Ashley Hall Private Lesson Programs
Serving the greater Charleston community, the Ashley Hall Private Lesson Program includes group classes and performance opportunities for students of all levels. Classes in violin, viola, cello, piano, music composition, and voice are offered at the beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels.
PROGRAMS
String Academy
The String Academy is open to students ages 5-18 who wish to study the violin, viola, and cello through a curriculum that includes private and group lessons, theory and master classes, chamber music, and performance opportunities. Our program is based on the teaching of master violin educators Mimi Zweig, Shinichi Suzuki, and Paul Rolland. Parents are central to the beginning years of study; they attend all lessons and support daily practice.
This specialized program, taught by highly trained faculty, allows students to start expressing themselves musically and artistically easily from the earliest stages of study. Students develop concentration, confidence, and a lifelong appreciation of music.
New Students: Please contact Flora Nevarez at nevarezf@ashleyhall.org before registering.
Traditional Lessons
Traditional private lessons are open to students who wish to study the piano, violin, viola, cello, voice, music theory, and composition in a one-on-one setting once or twice a week. Piano students may opt to join the Royal Conservatory of Music Curriculum, a comprehensive approach to music training.
Voice
Private voice lessons are available for students in grades 5-12. Currently, there are no openings for voice lessons for students in grades 1-4. While previous vocal study or experience is not necessary, singers must be able to match pitch. Students will have the opportunity to sing various styles of music, including musical theater, pop, folk, jazz, R&B, and classical. The focus will be on developing a healthy vocal technique, regardless of style.
There will be optional opportunities to perform on and off campus, record in a professional studio, and compete in vocal competitions. Younger voice students will choose end-of-semester performances as a private video recording or a public recital. A Spring Vocal Showcase will be presented each year.
New Students: All new voice students must audition. Please contact Maggie Cook at cookm@ashleyhall.org before registering to schedule an audition in August.
Composition
Private composition lessons aim for students to compose and notate at least 1 composition per session, which will be performed by the student composer and/or other musician(s).
Composition lessons are open to students ages 5-18 who currently study piano or have a minimum of 3 years of study on their primary instrument. Required materials include a music composition book(s), blank staff paper, and a music notation program (Grades 6-12).
Dan McCurry’s students have won numerous local, regional, and national composition contests and awards and have been accepted to the nationally renowned Brevard summer camp on merit scholarships.
New Students: Please contact Dan McCurry at mccurryd@ashleyhall.org before registering.
Tuition
SPRING SEMESTER 2025 (January 7 – April 18, 14 weeks)
String Academy (private + group lesson for violin, viola, and cello)
30 minute lesson: $690
40 minute lesson: $880
45 minute lesson: $970
Traditional (private lesson only)
30 minute lesson: $560
40 minute lesson: $750
45 minute lesson: $840
60 minute lesson: $1120
TUITION QUESTIONS?
Please contact program director Private Lesson Program Director Flora Nevarez at nevarezf@ashleyhall.org. Requests for prorated tuition or refunds will be considered on a case-by-case basis and must be made in writing.
Registration
The registration deadline for the Spring 2025 Private Lesson session is January 10, 2025.
NEW STUDENTS: Please contact Flora Nevarez at nevarezf@ashleyhall.org before registering.
RETURNING STUDENTS: Please use the button below and click on Private Lessons in the navigation bar to the right to register.
STUDENT AND PARENT EXPECTATIONS
Practice
Students are expected to practice outside lessons daily at the same time as their lessons. For example, a student who takes a 30-minute private lesson is expected to practice 30 minutes a day at home. Parents are expected to help students establish a daily practice routine, providing necessary materials and a quiet place free from distractions, especially with younger students (ages 5-10).
Lessons
Parents of students in pre-kindergarten – grade 1 are required to attend private lessons to take notes.
Instrument Details
Piano students should have a piano or 88-key keyboard with pedal attachment at home. Strings students should consult with their child’s teacher for string instrument sizing before renting or purchasing an instrument. Private lesson teachers can recommend sources for instrument rental or purchase.
Calendar
SPRING SEMESTER 2025 (January 7–April 18 | 14 weeks)
String Academy Group Lesson Schedule
Violin Groups
Thursday 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. | Book 1A Fracht Studio with Ms. Nevarez
Thursday 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. | Book 1B Recital Hall with Mrs. Walker
Cello Groups
Monday 3:20 – 4:20 p.m. | Cello Choir A Gaines Studio with Mrs. Goio
Wednesday 3:05 – 4:05 p.m. | Book 1A Gaines Studio with Ms. Tarver
Thursday 3:20 – 4:20 p.m. | Cello Choir B Gaines Studio Mrs. Goio
FULL SPRING SEMESTER CALENDAR
Jan. 7 | Private lessons resume
Jan. 13 | String Academy group lessons resume
Jan. 31 | Piano Masterclass, 3:45 PM, Recital Hall
Feb. 7 | Strings Masterclass, 3:45 PM, Recital Hall
Feb. 17–18 | Winter Break
Feb. 28 | Piano Masterclass, 3:45 PM, Recital Hall
Mar. 7 | Strings Masterclass, 3:45 PM, Recital Hall
Mar. 21 | Piano Masterclass, 3:45 PM, Recital Hall
Mar. 25 | Solo Recitals, 4:00, 5:00, & 6:00 PM, Recital Hall
Mar. 31 – April 4 | Spring Break
Apr. 11 | Strings Masterclass, 3:45 PM, Recital Hall
Apr. 18 | Piano Masterclass, 3:45 PM, Recital Hall
Apr. 21 | No group lessons this week; makeup lesson week
Apr. 23–25 | Solo Recitals, 4:00, 5:00, & 6:00 PM, Recital Hall
Faculty
Violin & Viola Faculty
Flora Nevarez, Director
Frances Hsieh
Zoe Walker
Ben Weiss
Jenny Weiss
Cello Faculty
Aubrey Goio, Co-Director
Caitlin Tarver
Cameron Williams
Piano Faculty
Anna Brock
Loretta Haskell
Dan McCurry
Misha Pekar
Jan Jemison Smith
Dr. Soohyun Yun
Guitar Faculty
Michael Bunny
Voice Faculty
Margaret Kelly Cook
Music Theory Faculty
Anna Brock
Dan McCurry
Composition
Dan McCurry
Collaborative Piano
Anna Brock
Misha Pekar
Learn more about our Faculty
Flora Nevarez
Frances Hsieh
Anna Brock
Loretta Haskell
Jan Jemison Smith
Dr. Soohyun Yun
Michael Bunny
Zoe Walker
Dan McCurry
Aubrey Goio
Contact Information
For more information, contact: