Here’s a little more info about Airdrie Music Lessons’ Ukulele program:
What Can Ukulele Students Expect? – Anyone can learn to play Ukulele and the AML program is designed to help students start playing real songs right away without any prior music knowledge. Ukulele is a skill anyone can use throughout life at family get togethers, campfire sing-a-longs, church services, coffee houses, rock bands, etc.
Ukulele is also an important first step for younger kids who want to play guitar but who’s hands may not be ready for the larger instrument. Over the years little AML players have learned Ukulele and then, when they were older, moved very easily to guitar class.
How Long Is Each Lesson? – Classes are 1-hour each week and provide twice the
instruction time for the same price as traditional ½ hr. lessons.
How Much Do Lessons Cost? – Most of our students enrol by academic year (Sept – June). Annual tuition is $1250 and is paid in full or via 10 payments of $125 per month. This works out to $30 for each 1-hour class over the course of the year. AML offers a convenient pre-authorized digital payment system.
Can I Enrol Mid-School Year? – Yes. While most of our students enrol by academic year to secure their spot in the program, we do admit students during the year. We also keep a waiting list and, once there are enough students to form a new class, we will do so.
Do You ONLY Offer Group Lessons? – No! AML also offers private lessons BUT experience has shown that most of our students learn faster and enjoy the process more in small group lessons.
We’ve found this learning format is especially beneficial for students who experience shyness or anxiety as it helps them develop confidence, courage, healthy friendships, and a positive sense of identity.
Should I Do Group Or Private Lessons? – If a student has learning or behavioral challenges, if the student requires a specially customized approach, or if the student is already highly experienced, then we will often place them in private lessons.
Most of our students, however, become better musicians faster by enrolling in a small group class and it’s a better bang for your buck.
How Many Teachers Are There Per Class? – Classes are small (5 – 10 students) and generally have two teachers so that students can benefit from both the group dynamic and one-on-one attention as needed.
Our teachers are highly experienced & knowledgeable and carry a library of mental and technical tips & tricks to help students tackle the learning process faster.
We currently have three expert lead teachers and ten trained assistant teachers. In addition, AML employs a support staff to allow teachers to focus on curriculum, students, and their families.
Do AML Students Learn Faster Than In Other Lessons? – Yes. In a nutshell… The AML program is based on many years of research and in class experience. It draws from the best of music instruction, psychology, and neuroscience to help students learn more efficiently than in traditional lessons.
In addition, our double length class format means that our students develop skills/knowledge faster. They also tend to practice more because they are accountable to their classmates and practice = progress. Students report that they have more fun because they are with like-minded teammates and, when they are among friends and enjoy the process, they learn more effectively.
Do AML Lessons Help Students Develop Non-Musical Strengths? – Yes, music is the vehicle we use to help students of all ages develop confidence, courage, focus, patience, tenacity, social skills, friendships, listening skills, team work, and more.
Connecting with others who share an interest in music has helped many of our students grow in ways we could not have imagined. For our younger students, having positive role models and a tribe of like-minded friends is key to their development and the AML method is designed to strengthen both the musician and the person.
What’s The “Game Room” All About? – At our downtown location we have dedicated a room to fun and friendship. The Game Room is open during class hours and we encourage students to come early or stay late to play air hockey, fooseball, board games, X-Box, etc. with their fellow musicians.
The Game Room is also an important part of staging events including teen movie nights, Professional Development school day programs, summer camps, and staff team building functions.
We’ve seen the development wonderful friendships that extend beyond music lessons as a result of the Game Room. Plus, parents love knowing that their kids are having fun with friends while they’re finishing up their errands.
Do Students Get To Perform? – Yes, our Grand Student Concerts are held in January and June at The Bert Church Theatre. These special events are for the whole family with door prizes, refreshments, etc.
Concerts are key to students’ development as musicians and as people, giving them concrete goals and the experience of performing in front of a real audience, which builds confidence and self-esteem.
Our students also perform throughout the year in mini recitals and around town in community gigs (coffee houses, charity gigs, etc.)
Do You Provide Learning Materials? – Yes, we supply students with a 3-ring binder, sheet music, goal sheets, practice charts, and weekly practice videos (students receive a private YouTube link so they can review the videos as often as they want).
Students do need to have a ukulele, capo, tuner, and picks. (we can provide some of these items at discounted prices and have a detailed shopping list for the others). Total for these items is generally under $200.
Where Are The Lessons Held? – We currently have two locations – in Bayside and in downtown Airdrie. Most of our classes (Guitar, Singing, Piano, Ukulele, Fine Art) are held at the downtown school while some (Drums, Electric Guitar, Rock Band) are held at the Bayside studio.
Are There Opportunities To Grow At AML? – Yes! Once they’ve learned the guitar fundamentals, some students take the AML Electric Guitar program, others take higher levels of acoustic guitar, some audition for Rock Band Class and, some even use their knowledge to write and record songs at AML’s state of the art profession recording studio.
Airdrie Music Lessons also offers Piano, Singing, Drum, Ukulele, Fine Art and Rock Band classes from beginner to advanced. It’s quite common for a student to begin with one type of class and then, after gaining proficiency in that area, shift to another (or take on an additional) area of interest.
AML offers volunteer opportunities for students to learn more about everything from teaching to concert production to recording studio technology. We also have a teacher training program that has seen a number of our students become highly respected Assistant Music Teachers.
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