Private Lessons

The MAT Music Program offers students the opportunity to study privately through an organized private lesson program. Private lessons are available to any student participating in either the Concert Band or Percussion Ensemble classes. By offering this program, it is our hope that each student will be encouraged not only to develop individual skill and technique on his or her instrument, but to be a responsible and contributing member of his or her music ensemble.

Private lessons are offered as a supplement to classroom instruction. Although MAT is one of the few middle schools in NYC that offers band and percussion, the students have only 2-3 45-minute classes per week. That makes it very difficult to teach every student the skills he or she needs to become a proficient musician, and makes individual practice absolutely crucial to development. A one-hour lesson with a professional instrumentalist and teacher will do wonders for the young student. The lessons are designed to correct any poor playing habits, improve music reading ability, introduce the student to traditional literature of the instrument, as well as to rehearse the music that a student will be performing in the classroom.

Private instructors are recruited, interviewed and recommended by the MAT Music Program. All of our recommended teachers are skilled professionals who have agreed to teach lessons for a greatly reduced fee and have a passion for music education. A typical rate for private music lessons is between $100-$120 per hour. MAT music lessons are only $40 per lesson (typically a half hour up to 45 minutes). In addition, a portion of our fund-raising dollars are set aside each year to provide scholarships for deserving students, which would allow you to pay only $30, or even $20 per lesson.

Because this opportunity is remarkable and special, any student that takes lessons will be expected to meet high standards of hard work and personal responsibility.

          If you are interested in private lessons, please contact Mr. Sutton at this email address: nsutton@ps126mat.org and provide the following information:

Student Name

Parent/Guardian Name

Phone Number

Email address

You will then be put in contact with an appropriate instructor.

See below for student expectations and scheduling information.

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STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY TO THE PRIVATE INSTRUCTOR

1. Be fully prepared for each lesson.

2. Supply the method books and other materials as required by private study.

3. Participate in all activities required as a condition of private study.

4. Notify the instructor within 24 hours if a lesson is to be canceled unless there is an emergency.

LESSON LOCATION AND SCHEDULING

Lessons will be taught at MAT or at a student’s home, as arranged by the private instructor and the student. If you prefer to have the instructor come to your home, you should expect to pay a higher fee to defray the travel cost and time of the private teacher. Lessons at MAT will be after school in the band and percussion rooms, under the supervision of Mr. Sutton. If a student has a lesson scheduled for 4:00 or 5:00, that student can wait in the music rooms and quietly do homework while listening to lessons that take place before their own.

If an instructor has to miss a lesson, they will communicate with the student (and parents) at least 24 hours before missing, but preferably one week before. The same expectation is on the student; if a student fails to notify a private teacher about missing a lesson, the student will still be expected to pay the instructor for their time. Likewise, if a teacher fails to communicate with a student about missing a lesson, they will owe a free lesson to the student. Obviously, exceptions will be made in the case of sudden illness or emergencies.

MAT-RECOMMENDED PRIVATE INSTRUCTORS

Michael Eaton – Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone lessons: mileaton@gmail.com

     Website: www.michaeleatonmusic.com

Jackie Coleman – Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone Lessons: jadcolem@gmail.com

     Website: www.jackiecolemanmusic.com

Sarah Mullins – Percussion, Drumset lessons: sarahmullinsdrums@gmail.com

     Website: maestramusic.org/profile/sarah-mullins

Private Lessons for other disciplines:

People often ask if MAT offers piano, guitar or voice lessons. Unfortunately we do not. 

There are two reasons why: 

• We choose to prioritize our classroom space and funds for our MAT students who are participating in our class ensembles or MAT specialized groups (Jazz Lab, Advanced Band)

• There are THOUSANDS of wonderful guitar, piano, and voice teachers all over NYC that are just ITCHING to teach lessons to your child!

We do recommend one excellent guitarist for lessons, but these lessons do not take place at school, the cost per lesson is more than $40 per lesson, and he has no official relationship with MAT. That being said, please check out Lucas Shine, who is a tremendous guitarist, a patient and inspired teacher, and a great friend to the MAT Music program.