There’s a decent chance you took a year or two of piano lessons as a kid or have a beat-up sax gathering dust in the closet. If so—or if you’ve always wanted to pick up an instrument—summer is the ideal time to do it.
Music schools in the Metro-D.C. area are serving up opportunities to pursue your musical interests at a time when you may have more free time in your schedule.
The National Jazz Workshop provides a rich jazz immersion program at George Mason University, from leveled theory lessons to ensemble rehearsals to a student concert at week’s end. It runs from June 25-30.
Never played a string instrument? No problem. All novices are welcome at the Levine School of Music’s Violin and Viola Boot Camp. This brief course acquaints newcomers to the anatomy of the instruments and gets them ready for learning how to play. It’s June 27-29 from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Strathmore campus in North Bethesda.
Jammin Java is known for its stellar concerts with regional and national stars, but you may not know that it’s also home to a music school. A team of vocal and instrumental instructors give lessons at the venue, and regular daytime open mics are held to showcase the skills that are learned. Contact the school to start lessons.
The Capitol Hill Arts Workshop in D.C. offers individual and group lessons as well as student performances in a variety of instruments. Contact the school to begin lessons.
If you’re a big Bach fan, you’ll be pleased to explore his use of counterpoint, as well as develop your own, at Levine’s Bach: Deconstructed. It runs from July 11-13 at 6-7 p.m. at the Upton Street campus in D.C.
