Music Instruction
West Music’s mission is to enrich people's lives through participation in music. With that goal in mind, we offer many lessons and classes to help foster and create life-long music makers.
Individual Lessons | Keyboard Classes | Nancy Cree Keyboard Learning Center | Guitar Classes | Drums, Ukulele, Harmonica Classes and More! | Weekend Warriors | Parking Lot Jam | Early Childhood Music Instruction / Kindermusik | Instruction Cancellations
Individual Lessons
West Music Conservatory offers quality, individualized music instruction on most instruments and voice. In our six locations, we provide private instruction with over 140 specialized teachers, each having extensive education and experience. Our teachers are highly qualified and enthusiastic, working with students of all ages and levels of experience. Adaptive Lessons are offered for students with special learning needs through West Music’s Music Therapy Department. All teachers provide resumes, are interviewed and auditioned, and a background check is obtained for each candidate before they partner with West Music. Teachers collaborate with their West Music colleagues in performances, clinics, and workshops. Recitals are held in all locations.
Signing up for lessons is easy! Anyone can access our website and go to Online Lesson Registration, following the prompts and menus to learn more about our teachers. Or just call or visit our store! There is a one-time, non-refundable registration fee of $24.95. This registration fee gives our students a discount on sheet music, free admittance to clinics and workshops, and a messenger bag to organize all their music supplies.
At the first lesson a new student can expect to review the teacher’s policies and methods. Your teacher will discuss with you your expectations and how to help you get the most out of your studies.
Get a Free Lesson with Tell-A-Friend program!
Conservatory students: Get a free lesson when you refer a friend to your teacher!
How?
- Ask your teacher or Studio Coordinator for a Tell-A-Friend card.
- Write your name and your teacher’s name on the card.
- Remind your friend to turn in the Tell-A Friend card when they register for lessons.
- You get a free lesson from your teacher! And you’ve helped a friend start experiencing the power of making music!
Keyboard Classes
Learn keyboard in a fun, relaxing way! A new way to play and enjoy the piano! We believe everyone can learn to play! The only prerequisite to play is the desire to enjoy music.
Musical Moments for Adults
Specifically written for the adult hobbyist, students will be amazed at how much they learn in their first class. Students will learn to play by chords and read music in an enjoyable, stress-free environment. The music consists of familiar tunes and original compositions. No recitals-only celebrations. One hour-once a week. No practicing required!
Way Cool Keyboarding for Kids and Teens
Way Cool is designed to add music to the life of every child in a caring, compassionate, fun way. Teachers provide exceptional support while creating fulfilling musical experiences in a positive social environment. Young students experience joy, laughter, and satisfaction with this method that is very different from traditional piano instruction. 45-minute classes, once a week.
What are people saying about their Musical Moments experiences?
“It’s been like a dream come true for me, as I’ve wanted to play the piano since I was a child. I’ve been playing for 1 year now and I thoroughly enjoy it.” -Yeon Min, age 42 (1 year in lessons)
“Playing piano has brought me such happiness and fun. The camaraderie of the lessons has been great. Great stress reliever and comfort to me!” -Beverly Staat, age 60 (2 years in lessons)
“I love my piano lessons! I took piano lessons when I was younger, but since coming to The Piano Gallery I have rediscovered the joy of playing and I even enjoy practicing!" -Sarah Moser, age 51 (1 year in lessons)
Call to find out when a class will start in your location!
Nancy Cree Keyboard Learning Center
West Music is proud to partner with the proven and highly successful Nancy Cree Keyboard Learning Centers. Nancy has been teaching since 1974 and developing an integrated acoustic/electronic studio since 1986. There are five studios in four locations using her approach, helping students experience the power of music.
The goal of the Nancy Cree program is to have students continue lessons clear through high school. This gives them the skills they need to keep playing for the rest of their lives. The Keyboard Learning Center studios include: grand pianos, electronic keyboards, top of the line digital pianos, computers for work with theory software, and audio and video centers. The integration of acoustic and electronic equipment gives students the best of both traditional lessons and the use of the latest technology in teaching methods.
Students are given a wide variety of choice in the music they learn, and by using all styles of music (jazz, rock, movie themes, classical, hymns. etc.) students are motivated to learn and keep learning for years.
From the beginning, students experience the reinforcement of performance with concerts, ensemble playing and more formal IMTA and Spring Recitals.
