Carolina Community Arts Academy and Private Lessons
Serving the greater Charleston community and Ashley Hall students, the Carolina Community Arts Academy offers private lessons coupled with group classes and performance opportunities for students of all levels. Classes in violin, viola, cello, and voice are offered at the beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels.
Private Lessons
Private lessons are available in violin, viola, cello, piano, and voice.
- Private lessons occur weekly on Ashley Hall’s campus, and are scheduled on an individual basis before, during, or after school, Monday through Friday.
- All students perform in a solo recital at the end of each semester.
- For violin, viola, and cello, both private and group lessons (see below) are required for students grades Kindergarten-Grade 4.
- Voice lessons are offered for students grades 9–12; students grades 7–8 may be considered on an individual basis.
Group Lessons
Group lessons are available in violin, viola, and cello. Group lessons will take place after school once a week, organized according to students’ experience and ability, and are taught homogeneously (single-instrument) in the Suzuki tradition.
Group class instruction will include:
- Solfège singing, aural skills, rhythmic training, movement training, and music theory
- Group practice in scales, techniques, Suzuki repertoire, and supplemental repertoire
- Solo performance practice opportunities
- Piano accompaniment
Group concert performances are held at least once per semester.
Spring I 2022 String Group Schedule
Violin/Viola
2nd Grade | Tuesday, 3:00 p.m.-3:40 p.m. | Nevarez | Pardue 110
3rd Grade | Thursday, 3:15 p.m.-3:55 p.m. | Nevarez/Brock | Pardue 110
4th Grade | Thursday, 4:10 p.m.-4:50 p.m. | Nevarez/Goio | Pardue 110
Cello
2nd Grade | Tuesday, 3:15 p.m.-3:55 p.m. | Goio | Gaines Studio
4th Grade | Tuesday, 4:10 p.m.-4:50 p.m. | Goio/Nevarez | Gaines Studio
Instrument Details
- Piano students should have a piano at home, or a 64-key (or larger) keyboard with pedal attachment.
- Please consult with your child’s teacher for string instrument sizing before renting or purchasing an instrument.
- Teachers can recommend rental stringed instruments through Ashley Hall or outside music companies.
Practice Details
- Students are expected to practice outside of lessons. For example, students enrolled in 30 minute lessons should aim to practice 30 minutes daily, or complete all tasks assigned by their instructor.
- Parents should help students establish a daily practice routine: find an ideal time for practice, a quiet place free from distractions, and provide equipment when necessary (i.e., music stand, rock stop, sheet music, metronome, pencil, etc.).
- Younger students (ages 5–10) require help practicing outside of lessons. Parents (or practice helpers) should practice with younger students at home/at school, observe weekly private lessons (in-person or virtually), and take notes or video record. Practice helpers (Ashley Hall Upper School students) are available by request.
2021-2022 Calendar
Monday, January 17
No lessons, Martin Luther King Day
Tuesday, January 18
Private Lessons Begin | No Groups this Week
Tuesday, January 25
Group Lessons Resume
Monday, January 31
Masterclass with Ashley Hall Music Faculty in the Recital Hall at 3:30 p.m.
Monday, February 21-Tuesday, February 22
Winter Break | No Lessons or Groups
Wednesday, February 23
Lessons and groups resume
Monday, February 28
Masterclass with Ashley Hall Music Faculty in the Recital Hall at 3:30 p.m.
Monday, March 21
Masterclass with Ashley Hall Music Faculty in the Recital Hall at 3:30 p.m.
Monday, March 28-Friday, April 1
Spring Break
Friday, April 15
Good Friday | No Lessons
Monday, April 25
Masterclass with Ashley Hall Music Faculty in the Recital Hall at 3:30 p.m.
Monday, May 2-Friday, May 5
Solo Recitals in the Recital Hall at 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. (No Group Lessons)
Thursday, May 12
Spring String Fling Concert at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul & St. Luke at 5:00 p.m.
Registration and Tuition
Spring I 2022 | Private with Group Lessons
(14 weeks): January 18, 2022-May 6, 2022
- 30 minute private + group lessons: $754
- 40 minute private + group lessons: $833
- 45 minute private + group lessons: $912
- 60 minute private + group lessons: $1,050
Spring I 2022 | Private Lessons Only
(14 weeks): January 18, 2022-May 6, 2022
- 30 minute private lessons: $525
- 40 minute private + group lessons: $704
- 45 minute private lessons: $788
- 60 minute private lessons: $1,050
Spring II 2022 | Private with Group Lessons
(4 weeks): May 6, 2022-June 3, 2022
- 30 minute private + group lessons: $215
- 40 minute private + group lessons: $238
- 45 minute private + group lessons: $261
- 60 minute private + group lessons: $300
Spring II 2022 | Private Lessons Only
(4 weeks): May 6, 2022-June 3, 2022
- 30 minute private lessons: $150
- 40 minute private + group lessons: $201
- 45 minute private lessons: $225
- 60 minute private lessons: $300
Summer 2022 | Private and Group Lessons
(3 or 6 weeks): June 13, 2022-July 23, 2022
- 30 minute private + group lessons:
3 weeks: $162
6 weeks: $323 - 40 minute private + group lessons:
3 weeks: $178
6 weeks: $357 - 45 minute private + group lessons:
3 weeks: $196
6 weeks: $391 - 60 minute private + group lessons:
3 weeks: $225
6 weeks: $450
Summer 2022 | Private Lessons Only
(3 or 6 weeks): June 13, 2022-July 23, 2022
- 30 minute private lessons:
3 weeks: $113
6 weeks: $225 - 40 minute private lessons:
3 weeks: $151
6 weeks: $302 - 45 minute private lessons:
3 weeks: $169
6 weeks: $338 - 60 minute private lessons:
3 weeks: $225
6 weeks: $450
Contact Information
For more information, contact: