What our members say.

  • "Champaign School of Music is a blessing to my family. Our teachers are very dynamic and challenge my kids to perform at their best, but do so with genuine concern. While my kids are learning to play for fun, they are also given the opportunities to perform in recitals (which have, by now, become major events for my family). We really feel blessed to be part of this wonderful music school and look forward to many more years with it."

    Loralei P.

  • "My lesson has become the highlight of my week. I really look forward to it. I can see and feel the progress, and my instructors have really encouraged and continued to push me so much that I know I will be able to fulfill my wish to be a good pianist. I’m very excited about it.”

    Elbert H., age 70

  • "Eleanor and I have been enjoying Music Together. I love having the CD and songbook so that we can have fun at home as well. I also love seeing her explore different rhythm instruments during class. Mr. Bob seems to really enjoy teaching Music Together, and his enthusiasm is certainly catching."

    Sarah C.

  • "Pierce is enjoying the drum lessons very much! He has learned how to keep beat to just about any song that comes on the radio."

    Lacie D.

  • "I have been very pleased with the music instruction my children have received at the Champaign School of Music. Each of my three children learns in a different way and the teachers have been flexible and creative in bringing out the best in each of them. Through their study at the Champaign School of Music, my children have gotten a solid foundation from which to study further and to appreciate music of all kinds. They have also gained valuable experience in persisting at a challenge and feeling the satisfaction and sense of accomplishment that comes from focus and hard work. The performing opportunities at Champaign School of Music have enhanced their poise, confidence, and musicianship. I am very happy to have found a place for my children to study music that offers challenging, high quality lessons approached in an individualized, developmentally-appropriate manner."

    Suzanne L.

  • "Tesla enjoys Piano Adventures, and she likes Ms. Danielle. Sometimes she pretends to be Ms. Danielle when she's at her keyboard at home."

    Terri F.

  • "Every teacher that has worked with my child in the Early Childhood Classes at the Champaign School of Music has had not only technical skill, but also a contagious enthusiasm for the subject matter and most importantly, a manner that is friendly and inviting to children. I appreciate how the instructors use the teachable moments that occur during class, (for example, using the situation where a child has been having trouble producing a steady beat to introduce the technical terms for slowing down or speeding up the beat). The teachers obviously put their time into the preparation and follow-up of each class, and that made every lesson challenging but not overwhelming for my child. My child looks forward to music class, and he's always eager to play music games at home. He is proud of his accomplishments at the keyboard, and it is a joy to see how happy playing music makes him."

    Angela N.

  • "Katie's progress in playing piano constantly amazes our family. Champaign School of music has been a part of Katie's weekly schooling for the past 5 years. She always looks forward to her lessons and what new things she can learn. She has enjoyed working with different teachers throughout the years. All the teachers at the Champaign School of Music come with impressive professional backgrounds,their love of music shows through in the ability to patiently teach children. Katie performed recently at a small talent show. Their were many other children playing piano, yet Katie's performance caught the attention of many of the parents. As we were leaving the talent show I had one parent after another congradulating Katie and asking us where she took piano because they were so impressed with her performance. We were pleased to reply that Champaign School of Music had been where Katie had learned piano and her love of music."

    Mike and Marilyn F.

  • "My son just loves to come and learn violin. He always says that a 30 minute class seems like a one minute class."

    Dipika B.

  • "Mr Bob has been an excellent instructor for guitar and drums. He is very patient and positive with the younger kids. Ms Daniele is very positive and helpful in teaching voice lessons."

    Kollin P.

  • "It is going very well! My daughter enjoys coming to the Champaign School of Music every Saturday for piano and voice lessons."

    Priya S.

  • "We've had a wonderful experience. The teachers seem to truly understand music education and our granddaughter always enjoys coming. Just what we were looking for!"

    Nancy G.

