Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get started?
All of our lessons are booked through our front desk. To schedule private lessons, please call us at 203-806-1342, send us an e-mail, or stop by during business hours and say hi!

What age do you start private lessons?

We accept students age 5 and up. For students under 5, we offer Music Together classes which are held right here in our studio.

Do you accept adult students?

Yes! We have lots of adult students, and all of our instructors have experience teaching adults.

What levels of experience do you teach to?

All levels. Many of our students walk in without having touched an instrument, and many of our students have years of prior experience and come to us to further their skills. Our instructors can teach pure beginners through advanced players.

What instruments do you teach?

We teach beginner through advanced lessons on: piano, voice, guitar, ukulele, bass, mandolin, violin, viola, cello, brass, woodwinds, and percussion.

How do I know what instrument is right for me?

We recommend trying lessons on whichever instrument(s) interest you, and exploring those that speak to you. You are welcome to book introductory lessons on a few different instruments before deciding which instrument(s) you’d like to pursue. (Many of our students take lessons on multiple instruments).

Our administrative staff is always happy to make recommendations, so please don’t hesitate to call us with questions!

What if I don’t own an instrument?

If you do not own an instrument you may borrow one of ours for your first lesson only. The availability of our “house” instruments is subject to change so please inform us if you need to borrow an instrument for your first lesson, and we will make sure it is available for you. You will need to rent or own an instrument when you enroll in lessons, as you will need to have something to practice on at home. We sell instruments onsite and we offer rentals. Our staff is happy to discuss your rental/purchase options with you at your first lesson.

How does scheduling and payment work?

Lessons are held once a week, on the same day and time each week. The first lesson can be booked as a single introductory lesson before enrolling in weekly lessons, Once you are enrolled in weekly lessons, we have two billing options: pay by the month, or pay by the semester. Our semesters are: January - April / May - August / September - December.

Payment is made each month/semester via auto-pay on a stored credit card. Pre-payment is required for all lessons and tuition is nonrefundable. All of our scheduling and billing policies can be found in the policies section of our website. For lesson pricing, please contact our front desk.

We do not offer bi-weekly lessons, but we do offer the option to book one-off lessons as you go. One-off lessons are based on availability and do not guarantee a specific day/time.

What is your cancellation policy?

We require 24 hours notice for lesson cancellations. Lessons cancelled with 24 hours notice will be issued a make-up credit. No more than 2 make-up credits per semester will be issued for student absences. Any absences in excess of 2 per semester are not eligible for make-up credit. Lessons cancelled with less than 24 hours notice are not eligible for make-up credit. Make-up credits expire at the end of each semester. (January - April / May - August / September - December). Our cancellation and make-up policies can be found here.

Teacher absences will be communicated with as much notice as possible and make-up options will be discussed with the student/parent at that time.

What are your practice requirements?

Students are required to practice their instruments each week between lessons. Your instructor will provide you with homework after each lesson, and will make recommendations as to how much time should be spent practicing. As a general guideline, your goal should be 30 minutes of home practice a day. (For very young students, we aim for a minimum of 15 minutes of uninterrupted practice each day). When preparing for recitals, performances, or rehearsals, practice goals may be increased. Each student is different so please consult with your instructor for specific practice guidelines. Consistency is key!

Do you have recitals?

Yes, we hold 1-2 large recitals each year, and offer some smaller performance opportunities throughout the year. Recitals are not required, but all students are encouraged to participate in performance opportunities as they are an important part of the learning process.

Do you sell books, accessories, and instruments?

Yes, we have a full retail store inside our studio and we are authorized dealers for Fender, Yamaha, Kala, D’Addario, Ernie Ball and more. We have a wide selection of acoustic and electric guitars, digital pianos, electronic drum kits, and ukuleles. We also carry music books and accessories for a variety of instruments. Browse our full inventory here.

West Main Music Academy works in close partnership with Brian’s Guitars as we are owned and operated by the same family. While we carry a wide selection of instruments and accessories, Brian’s Guitars offers a larger and more diverse variety specifically for high-end guitars, basses, amplifiers, and accessories. Check out their inventory here.

Do you offer instrument rentals?

Yes we offer rentals and rent-to-own on a variety of instruments. For information about our rental program, call us at 203-806-1342 or e-mail our rental department at grant@westmainmusicacademy.com

Do you do instrument repairs?

Yes, we offer repair services on a variety of instruments. Contact us via phone or e-mail for more info.

I still have so many questions!

Just give us a call or drop a line, and we are happy to help.