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Where is Phoenix Feather Academy of Music?

When Are You Open?

What Ages Do You Teach?

Why Do You Recommend Group Lessons Instead Of Private Lessons for Younger Beginners?

Why Do You Teach SOLFEGE (do re mi) Singing?

Why Do You Require Parent Participation?

How Much Practice Time Is Required At Home?

Do I Need A Keyboard At Home?

How Many Children Are In Each Class?

How Long Is The Program?

How Much Performing Will My Child Be Required To Do?

Can All Phoenix Feather Students Participate In Concerts?

Do I Have To 'Sign-up' For Each Level Of The Program?

How Much Does It Cost?

Do you have family (sibling) discounts?

Where can I find more information about schedules and prices?

I'm READY! Where do I sign up?



Where is Phoenix Feather Academy of Music?

Our address is 25432 Trabuco Road, Suite 204, Lake Forest CA 92630.
We are at the corner of Lake Forest and Trabuco...In the Ralphs Shopping Center...Park in front of Togos...Go up the stairs...Keep to the left...We are on the side of the building facing the UPS Store
Click here for map


When Are You Open? Our office is open:
Mon - Thurs 3:45-7:15 and Sat 9:00-11:00
We have Group Lessons:
Mon - Thurs afternoons and Sat mornings
Private Lessons are by appointment
Click here to see our Group Lesson schedule


What Ages Do You Teach?
6-WEEK BEGINNING KEYBOARD ages 5 1/2 and up
YES! Adults are welcome to join any group class as well as private lessons!

6-WEEK BEGINNING GUITAR ages 8 and up
YES! Adults are welcome to join any group class as well as private lessons!

KIDS AND KEYBOARD PROGRAM (5 1/2 year course - also known as Yellow Book) ages 6 and up
YES! Adults are welcome to join any group class as well as private lessons!

VIDEO ACCESS CLASSES (attend class on your own schedule from anywhere in the world) designed for ages 12 and up. Younger children CAN do it with intense adult supervision.
YES! Adults are welcome to join any group class as well as private lessons!

PRIVATE LESSONS (Piano, Guitar, Drums, Ukulele) ages 9 and up
YES! Adults are welcome to join any group class as well as private lessons!



Why Do You Recommend Group Lessons Instead Of Private Lessons for Younger Beginners?
A group setting provides excitement, friends, and inspiration during the first difficult 3 - 5 years of piano/keyboard lessons. After completing the class, we encourage students to continue with the private instructor of their choice.
More Detailed Information



Why Do You Teach SOLFEGE (do re mi) Singing?
Solfege is the language of the well-educated musician. When we sing the solfege syllables while reading notes or playing the keyboard, we develop a strong sense of tonality and relative pitch. Each solfege note sung strengthens the connection between what is heard, what is seen and what is played. Singing solfege teaches us to internalize the music. With time, and practice, you and your child will begin to hear the notes that you read before those notes are even played on the keyboard.



Why Do You Require Parent Participation?
Since 1987, we at the Phoenix Feather, have been committed to providing a well-rounded music education to each and every one of our students. Parental involvement is a vital part of the learning process. Intensive research, begun in 1983, has proven that success in children s music education is directly linked to high levels of parental involvement - both in the lessons and during practice-time at home. Researchers found that parent participation is the key to whether the child persists or gives up. They found that musically-successful children have parents who are involved in lessons, speak to the teacher, take notes, and supervise practice, often for up to 15 years.
a href="http://www.maestroclassics.com/blog/when-will-my-child-be-ready-to-practice-alone">Here is a wonderful article about Parent/Child practicing

When children start music lessons, they are still very young and they do not understand that a few minutes of hard work each day can lead to YEARS of success and happiness. One Mommy helped her daughter understand this with the example of the clean room: "...if we straighten up our room every day, it only takes a minute or two, but if we leave it to the end of the week, it seems to take forever to get it clean!"

