Townsend Music School

Over 62 years of experience and success!!

Guitar, Bass Guitar, Violin, Viola, Voice,
Singing, Flute, Composition, Theory

We have the best instructors, most reasonable tuition and the most student friendly policies of all.



Guitar, Bass Guitar lessons


It is SO important to start lessons and continue lessons with an instructor who knows what he or she is doing. Beginning or continuing lessons at Townsend Music School will insure that you are being taught correctly!

We have exceptionally gifted guitarists on our talented staff of instructors.  Both Michael Wehling and Ryan Wallace have music degrees with a major in guitar.*   They have proven to be very gifted teachers who bring out the best in their students.  They have that certain quality that relates to young students and makes them brilliant with kids, as well as adults.   It is very important for the teacher to relate to both younger students and teenage students.   We have been successful with all ages.

We teach beginning guitar lessons as well and advanced guitar lessons.  We teach how to play the guitar the correct way while making the lessons fun.  Students learn note-reading, counting, chords, correct technique, and more.

Students will be able to progress to any type of music they would like to play, whether it be rock, jazz, pop, classical, blues, folk, etc.

Guitar lessons with Townsend Music School will prove to be very much fun and to be very successful. 

* Please visit Michael Wehling's website at http://mikeywehling.com/ and hear his new CD, 
NESTS IN TREES.     



Violin lessons and Viola lessons

                                                     
                          Video of Atul, playing  Concertino                                Photo from our Fall violin recital.
                          No. 1 by Hristoskov

Townsend Music School added violin lessons and viola lessons about fourteen years ago.  Our students have been nothing short of outstanding!  Atul, (above left) is a perfect example of the success we have experienced.  He started with us at the age of 3, and is now twelve.

Lucy Kaymakanova and Timothy Eshing, our violin and viola teachers are experts at teaching beginning and intermediate students as well as the more advanced students, including artist students.  If you want your child to progress very quickly and fulfill his or her potential, our violin lessons and viola lessons will provide that progress.

MIDDLE SCHOOL, 
HIGH SCHOOL STRING PLAYERS!  Take note!
                             
The progress made by our string students is simply amazing.  They tend to move up in their school orchestras to higher chairs, many times first chair.  A huge difference can usually be heard after only a few months of violin lessons or viola lessons.

When entering the various auditions held in the area, their grades are always 1's and 2's.  When auditioning for the area orchestras, our students almost always make it the first time.  Some of our students go on to major in violin in college.

                           

Beginning violin & viola students:

For beginning students, we use the traditional approach.  This simply means that we teach the fundamentals such as reading notes and counting from the beginning.  Students can start as young as 4 years old.  They learn so much and have lots of fun doing it!  (Musical Kindergarten is available for ages 4 - 6, also.  The student can move smoothly into vilolin lessons or viola lessons after taking this class)

Parkway and Rockwood Elementary Schools Strings Programs.

Taking violin lessons or viola lessons at Townsend will give your child a huge advantage if he or she is taking violin or viola in one of the Parkway or Rockwood elementary schools. If the student has learned from the Suzuki Method or similar methods, we have vast experience in this situation.  Using the traditional approach to teaching violin lessons compliments what the students are learning at school.  We are certain that you will be amazed at the progress your child will make.

By taking  violin lessons or viola lessons, your child will be able to be at the head of his or her violin class.

                                                                              

 

 Voice Lessons

Aspiring vocalists....
Broadway Musical Lovers....
Anyone who loves to sing any kind of song!

Our voice teachers and students are absolutely incredible.  In the mid 1990's, after taking voice lessons for about one year, our schools very first voice student tried out for a part in "The Wizard of Oz" at the YMCA in Chesterfield, and wound up getting the starring role of Dorothy. That voice student went on to major in drama and theater and still stays in touch with her teacher. Quite an auspicious start for our unbelievably successful voice program!

In addition, many others have won important parts in area productions during the past 15 years.

Our voice lessons are also tailored to each individual student.  
You will be highly rewarded by the experience of taking voice lessons! 



Singing Lessons (Piano /Voice) 

Young voice students accepted!  Singing lessons are combined with piano lessons.

A perfect way to get started with voice at an early age!

We also accept younger students for voice lessons.  Since voice students should know how to play the piano, we start the young ones with piano/voice lessons.  They learn piano, and add singing, and maybe a little acting into the lessons, depending on the needs of the individual student.  This has been an extremely successful approach because the students love learning about singing and acting and because learning the piano is essential to being a good vocalist.  The students find out that piano is so much fun to learn, too!  This is a perfect way to get started with voice.  When the voice matures, the student can continue with voice lessons.   

If your young child wants to sing and learn songs, piano/voice lessons are the perfect answer!


Flute Lessons

Flute is another very popular and wonderful instrument with which we have been exceedingly successful.  The same traditional approach is used in teaching flute lessons as we use in the other instruments. We start with teaching all of the basics to the beginners while making the flute lessons fun and enjoyable for the student. 

More advanced flute students will also benefit immensely from our flute lessons program.  Our flute students show remarkable progress quickly, and they love their flute lessons.


Theory Lessons

We offer theory lessons to students who are interested in how music works.  Among other benefits, theory will strengthen note reading ability and improve sight reading.  The student will benefit immensely from knowing chord structure, harmony and all of the other building blocks of music.  Ear training and sight singing may be included.   Theory lessons are individually tailored for each student.


Composition lessons

Composition lessons consist of theory lessons with an emphasis on the creation process.  Different musical forms will be taught. Melody creation and eventually harmonization will be added.  Our composition instructor has a Masters Degree in Music Education.