Have questions about private lessons? The registration form contains most of the information you may be seeking. Here are some common questions from students and parents, with answers below.
When do lessons start, and when do they occur during the week?
Lessons are given on a trimester basis, with ten lessons per trimester. The dates for 2026-2027 are as follows:
- Trimester 1: September 14–December 4,2026 (tuition due 9/7/26)
- Trimester 2: December 7, 2026–March 12, 2027 (tuition due 11/30/26)
- Trimester 3: March 15–June 11, 2027 (tuition due 3/8/27)
- Summer 2027: TBD — NOTE: only for violin, piano, and voice; remote only
Lessons are generally given between 3:00pm and 8:00pm on weekdays, usually at one of the Bedford schools. Students may choose thirty, forty-five, or sixty-minute lessons.
What happens when school is cancelled due to weather (or any other reason)?
If school is cancelled or has an unscheduled / unexpected early release for any reason, there are no after-school activities, this includes POMS lessons. Your teacher will work with you to reschedule the lesson.
What happens if there is an after-school event that affects my lesson time?
If there is an after school event that affects your normal lesson time, please work with your teacher to reschedule the lesson for a different time.
Who chooses my student’s teacher?
POMS contracts with a select group of professional musicians and music teachers to provide the best possible experience for students. The POMS private-lesson coordinator will match students with teachers, based on teacher availability. A list of current teachers can be found on the Private Lessons page. If you would like to request a particular teacher, please indicate that on the registration form, and we’ll make every effort to accommodate the request.
What instruments do you offer?
The list of instrument lessons offered can be found on the Private Lessons page.
How do I get an instrument?
Instrument rental is the responsibility of the student. A list of recommended instrument suppliers is at the bottom of the Private Lessons page.
How much do lessons cost? How do I pay for them?
Tuition is prorated, depending on lesson length. You can pay by trimester, or pay in full at the beginning of the year. POMS offers paper-based via personal check or online registration. If you prefer to submit the paper form, please pay by check, made out to “POMS Private Lessons” with the student name(s) in the memo line, and mail or deliver to our private-lesson coordinator (address on the registration form). Be aware that the online registration has a slightly higher fee included in the cost of the trimesters to cover transaction costs.
Lesson rate per trimester
- 30-minute: $295
- 45-minute: $435
- 60-minute: $575
Second- and third-trimester payments may be made by check, with student information in the memo line. You do not have to submit another registration form unless your lesson details are changing.
Financial aid is available! If your student needs financial aid for lessons, please submit a paper form and check the box on the registration form. We encourage families to make donations toward lesson scholarships if they are able to do so.
What happens after I send in my registration form?
Our private-lesson staff will record your registration and payment, and match the student with a teacher. The teacher will contact you before the trimester begins to set up the lesson schedule. Depending on when you submit your registration, there may be several weeks between registration and your first contact from your teacher.
I sent in my form a few weeks ago, but I haven’t heard from a teacher yet. What do I do?
Please contact Jim O’Malley to confirm receipt of your form and check in on your teacher assignment.
Do I have to stay with my student during the lesson?
POMS strongly encourages adults to stay with their student(s) during the lesson (either in the hallway, or in some cases, in the room). There is no supervision for students waiting for their lessons, and teachers and school staff are not responsible for unaccompanied or unsupervised students. Older students (high school and middle school) may be responsible enough to get themselves to and from their own lessons.
My student isn’t clicking with the teacher. What do we do?
We want every student to have a positive experience with their lessons. Students may request a different teacher at any time during the year, but we ask that switches be made only between trimesters, not in the middle of a trimester.
Still have questions? Contact Jim O’Malley