LIFE-CHANGING MUSIC LESSONS THAT SPARK WONDER!
Welcome
Park Slope Parents!
We believe music education
can be the spark
to activate life skills for all children
| My child has taken lessons from 3 different music schools in Brooklyn and Park Slope Music Lessons is the best! My child plays multiple instruments and his teacher, Matt, has been amazing teaching him both trumpet and piano. Also, Matt has helped expand my child’s music knowledge. |
LIFE SKILLS THROUGH MUSIC
Why Choose Park Slope Music Lessons?
We believe that MUSIC is MORE than just an after school activity.
By teaching our children to make music, we are activating life skills, applicable everywhere, and that last forever."
-Andrew Ingkavet, Director and Founder of Park Slope Music Lessons
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We Send Teachers To Your Home
Park Slope kids are busy as well as their parents, and they appreciate the privacy and convenience of having lessons in their homes.
They love that we match the teachers with their children based on personality, learning style, gender preference, music choices and location. -
Teacher Role Models
We work with active performing artists who have been trained with our method. They have all been thoroughly vetted and come from some of the best schools in the country, including Boston University, Berklee School of Music, Juilliard, NYU, Mannes, Manhattan School of Music and the Moscow Conservatory.
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Flexible Customized Lessons
Our structured curriculum is designed to be flexible and accommodating to each student's unique interests. We strongly believe that building a strong teacher-student rapport is essential to a successful learning experience. Therefore, no matter your child's musical preference - whether it's classical, Taylor Swift, Disney pop songs, or something completely different - we will do our best to incorporate them into our lesson plans. Or, if they haven't yet found what they love, we can introduce them to a brand new world of music!
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Community
At our virtual school, we strive to foster a sense of community, even in the absence of a physical building. Our twice-yearly recital concerts create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for students, parents, and music lovers alike. These enjoyable events are a celebration of the hard work and passion that accompanies the study of music and provide a safe and family-friendly environment to enjoy it.
Instant Confidence
We start young beginners on piano (or keyboard) using our Musicolor Method. By using color as educational scaffolding, we get kids playing and practicing on their own from the first lesson.
At What Age To Start Music Lessons?
Most of our students come to us between 3 and 6 years old. - Though we accept any age, the younger you start, the better.
We are one of the only programs to teach young preschoolers. These are real piano lessons - not just clap along or sing along. Nor is it just playing a single note while the teacher or the band plays the rest of the song. Our students learn real music skills - only in a more organic, fun way.
This is possible because of our unique adaptive curriculum.
Our Philosophy
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Meet students at their level
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Make it fun
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Chunk it down into micro steps
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Limit overwhelm + distraction with simplified notation
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Customize lessons to match student interests
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Use color as scaffolding, not a crutch - keep progressing upward.
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Empower students to take ownership of practice from the very start
Note: If your child is over 8 years old, we can start them on pretty much any instrument, though we do feel learning the keyboard is great for deeper understanding of music.
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Our Students Love Us
We have over 40 five-star reviews on Google in the last 15 years, activating wonder in children here in Park Slope.
"I can't express enough how grateful I am to Luba and to Andrew! My daughter has never sought to play music professionally, so her continued commitment to her weekly lessons for 12+ years (even with her busy high school schedule), is a testament to how much she truly enjoys being part of the ParkSlopeMusicLessons family! - Caroline L. -
Results You Can See & Hear!
The results of our work with young children are more than just predictable - you can actually see and hear them. Our experience has taught us that we can expect tangible, measurable results in terms of better academic skills, improved concentration, and increased confidence. And you'll be pleased to see and hear the progress your child makes as we work together.
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Communication
At our school, we make sure that you are in the know about your child's progress! After each lesson, we will send home lesson notes that detail exactly what your child is working on. This way, even if you are not present at the lesson, you'll be able to tell what areas your child needs help with and which ones they are most excited about.
Additionally, once a year in September, we host a Parents' Curriculum Meeting. During this meeting, we will go over the curriculum and offer practice tips and answer any questions you may have. -
Public Performance Opportunities
We host two recitals each year, one in the winter and one in the spring – perfect for honing your child's public presentation skills. Getting a head start on learning this essential life skill can make all the difference in future endeavors. Don't miss out on these unique opportunities to sharpen your child's performance skills and gain invaluable experience!
WE MAKE EVERY LESSON A WIN!
MUSIC IS A UNIVERAL GIFT
And it’s been proven to improve brain development in kids to the tune of one entire academic year.
That’s like skipping a whole grade by taking music lessons!
How do we teach so everyone understands?
We use color as educational scaffolding.
Kids learn a song in the first 5 minutes of their first lesson. And they feel fantastic! What a boost of confidence!
This method is called the Musicolor Method and it has been proven all over the world. Want to see it in action?
Click the Get Started button.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
- We'll schedule a call to learn more about your child to make a perfect match with our teachers - we'll give you instrument recommendations if needed as well
- Lessons are in your home
- We start with two trial lessons
- We’re certain you’ll see and hear magical results and want to continue (most of our students stay with us for 5, 7 and even 10 years!)
Andrew/Park Slope Music Lessons has done a WONDERFUL job of not just teaching my two sons music (piano and guitar both theory and practice) but also instilled a great love of music. The kids love practicing because Andrew makes it fun. The breadth and depth (from classical to rock and jazz) that is covered really opens the kids eyes to the joy of music. I cannot recommend it more - if you can get in you should!
About Us and Our Founder
Since 2007...
Park Slope Music Lessons began with founder Andrew Ingkavet teaching his son Alejandro in his living room. After years of a long waiting list and having to turn away students, he began working with other master teachers who shared his philosophy of life skills through music.
