​

At DAMA, we know that no two students are alike.  We know that students learn at different rates. With that in mind, we don't make our students work through a specific method book series.  This can be boring and unrewarding. Instead, we create lessons specifically for each student by pulling from several sources.  We teach music reading, theory, scales and chord progressions right from the start. 

 

We think learning should be fun and rewarding.  That's why we incorporate games and props into lessons. (Ask us about Frog Jenga).  We also have fun incentives in place like our monthly raffle with cash prizes.  Students earn tickets to put in the raffle based on the amount of time that they practice each week. We count the tickets each month and post the results illustrated by a horse race. The winner receives a medal and it is posted in our monthly newsletter.  Students who practice twenty hours or more each month receive a special medal and are also honored in our monthly newsletter.  

 

We give students a special coin each week after their lesson if they stayed focused and had a good attitude. When they collect 5 coins they get to "shop" in our treasure box or our treat box. The most prestigious incentive is our Exceptional Student of the month award. The recipient wins a trophy, $50 and is featured in a video in our newsletter, our website and social media.  Their name is also displayed on a plaque in our lobby. 

​

Many private music teachers and schools do not accommodate changes to their schedule.  Therefore, when students have to cancel, they are not offered a rescheduled lesson. At DAMA we do our best to reschedule students when we can. If we can't, we offer a monthly group classes so students can collaborate and learn about musical topics that may not be discussed during private lessons such as music trivia, learning about other instruments or maybe learning to play handbells or the ukulele.  We also allow students to cancel 2 lessons during the summer at no charge so they can go on vacation and not have to pay for lessons while they are gone. 

​

We offer workshops for everyone, not just students taking private lessons for acting, small singing groups and song writing.  We have super fun summer camps too that give kids the opportunity to learn acting, singing and dancing and they  get to play fun music related games that were created exclusively for DAMA.  Kids will also create a mini performance  for their parents at the end of the week. 

​

We host two big recitals at our facility and we encourage students to take advantage of the two rehearsals in order to practice playing in front of people. Our recitals aren't stuffy and proper like the days of old.  We celebrate our students progress and their dedication to learning. We even have yummy refreshments. We also host student showcases so that students who have amassed a repertoire can gather their family and friends together and perform an exclusive concert just for them. 

​

At DAMA, parents love our facility because we have a big waiting area so they can spread out and read some popular magazines or work on the latest puzzle or sit at a table and work on their laptops.  Siblings love our facilities because there's a table for drawing and coloring or writing on the big white board.  And everyone loves our receptionist, Lola. She is a 9 year old Golden Doodle who greets everyone and then does nothing except for shamelessly looking cute to get pats on the head or a scratch on her belly. 

 

The main reason we are different, and maybe the most important reason, is our teachers.  Our teachers are not just talented and educated musicians, they are caring and patient instructors.  They genuinely want to pass along their knowledge and their passion for their instrument (or voice) to the next generation.