Contents:

1. What are the advantages of taking lessons at NISOM?

2. How do I get started?

3. Will I be assigned to an instructor or do I choose?

4. Do I need my own instrument?

5. Are there any age or experience requirements?  How young can children start?

6. How long am I signing up for?

7. How will I know when tuition is due?

8. What happens if I’m sick or need to miss a lesson?

9. If Dubuque Schools are closed for a holiday or bad weather, is NISOM closed also?

10. Are there practice rooms I can use?

Please review our policies for additional information.

1.  What are the advantages of taking lessons at NISOM?

NISOM is a one-stop shop for all your music education needs, no matter what your age or ability level.  Under one roof we offer private lessons in piano, voice, guitar, and standard band and orchestra instruments, in addition to group classes in selected instruments, all with a highly qualified faculty and staff.  In many cases families are able to coordinate schedules for multiple lessons, and parents can wait in our newly-remodeled lobby.  NISOM also offers scholarships to those who qualify and credit lessons through several area colleges.  We strive to provide our students with as many advantages as possible including recitals throughout the year.  Students are also admitted to some NISOM special programs, such as mock All-State Auditions and mock Solo-Ensemble Contests, for free or at a reduced price. 

2.  How do I get started?

Private lessons are usually scheduled once a week, and tuition is paid by the trimester or through automatic monthly withdrawals.  When you register, we will set you up with a weekly lesson time with one of our instructors.  (If necessary, you can switch your regular lesson time later if an alternate time is available.)  For most instruments, we have multiple instructors with varying schedules, so your teacher will depend on both your preferences and schedule.  Although billing is by the trimester, you can begin at any time, and we will pro-rate the tuition. 

We recommend new students register in person whenever possible, so that we can best accommodate your schedule and match you with a teacher, but registration can also be completed through the mail or in some cases over the phone.  To reserve a time, we need a completed registration form as well as the tuition and registration fee payment.  (If you are using automatic withdrawals, we will also need an ACH form and voided check.)  In person registration usually only takes five to ten minutes, but to speed up the process you can call the office in advance to check lesson time availability as well as the prorated tuition amount when applicable.  You can even download a registration form to fill out before you come in.  You should also review our policies before registering.  Hard copies of our handbook are available at our office. 

To register for a group class, simply complete a registration form and submit it with the tuition payment.

3.  Will I be assigned to an instructor or do I choose?

If you would like to select your own instructor, you can view our instructor list by instrument here and alphabetically with brief biographies here.  Please keep in mind that some have limited availability, so it is best to have multiple options.  If you have no preference, we will match you with the most appropriate teacher based on your skill level, etc. who has a time available that best accommodates your schedule. 

4.  Do I need my own instrument?

Except for pianos provided in each studio, students are expected to bring their own instruments.  We do have a limited number of guitars that can be used during group classes (in-class use only).  Piano students can begin if you do not have a piano at home, however access to one will be necessary as lessons progress.  It’s advisable, but not necessary, to have at least a keyboard to start.  Many stores have rental options in addition to selling instruments.  Contact us for recommendations.

5.  Are there any age or experience requirements?  How young can children start?

NISOM offers programs for all ages.  We offer group classes for various age groups, from preschool children to senior citizens; no experience is required unless otherwise specified.  Private lesson age restrictions vary by instrument.

Young children:  The age children are ready to begin private lessons depends in large part upon the student.  For ages five and under, we usually recommend one of our general group classes that incorporate games and movement rather than lessons.  We also offer a Suzuki cello program for students as young as three.  More information about the Suzkui method can be found at www.suzukiassociation.org.

Piano:  Most students do not begin piano lessons before age six or seven.  Mature children are sometimes ready to begin by age five. 

Voice:  We take students as young as seven; however, many voice teachers caution against beginning serious training before the voice has matured, and some have minimum age requirements ranging from eleven to fifteen.  For students under age ten, we usually recommend beginning with piano lessons to learn the basics and transitioning to voice later or signing up with an instructor who teaches both and incorporating a little voice into piano sessions. 

Guitar:  Eight years old is an appropriate age to begin guitar lessons.  We do take younger students with permission from the instructor, and in such cases a parent will likely be required to sit-in on all lessons and help the child practice at home.  

Other instruments:  Most other instrument training usually begins around age ten (or older). 

Adults & Seniors:  You’re never too old to begin!  Whether you’ve played for years, you want to brush up on your skills, or you’ve always wanted to learn, we have programs for you.  No experience is required. 

6.  How long am I signing up for?

By registering for private lessons at NISOM, it is assumed you will continue for the remainder of the academic year.  Unless you are signing up for a trial period or using automatic withdrawals, you are paying for a twelve-week trimester or the remainder thereof.  Your time slot is automatically reserved for all subsequent trimesters (of a given year) unless you notify us otherwise, so students do not need to re-register each session. 

When registering for group classes, you are signing up for only the given session.  If you wish to continue in a group setting or enroll in the next level, you must register for the each trimester to reserve a space in the class. 

7.  How will I know when tuition is due?

Private lesson tuition is due the last week of each trimester for the next session and must be paid before the first lesson of the new session to avoid late fees.  You can always refer to the calendar in your handbook or on our website.  We also post the next tuition deadline on the homepage of the website.  Reminders will be included in the trimester newsletters that are sent home with students one or two weeks before tuition is due.  We send an email reminder to those who have provided us with an email address in addition to posting signs at our office and bulletins on our MySpace page.  NISOM does not mail invoices unless tuition is overdue. 

8.  What happens if I’m sick or need to miss a lesson?

In the event of illness or family emergency, contact the office as early as possible.  These are considered excused absences, and every attempt will be made to reschedule.  We have a make-up week built into each trimester for excused student absences or any NISOM cancellations.  All other absences are considered unexcused, so our teachers are under no obligation to make these up.  Whenever possible we will work with you to find an alternate opening in the teacher’s schedule for that week.  (Note: make-ups are for private lessons only.  Sorry, but we can not reschedule group classes for student absences.  Any instructor or weather cancellations will be made up.) 

9.  If Dubuque Schools are closed for a holiday or bad weather, is NISOM closed also?

Not necessarily.  For our holiday schedule, please refer to our calendar.  For weather cancellations, do not assume NISOM will be closed.  In addition to asking radio stations to announce such closings, we will send email to those who have provided an email address.  When in doubt, call the office. 

10.  Are there practice rooms I can use?

Yes, whenever studios are not in use during regular office hours, they are available to NISOM students as practice rooms.  Please call the office to check for availability.