Along the way, Andrew created the Musicolor Method, an adaptive and inclusive curriculum that is now being used worldwide. He has been featured in the Telegraph UK, Thrive Global, and interviewed on various educator podcasts. In the late 80's, Andrew was part of the team that launched the careers of Guns N' Roses, Megadeth, Tracy Chapman and Keanu Reeves' first film. In the 1990's, he was a founding VJ for MTV-Asia broadcasting from Hong Kong. While there, he co-founded the first digital marketing agency in Asia.
Returning to New York in the late 90's, he rose to Creative Director at several large digital media agencies working on information architecture and user experience for clients including American Express, Chase, HP, Clairol and Seagrams.
An award-winning composer, he has scored several independent theater productions and films including Paramount Pictures' Noelle by David Wall, now available on Amazon Prime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to our most common questions
Which instrument should my child start with?
We recommend all children start with at least 6 months of piano/keyboard. Because it is physically easier to produce sound, and is visually logically laid out, it builds a foundation quickly and makes comprehension faster. This makes transferring to ANY other instrument much quicker, enjoyable and understandable.
However, for children above the age of 8 years old, it is possible to start on any instrument, though we highly recommend keyboard as a foundation.
What instruments do you teach?
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PIANO
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VOICE
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GUITAR
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BASS
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UKULELE
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VIOLIN
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CELLO -not currently available -
FLUTE
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SAXOPHONE
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CLARINET
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TRUMPET
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TROMBONE
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FLUGELHORN
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DRUMS
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PERCUSSION
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SONGWRITING
and more to come
What can I expect from the trial lessons?
Our Musicolor Method enables kids to play right from the first lesson – and we want to capitalize on this excitement and confidence boost!
What age should I start my child on music lessons?
We accept kids from around 4 years of age, sometimes 3 1/2. It depends on these 4 things:
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Fine motor skills - any issues? Can they write their name legibly?
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Count to 10?
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Know the alphabet song? At least up to letter G?
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Can sit and focus on one activity for at least 5 minutes?
Do you offer lessons in home?
Yes. Most of our lessons happen in your home.
Only a few teachers have studios in their homes or rented facilities.
Do you have a studio or school location we can visit?
No. We don't have a central school building. We do rent a recital hall twice a year, usually St. Francis Xavier cathedral on 6th Avenue and Carroll Street.
How much are the lessons?
Your first two lessons are billed at $75/each for a total of $150, plus a one time registration fee of $25 which goes towards admin fee if continuing.
After the trial lessons, we will discuss whether to continue.
Our tuition between September and June is $280/month for weekly half hour lessons and includes 2 recitals, music, books and materials.
There is an annual admin fee of $65 per student.
Summer lessons are booked individually to accommodate travel/vacation plans at $85/half hour. We offer summer lesson packages with discounted rates which are announced in May of each year.
We offer prepaid tuition discounts. See below.
Any scholarships available?
Yes. We have limited scholarships available for those in need. Apply here.
How many lessons are there in a semester?
32 half hour lessons plus 2 recitals, music, books and materials between September and early June.
We offer 45 and 60 minute lessons - please ask about pricing
Is there a discount for prepaid annual tuition?
New students can enjoy a 3% prepaid discount.
Returning students can enjoy a 5% discount if paid before June 30th for the coming semester.
Is there a discount for siblings?
Yes - ask us about it in your consultation interview.
What if I have to miss a lesson?
We have 3 makeup credits per semester. Ask your teacher to reschedule. There are no refunds for missed lessons.
Do I need to own a piano or keyboard to start?
Yes, because your child will be practicing daily from the first lesson.
Where can I purchase an instrument for my child?
We have recommendations we can send you after enrolling. There's options for keyboards from $200 and up as well as rentals of acoustic pianos, violins, cellos, etc. Guitars are usually purchased as good quality ones can be had for less than $200.
Do you teach reading music?
Absolutely.
We start with playing first using color as educational scaffolding. This builds instant excitement, enthusiasm and confidence to keep going when things get more complicated. Learning to read music is not going to happen overnight, in a week or even months. It can take years.
Will you come to my home if I don't live in Park Slope?
Unfortunately, if you are not in Park Slope, there is a high chance we cannot travel to you. Most of our teachers do not own cars and are walking or biking between student's homes.
Do you teach children with special needs?
Yes.
Because of our adaptive and inclusive curriculum, the Musicolor Method, we have been able to successfully work with many children with special needs including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder, Dyslexia, and slow learners.
Do you offer remote lessons?
Yes.
All of our teachers are able to provide excellent instruction via Zoom no matter where you are located. You just need to have a broadband internet connection and a web-connected device with camera.
Do you offer group lessons or classes?
Yes.
We have a few students in private pods both in-person and remote.
Can I leave my child at home with the teacher during the lesson?
No. An adult needs to be present for in-person lessons at home. This is not baby-sitting or child-care.
I want my child to be a professional concert pianist, can you teach him/her?
Yes.
While most of our students and families are not interested in a professional music career, there is no reason they cannot pursue this. Our teachers are all professional performers as well as teaching artists and can guide your child on their personal path whether it be a professional musician or something else.
Where are the recitals held?
We usually rent a space. In the past few years, we've been happy that St. Francis Xavier cathedral has provided us a beautiful space with a Steinway grand piano. Many thanks to Dr. Michael Kaminsky, music director, for helping us with this.
ACTIVATE WONDER
Ready for Music Education as Personal Development?
Many of our students start with us young, as early as 3 1/2 years old and stay with us 9 or more years. Find out why.
Parents
Connect With Us
Copyright © 2007-2023- 300 Monks, LLC d.b.a. Park Slope Music Lessons – 114 Garfield Place, 3R, Brooklyn, NY 11215 – (347) 997-1194
