Lessons Offered
Banjo, Clarinet, Composition, Flute, Guitar, Keyboard, Music, Music Theory, Piano, Singing, Trumpet, Ukulele, Violin
Where are Lessons Offered
Virtual / Online
About Me
In 1989 Malena started teaching piano and tutoring in French and other subjects, and Malena's Music Lessons was born!
She continued to teach music as a hobby until 2018, when she realized that there are few teachers in the area who can effectively work with people who have disabilities, and this could be something to really bless the community!
In January, 2019 Malena's Music Lessons moved to Limerick, Maine, establishing a music studio and functional waiting room and truly becoming part of the local community. Early 2020 saw the transformation to Malena's Music and More, offering more homeschool and life enrichment classes!
Our mission is to provide music lessons, educational classes, and life enrichment at an affordable price to anyone interested, regardless of ability, disability, aptitude, or cognitive ability, and to foster connections between students and families for individual and community growth.
We believe strongly that everyone should be able to learn and grow, regardless of ability or disability. We have extensive experience working with children and adults with learning disabilities, developmental or intellectual disabilities (including Autism), anxiety, trauma, and physical deformities.
We now are Music and More Academy and have several teachers and offer music lessons, homeschool classes, and life enrichment classes! Whether you're a just a beginner or an advanced student needing guidance in a particular area, let's explore learning opportunities together! :)
NOTE: Lessons are completely remote at this time.
My Musical Education Background
Malena has been playing piano and singing for over 40 years. She learned trumpet at age 10, baritone at age 12, flute at age 13, clarinet and tuba at age 14, and guitar as an adult. She played piano for high school musicals and chorus. She has been teaching music lessons since 1989, including privately, Living Waters Christian School, and Saco/Old Orchard Beach Adult Ed. She has taught French, music appreciation, music theory, chorus, and more in homeschool settings and private schools.
Malena holds a Bachelor's Degree from Liberty University in Psychology, with cognates in Counselling and Special Education.
She holds a Master's Degree from Liberty University in Human Services Crisis and Trauma.
With many years working with children and adults with disabilities, her education and other experiences, in addition to a nurturing instinct, lends to success for teachers & students alike.
Genres and Subjects Taught
We always offer a free trial lesson to ensure a good fit. Lessons are online. Composition skills can be built into any lesson type if there is interest. Music theory and supplemental music choices are integrated as well to enrich learning and musical understanding. Lessons are student-interest directed and go at the pace that is comfortable for the student. We have experience with special needs and various disabilities, able to adapt lessons and classes as needed.
Piano Lessons
Accepting new students ages 4 to adult online! We use Alfred curriculum for all levels, supplementing with theory and music the student is interested in. Options to declare classical specialty, graded exam track, and/or recreational music during lessons.
Beginner Teachers: Malena Rachelle, Hannah Park, Ryan Audy, Jordan McKinnon-Cote
Intermediate Teachers: Malena Rachelle
Violin Lessons
Accepting new students ages 5 to adult online! We use Suzuki curriculum for all levels, supplementing with theory & music the student is interested in during lessons. Options to declare classical specialty, graded exam track, and/or recreational music. Homeschool students have the option to join homeschool band during the school year.
Beginner to Intermediate Teachers - Hannah Park, new teacher starting soon!
Guitar and Ukulele Lessons
Accepting new students ages 5 - adult online! We use Alfred or Mel Bay curriculum for children and Hal Leonard for adults, supplementing with theory and music the student is interested in. Options to declare a specialty, graded exam track, and/or recreational music during lessons. Option for acoustic or electric guitar. Homeschool students have the option to join homeschool band during the school year.
Beginner to Intermediate Teachers - Ryan Audy, Mairead Guy
Flute Lessons
Accepting new students ages 10 to adult in online! We use curriculum for all levels, supplementing with theory and music the student is interested in during lessons. Options to declare classical specialty, graded exam track, and/or recreational music. Homeschool students have the option to join homeschool band during the school year.
Beginner Teacher - Emily Gitelman
Trumpet Lessons
Accepting new students ages 10 and up online! We use curriculum for all levels, supplementing with theory and music the student is interested in during lessons. Options to declare classical specialty, graded exam track, and/or recreational music. Homeschool students have the option to join homeschool band during the school year.
