- Instruments offered: piano, violin, viola, cello, and guitar.
- Students may begin at age 6, through adult.
- Early emphasis is on note-reading, excellent technique, and self-expression.
- Parent involvement is encouraged for young students, but not required.
- Tuition includes a weekly private lesson along with a group class required for students through grade 8. Group class is encouraged through grade 12 though not required. The class inspires motivation through peer interaction and strengthens musicianship through theory, ear-training, performance, music history, and sight-reading.
- Students participate in all-program concerts and recitals held in Conservatory performance venues.
Preparatory (Traditional)
Preparatory Instruction is offered in piano, violin, cello and guitar
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Preparatory Private Lessons
CSA’s Prep program provides music lessons with a traditional approach on piano, violin, viola, cello and guitar. Our instructors hold advanced degrees, have extensive experience working with students of all levels and employ a variety of methods to meet individual needs and goals. CSA’s nurturing and creative environment builds character and equips students to become excellent artists.
Ready to Begin?
Your child may begin Preparatory lessons at any time, pending teacher availability. Semesters run 15 weeks and include several performance opportunities. Follow the Steps to Enroll to begin your journey into Preparatory Instrument lessons at CSA.
- Register
Complete the online registration form and submit a $35 registration fee to the CSA office. - Prepare to purchase/rent an instrument
For piano students, a non-electric piano is required. String students must be measured by their teacher prior to purchasing/renting an instrument
After submitting registration payment, you will be contacted for placement.
Private Lessons (K-gr 12)
K - gr 8
Tuition includes required group class through grade 8
30 min/15 weeks | $780*
45 min/15 weeks | $1,070*
60 min/15 weeks | $1,380*
Grades 9 - 12 and Adults
Group class encouraged through grade 12
30 min/15 weeks | $700*
45 min/15 weeks | $990*
60 min/15 weeks | $1,300*
*A $40/semester Events Fee applies to all private lesson students to cover administrative and production costs of concerts, festivals, and studio recitals.
Music Makers: At the Keyboard
Musikgarten's curriculum is a perfect musical foundation which prepares for private study on any instrument. Music Makers: At the Keyboard emphasizes making music independently and with others. The approach to reading music is both aural and visual. Activities include dancing, drumming and composing, all of which nurture tonal, aural and rhythmic development. Three levels of Music Makers: At the Keyboard is offered, whereupon completion of level three, students may advance into private lessons or join Young Musicians 4 (YM4). A 66-key, weighted keyboard or acoustic piano is required for home practice. Parent attends last 15 minutes.
New family orientation for Music Makers: At the Keyboard
2024-25 orientation Thursday, September 5, 2024 in Armerding room 124
Music Makers: At the Keyboard Levels 1-3 classes begin in the fall semester.
Young Musicians 4 (YM4) may enter at the beginning of each semester.
Music Makers: At the Keyboard
Music Makers: At the Keyboard (Musikgarten) Level 1
$330 | 15 classes | Required materials fee: $60 for spring term
Spring 2026 Class Offerings:
TUE | 4:00pm-5:00pm | Armerding 124 | Wilder
WED | 3:15pm-4:15pm | Armerding 120 | Storm
WED | 4:30pm-5:30pm | Armerding 120 | Storm
SAT | 11:10am-12:10pm | Armerding 124 | Wilder
Spring Semester classes run from the week of January 19 - the week of May 11, 2026.
See CSA Calendar for Spring Break and any other program-wide scheduled breaks.
Music Makers: At the Keyboard (Musikgarten) Level 2
Prerequisite: Music Makers At the Keyboard Level 1
$330 | 15 classes | Required materials fee: $52 for spring term
Spring 2026 Class Offerings:
TUE | 5:00pm-6:15pm | Armerding 124 | Wilder
THR | 4:00pm-5:15pm | Armerding 120 | Wilder
SAT | 8:40am-9:55am | Armerding 124 | Wilder
Spring Semester classes run from the week of January 19 - the week of May 11, 2026.
See CSA Calendar for Spring Break and any other program-wide scheduled breaks.
Music Makers: At the Keyboard (Musikgarten) Level 3
Prerequisite: Music Makers at the Keyboard Levels 1 and 2
$330 | 15 weeks | Required materials fee $52
Spring 2026 Class Offering:
WED | 4:00pm-5:15pm | Armerding 124 | Wilder
Spring Semester classes run from the week of January 19 - the week of May 11, 2026.
See CSA Calendar for Spring Break and any other program-wide scheduled breaks.
Young Musicians 4 (YM4) and Young Musicians 5 (YM5)
Pre-requisite: Music Makers at the Keyboard Level 3 or demonstrated level or reading skill.
Take the next step with your friends into YM4 (Young Musicians 4) and YM5 (Young Musicians 5). Graduates of Music Makers at the Keyboard Level 3 will meet weekly to further expand their musical experiences. Together they will improvise at the keyboard, play the piano and Orff instruments in an ensemble setting, enjoy playing pieces for each other, share in music theory games and dancing.
$330 | 15 classes - no materials fee
Spring 2026 Class Offerings:
MON | 3:50-4:50pm | Armerding 124 | Cardwell - YM4
MON | 6:00-7:00pm | Armerding 124 | Cardwell - YM5
Preparatory Program Events
Prep Jazz Pop Festival
In this event held annually students enjoy an ensemble experience playing in a jazz trio or quartet.
Prep Scholarship Competition
First and second place winners from Jr division (gr 6-8) and Sr division (gr 9-12) perform in a concert and receive a prize in the form of CSA tuition credit.
Preparatory Program Honors Recital
Students nominated by their teachers are selected to perform on this recital.