We, as the adults, know this, but the children will not learn it unless we require them to be consistent in all of their daily chores and work.
PRACTICING the piano is WORK.
PLAYING the music that we have mastered through practice is the fun part - that's why it's called PLAYING).**

- Merriam-Webster's definition of PRACTICE - to perform or work at [a task] repeatedly so as to become proficient - to train by repeated exercises
- Merriam-Webster's difinition of PLAY - recreational activity; especially : the spontaneous activity of children

**Playing a musical instrument is a SKILL rather than a talent. Anyone who has the grit, the drive, and the perseverance can learn to play a musical instrument - more than any other talented individual who does not do the work.**
More Detailed Information About Practicing



How Much Practice Time Is Required At Home?
for the Kids and Keyboard program (ages 6 - 9):
15-30 minutes* with a parent6 days a week is required** in the beginning.
As the program progesses (over 5+ years) more time is required**.
By the last book, 30-60 minutes* with a parent 6 days a week is required.
*Depending on the cooperation level of the student



Do I Need A Keyboard At Home?
Yes, yes, yes!! You will need a keyboard with full-sized keys with at least 5 octaves (5 sets of "two-black-keys" and 5 sets of "three-black-keys").
A well-tuned piano, an electronic keyboard, and an organ are all perfect.



How Many Children Are In Each Class?
We have room for 16 children and their parents in our 900 square-foot classroom. Each child sits at an individual keyboard and the teacher "patrols" the room to be sure that students are playing correctly.



How Long Is The Program?
Kids and Keyboard (ages 6 - 9) takes 5 1/2 years to complete.
You may continue through the entire Kids and Keyboard program and on into private lessons (as long as you and your child are practicing), or you may stop the lessons at any time. There is no long-term financial commitment.



How Much Performing Will My Child Be Required To Do?
Each child must play every song he/she learns, by memory, for the class (Kids and Music students, age 4-6, do not perform). In the beginning, Ms. Kirsten takes it slowly and teaches your child about performing with love and humor. Children become accustomed to performing very quickly. Most parents tell us that after a few months - with proper practicing and preparation - their children are not even nervous.



Can All Phoenix Feather Students Participate In Concerts?
Yes - mark your calendar to sign up - we'll see you there!
Student Concerts



Do I Have To 'Sign-up' For Each Level Of The Program?
No. Once you are enrolled, as long as you and your child practice, you will progress through the 5+ years with the same group of children - no additional 'sign-ups' required.
ENROLL ONLINE



How Much Does It Cost?
Click on any class to find out the cost
6-WEEK BEGINNING KEYBOARD ages 5 1/2 and up

6-WEEK BEGINNING GUITAR ages 5 1/2 and up

KIDS AND KEYBOARD PROGRAM (5 1/2 year course - also known as Yellow Book) ages 6 and up

VIDEO ACCESS CLASSES (attend class on your own schedule from anywhere in the world) designed for ages 12 and up. Younger children CAN do it with intense adult supervision.
YES! Adults are welcome to join any group class as well as private lessons!

PRIVATE LESSONS (Piano, Guitar, Drums, Ukulele) ages 9 and up



Do You Have Family Discounts?
No. We keep our prices low for everyone (up to $15.00 lower PER CHILD PER WEEK than other local music schools).
More Information About Class Schedules and Prices



Where Can I go for More Information About Class Schedules and Prices?
Click on any class for more information
6-WEEK BEGINNING KEYBOARD ages 5 1/2 and up

6-WEEK BEGINNING GUITAR ages 5 1/2 and up

KIDS AND KEYBOARD PROGRAM (5 1/2 year course - also known as Yellow Book) ages 6 and up

VIDEO ACCESS CLASSES (attend class on your own schedule from anywhere in the world) designed for ages 12 and up. Younger children CAN do it with intense adult supervision.
YES! Adults are welcome to join any group class as well as private lessons!

PRIVATE LESSONS (Piano, Guitar, Drums, Ukulele) ages 9 and up



I'm READY! Where do I sign up?
ENROLL ONLINE