FAQ

Tuition is charged by the semester. Tuition payment is expected at the time of enrollment. This initial payment can be for the entire amount or follow one of the following payment options:

Pay half at the time of enrollment and we will bill you for the second half midway through the semester.

Break the semester payment into four equal payments, the first of which is due at the time of enrollment, with the three additional payments billed to you through the course of the semester.

Can adults take classes at the Collective? What about younger children?

Although the majority of our students are usually between the ages of 10 and 18, we do accept students as young as 6 and as old as 100. top

What instruments do you teach?

We offer one-on-one private lessons for:

Guitar

Bass

Drums

Keyboards

Voice

However, Uptown Music Collective workshops and classes are open to students of all instruments.

What’s the difference between your classes and workshops?

Classes are lecture-based and include homework, midterms and finals. The subjects of our classes include: Music Theory, Harmony, Chord/Scale Theory, Music History and Songwriting.

Workshops are either built around instrumental technique or a particular musical style. They are more directly interactive and involve group performance situations.

What is music theory and why should I study it if I just want to rock?

Music Theory classes study the building blocks of music, how they work together and how they are written and read. A thorough understanding of music theory makes it possible for you to learn to rock faster, more consistently and to learn to rock in many different ways. The understanding of music theory is one of the secret weapons of the educated musician in any style. top

What are the workshops for?

One of the founding principles of the Uptown Music Collective is the belief that music is a communal activity and that through playing music together as a group we improve faster and have more fun. Playing together as a group while being supervised or instructed by an experienced performer leads to a strong sense of self confidence and a deeper understanding of music. top

What are the advantages of the Full Enrollment Program verses Open Enrollment?

Full Enrollment students receive a well-planned, wellrounded musical education that includes private lessons, classes and workshops. Students who take part in this highly integrated program develop faster and advance further then students who take private lessons or classes only.

How do students get involved in your Performance Program?

The Uptown Music Collective Performance Program is a free program open to all enrolled students. Generally students start out performing in student recitals, performing in their workshops and serving as part of the technical crew (the tech monkeys) for our major shows. As the students improve they are invited to take part in workshops that perform at community functions and to take the stage in the schools larger performances.

Do you offer scholarships or some other type of financial assistance?

Since its founding, the teachers of the Uptown Music Collective have always prided themselves on never turning away a deserving student whenever possible. This often involves teaching students pro-bono or at a discounted rate. If you can show need and strong desire to learn we want to help.

Currently we offer one scholarship, the Alice Heilman Memorial Scholarship which is a Full Enrollment scholarship given to one deserving student who can demonstrate financial need and a strong desire to learn music. This scholarship is awarded in August.

Your program is more expensive than taking private lessons somewhere else, why should we spend the money?

Our program is so much more than just lessons. Joining the Uptown Music Collective gives the student:

Regular high impact musical experiences

Interaction with a like minded, positive and passionate peer group from all over Central Pennsylvania

Weekly contact with positive minded adults who are also great teachers and accomplished performing musicians.

The best musical education your money can buy in Central Pennsylvania

Weekly lessons on the importance of discipline, responsibility and self expression

If we decide to do Full Enrollment can we schedule everything on the same day?

Class and Workshop schedules unfortunately are not flexible and so trying to get everything in on one day will be difficult. It is also not the best idea for the student who might be overwhelmed by the amount of information.

If you’re nonprofit why aren’t your lessons free?

Nonprofit status simply means that we don’t pay Federal, State or Local taxes and that we can accept tax deductable donations from individuals or businesses and grants from the government or foundations. 75% of the Uptown Music Collective’s income comes from tuition.

If I miss a lesson will I still be charged?

Yes, our teachers reserve a time each week for each of their students. In the case of a missed lesson where it is not the teachers fault, the teacher will still be paid for that lesson. They may try to reschedule or make up this lesson, but they are not required to.

What if the teacher misses the lesson?

Then a make up will be scheduled or credit given.

Are there any other fees besides tuition?

There is a $35 registration fee charged to each student, one time per year. There is also a small recital fee ($15) and the occasional charge for books. top

How much do lessons cost?

What are the payment options?