Private Lessons
Personalized, one-on-one lessons with expert teachers who can meet you wherever you’re at on your musical journey and help unlock your full potential.
Reach Your Full Musical Potential with Chicago's Best Instructors
Inquiries for the 2025-26 Academic Year Are Open!
Private music lessons offer the one-on-one attention of a music teacher who can tailor lessons personally to you, helping to enhance your skills and meet your musical goals.
Merit’s passionate and highly experienced teaching artists foster a safe, developmentally rich, and fun environment for students of all ages and experience levels—from ages 4 to adult, beginners through advanced. Build your customized lesson plan by choosing from a wide variety of instruments, genres, and convenient scheduling options.
Get in touch today, and we’ll connect you with the expert teacher who’s right for you.
How to Enroll in Private Music Lessons
New Students
Submit an Inquiry Form
Inquiries for Academic Year 2025-26 open September 29.
In the meantime, join our waitlist to be first in line!
Tell us what you’re looking for with private music lessons by filling out the form below.
We’re currently accepting inquiries for Academic Year 2025-26 (September 14 – June 15).
Get Matched with a Teacher
Our Student Services team will work with you to personally match you with a teacher based on your goals and schedule. We aim to match you with a teacher within 2-4 weeks.
While you wait: If you are applying for financial aid, please note that aid applications must be submitted before you can complete your registration. Apply for aid.
Register
We’ll send you a personalized registration link. Click on your link, complete your registration, confirm your preferred payment plan, and you’re good to go!
Returning Students
Please speak with your instructor about your intent to register, and then we will follow up with next steps, including a personal registration link. Learn more about the private lesson re-enrollment process.
Private Music Lessons by Age
Lessons for Ages 4 to Adult
Ages 4+
- Cello
- Violin
Ages 5+
- Piano
Ages 7+
- Bass
- Viola
Ages 8+
- Guitar
Ages 9+
- Bassoon
- Clarinet
- Flute
- Horn
- Jazz Bass
- Jazz Drumset
- Jazz Guitar
- Jazz Piano
- Jazz Saxophone
- Jazz Trombone
- Jazz Trumpet
- Oboe
- Percussion
- Saxophone
- Theory/Composition
- Trombone
- Trumpet
- Tuba/Euphonium
Ages 12+
- Voice (classical, musical theater, pop, and jazz)
Ages 4+
- Cello
- Violin
Ages 5+
- Piano*
*Please note: Due to high demand, we’re currently at capacity for new piano lesson students. Our piano waitlist is full, but we hope to reopen it soon. Please check back for updates or click to learn about our other piano programming options, including small group piano classes.
Ages 7+
- Bass
- Viola
Ages 8+
- Guitar
Ages 9+
- Bassoon
- Clarinet
- Flute
- Horn
- Jazz Bass
- Jazz Drumset
- Jazz Guitar
- Jazz Piano
- Jazz Saxophone
- Jazz Trombone
- Jazz Trumpet
- Oboe
- Percussion
- Saxophone
- Theory/Composition
- Trombone
- Trumpet
- Tuba/Euphonium
Ages 12+
- Voice (classical, musical theater, pop, and jazz)
What age should your child start music lessons? →
Learn why we recommend introducing kids and teens to certain instruments based on their age.
2 Convenient Chicago Locations
West Loop • Near North (Old Town)
Private Music Lessons FAQs
How much do private lessons cost?
Private lessons pricing for Academic Year 2025-26:
- 30-minute lessons: $49 each
- 45-minute lessons: $68 each
- 60-minute lessons: $86 each
- 90-minute lessons: $126 each (not eligible for Financial Aid)
We provide financial support through payment plans, need-based tuition relief, and low-cost instrument rental and music supplies, so that motivated students can participate in our programs regardless of economic circumstances. Learn More →
I'm a new private lesson student. How do I register?
New private lesson students
-
- Submit an inquiry form.
- Our Student Services team will work with you to personally match you with a teacher based on your goals and schedule.
- While you wait: If you are applying for financial aid, please note that aid applications must be submitted before you can complete your registration. Apply for aid.
- We’ll send you a personalized registration link. Click on your link, complete your registration, confirm your preferred payment plan, and you’re good to go!
I'm a returning private lesson student. How do I register for the next semester?
As of Summer 2026, we’ve made some updates to our summer registration process for returning private lesson families to better support you! There are three steps to renewing your private lesson registration:
-
- Submit the Summer Private Lesson Registration Fee Between March 16 – April 13, if your child plans to continue private lessons this summer, you will need to submit the $30/per student Summer Private Lesson Registration Fee during this time. This fee replaces the standard summer registration fee for your lessons, confirms your intent to continue, and secures your child’s spot. After April 13, spots in private lessons will be based on availability.
- Determine Your Summer Lesson Package Select either a 6-lesson package or 10-lesson package. Please let your child’s instructor know which package you will be choosing. Note: Private lesson packages are available in 30, 45, 60, or 90-minute lesson lengths. 90-minute private lessons are not eligible for financial aid. Students enrolling in 90-minute lessons will be responsible for the full tuition amount.
- Watch for Your Lesson Schedule In May, you will receive your confirmed schedule, registration link, and tuition invoice. Be sure to check your email! 🚨 Once your receive your registration link, you will need to complete your private lesson registration.
- (Optional): Add Lessons At the end of June, we’ll open a brief Add Period for families that want to request up to two additional lessons that are subject to teacher availability.
Please feel free to reach out to us at studentservices@meritmusic.org or visit during office hours (Tues & Thurs, 3:30 – 6:30 pm) with any questions. Wednesdays are by appointment only.
Do you offer instrument rentals?
Can I change my private lesson schedule?
Yes, if you need to change the day, time, or length of your lesson or add additional lessons, we are happy to accommodate you.
What if I decide to cancel my private lessons?
Students who wish to withdraw from lessons must notify both their private teacher and Student Services in writing.
What is the attendance policy for private lessons?
Students are expected to be present and on time for all private lessons. We are unable to provide refunds, credits, or make-ups for any lessons missed by students.
Still have questions? Visit our FAQs page or contact us at studentservices@meritmusic.org.