Beginner to Intermediate Teacher - Malena Rachelle
Voice Lessons
Accepting new students ages 5 - adult online! We use music the student is interested in to teach technique, proper breathing, and more. Options to declare classical specialty, graded exam track, and/or recreational music.
Beginner Teachers - Malena Rachelle, Mairead Guy, Jordan McKinnon-Cote
Intermediate to Advanced Teacher: Mairead Guy
Beat-Making & Audio Production
Accepting new students ages 5 - adult online.
Beginner to Intermediate Teacher: Ryan Audy
Music for Little. Mozarts
Accepting new students online! This is a program for children ages 3-6/7 that integrates both voice and piano, teaching rhythm, exploring the basics of music and music theory, learning about famous classical composers, and lots of fun!
Teachers: Malena Rachelle, Jordan McKinnon-Cote, Mairead Guy
Combo Lessons
Accepting new students ages 5 - adult in studio or online! Choose any 2 lesson types! We use curriculum and/or music the students is interested in for all levels. Options to declare classical specialty, graded exam track, and/or recreational music. Lesson types can be combined by multiple teachers if desired.
Homeschool Classes
We offer both core and elective classes for your homeschool needs. Classes are kept small, engaging and fun. Visual, auditory, and hands-on learners will enjoy our classes and benefit from them. Affordable rates and convenient schedule. Want something else? We have joined with The Freelance Homeschooler, so anything on that site can also be offered here. Take a peek!
French 1A, French 1B, French 1, French 2, English Language Arts for Horse Lovers, Band, Chorus, and more!
Teachers - Holly Dustin, Malena Rachelle, Laura Holt-Haslam
Lesson Rates
We always offer a free trial music lesson to ensure a good fit! :)
Membership Subscriptions
New student registration is $40 and will be added to your account when you register for Academic classes or decide to continue after your free trial lesson.
Music Lessons
All music lessons focus on exploring a love of music, how music works, different musical types and genres, why things work together they way they do, and composing music if interested. We individualize lessons and work with students as a team to reach goals they set for themselves. We encourage students to select additional pieces that they’d like to learn, teaching technique and skill while working on fun songs, too. We simply go at whatever pace is comfortable for your child and go step by step together. We often upload audio/video to help during practice and are available between lessons to answer questions.
Remote Support Only is $60 monthly with no lessons (weekly online feedback).
Our Beginner Musician Program is $120 monthly and includes weekly 30 minute private lessons, bi-weekly 60 minute private lessons, or 2 small group music classes.
Our Intermediate Musician Program is $180 monthly and includes weekly 45 minute private lessons or 3 small group music classes.
Our Advanced Intermediate Musician Program is $240 monthly and includes weekly 60 minute private lessons, weekly 45 minute private lessons AND 1 small group music class, or 4 small group music classes.
Our Advanced Musician Program is $300 monthly and includes 2 weekly 45 minute private lessons or 1 weekly 60 minute private lesson and 2 small group music classes.
Academic Classes
Academic/Homeschool classes are $50 monthly each with weekly online class attendance, or $30 monthly without class attendance (online course only; limited interaction and support).
Music Lessons Financial Assistance
Children in families with financial need, please go to (contact me) and click on "How to Participate." If approved, you will be granted at least a 50% discount with a music teacher willing to teach at the discounted rate who has had a background check through MusicLink.
Ages / Skill Levels Taught
Piano: Accepting ages 7 to adult, beginner to intermediate.
Violin: Accepting ages 7 to adult, beginner to intermediate.
Guitar or Ukulele: Accepting ages 5 to adult, all levels.
Voice: Accepting ages 5 to adult, beginner to advanced.
Flute or Trumpet: Accepting ages 10 to adult, beginner to intermediate.
Music for Little Mozarts: Accepting children ages 3-6/7.
Homeschool: Early Elementary, Later Elementary, Middle School, and High School.
My Musical Influences
Malena's mother was her main musical influence. She always jokes that she thinks she was taught to sing before she could talk! She remembers her mother always singing throughout the day, and her first solo at church was at age 4, the song, "I Am a Promise."
Peggy McAdam, Malena's Chorus and piano teacher in Junior High and High School was a huge influence, teaching her how to teach piano and voice.
Other influences are Beethoven, Handel, Bach, Haydn, Chris Tomlin, Matthew West, the Gaithers, Dolly Parton, For King and Country, and many more.
Service Area
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