Frequently Asked Questions
How do lessons work?
Private lessons are held at our Waynesboro location. When you register, you can request certain days/times. You will be matched with a teacher and time that best fits your needs.Once your time is reserved, it will continue weekly unless you request a change.
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Is my child old enough for lessons?
Every child is different, and certain instruments have a higher starting age. If your child is younger than the recommended age, they will need a trial lesson with the teacher to determine readiness.
Piano, violin/cello: 6
Voice, guitar, drums: 8
Wind instruments: 9-10
Musikgarten classes are available for children 6 and under.
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When are lessons held?
Each teacher sets their own hours. Most lessons are held between 3 pm and 8 pm, Monday through Thursday, but other times are available.
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Do you rent instruments?
We have guitars available for rental to students.
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What if I have to miss a private lesson?
Two private lessons per Fall/Spring semester may be canceled with one week’s notice. Additional missed lessons or lessons with insufficient notice are subject to billing. (During the summer, there are no limits on absences with notice given.) You can give notice by talking with your teacher, sending an email, or using our student portal.
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What is included in my invoice?
On the first day of each month, you receive an invoice for the lessons scheduled in the upcoming calendar month. Holidays and scheduled teacher cancellations are not billed. Excused student absences are not billed.
Your monthly invoice may include charges for books/materials received. You may also receive a credit for any lessons cancelled or excused by the teacher in the previous month. The student portal Accounts & Invoices tab will give you a detailed history of charges and payments on your account.
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How do I log in to the Student Portal?
When you registered for lessons, you received an email with a link to set up your account. If you need to receive a new link, contact programs@valleymusicacademy.org The Student Portal login is https://www.valleymusicacademy.org/student-login.
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Is financial aid available?
Yes! As a non-profit music school, our mission is to make music accessible to all children. Awards are based on household income, number of family members, and the number of lessons per week among family members. Register today at https://www.valleymusicacademy.org/scholarships
From the Director
Valley Music Academy is proud to offer lessons and classes in a wide range of instruments and styles to everyone in the community. As a non-profit, our mission is to serve the needs of the whole community. We offer affordable tuition, flexible scheduling and financial aid based on need. Our studios are conveniently located inside Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in downtown Waynesboro.
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If our mission sounds like your mission, consider becoming a member of our board. Contact me for more details.
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I'm here to help with questions, and I would love to hear your suggestions on how we can improve our programs.
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My office is open Mondays 10 am - 1:30 pm, and Thursdays 2 - 6 p.m., but you'll find my door open at many other times. Please stop in and say hello!
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Dawn Lemasney, Program Director
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The purpose of Valley Music Academy (VMA) is to provide quality music education to all in our community, regardless of gender, race, creed, or financial resources, while demonstrating that music is a powerful means of encouraging cooperation, celebrating diversity, building self-esteem, and cultivating an understanding of nonviolence and social justice.
What our community is saying about VMA:
Valley Music Academy has been a wonderful group to help foster a love of music with our children. Our daughter has taken piano lessons for over a year and our son just started drums. My entire family's experience with VMA has been quite positive and we as a community are lucky to have this rich resource in the valley.
- Lena F. - parent of VMA student
I love playing with the Super Saxes because it gives me an opportunity to continue playing since my retirement, as well as help VMA. I am especially impressed with the students in the group. The ensemble is a teaching instrument, as well as a performing group.
- Pete P. - member of VMA Super Sax Big Band and retired band teacher
My son has been taking music lessons at Valley Music Academy for more than 3 years. He started in Musikgarten and is now taking piano private lessons and we're expecting to continue taking lessons long term. If you're thinking about having your children take music lessons, VMA is the place to go.
- Wendy C. - parent of VMA student