Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the teachers?
Our teachers are experienced, trained and licensed professional instructors. In addition to degrees and diplomas, we choose our instructors based on experience, patience, understanding and the ability to communicate ideas clearly when teaching children. We do NOT hire instructors who are high-school students or people who otherwise do not meet our strict criteria in experience and education
What are their credentials?
All of our instructors are professionals with university degrees and many years experience in teaching. You will not find high-school students or otherwise unqualified people instructing at our academy. Each instructor has been carefully screened and hand-chosen for their skills, abilities and commitment to musical excellence.
Who will “substitute teach” my child’s piano class when her regular teacher is absent?
In the vast majority of cases, we find that when a piano instructor must be absent, another academy instructor can take his or her place. That means that your child’s “substitute” teacher is already completely familiar with your child’s method and class format. It would be something like taking your car to the dealership for servicing: Do you ask for a specific mechanic when taking your car in for service? No – all the mechanics there are equally trained in the product they service and represent. The same is true for all our piano instructors.
Sometimes, there are no academy piano instructors available to take over for an absent instructor. In such cases, we call on an Associate Instructor. Our Associate Instructors are trained and experienced teachers in our academy’s curriculum and teaching philosophy. They are familiar with the academy’s curriculum, lesson plan format and teaching philosophy because our instructors have sat down with them to ensure they are comfortable with our methods. In most cases, Associate Instructors can be advanced students of academy director Mark Anderson who have completed Certificate of Merit Advanced Level (think “black-belt” in a martial arts program), and have taught in the classes as an assistant, along side academy teachers.
Finally, we will always strive to give you as much notice as possible if your child’s instructor is unable to attend a lesson. However, this is not always possible. It is the academy’s policy to secure a substitute in the case of an instructor absence and once this happens, the class will go on as scheduled. If you choose to not have your child attend there will be no makeups or tuition credit for that lesson.
The instructors and staff at New World Music Academy make every effort to ensure that your child has the best possible instruction at every lesson, no matter the circumstances.
Do you sell or rent instruments at the academy?
Yes. In fact, the academy is home to Diablo Pianos and is a new joint venture between Mark Anderson, owner and director of the academy, and Tom Overhoff, a student of Mark’s and successful businessman for over 30 years. These pianos are internationally recognized as setting the standard of affordable German-engineered/Chinese-manufactured acoustic pianos. Please call the academy to set up an appointment to inspect and play these instruments when lessons are not in session. We take great pride in carrying these instruments and believe that you will be astonished at their tone quality and overall workmanship. Their value cannot be disputed and they are backed up with warranties and complimentary tuning as well. We also rent digital pianos, guitars, violins, etc for families who are not yet ready to purchase an instrument. Ask our front desk personnel for more information.
We would like to meet with our children’s prospective teachers briefly before finalizing our decision to put them into the group piano lessons at your academy.
Yes, it is possibly to have a brief conversation with an instructor between classes. However we like to keep this activity to a minimum because one of the primary goals at the academy is to enable instructors to focus solely on teaching. Anyone is welcome to come to the academy any afternoon to introduce yourselves to an instructor between lessons on the half-hour (3:30,4:30,etc). Instructors do not have time to chat but you can certainly meet them. Obviously, their first responsibility is to the students showing up for their lesson
What are the costs to attend the academy?
There is a regular monthly tuition and a one-time $25 fee. There is no annual registration. Monthly tuition depends upon the program enrolled. See our Tuition page for more information.
I have 2 children who want to study music. Can I get a break on the tuition?
Unfortunately, no. In fact, most academy students have a brother or sister concurrently enrolled. We even have a number of families with THREE family members enrolled and for that we give a 5% tuition discount on the third family member.
For group piano, how long does it take for a student to progress from level 1 to level 2 and onwards to the last level 5?
It depends on the student, their application, the support and involvement from parents, etc. Generally, each level takes less than academic year (September through June).
How do you accommodate for students with different learning speeds. For example, what do you do with students who are ahead of their group and for those who are behind? Do some students move up a level while others stay put?
With our emphasis on “concept” teaching, students very often work through our materials at a similar pace. We can supplement students who either need remedial or more challenging material depending upon their pace within the class. If a student consistently pushes ahead, we will move them into a more appropriate class or lesson environment.
How large are class sizes?
There are only four students per piano class, sometimes even two or three. There are somewhat larger class sizes for music theory and string ensemble, however those students take private instruction in addition to those classes. Most instrumental and voice instruction is still done privately in 30- minute lessons.
Are materials included in the tuition? If not, how much will they be?
No, but costs on materials are not terribly high as the publishers know if they were, they’d be out of business! For your convenience, we have materials in stock and ready for your child’s first lesson. As we purchase materials without shipping costs, we can offer these at no extra cost to you. We do not make money on materials but rather supply them so that students have no problem obtaining them and classes can begin without delay. In most cases, materials cost about $25 – $35 to get started.
I need to drop my children off 15 minutes or more before their lesson. Is that OK?
