Youth + adult piano program

Youth piano program instructor teaching student

Welcome to the youth + adult piano program at the University of Colorado Boulder College of Music!

The CU Boulder youth + adult piano program (YPP) trains students through weekly group and private lessons. Instructors are experienced teachers from the College of Music and the program is supervised by the Professor of Piano Pedagogy Alejandro Cremaschi. The lessons provide thorough instruction at the highest and most effective pedagogical standards while providing opportunities for fun, motivation and enjoyment of music.

Youth + adult piano: private lessons

Lessons are offered during the fall, spring and summer semesters. We ​have ​a ​rolling ​admissions ​process, ​based ​on ​instructor ​availability. ​Students ​register for 14 weekly ​lessons ​during ​the ​fall ​and spring semesters. If a student enrolls mid-semester, the total number of lessons is adjusted. During the summer semester, we offer two options: 7 or 14 lessons. All lessons ​are ​located ​in the Imig Music building.

Young beginners aged 5 and 6 can be placed in a small group class of up to 5 students during their first semester. The group class offers an opportunity for children to start their music journey in a small community of peers, which provides excitement and motivation. The class is also an opportunity for families to try out our program at a lower cost than one-on-one lessons. After their first year, students may be transitioned into one-on-one lessons with occasional group meetings.

The lessons include developing skills for:

  • Classical + popular pieces
  • Reading music
  • Healthy technique
  • Ear training + music theory
  • Performance opportunities

Lessons target children age 6-17, and adults of any age.

Meet our instructors

Cost

Semester tuition includes one-on-one lessons and the end-of-semester recital.

  • Semester tuition for fourteen 60-minute lessons: $980
  • Semester tuition for fourteen 45-minute lessons: $735
  • Semester tuition for fourteen 30-minute lessons: $490 (only recommended for young children)
  • Semester tuition for thirteen 55-minute group class: $330 (beginners aged 5-6 only)

We will make every effort to accommodate individual times, but exact lesson times will be determined after enrollment based on availability.

For students and families affiliated to CU Boulder as staff, faculty or graduate students, there is a 20% discount for lessons. We do not currently provide scholarships or discounts for siblings.

Complete the interest form! What to expect after submitting this inquiry form:

  1. In 2-3 business days, YPP personnel will review the availability of the instructors and find a candidate who best suits the student’s availability.
  2. The YPP Coordinator will contact you by email and make an introduction between you and the prospective instructor to schedule an initial meeting.
  3. If the initial meeting goes well, the YPP Coordinator will email you with registration information.

Questions? Contact us at ypp@colorado.edu.

Requirements

  • A piano or keyboard at home is required to complete the practice assignments. Families of beginners who do not currently own a piano or keyboard may want to purchase an inexpensive electronic keyboard.
  • Students will have practice and homework. Parents of younger students need to supervise that students practice regularly and finish the required homework.
  • Parents must drop and pick up students in a timely manner.
  • Parents of students younger than 12 must escort their children to the door of the studio where the lessons take place. For the student’s safety, please do not drop children at the door of the building.
  • We suggest that parents of younger students stay in the building during the lesson.
  • No food is allowed in the lesson facilities.

Make-up lesson policy/refund policy

No refunds are provided for missed lessons. You must contact the instructor at least 24 hours in advance if you need to cancel. Up to two make-up lessons will be provided per semester for approved absences. Make-up lessons are generally held at the end of the semester but may be arranged for a different time at the instructor’s discretion.

If the instructor must cancel a lesson, we will make every effort to contact you in advance. In the case of instructor absence, contact us at ypp@colorado.edu as soon as possible. We will make every effort to provide make-up lessons for each missed lesson due to instructor absence. If it is not possible to coordinate a convenient make-up lesson time for the student and instructor, we will request that another available instructor conduct a make-up lesson with the student at an approved time.

Termination policy

If you wish to terminate lessons, contact us at ypp@colorado.edu as soon as possible.