Designed for beginners and developing learners, Music Academy classes are tailored for adults to make music in a fun, no-pressure environment!

We currently offer group classes on guitar, piano, and voice!

These recreational music classes meet on JMU campus and are open to JMU faculty, staff, students, and adults of the local community. 

Classes are offered in full sessions or half sessions depending on theme or instrument. For more details, read below.

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Get back into the fun of playing the piano in a friendly group setting! Class content is built off of student song requests, pop songs, and other enjoyable musical selections!

Beginner Piano Class

In this class, we will focus on fun and easy beginner elements to get started playing at the piano with pop songs, chording, and student favorites!

Time: 12:00-12:50pm on Fridays

Dates: 1st class on September 6th, 2024

Registration Options:

-Full Session (10 weeks): September 6-November 15, $253

*no class October 18, during JMU fall break

-1st Session (5 weeks): September 6-October 4, $128

-2nd Session (only for registrants who have completed 1st session): October 11-November 15, $128

*no class October 18, during JMU fall break

Intermediate Piano Class

Get back into the fun of playing the piano in a friendly group setting! Intermediate class content is built off of student song requests, pop songs, and other enjoyable musical selections!

Time: 1:00-1:50pm on Fridays

Dates: 1st class on September 6th, 2024

Registration Options:

-Full Session (10 weeks): September 6-November 15, $253

*no class October 18, during JMU fall break

-1st Session (5 weeks): September 6-October 4, $128

-2nd Session (only for registrants who have completed 1st session): October 11-November 15, $128

*no class October 18, during JMU fall break

Instructor: Natalie Doughty

Recent Testimonial:

"I loved coming to the JMU Music Academy piano classes! I took piano lessons as a teenager and didn't play for many years. Natalie and her class were exactly what I needed to find my way back to the piano. Natalie is a fantastic teacher who manages to lead a motivating and entertaining class with lots of passion. I highly recommend the JMU Music Academy to anyone interested in learning to play the piano or needing a little refresher." - Kira H., Spring 2024

"Taking the beginner piano class through JMU Music Academy has been the highlight of my semester! I love that I got to learn the basics of playing the piano, as well as music theory and how to improve play. This class has piqued my appetite to learn more." - Mackenzie H., Spring 2024

"I loved going to piano class each week to explore different ways to interact with piano and the music itself. Natalie is a great leader and was attuned to each students' needs! I am grateful to be able to play piano in different ways—especially through improv!" - Alyssa D., Summer 2023

"I signed up for the JMU Music Academy because I don't often get to express my artistic side working as an analyst. I had fun getting to know my classmates and exploring piano in a relaxed and friendly environment. I enjoyed the freedom within structure our instructor provided us, and her inclusion of learners of all levels. One takeaway of mine is to not be afraid to try new things musically for fear of it not being "right." The important thing is to have fun." - Nate B., Summer 2023

"The class was a great refresher on piano skills and a new experience to play in a group setting. Natalie's enthusiasm was contagious and she was very good at adapting the music to all levels." - Dorothy D.

Beginner Voice Class

Time: 6:00-6:50pm on Thursdays

Dates: 1st class on September 5th

Instructor: Denise Schulz

Beginner class details: Everyone can sing! Would you like to improve your singing voice in a fun and safe environment? This Beginning Level Group Singing Class will concentrate on some of the basic lessons of singing (respiration, phonation, articulation, and resonance) and how these make up the whole of each person's individual sound. Using easy vocal exercises, commonly known songs, and some suitable songs suggested by the participants, we will feature learning in a positive environment while highlighting good vocal practices and better breathing.

Registration deadline: TBA

Intermediate Voice Class

Time: 7:00-7:50pm on Thursdays

Dates: 1st class on September 5th

Instructor: Denise Schulz

Intermediate class details: Would you like to improve your singing ability and have fun? This Intermediate Group Singing Class will emphasize not only the basics of singing (respiration, phonation, articulation, and resonance) but also some next-level techniques, such as singing dynamics, increasing your vocal range, vocal register balance, and vibrato. Along with vocal exercises and familiar folk songs, participants will suggest songs for the class to sing together. 

Registration Options:

-Full Session (10 weeks): September 5-November 14, $253

*no class October 17, during JMU fall break

-1st Session (5 weeks): September 5-October 3, $128

-2nd Session (only for registrants who have completed 1st session): October 10-November 14, $128

*no class October 17, during JMU fall break

Registration deadline: TBA

Recent Testimonials:

"I took the Intermediate Vocal Lessons class with Denise. I LOVED the course!! I work as a music director and this class was so helpful to me; and I would say that more classes in more departments need to offer these types of courses—for adults and open to the community. Denise did a great job, and her passion for voice made the class so enjoyable. I really can’t say enough good thing to express how great of a job she did, how personable she is, and how much I really enjoyed the course. I hope she will offer more courses, because I’m ready to sign up." - Amanda M., Spring 2024