  • "I thoroughly enjoy taking piano lessons. I've always wanted to learn how to play, even have a piano, so at 42 I decided it was time. My Grandmother had passed away and it would have meant a lot to her to know she helped pay for some classes for me. My teacher was wonderful. She was cheerful, very, very knowledgeable and full of enthusiasm for teaching the class. She wasn't afraid to make us play what we were learning, never scolded us for not learning quickly enough [like a younger student might have] and made it a truly enjoyable experience. I'm not going to be performing in public anytime soon, but I feel more confident sitting down at my piano now. She helped us with her encouragement and her endless enthusiasm. Mistakes were not a problem. She wanted us to play loudly and enjoy hitting the keys. - just like kids. That's a lot of why I wanted to take the class and stuck with the entire session. I wanted to come play and learn."

    Janet M.

  • "My daughter has been taking piano lessons at the Champaign School of Music for the past two years. She has thoroughly enjoyed her experience and is looking forward to making much more music."

    Holly H.

  • "First--I wanted to let you know that I will be attending the University of Illinois-Urbana as a music major next fall. I've been accepted as a vocal performance student and I'm currently working on mostly classical kinds of pieces. I am very excited about getting to work on opera pieces next year. I know all of those piano lessons I had with you and with Ms. Ali really helped in my success so far!! My mom tells me that the strong music foundation and practice habits I learned when I worked with you is what has made it possible for me to develop my music to this point. I had very successful auditions at several different colleges and have been offered music talent scholarships, too. I remember when I was little and played in Halloween piano recitals in our costumes and in Christmas recitals on the U of I campus and feeling so happy and excited to perform. It's really fun to think I'll be performing in college in recitals in the same places like the Smith Memorial Room and the Music Building that I did when I started off with piano lessons from you."

    K. M.

  • "I like piano at Champaign School of Music because I get to see my favorite teachers and I get to learn new things about piano. I also like to learn new piano pieces and about their composers. Recitals with Champaign School of Music are fun because people get to listen to what I have learned, I get to see my friends and if I make a mistake in a recital it's o.k. as long as I always try my best."

    Katie, age 8

  • "I am a 7 year old girl and I am half Japanese and half American. I go to piano class at the Champaign School of Music once a week. I have been learning piano for about 10 months and can play over forty songs on the piano. I have had 2 piano recitals that were really fun and really crowded. My piano teacher is awesome. She is so nice and she always pushes me to become a better pianist. My favorite thing about piano school is learning new songs and then playing them for my mom and dad!"

    Terra, Age 7

  • "It is fun to study at Champaign School of Music. My teacher is nice and supportive, and teaches me wonderful and fun ways to get better in my music."

    Pilar, Age 9

  • “Kaitlyn has studied piano with the Champaign School of Music for two years now. She started in a group setting and moved on to private lessons when she did well and decided to continue learning more about playing the piano. I really appreciate the musical theory that she is learning, along with learning to read music. The recitals are a wonderful opportunity for the kids to experience performing in front of a group of people and see what other students are accomplishing. We've found the teachers to be very understanding and flexible. I love seeing the confidence boost when Kaitlyn starts the week slowly working her way through a new song then is playing it strongly and from memory at the end of the week! We're glad she is enjoying her experience with the piano and hope she continues learning and growing with it for many years.”

    Donna B.

  • "What I like about Champaign School of Music is my teacher. She is very patient with me and teaches me great music."

    Aina, Age 11

  • "My piano teacher at the Champaign School of Music is a really good teacher to me. My teacher is really nice and makes the lessons fun. I like the songs she picks out for me to practice and to play at recitals. I like the recitals she has and the opportunity to hear other kids play their music. I like when my teacher gives out rewards and it's a great time for me. I like practicing the songs and the theory that my teacher picks out helps me know about piano. My teacher wants me to keep going and I will."

    Kaitlyn, Age 8

  • "Our son Walker began at the Champaign School of Music. He has really grown in their nurturing and friendly environment. We have been impressed by the excellent quality of his teachers who show patience and understanding, yet know when to push him further. This is a great place to start a musical education."

    Kate K.

  • "I like taking lessons at the Champaign School of Music because the lessons and the teachers are fun. Learning to play the piano and playing in recitals has helped me be a better performer. I have great memories of accomplishing goals and learning new songs."

    Kate, Age 11

  • "I like taking lessons at the Champaign School of Music. When I play the piano, I feel proud when I learn how to play a new song. The teachers are good because they know how to make the lessons fun, but we still learn how to play. I especially like playing the technique exercises we do. I feel really proud and happy when I get a trophy for a practice award."

