Apple Valley Piano And Guitar Academy

Lessons Offered

Where are Lessons Offered

About Me

Apple Valley Piano and Guitar Academy was established in 1999. Our full-time studio (8am - 8pm) includes 3 teachers and approximately 90 students in guitar and piano. Our head teacher, curriculum designer and Academy founder holds a Bachelor of Music degree from St. Olaf College in Northfield. He is the author of multiple books on piano & guitar studies, and arranges and composes for students. Our second teacher is a young-child specialist who teaches guitar and piano/keyboard to children as young as age 4-1/2 and beginners of all ages. She is kind and gentle, making sure to celebrate the student's smallest achievements, which raises self-esteem and confidence and ensures the student's success. She teaches note-reading as well as songs by ear to students who have a talent for rote memorization. Both teachers emphasize technique and music theory, while making it fun and exciting by tailoring the curriculum to each student's learning style, music preferences and personality. Both teachers hold formal annual recitals in piano and guitar, and encourage students to perform throughout the year in the studio for fellow students, at school, their place of worship, and for family and friends. Both teachers require the parent participate in the lessons for students younger than age 12. Parents learn alongside their child for no additional cost!

Genres and Subjects Taught

Guitar: Classical, Pop, Rock, Jazz, Blues
Fingerstyle and Pick style
Piano/Keyboard: Classical, Pop, Rock, Jazz, Blues

Lesson Rates

Lesson rates vary on the length, instrument, and teacher. We offer discounts for the 2nd child/student, as well as a discount for semi-private lessons for families with children close in age taking the same instrument together.

Ages / Skill Levels Taught

We teach guitar or piano to students of all ages, as young as 4-1/2. For students younger than 8, we offer a free introductory/evaluation lesson to determine if he/she is ready for formal instruction in terms of finger strength/dexterity, and the mental ability to follow instruction and apply it to proper technique, as well as an attention span of at least 20 minutes.

Service Area

Chase
Apple Valley, MN

Thank you for teaching Chase his 1st year of piano. It has been an amazing year and so much fun to watch his abilities grow. We can only hope to find an instructor in South Dakota who can remotely come close to providing the experience you have given us. Chase enjoys your smile, laughter, encouragement, patience and complete musical expertise. Thank you greatly - you will be missed!

Matthew
Apple Valley, MN

Matt played at church today - he had so many people compliment him after the performance. They said they've never heard a guitar sound so full and beautiful. Many were amazed by his one year of training with AVGA. It was incredibly overwhelming.