Violin

Viola

Cello

Trumpet

Voice

Guitar

Bass Guitar

Piano

Drums

Mandolin

Ukulele

Violin Viola Cello Trumpet Voice Guitar Bass Guitar Piano Drums Mandolin Ukulele

Services

An open sheet of music on a stand on a piano in a home in front of a metronome.


Our talented staff has expertise in piano, voice, guitar, ukulele, violin, viola, cello, drums, bass guitar, trumpet, and mandolin.

What’s that you hear? It’s the sound of your metronome ticking…your preferred teacher has limited spots! don’t miss the opportunity to get on their calendar and in the rhythm of your lessons!

Lesson Rates

A piano teacher and student playing a keyboard together for an in-home lesson, one appears to be a child and the other an adult, with sunlight highlighting their hands on the keys.

Sibling discount: When you sign up for more than one half hour time slot, there is a lower cost per minute as the total minutes increase.

Book your trial in-home lesson

Lesson Scheduling

Lessons with us are weekly and all year round, with one Winter Recital in December and a Spring Recital in early June. You are billed every two weeks after your lessons occur, so there is no payment up front or long-term commitment required. However, think about signing up for lessons like reserving a weekly time slot on your teacher’s schedule- who we will match with you based on teacher availability, your personality and unique goals.

Cancellations, holidays, and make-up lessons:

Going out of town? No problem. Just be sure to tell us a week in advance to avoid a charge for your teacher’s time. There is no official make-up policy at Avant-Garde, but we encourage you and your teacher to discuss make up lessons on a case by case basis. Your teacher may be willing to honor the time or reschedule based on the capacity in their schedule. We do not teach on the major holidays, and be sure to discuss your holiday break plans in advance with your teacher.

A stack of books with a small notebook on top, placed on a windowsill of a home. To the right, a wooden acoustic guitar is leaning against the window in home, with a view of greenery outside.

Lessons with Built-in Flexibility

A digital piano and a violin resting on a brown tufted bench, with the violin bow lying across the bench in front of the keyboard at a home.

When signing up for a 60 minute time slot or more, lessons can be split between two siblings, or parent and child.
While consistency is important for seeing progress and feeling a sense of accomplishment, your time slot is yours to play with if the need arises.

Imagine you forgot about your child’s scheduled play date, but you happen to be free. In-home lessons make it easy to finally explore your own musical capabilities in the time slot you reserved.

Or, if you are feeling slammed by work this week, your child can use your extra time to learn their favorite pop song or play a musical game. We know life happens. This flexibility is one of the many perks of lessons at home.

Who are in-home lessons for?

We teach music lessons to anyone that has the desire to learn! Here’s some examples of what our wonderful clients look like:

  • Young beginners starting at age 4 (includes music games)

  • older beginners from teens to adult

  • busy kids of all ages

  • kids with parents who want to drive their kids to one *less* activity a week

  • full time working adults who want to take another crack at lessons from childhood, try another instrument, or start from scratch

  • kids of parents with young children who find leaving home a huge hassle

  • creative or neurodivergent people who want freedom and flexibility of being in their home

Book your trial in-home lesson

  • kids who find music lesson schools over-stimulating and prefer their home as a learning environment

  • advanced players in need of college prep

  • moms/parents who want to dedicate some weekly time to themselves

  • retirees who want a creative outlet or new challenge

  • anyone who finds it difficult leaving the house due to medical, physical, or neurological/mental challenges

  • anyone wanting more convenience

  • almost anyone

  • insert YOU and your *unique* goals

Decorative wall filled with three-dimensional gold music notes and symbols on a dark background.

What Can I /my child expect to learn?

  • notation and reading comprehension

  • technique

  • Recital preparation and performance

  • ear training

  • theory

  • practice strategies

  • musicality and artistry

  • exposure to a wide variety of musical styles

  • music history

  • audition prep

MUSIC CURRICULUM

Our lessons meet you where you are and are balanced with long-term educational goals, comprehensive musical skills and your unique learning styles and interests. Not only do our students learn how to read music and the proper technique for their instrument, but it is essential to us that their music assignments continue to inspire them. We always ask what song they would like to play and teach a variety of genres to encourage the development of their own motivation and exploration.

Still have a question? Don’t miss our FAQ page or feel free to contact us.

  • Recitals

  • Piano tuning

  • Performances

A piano student with long red hair wearing a pink dress is seated at a grand piano on a stage with blue curtains in the background, performing or practicing for a recital.
Close-up view of the inside of a home grand piano, showing strings, tuning pins, and gold-colored metal frame.
Bright sunroom with large windows showing trees and outdoor scenery, containing a black piano for performances, potted plants, and a dining table with chairs set up for an event.

  • Recitals are a very rewarding way to showcase your new skills, hard work and everything you have learned with Avant-garde! We believe recitals are an essential part of music education and inspire more motivation for progress. At Avant-Garde, recitals are not required but are highly recommended. Your teachers understand how performing can feel daunting and will help you build up confidence for performance. While it is totally normal to be a little nervous, we find many of our students enjoy it more than they expected and are already looking forward to the next one after they play!

    How many recitals do you have?


    Twice a year you enjoy the opportunity to get dressed up, feel a sense of pride and accomplishment, play on a baby grand piano, and celebrate with your loved ones afterward. We have a Winter Recital in December and a Spring Recital in early June.

    Where do they take place?

    Recitals are traditionally held at the beloved Community House Winnetka at 620 Lincoln Ave, Winnetka, IL.

  • When your piano sounds like it needs a little TLC, look no further than your lessons provider.

    What is piano tuning and why do I need it?

    Tuning not only improves the quality of your piano’s sound, but it protects the structure of your instrument from long term damage and uneven tension. Over time and weather changes, the wood expands and contracts and the strings stretch.

    When does it need tuning?

    You might notice some piano keys stand out by sounding more unclear or uneven in tone than others. Some helpful descriptive words that are twangy, murky, buzzy. Your investment in your instrument is best protected when it is tuned up to two times a year. Your teacher can help you identify when your it needs a tuning and help you schedule through Avant-garde.

    How much does it cost?
    Tunings typically range from $165-$185 and vary based on the need and condition of your instrument. It commonly takes a little over 2 hours.

  • Elevate your event to another level of sophistication with live classical music performances, whether it’s holiday jazz piano at your Christmas party, or classical music in the background of your reception. Inspire and entertain your guests while they snack on hors d'oeuvres at your charity event. Choose from jazz, classical, hits from your favorite musicals, or popular arrangements, or anything within our staff’s expertise while you entertain your guests! Book with us hourly, starting at $150 for 1 hour minimum.

    Have a different vision in mind? We’d love to hear about it! Contact us and we will get back to you within 1-2 business days!