Absolutely! We have a student study counter where students can come early or stay after their lesson and get their homework done. Our front desk staff is on hand Mon-Thurs until 6:30 and after that there are often parents in the waiting area so your child is safe. The director’s office is adjacent to the waiting area and he can of help if a child needs to use the academy phone to call a parent for example.
Why must I give my credit card details before my child’s lessons begin?
Because of a high demand for classes at certain times of the year, securing your account with payment information allows us to reserve your child’s time-slot in our academy. In addition your child can begin lessons without interruption when the class begins.
I’m not sure if my child will like lessons. Can I get a refund if she doesn’t like it?
The fact is that we rarely experience a child who is not happy with their new abilities or the highly experienced instructors at the academy. Furthermore, it takes many months to develop even a basic sense of pitch, rhythm and a general musical awareness. However, you are free to remove your child from lessons and discontinue payment anytime after you have given the academy 30-day written notice. See our Tuition & Policy page for details.
We do not have an instrument. Do we need to buy one?
Yes. It would be a waste of your money to pay for lessons if your child cannot practice the other six days of the week. If you have questions about purchasing an instrument, our staff will be glad to advise you.
Do you offer private piano lessons too?
Yes, the academy offers private lessons to those students who test beyond or have completed our level 5 curriculum or who otherwise do not fit into a group format. Private piano lessons are usually 30-minutes but for advanced students, we recommend 45-minutes or 1 hour.
What kind of pianos do you use for class piano teaching?
We are very fortunate to have ten Roland’s KR-105 Intelligent Digital Pianos. They define state-of-the-art. Their true piano sounds and their unparalleled pedagogical abilities, not to mention their highly intuitive and easy to use touch-screen interface, makes them the idea piano in an educational environment. We also use Williams Symphony digital pianos. These have a fully weighted keyboard, 128 sounds (General MIDI spec) and were chosen for their wonderful sound and touch.
What kind of other keyboard instruments do you have?
Our classrooms are fitted with new grands and uprights made by award-winning manufacturers Wendl & Lung and Brodmann as well as Roland digital pianos. These pianos are maintained regularly with tuning and technical work when required.
Where should I park?
We have a number of reserved parking in the parking lot directly in front of the academy.
Can my child bring his lunch in to the academy?
We have a strict No Food / No Drinks policy in the academy. However, we do provide a water cooler near the bathrooms.
Do you have recitals?
Yes we do. We feel that performing in public, or at least in front of a large gathering of peers and their families, is crucial to a student’s progress, both musically and emotionally. Performance also gives students real and tangible goals to work towards. Recitals are at least twice a year – one in early December and one in mid May. We have eliminated recital fees and instead sponsor a food-drive for the Alameda County Coummnity Food Bank asking that each family bring non-perishable food items instead of a recital fee to each recital.
What are DoReMees?
We implemented a reward-based system called DoReMees in March 2007. Essentially, DoReMees are “academy currency” that academy students are awarded for a wide variety of musical good deeds. These can range from cleanup duty after an academy recital to attending live professional concerts in the surrounding area and beyond. The amount of a DoReMee award is usually specified in advance with the announcement event, occasion or task. Alternatively, students are invited to bring in materials (i.e., program from the event) to support their attendance to an unannounced concert or musical event, at which time the academy executive director will determine the amount of the DoReMees more. One DoReMee equals $.01. They can be redeemed for a growing assortment of merchandise sold at the academy from metronomes to instruments to music dictionaries to T-shirts and beyond.
Who do I see if I have a question or problem with scheduling, payment or anything else?
We have a front-desk receptionist who can handle most questions and concerns. If the problem is outside or beyond her expertise, she will pass the matter on to the director. You can reach a live receptionist at the academy during normal business hours Monday through Thursday 11:30am to 6:30pm and Fridays 11am to 3pm. There is no receptionist on hand for Saturday lessons so if you need to cancel a lesson on a Saturday, call on Friday before 3pm.
Why do you require a 30-day withdrawal period?
Our instructors are busy professional teachers and it is out of respect for their time and schedule that we implement a 30-day notification policy. If we had no withdrawal period, teachers would be left with “no-shows” and holes in their schedules, which is a waste of time and resources. Very often, families know ahead of time if there will be a schedule conflict that will keep them from attending lessons and 30 days is plenty of lead time for everyone concerned.
I was speaking with a friend whose daughter takes private piano lessons. He mentioned some tests that she has to take now and then to receive certificates as she moves through different levels. Do the students have examinations or tests to be evaluated on their technique/theory/performance skills etc. at a state or national level? Do they get an opportunity to receive certifications of merit? If yes, at what level does the evaluation programs begin?
We have a number of affliations at the academy: MTNA (Music Teacher’s National Association – www.mtna.org) and MTAC (Music Teachers Association of California (www.mtac.org). Both offer programs which you describe and I have had students participate for many years in a row, many achieving the highest levels and standards in theory and performance. MTNA has a program that can work at any level which we will be doing with any students/parents who request it.
I often include this information in my newsletters so stay tuned.