We are currently accepting students of all ages and at any level for the following instruments. We offer private instruction with group performance opportunities. We also offer free trial lessons or consultations in case you have questions!
Bowed strings: 
Classical and popular styles for:
- violin and fiddle
- viola
- cello
- double bass
Plucked strings:
- Guitar: acoustic or electric in various rhythm and lead styles, including flat-picking, finger-styles, jazz, and classical guitar.
- Banjo: clawhammer (frailing) or bluegrass (3-finger) style
- Mandolin: various styles
- Ukulele: various styles
- Bass: acoustic or electric
Keyboard instruments:
- Piano: classical, jazz, popular; note-reading or improvisation
- Accordion
Other instruments:
- Recorder
- Harmonica
Styles we teach:
Our staff members have diverse backgrounds, giving you access to information on playing in lots of different styles, including:
- Classical: violin family and guitar, orchestra, Suzuki lessons, baroque performance practice, chamber music
- Rock: classic, metal, all the cool stuff
- Jazz: various styles
- Folky: old-time, bluegrass, folk rock
- Ethnic: Cajun, klezmer, tango, Irish, French-Canadian, Italian, and more!
Teaching Philosophy:
Our teaching philosophy centers on giving students access to the best of formal classical technique in combination with the best of popular skills like ear training and improvisation.
Since playing music is at once a personal challenge and a tremendous medium for communication, students will be encouraged to join a performance group at the earliest possible stage of their musical development. We recognize that much of the joy in learning an instrument is in playing with others. With that in mind we provide regular opportunities for ensemble playing at all levels.
Our goal at C4A is to help you make the best progress on your instrument and become a well-rounded musician. We mix technique, music theory, and a varied repertoire, including classical and popular music, to help meet that end.
Although students will have a primary individual instructor, our approach to teaching is team oriented; our curriculum provides for interaction between various instruments and staff members for the best educational experience in a diverse musical environment. This gives our students access to a broad range of musical encounters to help them in their development as musicians.
Practicing Guidelines
This isn’t a class, but it’s something we should all think about!
Take note: Students who practice consistently and follow the instructions from their teacher advance more rapidly than those who do not!!
What is practice?
- Practice is where you work on the assignment your teacher has given you.
- Practice includes learning new pieces, but your work does not stop there!
- Practice means improving your technique and focusing on small details in your music.
- It’s important to pay attention to your form and repeat things several times.
How often should you practice?
- Practice every day if you can. Try to get in at least 4 or 5 practices each week.
- Taking a lesson does not count as practice—in fact it’s a good idea to practice right after a lesson, while the information is still fresh in your mind.
- Playing in orchestra or band does not count as practice either!
How long should you practice?
- Beginning students should practice 15-20 minutes a day. The ideal situation for a very young student would be 5-10 minutes twice a day.
- By the time a student is finished with Twinkle, the daily practice time should be 20-30 minutes per day.
- By the time a student is finished with Book 1 or has played for about a year s/he should be practicing at least 30 minutes a day.
- After Book 1 ask your teacher how much you should practice.
Having trouble getting your practice in?
- Please discuss it with your teacher. Perhaps you can find a solution together!
- If your schedule is really tight please practice for just 5 minutes! Getting your hands on the instrument—just for one scale or tune—is better than completely skipping a day.
These activities will compliment a good practice routine:
- Listening to music is a vital component of your musical education! Please take listening assignments seriously. Listen to music as much as you can. A good recording may make you feel inspired to practice!
- Listen to recordings of the music you are learning.
- Go to concerts.
- Turn on the radio or play a CD in the car.
Playing with other musicians is one of the most motivating forces known to musicians. There’s nothing like it to inspire you.
- Join one of the C4A groups
- Get together and play music with your friends
- Play in school groups
Performing music for live audiences is another great way to get psyched up for practicing.
- If you’re in a C4A group or school group you’ll have some performance opportunities automatically.
- Perform on one of our recitals. Don’t be afraid—they’re fun!
- Volunteer to play at a school, church, or social function.
Perform for family and friends.
Scheduling:
- Lessons are arranged by mutual convenience between teacher and student. Most people take one lesson per week.
- We offer 30, 45, and 60 minute lessons; your teacher can help you decide the right length lesson for you.
- If you’d like to sign up for lessons or get in touch with a teacher, please e-mail our director or leave a message at 217.384.5150
Fees:
- Private lessons are billed at $40 per hour ($20 for half hour, $30 for 45 minutes).
- A weekly half-hour lesson will average $80 per month.
Payment schedules:
- Students may choose to pay lesson fees on a monthly basis or purchase a block of lessons in advance.
- The balance for the first month of lessons will be due at the first lesson, with payments for each subsequent month due at the last lesson of the previous month.
Payment methods:
- You may pay by check. Please make it out to C4A and write the student’s first and last name on the memo line. Checks may be deposited in the drop box if the office is open, or mailed to us at 202 South Broadway Ave, Urbana, IL 61801.
- You may use Pay Pal to make a credit card payment. To access Pay Pal go to the link at the bottom of each page on this website. There will be a small convenience fee to cover our expenses for this service.
- You may pay in cash! Please ask your teacher to give you a receipt, and keep it for your records.
Scholarships:
- We have demand for, but very limited resources for offering, need-based scholarships.
- If you would like to contribute to our scholarship fund please e-mail our director or make a donation using the PayPal button at the bottom of this page!
- The C4A Scholarship Policy is discussed here.
Cancellations, Absences, and Make-Up Lessons:
- Students are allowed two excused absences per semester.
- Excused lessons will be made up, but students will be billed for all scheduled lessons, so please do not miss lessons casually!
- You will not be billed for lessons that your instructor cancels.