    Andy, Age 9

  • "In my opinion, the quality of any school simply boils down to the quality of its instructors and my daughter's piano teacher is fantastic. It is clear her teacher's life revolves around music and her passion for teaching inspires all of us. I really don't want to have to force my children to practice - so the fact that her teacher both challenges and inspires her to learn - which results in her wanting to practice - the Champaign School of Music makes music in our home a joy rather than a struggle."

    Kurt Tyson Baumgartner AIA JIA

  • "I have enjoyed seeing Boston grow in his musical abilities at Champaign School of Music. The lessons have given Boston more confidence in himself and now he enjoys playing at his recitals and also for family. Boston is a good student at school and enjoys doing his best at school and music. Thanks again to all at Champaign School of Music and to all of the teachers for all of their kindness and time. Lynn Cain My name is Boston and I am 10 years old. I have been taking piano lessons since I was 6 ½ years old. I like to play fun songs like Dragon Hunt and Take Me Out to the Ball Game. I really like my teacher. She is fun and has fun prizes and neat awards."

    Boston, Age 10

  • "As parents who both grew up playing musical instruments, we knew we wanted our daughter to experience the joy of making music, too. The Champaign School of Music provided us with an affordable opportunity for Sara to learn to read music and play in a fun, supportive environment. Over the years, we've enjoyed seeing Sara's confidence grow along with her music skills."

    Krista & Bill S.

  • "I like playing the piano because it's a good way to express myself. I also like to perform, so I look forward to the Champaign School of music recitals."

    Sara, Age 10

  • "My son, Will, has taken piano lessons at the Champaign School of Music for five years. I've really been impressed with the teaching methods which have included small groups, time with parents, master classes, formal and informal recitals and CDs to use at home, as well as individual lessons. Will has developed an ear for hearing music as well as the ability to read music. I credit Will's teacher at the Champaign School of Music with helping him gain a deeper understanding of music than either of his siblings who received more traditional lessons. Also, Will has stayed with piano longer, probably because he has fun with his teacher. Will and I both appreciate the fact that she has always treated him as an individual."

    Ann E.

  • "The Champaign School of Music is a great place to learn music! The lessons are fun and you really have fun with the teachers. Whether you are learning complex songs or just getting a feel for music, the Champaign School of Music will be the best fun you've ever had with music."

    Will, Age 12

  • "We are a musical family and I knew that Kiran enjoyed singing and playing with musical instruments before she started formal lessons in music. Since she started piano lessons at the Champaign School of Music Kiran has discovered that she has musical talent and is willing to practice everyday to develop her skill. She adores her teacher and gets a lot of positive, constructive feedback every week. Our two younger children listen to Kiran practicing at home and like to sing and play other instruments with her. Kiran's lessons with the Champaign School of Music have been a wonderful experience for the whole family and we look forward to many more years of musical enjoyment!"

    Anu M.

  • "I like taking lessons at the Champaign School of Music because the teachers are nice and at recitals we can get awards! I also like to know that I have talent at playing piano."

    Kiran, Age 8

  • "I like piano lessons at the Champaign School of Music for three major reasons: Firstly, Irina has no problem missing preschool when she's sick but she cries if she has to miss her piano lesson. Secondly, the teachers at this school know how to communicate with little kids and how to integrate "playing" and teaching; Thirdly, teachers communicate with parents frequently, and respond to questions and requests promptly and properly."

    Shao D.

  • "I like my teacher and my teacher really likes me! We have a lot of fun! I like to play piano there, with her."

    Irina, Age 4

  • "I like playing piano, doing games. I like doing echoes. I like doing those animal impressions that the teachers gave us. I like that stuff a lot!"

    Robbie, age 4

  • "My name is John. I have taken Piano Prep at the Champaign School of Music since I was three. I like Piano Prep because I like playing the piano. My favorite thing about Piano Prep is doing the drums. I learned how to play Peter, Peter Pumpkin Eater and Hot Cross Buns. I liked singing John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmitt."

