Private Lessons

For information on available instruments and tuition pricing, please click here.

Private and semi-private lessons may begin at any time of the year and scheduling is even more flexible during our summer session (June - September). Our staff is available Monday - Friday 10am-5pm to answer any questions you may have.  We can be reached by either calling 413-442-1411 or emailing either Sandy Moderski at smoderski@berkshiremusicschool.org or Sarah Prouty at sprouty@berkshiremusicschool.org

Scheduling

Placement of students in private lessons is done on a first-come-first-served basis, and is based on teacher availability and student interests. Please note, not all faculty members offer both on-campus and online sessions.

How to Register for Private Lessons:

Online

Click the following link and fill out an online registration form. A staff member will contact you to schedule your lessons. Click here to register.

In-person

Visit the BMS office at 30 Wendell Avenue in Pittsfield, MA.  Office hours are Monday- Friday 10am-5pm.

By phone

Call the BMS office at 413-442-1411 during office hours, Monday - Friday 10am-5pm, and a staff member will assist you.

By Mail

Fill-out our registration form and return via email to smoderski@berkshiremusicschool.org or by post to 30 Wendell Avenue, Pittsfield, MA 01201. A staff member will contact you to schedule your lessons. Click here to download our registration form.

Need-based Financial Aid

Founded on the vision that everyone should have access to quality music education, each year, the Berkshire Music School allocates funding of financial assistance for students with financial need. 

Family members may submit one Financial Aid Application with all family members applying for assistance on the same form. Please fill out a registration form for each student applying by clicking here.

How to Apply For Financial Aid:

ONLINE

Click the following link to fill out a Financial Aid Application: Online Application Form. Then, click the following link to fill out out registration form: Click here to register. A staff member will contact you upon receiving your application.

IN-PERSON

Visit the BMS office at 30 Wendell Avenue in Pittsfield, MA.  Office hours are Monday- Friday 10am-5pm.

BY PHONE

Call the BMS office at 413-442-1411 during office hours, Monday - Friday 10am-5pm, and a staff member will assist you.

BY MAIL

Fill-out our registration form and financial aid application and return via email to sprouty@berkshiremusicschool.org or by post to 30 Wendell Avenue, Pittsfield, MA 01201. A staff member will contact you to schedule your lessons. Click here to download our Financial Aid Application Form. Then, Click here to download our registration form.

You may drop off the completed application at the school during normal business hours (Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm during the summer); or, if you prefer, you may mail completed applications to:

BERKSHIRE MUSIC SCHOOL

ATTN:  SARAH PROUTY

30 WENDELL AVENUE

PITTSFIELD, MA  01201

or email the completed application to the following email address: 

sprouty@berkshiremusicschool.org

If you have any questions or wish to confirm the arrival of your application, please feel free to call the office at 413-442-1411 and ask for Sarah Prouty.

BMS also offers generous work-study opportunities. Students interested in work-study should contact the BMS office. 

The Berkshire Music School is a 501c(3) charitable institution, and by law may not discriminate in the awarding of financial aid. This means that all applicants must follow the same application procedures. No special consideration or exclusions can be given based on race, sex, religion, ethnic origin, disability, or age. Students receiving financial aid are responsible for the balance of tuition not covered by scholarships. BMS now requires a valid credit card on file for payment of the outstanding balance; and monthly payments will be automatically charged via credit card after each fourth lesson. 

Talent- and Merit-based Scholarships

For our 2023-2024 academic year, the Berkshire Music School will support the region’s most talented, aspiring musicians through the talent- and merit-based scholarship program. Scholarship recipients will be expected to come prepared to each private lesson, and to rehearse and perform with group performance ensembles at BMS and in the community.  

Students accepted into the program will receive generous financial assistance (up to 100% tuition coverage).

Auditions will be held SPRING 2024 (DATE TBD) for a panel of professional musicians. Each audition will last 5-7 minutes.  To make an appointment, musicians should submit their audition requests to lgranda@berkshiremusicschool.org and include this Audition Request Form with their training and performance background as well as a letter of recommendation from someone familiar with their work as a musician.