"The beginning voice class with Denise was a great experience. It was fun and informative and offered a nice balance of activities. In addition to singing, we did warmup exercises and practiced good breathing techniques. The handouts were extremely helpful. I’m planning to sign up for her intermediate voice class." - Dolores F., Spring 2024

"The beginner voice class was really nice and I felt very welcome. As a new singer and not confident in myself, I gained skills and felt comfortable singing out in the class." - Jefferson U., Spring 2024

"My JMU Music Academy was a wonderful and exciting time with Denise, the vocal teacher! I love how engaging and purposeful she was in the classroom. My voice has significantly improved. I am so thankful for her expertise and encouraging environment!" - Lynn T., Spring 2024

"I loved the Beginner voice class with Denise Schulz! I’d love to take more classes in the future." - Vanessa W., Spring 2024

"The class was an enjoyable experience. I learned techniques that really helped me to sing better. Denise is a patient and knowledgeable instructor!" - Cheryl B., Spring 2023

"I liked everything about the vocal class. We learned techniques to improve the quality of our singing voices. Loved the songs selected, loved having the handouts, loved singing in unison and in rounds in class. Denise, the teacher, was knowledgeable, personable, and approachable. I was surprised to learn that I am a second soprano... never knew! Great investment in my time and money! Thank you for the fun class!" - Molly M., Fall 2022

"This class was an excellent intro to the voice as an instrument and it was fun singing with a group! Looking forward to more!" - Terri M., Fall 2022

Learning the DNA of Music - Music Theory through Pop-Songs and Classical Music

Instructor: Linlin Uta

Time: 7:10-8:00pm on Thursdays

Dates: 1st class on September 5th

Registration Options:

-Full Session (10 weeks): September 5-November 14, $253

*no class October 17, during JMU fall break

-1st Session (5 weeks): September 5-October 3, $128

-2nd Session (only for registrants who have completed 1st session): October 10-November 14, $128

*no class October 17, during JMU fall break

Kids Group Music Theory Lessons

Instructor: Linlin Uta

Time: 10:00-10:50am on Saturday mornings

Dates: 9/21, 9/28, 10/5, 10/12, 10/19, 10/26, 11/2, and 11/9

Registration Fee: $213

Open to precollege students grades 1-12. It's a perfect supplement for those who take instrumental lessons but want to have more focused lessons on music theory.

Participants will learn music theory through ear-training and games and become experts at sight-singing and sight-reading on piano. These classes also prepare students to pass the Virginia State Music Theory Test.

Beginner Guitar Class

In this class, we will focus on fun and easy beginner elements to get started playing on the guitar with songs from various styles and student favorites!Guitars can also be rented from The Tuning Fork or Tiller Strings in Harrisonburg, VA. 

Time: 11:00-11:50am on Fridays

Dates: 1st class on September 6th, 2024

Instructor: Ben Scott

Intermediate Guitar Class

Guitar classes for intermediates will go over important skills on guitar including correct strumming, picking, and chord shapes. Intermediate class content is built off of student song requests and other enjoyable musical selections! Guitars can also be rented from The Tuning Fork or Tiller Strings in Harrisonburg, VA. 

Time: 12:00-12:50pm on Fridays

Dates: 1st class on September 6th, 2024

Instructor: Ben Scott

Registration Options:

-Full Session (10 weeks): September 6-November 15, $253

*no class October 18, during JMU fall break

-1st Session (5 weeks): September 6-October 4, $128

-2nd Session (only for registrants who have completed 1st session): October 11-November 15, $128

*no class October 18, during JMU fall break

Recent Testimonials

"The JMU Music Academy program is amazing, I’d recommend the beginner guitar course to anyone else! Ben did a great job motivating, helping, and teaching others to become better guitarists."  - Beau R., Spring 2024

"I'm very satisfied with my experience in the JMU Music Academy beginner guitar program. I think the teaching organization is a good fit for beginner students like me." - Weiming H., Spring 2024

"Ben was a wonderful teacher in the guitar class. Not only did I learn a lot, which I'd like to follow up on and incorporate into my playing, but he creative an inclusive and welcoming environment in the classroom." - Frances F., Spring 2024

"The Music Academy guitar class met my expectations in being very beginner friendly. We learned the basics of guitar and different chords and received several different songs to practice. I had a really great time and loved the group atmosphere! The instructor, Ben, was great at communicating different things from guitar basics to music theory and encouraged us to ask questions. He was very knowledgeable, personable, and approachable! He made sure we were not discouraged if something was particularly challenging and taught us a lot about different aspects of playing guitar. Learning to play an instrument is challenging, but Ben was very encouraging and answered our questions well. I look forward to practicing and improving my skills and am very grateful that I got this experience within JMU's Music Academy! I would definitely recommend this class to other people who want to start learning how to play guitar." - Lilly M., Fall 2022

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