First Chair Music Programs

Private Lessons

Our private lesson programs is built on two fundamentals- an exceptional staff and a structured education program.

First Chair Music Programs is the only area studio in which EVERY INSTRUCTOR is required to hold at least a bachelor's degree in music and/or education. Not content with just a piece of paper, we also require instructors to have applicable teaching and performing experience. Additionally, founder Tom Deastlov, a 20 year teaching veteran with students who have gone on to make fantastic careers in and out of the music industry, mentors each instructor and monitors lesson quality.

First Chair Music Programs is also the only area studio to offer a system for documenting every lesson, allowing both parents and the First Chair administrative team to monitor the content and quality of lessons. Our Success System is outlined below.

How Our Three Step System Encourages Success

Step One: The Plan

Early in each student's enrollment, and at the beginning of each subsequent semester, the teacher and student (and parents, when applicable) work together to determine what the student's goals are for the term. We call this written document "The Plan," and a copy of it is kept in each student's music notebook. We refer to it throughout the term to make sure that we are spending time in the ways that will give you what YOU are looking for, not just what the teacher feels like teaching.

                           

Step Two:  Weekly Progress Reviews

Each week, we document how your lesson time was spent and what can be done between lessons to move you toward the goals outlined on The Plan. For younger students, parents can review what is happening during lesson time and exactly what the student should be doing to make progress. Copies of these weekly reports are also kept in both the students' and the teachers' notebooks.   

                           

Step Three:  Semester Reviews

At the end of each term, the teacher and student record their progress against the goals set in The Plan. This also provides an open forum to talk about what needs to be adjusted to provide the most effective learning experience. What does the teacher need to do differently to motivate the student? What does the student need to do to make more progress? Does it make sense to continue with lessons? Our experienced staff uses this opportunity to take inventory of what is and isn't working, preventing the all-too-common experience of lessons that go on for years without producing results.

Be sure to go to our pricing page for a list of QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE SELECTING A PRIVATE LESSON PROGRAM.