    John, Age 4

  • "The Piano Prep teachers were obvious experts in children's music education, wonderfully capable of demonstrating the joy of singing, playing, and movement at the same time that they provided foundational knowledge. Our daughter has long been interested in hearing and making music, but her experience of these things is now much fuller, her ear much more practiced, her ability to "echo" quite impressive. She is only five years old, and it is so rewarding , for her and for the rest of her family, to see her experiencing the art of music so happily and, already, so 'expertly'."

    Ruby T. -Mom of 5 year-old

  • "Every teacher that has worked with my child in the Early Childhood Classes at the Champaign School of Music has had not only technical skill, but also a contagious enthusiasm for the subject matter and most importantly, a manner that is friendly and inviting to children. I appreciate how the instructors use the teachable moments that occur during class, (for example, using the situation where a child has been having trouble producing a steady beat to introduce the technical terms for slowing down or speeding up the beat). The teachers obviously put their time into the preparation and follow-up of each class, and that made every lesson challenging but not overwhelming for my child. My child looks forward to music class, and he's always eager to play music games at home. He is proud of his accomplishments at the keyboard, and it is a joy to see how happy playing music makes him."

    Angela N. - Mom of 3 year-old

  • "The Piano Prep Class is an excellent introduction for children to music. The teachers introduce basic concepts of rhythms, notes, and musical terms in a wonderfully creative and intuitive way. I was impressed with the "multi-faceted" class activities. Children just starting to develop musical skills and more experienced children learned from the activities. The teachers are warm, enthusiastic, supportive, and talented individuals. We feel lucky to have teachers like them!"

    Lisa D. - Mom of 3-year-old

  • " The class was superb, the teachers astonishing in their ability to spark enthusiasm and elicit participation. They developed our child's musical skills through age appropriate and fun activities. We looked forward to it every week.."

    Kristin H. - Mom of 4-year-old

  • "The teachers were great with my daughter. Conveying background information about my daughter really made a difference. I think she made more progress in the few classes after my conversation than she did previously. She has more confidence. She really enjoys interacting with her instructors. Her teachers really catered to her personality and needs which made all the difference in the world in her progress in class. She actually plays on the piano at home."

    Janeen J. - Mom of 4-year old

  • "I can play over 20 songs!" ​"I am a 7 year old girl and I am half Japanese and half ' American. I go to piano class once a week. I have been learning piano for about 10 months and can play over forty songs on the piano. I have had 2 piano recitals that were really fun and really crowded. My piano teacher is awesome. She is so nice and she always pushes me to become a better pianist. My favorite thing about piano school is learning new songs and then playing them for my mom and dad!"

    Terra B. Age 7

  • "It makes music in our home a joy rather than a struggle!" "In my opinion, the quality of any school simply boils down to the quality of its instructors and my daughter's piano teacher is fantastic. It is clear her teacher's life revolves around music and her passion for teaching inspires all of us. I really don't want to have to force my children to practice - so the fact that her teacher both challenges and inspires her to learn - which results in her wanting to practice makes music in our home a joy rather than a struggle."

    Kurt B.

  • ​"I feel more comfortable sitting down at the piano now." ​I thoroughly enjoyed taking lessons. I'd always wanted to learn how to play, even have a piano, so at 42 I decided it was time. My Grandmother had passed away and it would have meant a lot to her to know she helped pay for some classes for me. My teacher was wonderful. She was cheerful, very, very knowledgeable and full of enthusiasm for teaching the class. She wasn't afraid to make us play what we were learning, never scolded us for not learning quickly enough [like a younger student might have] and made it a truly enjoyable experience. I'm not going to be performing in public anytime soon, but I feel more confident sitting down at my piano now. She helped us with her encouragement and her endless enthusiasm. Mistakes were not a problem. She wanted us to play loudly and enjoy hitting the keys. - just like kids. That's a lot of why I wanted to take the class and stuck with the entire session. I wanted to come play and learn."

    Janet M. Age 42

  • ​"Katie's progress in playing piano constantly amazes our family. She always looks forward to her lessons and what new things she can learn. Katie performed recently at a small talent show. Their were many other children playing piano, yet Katie's performance caught the attention of many of the parents. As we were leaving the talent show I had one parent congratulating Katie and asking where she took piano because they were so impressed with her performance."

    Marilyn and Mike F.

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