For the audition musicians should be prepared to perform the following:

Instrumentalists

1. Major and minor scales 2 or more octaves, as requested by the panel

2. Etude of your choice

3. Movement from a sonata or a movement from a concerto of your choice, or comparable piece

Guitarists

1. Major and minor scales 2 or more octaves, as requested by the panel

2. Two songs of your choice in contrasting styles showing your ability to play chord progressions, picking
   techniques, and soloing/improvisation

Vocalists

1. Two songs of your choice, in contrasting styles.  One song should be in a foreign language.

Instrumentalists should be prepared to perform without accompaniment; vocalists may perform to pre-recorded accompaniment that they provide. BMS will not be providing an accompanist.

Work Study

In addition to the financial aid listed above, BMS encourages students and their families to take advantage of a wide variety of work study opportunities to assist with the cost of tuition.  Some work study options include: special events, administration/office assistance, social media, marketing/promotional assistance, flyer distribution, and building and grounds. Please contact lgranda@berkshiremusicschool.org for more information.

SCHEDULING AND LESSON DAYS

There are 34 scheduled lessons for the 2023-2024 term. All scheduling should be handled through the school office. All lessons must be completed by June 30, 2024; any lessons not completed by June 30, 2024 will be forfeited. No refunds for unused lessons will be given.

LATE ARRIVALS

Students arriving more than 15 minutes late for a private lesson will be considered absent without notification, and will be charged for the lesson. This includes lessons conducted online.

MAKE-UP FOR PRIVATE LESSONS

There are no make-up sessions for private lessons cancelled by a students. Any lessons or classes missed by a teacher will either be made up or refunded at the end of the academic year (June 30, 2024).

SUSPENSIONS

BMS reserves the right to discontinue any student whose behavior, work, or attendance is unsatisfactory, or whose payment is in arrears.

WITHDRAWAL POLICIES

To withdraw from lessons please notify a staff member. If the student withdraws from lessons at least a week prior to the start of lessons, a full refund (less an Administrative Fee) will be issued. Once lessons have begun a 75% refund will be issued on remaining unused lessons.

FEES & PAYMENT INFORMATION

Annual tuition may be paid in full at the time of registration; or “monthly” tuition may be made with recurring payments for four weekly lessons. A valid credit card is required for recurring payments, unless other arrangements are made in advance. Cash and checks made payable to the Berkshire Music School are also accepted forms of payment, and should be received by the music school office by the first of each month. There is a $30 fee for all returned checks, and a $15 late fee for payments that are two or more weeks past due.

VIRTUAL LESSONS

Virtual lessons are conducted via Facetime, Skype, or ZOOM. If registering for virtual lessons, a parent/guardian must authorize BMS to provide virtual music lessons to any minor child by a teacher employed by BMS through Zoom or other remote meeting platforms.  Requests for converting in-person to virtual lessons (or vice versa) must be made through the BMS office at least 2 business days in advance, and cannot be guaranteed.

INCLEMENT WEATHER CLOSINGS

BMS reluctantly cancels classes and programs due to inclement weather. Because road conditions may change during the day, BMS does not always follow the local school closures. Announcement of closings are recorded on the BMS outgoing voicemail 413-442-1411 and on our Facebook page. Students and teachers may choose to convert on-campus lessons to remote lessons, if agreeable to both parties. Make-up lessons for snow days may be given if time allows.

TEACHERZONE

The Berkshire Music School utilizes TeacherZone for scheduling and payments. Through this app, students will receive lesson reminders and other notifications. You can use your TeacherZone account to cancel a lesson, view your billing and attendance history, and update your credit card. A free app is available for students through the iOS or Android app stores.

COLLEGE CREDIT THROUGH BERKSHIRE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (BCC)

BMS offers lessons for credit at Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield. High school, college, and adult students who desire college credit can register as BCC students, paying tuition at BMS with waived tuition from the college. BCC fees for credit still apply. Payment in full is required at time of registration.

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