Question 1

What times are currently available?

Accepted Answer

To find out what times are currently available, please see our Current Openings Sheet. We are always happy to advise you on teacher selection once you have found a time that will work!

All openings will be filled first-come-first-served, and the link above  will be updated regularly to reflect current availability.

Question 2

Where can my lessons take place?

Accepted Answer

We offer lessons in three locations, Monday through Friday between 2:30-8:30pm. Exact scheduling and locations will vary by instructor.

@ Skylark Music School: 1129 Weaver Dairy Rd. #AF, Chapel Hill, NC 27514  
@ In-Home*: In-home lessons available within a 6 mile radius of Skylark Music School  
@ Briar Chapel/751 South*: In-home lessons are also available to residents of the Briar Chapel and 751 South subdivisions

Your teachers will be in varying locations throughout the week, and you'll see them listed on their schedules using the @ descriptors above.

*Extra fees apply for in-home lessons.

Question 3

How do I choose a teacher?

Accepted Answer

We are so lucky to have an absolutely wonderful, diverse staff, and we are committed to finding the perfect fit for your student. When you're ready to register:

Check the availability calendar to see who has openings
Read all about them on our "Who We Are" page
Shoot us an email at info@skylarkmusicschool.com if you have specific questions about who might be the best fit for your student

Question 4

What does it cost?

Accepted Answer

Tuition is due as listed below, and covers a weekly private lesson, all materials, and recital fees. Breaks as listed on the official calendar in your Student Portal and teacher personal days have been pre-deducted from your lesson count for the year, and will not result in a change in payment due.

Upon schedule confirmation, you will be charged an annual $100/per-family registration fee. This fee is non refundable. Please check the availability calendar carefully to make sure there is a suitable lesson time before registering!

September 2025-August 2026 Tuition Rates

*Partial and full need-based scholarships are available upon request.

Question 5

What is a "free bonus lesson"?

Accepted Answer

In addition to our standard makeup options, we also encourage each student to take advantage of three free bonus lesson periods per year (October-January, February-April, May-August).

Bonus lessons may be scheduled any time your teacher has a cancellation, or has additional time available. All bonus lessons will take place in our studio at 1129 Weaver Dairy Rd. #AF, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, regardless of your weekly lesson location. This is an extra benefit for our students. It is not intended as a substitute for all lessons missed due to student conflicts, and has no monetary/refund value if left unused.

Question 6

What kind of instrument do I need?

Accepted Answer

Piano:
Piano students in all locations should aim for either an acoustic piano or an electric keyboard with 88 weighted keys, as this will prepare them best for playing on an acoustic instrument.

Voice:
All in-home voice students will need a keyboard with a minimum of 61 keys (preference 88 keys) for their weekly lessons. In-studio students do not strictly need a keyboard at home, but it is still useful for practice!

Violin:
Violins are available in a variety of sizes to suit your student's needs. We recommend getting properly sized and renting or buying your instrument from The Violin & Fiddle Shop in Pittsboro, NC.

Guitar:
Guitars are available in a variety of sizes to suit your student's needs. We recommend getting properly sized with your teacher, and purchasing an age-appropriate instrument from Guitar Center.

Don't hesitate to contact us if you have questions about the type of instrument your student needs!

Question 7

How often will my student perform?

Accepted Answer

Performance is a vital part of music making, but we know that some students enjoy it more than others! We offer several opportunities for students to perform in various settings throughout the year, including but not limited to:

-Intimate mini-recitals (Winter/Summer) 
-Coffee house open-mic nights 
-Studio masterclasses
-Local competitions and festivals
-Nursing home outreach performances
-Annual Spring Recital*

*All performances are optional with the exception of our annual spring recital, which all students are required to either perform in or attend to support their fellow musicians.

Question 8

What happens when I miss a lesson?

Accepted Answer

Your monthly tuition payment guarantees instructor availability at your student’s regularly scheduled lesson time. You may view our yearly calendar at any time to note scheduled days off.

If you need to miss a lesson for any reason, we ask that you notice as soon as possible using our Cancellation Form. A link to this form will be provided in every lesson reminder, and it is also available anytime in your Student Portal.

In the case of a missed lesson you may:

Submit a video of your most recent practice assignment, due within 48 hours of your originally scheduled lesson, so your teacher can provide feedback and help prepare you for your next lesson. Instructions for how to submit a video are available in your Current Student Portal.

Ask for a “teacher’s choice” packet from your teacher for the day. This may include things to watch or listen to, musical enrichment activities, or other assignments.

In-studio students only may switch to a virtual lesson at their regularly scheduled time for any lesson cancelled with 24+ hours notice. This is not an option for in-home students, as your teacher will be traveling from one home to the next during your lesson time and will not be able to access the instruments/materials they need from the car.

No-call no-show's are not eligible for any type of make-up. More than two such absences in a semester will result in potential dismissal from the studio.

In addition to all of the options above, each student receives three free bonus lessons per school year to be used at their discretion. We work hard to make this easy for you!

Question 9

What if my teacher has to miss a lesson?

Accepted Answer

Teacher Cancellations:
All lessons canceled by an instructor will be made up as soon as possible, with the exception of personal days as outlined below. It is the instructor’s responsibility to contact you regarding available make-up times and work with your schedule in this instance.

Personal Days:
Each instructor is eligible to cancel two lessons per student per school year without offering a make-up opportunity. These two personal days have already been accounted for in your yearly tuition, and will not result in a change in payment due. Instructors will communicate their desire to use a personal day cancelation in advance of your lesson. To avoid inconsistency, personal days will not occur on either side of other scheduled breaks or performances.

Question 10

We're having a long-term conflict. What are our options?

Accepted Answer

Once our schedule has been set, it can be very difficult for us to make adjustments, so we recommend choosing a time that you think will generally work, and taking advantage of our make-up options and free bonus lessons to keep your student on track!

Lesson Adjustment Request
If you would like to request a permanent change to your lesson time/location/teacher, please check Current Openings fill out a Lesson Change Request Form.

30-day pause 
You may pause your contract and tuition payments for any 30 consecutive days during the year (September-August) by using the form in your Student Portal. A pause allows your student to hold their time with their teacher, while taking a short break from both lessons and payments. Tuition will be paused for the next available month (e.g. break starting June 15 = pause July 1 payment). Students who have paid the year in advance will be refunded one month’s tuition.

Withdrawal 
You may terminate your contract with 30-days notice using a studio withdrawal form found in your Student Portal. You are responsible for any tuition due within your final 30 days, unless you have found a student to take over your time slot and the switch has been approved by Skylark Music School. Your final balance for the last 30 days of your tuition will be automatically charged on the withdrawal notice date.

If you submit a withdrawal form within 60 days of a 30 day pause (e.g. Pause June/Withdraw July), you will be charged for 50% of the month you paused, in addition for any balance due in your withdrawal.

Frequently Asked Questions