Little Bird Music offers a variety of programs, classes, and instruments. To learn more or to sign up, please visit our Request Info page.

Preschool Piano (Age 4)

The preschool piano program focuses on exploratory games, playful listening exercises, fun songs, keyboard familiarity, and a basic understanding of musical notation. Weekly one-on-one sessions aim to get your little one to enjoy the piano at an early age.

In each session, the teacher highlights the relationship between music and math using fun activities focused on pattern recognition, sorting, counting, and comparison. Each 30-minute session integrates games and exercises to encourage active engagement.

Parents are asked to participate in 5-10 minutes of “practice” several times per week to help reinforce what was learned in the lesson and to help the student’s little fingers build strength and coordination. Lessons are designed so parents can help with at-home practice regardless of the parent’s musical knowledge. This bonding time between parent and child is meant to be fun and helps build a strong foundation for a lifetime of musical enjoyment.

Piano Lessons (Ages 5 and older)

Piano lessons for young students, teenagers, and adults focus on technique, sight reading, performance, theory, ear training, history, and basic composition skills. Students receive one 30-, 45- or 60-minute private lesson each week with motivational practice challenges to take home.

Each lesson is tailored to the individual. Students are exposed to a range of skills, methods, and playing techniques. Importantly, students are encouraged to learn songs that resonate with them, whether it is a piece by Mozart, Dave Brubeck, or the latest Billboard pop song. Essential to each lesson is a discussion about how practical exercises (i.e. scales or theory principles) relate to the music we love to listen to and play. When students have a basic understanding of music's theoretical workings and the historical contexts in which a song was written, student engagement—and enjoyment—significantly increases.

Students are expected to practice anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour each day. With the exception of younger students who may need more parental involvement, it is the responsibility of the student to understand that practicing and taking on new challenges will improve skills and deepen the enjoyment of playing music.

Piano students proficient in basic sight-reading, theory, ear-training, and performance skills are eligible to participate in the Music Teachers’ Association of California Certificate of Merit Program and/or the National Guild Auditions.

Group Piano Classes

Little Bird Music offers beginner group piano classes for 3-6 students, all around the same age. We focus on exploratory games, playful listening exercises, fun songs, keyboard familiarity, and a basic understanding of musical notation. Students will each have their own piano/keyboard with headphones in the class. They'll learn together through group piano activities and performing for each other, all with the aim to enjoy and get to know the piano at an early age. The best part is playing piano with friends. 

Students move through the curriculum at about the same pace as private lessons, focusing on technique, sight reading, performance, and theory. They learn to cheer each other on and build confidence by playing for the group each week. Group classes are a fun way for students to get to know the piano in a positive, joyful environment and learn the skills they need for the lifelong enjoyment of piano.

Brass Instruments

We offer private lessons and band support for trumpet, trombone, tuba, and flute students. Lessons are catered to the individual and structured to cover technique, sight reading, soloing, performance, theory, and ear training skills. Eligible brass students may participate in the Music Teachers’ Association of California Certificate of Merit Program.

Many Little Bird Music brass students are in the local middle school or high school band programs. Students are welcome to bring their band materials to lessons for additional help and support. Brass students are also supported and encouraged to prepare auditions for honor band, the Reno Youth Jazz Orchestra, and Reno Youth Symphony programs.

Guitar/Ukulele/Mandolin

Little Bird Music holds private guitar, ukulele, and mandolin lessons for beginner through advanced students. Whether you are interested in bluegrass, rock, folk, classical, or jazz, instructors will meet you where you are and provide a structured plan for helping you build a strong musical foundation while playing the music you love.

Guitar students are invited to perform at recitals, individually or in ensemble with other students. The creative potential for playing with others is endless.

Music Theory and Composition Programs

Specific music theory and composition programs are customized for intermediate to advanced students who are interested in pursuing a deeper understanding of how music works. These 45- or 60-minute one-on-one sessions focus on the analysis and art of music-making.

Students should be proficient in reading music and playing either the piano or another instrument. Lessons focus on the study of individual musical works and the identification of musical relationships and structures composers use to make music. Music theory students are exposed to thinking about music through different modes of inquiry, such as mathematics, psychology, and non-western traditions. Composition students will build a portfolio of pieces, with one or two to be performed at the year-end recital.

Outside of lessons, students should plan to spend several hours each week studying lesson material and completing assignments or composing music. Should the student go on to study music at the college level, the student will have a significant head start in theory and composition skills.

Music and Culture Summer Camps (Ages 8-14)

During the summer, Little Bird Music offers two separate immersive camps on Music and Culture. Students will have the opportunity to learn about Western and non-Western music traditions, jazz, film music, and popular music as expressions of culture, society, and ideas of belonging.

Camps are designed for students ages 8-14 with at least one year of piano study. Each day, students will be exposed to a range of engaging musical and visual examples alongside thoughtful, age appropriate lectures about specific topics. They’ll participate in Socratic-style roundtable guided conversations that encourage open dialogue and critical thinking. Students will then take part in hands-on assignments, whether music composition, songwriting, outdoor activities, or visual art projects that intersect with the topic at hand. Camp sessions will include a field trip involving a live music experience. Alice Cotter, who has taught these types of courses at Princeton, UC Berkeley, and UNR, will tailor the camps to the age group. She’ll also bring in guest speakers and musicians to further enrich our study. 

The mission of Little Bird Music summer camps is to encourage curiosity and engagement with music from a number of perspectives and to provide opportunities for students to gain a deeper understanding of the relationships between art, music, and culture.

Kindly see the session dates and cost below. Prices include all materials, special guest teachers and artists, and live performances. Scholarships are available. Enrollment will be capped at 10 students per camp session.

Session 1: July 21-25, 2025 (Monday-Friday, 9am-2pm) at Little Bird Music; cost $585/student

Session 2: August 4-8, 2025 (Monday-Friday, 9am-2pm) at Little Bird Music; cost $585/student

To sign up or for more information about the camps, please email info@littlebirdtahoe.com.