Community Music Lessons

SPRING 2025 REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED

Music lessons for learners of all levels

Founded in 1968, the Community Music Lessons 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 on campus in the Humanities Building on the UW–Madison campus.

We offer lessons for all instrumental and voice areas per instructor availability. We are currently only offering lessons for students ages 8 and up. Music instructors are matched with university and community learners interested in beginning or continuing study of an instrument or voice in a fun and supportive atmosphere. Flexible scheduling and performance opportunities with the CML program are an example of the Wisconsin Idea in practice.

Please contact Community Music Lessons Coordinator Madison Barrett at cml@music.wisc.edu with any questions.

Registration information

Tuition and Fees

Spring 2025 Schedule
March 2 – 10 lesson package closes
March 3 – 5 lesson package closes
April 13 – 3 lesson package closes
May 4 – Last day of CML lessons

Tuition Rates

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
(see “Practice Room Information for CML Participants” tab for details). To ensure the safety and well-being of our youth participants, and 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.

Payment Policy

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.)

Cancellation policy

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.

Lesson Policies

Lesson Policies
Please keep these policies for reference. 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.

Practice Room Information for CML Students

For adult students who have added the optional practice room access, practice rooms are open during these times:

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

To ensure the safety and well-being of our youth participants, and 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.

Information for Lesson Providers

If you would like to give lessons, click to download these documents:

Instructor Overview
Music Instructor Application
Music Instructor Policies – Updated 9/2024

Links for current Lesson Providers:

Contact Information

Coordinator: Madison Barrett
Office: Room 4510, Humanities Building
Email: cml@music.wisc.edu

Meet our instructors

Kevin Friermood

Graduate Instructor of Euphonium

Teaching philosophy

As a private lessons instructor, I strive to tailor the materials to each student’s individual needs. Doing this, and having regular “goals checks” allows the student to have a closer connection and influence on their own education.

Bio

Kevin is a second-year Doctor of Musical Arts in Euphonium Performance student at UW–Madison. During his undergraduate studies, Kevin participated in numerous regional and national collegiate honors ensembles, where he performed under the direction of Eugene Corporon, Gary Green, and others.

Upon graduating with his Bachelors of Science in Applied Music, he joined the Marine Corps where he served as a musician for four years, performing across the continental United States. While at UW–Madison, Kevin has been a member of Wind Ensemble, Low Brass Ensemble, Brass Choir, and the Park Street Tuba/Euphonium Quartet. He is a student of Dr. Tom Curry.

Alex Gallatin

Graduate Instructor of Violin

Teaching philosophy

Learning music should be fun. As a student develops their talent, they gain confidence in their ability to work through unique challenges. I provide my students with a professional quality curriculum, and encourage them throughout their musical journey.

Bio

Alex Gallatin is a Wisconsin based violinist who is active both as a teacher and performer. As a teacher, he is known for his encouraging and flexible approach to help students achieve balanced and high-level musicianship. As a performer, he has played a wide range of musical styles including plenty of classical, pop, mariachi, jazz, and metal music.

Alex loves to share the joys of music with others through both thoughtful lessons and exciting performances. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in violin performance from UW–Madison.

Riley Smith

Graduate Instructor of Guitar

Bio

Riley Smith, a native of Michigan, was introduced to the classical guitar at a young age and he quicky became enamored with the instrument. While in Michigan, Riley studied privately with Dr. Brad DeRoche. In 2016, Riley began his undergraduate studies at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee under the tutelage of René Izquierdo.

Riley received his MM from Columbus State University studying with Dr. Andrew Zohn. In 2022, Riley taught at Carver Elementary and Arts Magnet School as a full time guitar instructor. He is currently pursuing a DMA in guitar performance from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, studying under Javier Calderon.

Jing Zhang

Graduate Instructor of Voice

Bio

Jing Zhang is a Mezzo-Soprano. She started playing piano when she was five years old until high school. Now Jing is currently pursuing Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Voice Performance at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She receives her Performance Diploma in Opera Performance from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in 2020. Jing is passionate about making her music lessons a fun and safe space for her students to learn.

Eunsu Kim

Graduate Instructor of Piano

Teaching philosophy

She provides constructive feedback and systematic strategies for improvement and helps students establish habits to work independently.

Bio

Eunsu Kim is pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts at the University of Wisconsin–Madison as a Collins Fellow, studying under Christopher Taylor, while finishing her Artist Diploma at Indiana University – Bloomington under the tutelage of Evelyne Brancart.

She completed her bachelor’s degree at Hanyang University in South Korea and earned a Master of Music and a Performer Diploma at Indiana University-Bloomington while studying with Andre Watts. She taught group classes and private students as an Associate Instructor at Indiana University-Bloomington and has been a private instructor since 2013.

Carmen Lemos

Graduate Instructor of Piano

Teaching philosophy

She provides constructive feedback and a well-rounded musical education while adapting to the needs of each student.

Bio

Carmen Lemos is pursuing a Master’s in Music at the University of Wisconsin–Madison as Teaching Assistant, studying under Dr. Jessica Johnson. She completed her bachelor’s degree at the University of Memphis under the tutelage of Dr. Artina McCain. She teaches group piano classes at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and has taught students from all levels.

Cole Pecor

Graduate instructor of Guitar

Teaching philosophy

Cole’s goal is to cater each lesson to the individual, and he aims to meet his students where they are at, providing them with tools to improve at whatever pace they see fit.

Bio

After receiving his undergraduate degree in Jazz Studies at UW-Stevens Point, Cole is continuing to pursue his Masters of Music in Jazz Studies at UW–Madison. Cole has taught privately with multiple students young and old, and lead a private class for beginner guitar students over summer of 2024.

With ample experience teaching guitar, music, and skills, Cole is passionate about effectively sharing a love for music and learning. Cole’s goal is to cater each lesson to the individual, and he aims to meet his students where they are at, providing them with tools to improve at whatever pace they see fit. Exploring contemporary genres like pop, singer-songwriter, jazz and more, he looks forward to the challenge of teaching within whatever interest his students throw at him.

Janet Lyu

Graduate instructor of Violin

Teaching philosophy

I believe in tailoring lessons in a fashion where both the student and instructor are satisfied. Communication about expectations is key and lessons should be a safe-zone that fosters incremental progress and mutual trust.

Bio

Janet Lyu is a Korean-American violinist who is in her first year of doctoral studies at the University of Wisconsin–Madison under the tutelage of David Perry. Previously, she studied at the University of Michigan and has been an active educator and performer.

She has participated in summer festivals such as the Pacific Music Festival in Sapporo, Japan, National Repertory Orchestra in Breckenridge, Colorado, and Aspen Music Festival and School in Aspen, Colorado. Currently, she is a tenured section violinist with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra and is a substitute violinist at other regional symphony orchestras. This is her first time teaching for CML and she is looking forward to many more semesters as an instructor.

Mead Witter School of Music

Music lessons for learners of all levels

Registration information

Meet our instructors

Kevin Friermood

Alex Gallatin

Riley Smith

Jing Zhang

Eunsu Kim

Carmen Lemos

Cole Pecor

Janet Lyu

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