Private Lessons Program
In order to further the musical development and achievement of students in the Danvers Public Schools, the district is offering a new private music lessons program. The program will bring in outside experts to teach at Danvers High School for students of all levels, during after school hours, and be overseen by the Performing Arts department and district office. Lessons will be offered on a semesterly basis with payments and fees due for all lessons at the start of each 12-week session. Below are additional details about the program. Please contact performingarts@danvers.org with questions.
How do I register my student for the private lesson program?
This form confirms your initial interest in registering your student for private lessons and you will be contacted prior to the semester regarding scheduling. Payment for all lessons is required at the start of the semester and families will be billed and able to pay through the district's eFunds portal prior to the start of the semester.
Lessons are not guaranteed and will be offered on a first-come first-served basis depending on the availability of the instructors. A waitlist will be available.
My student was enrolled in lessons for Semester 1 and they want to continue in Semester 2, do I need to fill out the registration form again?
Yes, please register your student again using the form linked above. Thank you! When communication is sent regarding scheduling lessons, you will have the opportunity to indicate whether you want to keep the semester 1 time, or request a different slot with your instructor.
What is the cost of the lessons?
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Families pay a semesterly program fee of $50 + cost of lessons at start of the semester
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Students are provided 12 lessons per semester (Fall: September - December, Winter: January - May)
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Lesson fees: $35 per ½ hour, $70 per hour.
12 half-hour lessons a semester (including program fee) is $470
12 hour lessons a semester (including program fee) is $890
How do I pay for my student's lessons?
*Only make payment for lessons after your student has registered and has a confirmed time.
Lesson payments can be made through EFUNDS (Danvers Public Schools)
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Click eEunds Link
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Click “Pay for Optional Fees”
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Login
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Select “Private Music Lessons Program”
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Enter $470 for ½-hour lessons or $890 for 1-hour lessons
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Make payment with credit or debit card
What is the cancellation policy?
It is the responsibility of the instructor to make up any lessons where they initiated the cancellation. If the family cancels a lesson on its end, there will be no refunds for individual lessons because the full lesson fees were paid at the beginning of the semester. Families are permitted to inquire with the instructor about make-up lessons if the family canceled more than 24 hours in advance, but a rescheduling a lesson is not guaranteed in this instance.
How are lessons scheduled?
For each semester, upon filling out the initial registration form, you will be contacted by the performing arts staff about scheduling lessons to start in September or January. You must be available for lessons on days when your instrument's instructor is available (see instructor availability below).
Where do lessons take place?
All instructors will teach lessons out of Danvers High School in the practice room area between the band and chorus rooms (next to the auditorium). Students can enter through the auditorium entrance prior to the time of their lessons.
Who is eligible for the Danvers Music Private Lesson Program?
Students grades 4-12 who are enrolled in the Danvers Public Schools are eligible to register for the program. Instructor slots are filled on a first-come first-served basis depending on the student and instructor availability. See below for instructor bios.
Instructor Bios
Caleb Hall - High Brass (Trumpet) - Caleb is a sound artist, composer, and trumpet player. His recent works include a hybrid approach using acoustic and electronic sounds, combining these with field recordings. His trumpet playing has taken him across the globe, performing in Ireland and with the late B.J. Thomas. He is comfortable in every style of music, from classical to jazz, and has been a music educator for over 15 years. His teaching style is a blend of providing a solid foundation of music and having fun while doing it. Caleb teaches on Mondays at DHS
Kurt Ferguson - Low Brass (Trombone, Tuba, Baritone) - Originally from New York, Kurt Ferguson moved to North Reading in 2020, where he runs a private music studio and performs on euphonium, tenor, alto, and bass trombones. His career has taken him around the country where he performs as a soloist, chamber musician and with symphony and pit orchestras covering musical styles from the renaissance to world premiers. Kurt studied music performance and education at the Eastman School of Music, Rice University, and the Colburn School of Music. He has been teaching private lessons for over 20 years to students of all ages - from elementary school through college. His expertise is in developing students' love for their instrument(s), solidifying fundamentals, developing strong practicing skills/routines, musical expression, performance/audition preparation, and ensemble playing. Kurt's students have gone on to major in music, attend summer music festivals, pre-college music programs, as well as regional/state-wide musical competitions. No matter the age or skill level, Kurt takes joy in demonstrating what the instrument can do and inspiring others to improve their playing every day. Kurt teaches on Tuesdays & Thursdays at DHS
Matt Beaulieu - Percussion (Drumset, Concert Snare/Tmpani, Mallets) - Matt Beaulieu is an active performing drummer with 30 years of teaching experience at institutions including Berklee College of Music, Boston Latin Academy, NSCC, to name a few as well as his home studio. Pulling from his experience on stages across North America and Europe he enjoys assisting drummers of all ages along their journey with music, wherever they hope to go! Matt teaches on Mondays and Tuesdays at DHS
Robb Taylor - Woodwinds (Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet) - Robb (he/him/his) is a performer, educator, and composer born and raised in New England. A specialist in woodwind and jazz techniques, he has taught students of all ages and ability levels how to become inquisitive, well-rounded musicians. As a charter member and creative lead with international collective Sonic Gate Studios, he frequently collaborates with artists from across the globe to create and explore new works that push boundaries and blur the lines between classical, electronic, and popular music. Robb currently serves on the applied faculty at Salem State University and leadsclinics and masterclasses across the northeast United States. He holds a BA in Music Education from Syracuse University and an MA in Scoring for Multimedia from Pulse College. Robb teaches on Mondays and Tuesdays at DHS
Alexis Loch (MacTaylor) - Voice/Piano - Alexis Loch is a music educator from Salem, MA. She has a Bachelor of Music Education and a Master's of Music Education from Gordon College. She has taught choir, piano, and music theory for the past seven years. Alexis has taught large and individual piano classes, where she teaches using a blend of method book work and exploring other technical skills such as playing pop song chord sheets, blues scale improvisation, and writing original compositions. She has coached singers in various genres- preparing for senior district and all state auditions, musical theater, pop songs in talent shows and a cappella groups, and classical repertoire for college auditions- approaching each with the goal of cultivating a healthy, confident vocal technique. Alexis teaches on Tuesdays, Wednesday, and Thursdays at DHS