calendar.

Our Skillmasters Achievement Awards program allows you to pursue excellence in the specific music categories of your choosing for a more well-rounded experience (music theory, history and more!)

Our group classes (masterclasses) provide you with the support needed to discover a love for both social music-making and performance. A winter and spring recital showcase your musical talent and growth during the year!

Looking for summer music lessons? Visit this page.

Musical Pathways Music Lesson Divisions

Junior Division (K-6th grade):

• Features private music lessons throughout the year with one of our highly qualified teachers

• Five group masterclasses a year

  • Features a topic from music theory, music history, world music, and/or performance presented through fun, interactive activities

  • Teaches students how to perform through student performances

  • Making music in a social setting and connecting with other student musicians

  • Includes two dress rehearsals for the recitals to practice performing in an informal setting

• Fall/Spring recitals in a beautiful setting to acknowledge student accomplishments throughout the year

• Skillmasters Program

  • A customized musicianship curriculum for each age, interest and ability level

  • Skillmaster Achievement Award Program in the Spring

Senior Division (7th-12th grade):

• Features private music lessons throughout the year with one of our highly qualified teachers

• Chamber Music/Music Theory Class in November

  • Create music with other students

• Performance/Festival Preparation Class in February

  • Perform for a practice judging session to prepare you for festival and/or build performance skills

• Chamber Music/Music History Class in April

• Fall/Spring dress rehearsals for the recitals

  • Practice performance skills in an informal setting

• Fall/Spring recitals in a beautiful setting to acknowledge student accomplishments throughout the year

• Skillmasters Program

  • A customized musicianship curriculum for each age, interest and ability level

  • Skillmaster Achievement Award Program in the Spring

Adult Division:

• Features private music lessons throughout the year with one of our highly qualified teachers

• Choose from any of these additional opportunities:

  • Dress Rehearsal & Recitals in the Winter & Spring (highly encouraged!)

  • Nursing Home Performance (every other year)

  • Join our Senior Division students for Chamber Music/Music Theory Class, Performance Class, or Chamber Music/Music History

  • Skillmasters Program

 Testimonials

“Mr. Nate is teaching my son Seton at the summer ukulele camp. He completely understands younger students and mixes in fun movement and listening activities. My son often sings the songs at home after class. Mr. Nate is personable and truly enjoys teaching. I recommend him to anyone starting out on guitar or ukulele at any age! “

— Jessica, Seton’s mom

“I never did get a chance to fill out the evaluation at the end of last semester’s session, but you do a FABULOUS job of engaging the children and parents. I would highly recommend your classes to anyone/everyone. I particularly loved the violin visit at the end of the year and the chance for the kids to hold the bow and play. That was pretty neat. And your ‘over the top’ gift bags at the last class were definitely a crowd pleaser … what a great way to teach the kids ‘please, thank you, selling, paying, lining up, etc.’ You did a fabulous job with our class.”

— Nola, mother of a Kindermusik student

“We do the summer camps every year. It’s great to be able to keep the kids in Kindermusik in the summer so they don’t lose it between spring and fall. Christopher just started piano lessons and his teacher asked, ‘Has he had Kindermusik?’ She could tell immediately.”

—Rich Bresette, father of a Kindermusik student

Register and Schedule Early

Music Lessons are filled on a first come, first served basis. Although you may join our music lesson program at any time, please register early since teachers often fill quickly. New students should contact our administrator, Andrea, at musicalpathways1@gmail.com. Returning students should check with their individual teacher as soon as possible if requesting a change in day/time for the next school year.

Enrollment Confirmation

A registration form and down payment must be received before enrollment can be confirmed. Every attempt will be made to place families according to their first choice for day/time slot. If we cannot accommodate your request, we will place your family on a waiting list or offer a full refund. You will receive an email or phone confirmation once your registration has been received.

Fees: Registration and Tuition

The registration fee (one month down) reserves a place for your child and counts towards the first month of tuition (September). The fee is only refundable if cancellation occurs prior to the first music lesson or if we cannot place your child with a teacher at your requested day/time. Monthly tuition (October-May) includes 30-minute private music lessons, group masterclasses, and two recitals (refer to the yearly schedule for specifics). A 60-day notice is required for withdrawal from the music lesson program.

Instruments and Materials

Students are expected to have an appropriate home instrument for practice. Piano students need a piano (preferred) or electronic keyboard with pedal access. Voice students are required to have a piano or keyboard. Violins are available in 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, and full size to rent for a monthly fee. Materials are determined by each individual teacher and are based on the age and skill level of your student. This is an additional cost in addition to the monthly tuition.

Parent Involvement/Non-enrolled Siblings

Although not required, parents are welcome to sit in during their child’s music lessons. If a sibling can sit quietly and/or be content in a car carrier or stroller, they may attend a music lesson or masterclass. Some masterclasses are student-only whereas others are open to parents/siblings. A schedule will be handed out at the first open masterclass in October. Please discuss this with your teacher or contact us with questions or concerns.

Refunds

Tuition refunds or credit vouchers may be given if there are extenuating circumstances requiring withdrawal from lessons. All refund requests will be considered on an individual basis.

Free Visits

We would be happy to schedule a free visit in one of our music lessons. Please contact us for availability.

Weather Cancellations

Tune in to the following for announcements:
Radio: WTDY 1670 AM, WMGN 98 FM, WZEE 104
TV: WKOW-27, WISC-3
Internet: https://www.waunakee.k12.wi.us/

• If the Waunakee School district is CANCELLED or calls an EARLY RELEASE, then all music lessons or the masterclass will be canceled.

• If the Waunakee Community School District is CANCELLED, calls an EARLY RELEASE, or ALL EVENING ACTIVITIES CANCELLED, then all music lessons and/or the masterclass will be cancelled.

As is common practice, cancellations due to weather or other circumstances beyond Musical Pathways’ control are not made-up or given credit. If two or more official weather cancellations occur within the same semester, a courtesy make-up lesson(s) will be scheduled by the teacher if possible within the schedule. If the individual teacher cancels due to weather without an official district closing, a make-up lesson will be scheduled or credit given.

Should lessons/classes be cancelled we will send an announcement via Constant Contact email. The radio and television stations are constantly updating their cancellations as well, so be sure to look for Waunakee school postings. Evening activity cancellations are not always listed on TV, so please check your email for a notice of cancellation from Musical Pathways Foundation.

Cancellations for Teacher Illness/Absence

Cancellations due to teacher illness or absence will be made up during a regularly scheduled week off during the semester or at another date/time chosen jointly by the parent and teacher. If a music lesson is not rescheduled, a credit may be recorded for use in a subsequent month or during the summer.

Student Cancellations and Make-up Lessons

We regret that make-up classes or tuition credit are not available for missed masterclasses or recitals. Teachers will go over the missed curriculum with those students during their regularly scheduled lesson.

If the student is absent from their music lesson for any reason and notifies the teacher 2 HOURS AHEAD of time (preferably 24 hours), the music lesson teacher will offer one make-up lesson per semester (usually during a masterclass or regularly scheduled week-off). Absences without prior notification at least 2 hours ahead of the lesson cannot be made up or credited.