We believe the Nancy Cree Keyboard Learning Center's comprehensive approach to music education offers the greatest possibility of success for students of all ages.
A warm welcome to our newest teacher, Nicole Peter! Nicole studied piano performance at Western Illinois University, and completed her Bachelor of Music degree in 2010. While at school, she served as Vice President of WIU’s collegiate chapter of Music Teachers National Association, and helped create the WIU Community Music School. She is a current member of Iowa Music Teachers Association. In her spare time, Nicole enjoys cooking and trying new foods. She practices yoga, knits her own clothing, and reads vociferously. Nicole is an Iowa native, and currently lives in Coralville with her cat, Ellie, and her piano. She loves Iowa. Nicole is particularly interested in the music of female composers, and enjoys performing and promoting their works. Notably, she gave a lecture-recital at the 2010 Illinois State MTNA conference and in 2012, gave a lecture-recital for the Iowa City Early Keyboard Society. She is also active as a zombie harpsichordist and toy pianist. Nicole began playing the piano at age 5, and taught her first piano students while she was in high school. After spending some time working with people with disabilities, she joined the Nancy Cree team in 2012. She teaches everything from Bach to the Beatles, and her favorite part about teaching is that she gets to share music with others every day.
For more information, check out the Nancy Cree Keyboard Learning Centers website or contact a conservatory specialist at your local West Music store.
Guitar Classes
With the purchase of a guitar for Christmas, you get a free 4-week class in how to tune and take care of the guitar, play simple melodies and chords, and more. Check with your local West Music about when these classes are scheduled in January.
Drum/Ukulele/Harmonica Classes and More!
Throughout the year, group classes in ukulele, drumming, harmonica, song writing and many others are offered at various locations. The variety of classes depends on the strengths and experiences of our teachers. These classes provide a comfortable, social environment to learn together and play in ensembles, making it fun for everyone. Group classes are usually offered in 4-6 week sessions. Many participants sign up again and again for the group classes. When there’s enough interest, we can pull together waiting lists and create the class you’ve been wanting!
Weekend Warriors
NOW taking names for bands starting in February!
The Benefits
There is nothing like the experience of playing in a live band, and this program gives every one from age 13 to 103 this opportunity! WEEKEND WARRIORS is about discovering--or rediscovering--the joy of making music by playing in a band. The goal is to have fun - PERIOD!
Plus, when you sign up, you'll receive special deals on instruments and accessories: 15% off Guitar & Drum Folios...10% off Electric Guitars in-stock...Free Drum Head upgrade...and MORE...
You can see a few bands at practice and performing in the playlist below:
The Details
We hook up participants with others of their own age who have similar tastes in music and who share their busy lifestyle. Then we make it easy for them to have a blast:
- We provide a comfortable rehearsal space
- We provide all the gear you might need - guitars, amps, microphones, drum sets, keyboards - you name it - everything except the groupies.
- You practice once a week for eight weeks - not exactly a huge commitment.
- We get you a seasoned pro to "coach" your band to success.
- We book you a gig at a popular hotspot so you can perform for your family and friends
"My guitar was sitting in the closet for 15 years. Weekend Warriors got me motivated to dust it off and plug it in again. I forgot just how much fun playing is. Once again, music has changed my life!" - Mark H., District Manager
"The last time my daughter saw me play in a band, she was a year old. When she and her fiancee heard me play in the Weekend Warriors concert, they were amazed at how hip I'd become over the last 22 years!" - Allen S., Mgr. State Dept. of Aging
"The other guys in the band and myself have become great friends over the past weeks and we plan to continue to practice and play as a group. This time I'm back into music to stay." - Bob L., Investment Counselor
"I can sum up Weekend Warriors in three words - easy, fun, and more fun. Ok, four words." - Erik E., Podiatrist
Parking Lot Jam
Hosted at our Quad Cities store, the West Music Parking Lot Jam was created to give West Music Conservatory students the opportunity to perform in a "real" rock band with their teachers and fellow students. To find out more, visit the Parking Lot Jam Facebook Page.
Early Childhood Music Instruction / Kindermusik
To learn more about West Music's Early Childhood Music Instruction opportunities including Sing & Play & Learn Today! and Kindermusik, visit our Early Childhood Classes page!
Weather Cancellations
Sometimes, lessons are cancelled due to bad weather. West Music keeps track of these cancellations through social media postings.
Visit your local store's Facebook page to see if there are posted cancellations, or you may post your question and our Staff will find the answer for you!
