Community Music Lessons
Music lessons for students of all levels
Founded in 1968, the Community Music Lessons (CML) program provides college students with valuable experience teaching applied music lessons. Lessons are provided by undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in the School of Music who are overseen by individual faculty members, an experienced graduate coordinator, and a staff supervisor.
Lessons are taught in the Humanities Building on the UW–Madison campus.
We offer lessons with flexible scheduling for all instrumental and voice areas per instructor availability for students ages 8 and up. Music instructors are matched with university and community students interested in beginning or continuing the study of an instrument or voice in a fun and supportive atmosphere. Performance opportunities in the Hamel Music Center are also available.
Please contact the Community Music Lessons Coordinator at cml@music.wisc.edu with questions.
Fall 2026 Schedule
September 23
10 lesson package closes
October 28
5 lesson package closes
November 25
1 lesson package closes
December 9
Last day of CML Lessons
December 19 at 10 am
Recital
Registration information
Undergraduate Instructor:
Five 30-minute lessons = $150
Ten 30-minute lessons = $280
Five 60-minute lessons: $250
Ten 60-minute lessons: $480
Graduate Instructor:
Five 30-minute lessons = $185
Ten 30-minute lessons = $350
Five 60-minute lessons: $300
Ten 60-minute lessons: $580
Optional: Practice room fees for access to the Humanities practice rooms outside of lesson hours: $125/semester
In accordance with the Office of Youth Protection policy, CML students under the age of 18 are not permitted access to practice rooms outside of scheduled lesson times with their instructor.
We accept Visa and MasterCard. We do not accept payments in cash. To pay with a check, please contact the CML coordinator before registering.
Tuition must be paid in full at the time of registration. No lessons may be given without advance receipt of payment (lesson fee.)
Cancellations two weeks from the time of registration are offered a full refund, minus a $20 service fee. Cancellations after that time may be eligible for a future credit.
Participation in the CML program indicates agreement with the following:
- Students must have already reached the age of 8 on or before the first lesson.
- An excused absence must be reported at least 24 hours before the lesson. Subsequent missed lessons will not be rescheduled or refunded.
- Food and drink are not allowed in practice rooms or in any room with a piano.
- Community Music Lessons are one-on-one experiences. Student instructors have been background checked and have undergone trainings to work with youth. A parent/guardian is welcome, but not required, to attend.
To purchase practice room access, navigate to the Community Music Lessons section in the link above.
For adult students who have purchased the optional practice room access, practice rooms are open:
- Monday through Friday, 8 am to 11 am and 4 pm to 11 pm
- Saturday, 8 am to 11 pm
- Sunday, 10 am to 11 pm
In accordance with Office of Youth Protection policy, CML students under the age of 18 are not permitted access to practice rooms outside of scheduled lesson times with their instructor.
The Community Music Lessons program is open to current undergraduate and graduate music students enrolled at the UW–Madison. If you would like to join our teaching staff, please email us at cml@music.wisc.edu.