North Valley Music school serves over 600 students annually through private lessons, group classes, ensembles, workshops, master classes, and summer camps. We offer programs for all ages and levels from newborns to retirees. Office hours are Mon-Thur. 10:00 to 5:00. Scholarships are available based upon the income eligibility guidelines of the National School Lunch Program. Please inquire no matter your situation.
Private Instruction
Weekly private lessons are offered In-Person and Online on Piano, Violin, Cello, Bass (Acoustic Upright and Electric), Percussion, Voice, Guitar (Acoustic and Electric), Mandolin, Banjo (Claw hammer and Scruggs styles), Fiddle, Harp, Trumpet, Saxophone, and Flute. Beginning Suzuki Instruction is available in piano. We strongly believe performance is an essential component to successful music education. Students have the opportunity to participate in recitals, community performances, and ensembles.
30-minute private lesson ($30) 45-minute private lesson ($45) 60-minute private lesson ($60)
Please inquire about our payment plan for easier billing options.
Yearly Registration Fee – NVMS strives to keep lesson costs affordable. To offset the expenses associated with scheduling and running the office, we require an annual registration fee of $60 (24/25), all families must contact the office to register (406)-862-8074. Discounts are available for multiple registrations (10% off the third enrollment).
In general, NVMS follows the Whitefish School District calendar. NVMS is closed on several major holidays, but not all. We are open on all PIR days.
Please visit our calendar page.
Lessons start Tuesday, September 3, 2024
NVMS is CLOSED on the following dates:
Labor Day: Monday, September 2, 2024 Thanksgiving Break: Tues, Nov 26 – Fri, Nov 29 *Monday 11/25 lessons occur as a makeup for Labor Day Christmas Break: Tues, Dec 23 – Mon, Jan 3. 2025 Spring Break: Mar 24 – Mar 28 Memorial Day: Monday, May 26, 2025
Last day of 2024 Private Lessons is June 9, 2025 – This is also the make-up day for Memorial Day
Cancellation and Make up Policy – NVMS has a 2 week cancellation policy to cancel enrollment. Students are encouraged to attend the final two lessons, but if you cannot attend, these lessons are still billed to your account. We cannot cancel individual lessons. This policy is in place out of respect for the instructors’ time. Make-up lessons may be scheduled through the instructor, but is dependent on their availability. If an instructor cancels and can not schedule a make-up, the account will be credited.
Instrument Rentals – NVMS rents a limited number of instruments to our students for $10 per month. Please inquire upon registration.
Early Childhood Classes
Early Childhood group classes provide excellent preparation for private instruction.
Music Together®– Early Childhood exposure to music ensures that children will be on a path for a life long love of music.
Music Together® classes are for birth to age five and their caregivers for 45 minutes once per week to experience songs, chants, movement activities and instrumental jam sessions. Music Together® classes are based upon the recognition that all children are musical and can learn to sing in tune and keep a beat. Participants receive songbook collections specific to the session. Classes are taught by Mary Millington or Beth Thomas and meet in the Music School great room. We offer Tuesday & Wednesday morning sessions.
Tuition is $145 for 10 week sessions ($100 for the 2nd child, same family) and $125 for 8 week sessions ($85 for 2nd child). A second child less than one year old may attend for free when their sibling is enrolled. Drop-ins are $20/class. ~Please register two weeks prior to receive materials on time.
Dates TBD
Music Lingua – Music Lingua is a unique method of introducing Spanish language to young children, ages 0-5 with a caregiver, at the most critical time when they are most capable of learning a second language. Music Lingua classes use music, movement, storytelling, drama and art to present thematic concepts and key vocabulary. The emphasis is on hearing the spoken language, learning the songs, and in the process, learning target vocabulary and responding to commands. Taught by Miss Tania Lopez.
Tuition for summer is $100 for each 6 week session, $60 for second sibling, sibling under one is free with registered sibling.
Dates TBD
Group Classes
Drumming
This group drum class series is for beginner to intermediate drummers. It focuses on snare skills on a drum pad. It will be fun, entertaining, high energy, and educational. Level 2 works on speed and endurance with basic percussion rudiments – think a spin class for drummers. Ages 12-18 (but all ages welcome). On Hold
Learn To Play Adult and Junior Classes
Learn to Play classes are six-week classes focused on the absolute beginning student who has very little or no experience. We will get you playing tunes in no time! See current classes
Veteran’s Learn To Play
Open qualifying Veterans from the Kalispell Vet Center. This free 12 week, one-hour-a-week guitar class is for beginner Veterans. Join other Vets to learn chords, scales, and songs that you love!
NVMS offers a 10% discount to all Veterans for private lessons and classes. Thank you for your service and dedication to our country. Register here
Bluegrass Fiddle Jam
Performing Ensembles
Acoustic Jam
Join us in the North Valley Music School great room each Wednesday starting on August 2nd at 6:30-8:00 p.m. for a weekly acoustic jam! Space is limited.
Jam Schedule every Wednesday EXCEPT
Dec. 25, 2024
Jan. 1, 2025
March 26, 2025
June 11, 2025
This informal group of beginner to advanced musicians in fun, old-time folk, bluegrass, Americana tunes. Bring your acoustic guitar, banjo, violin, viola, stand-up bass, cello, mandolin, harmonica or washboard (whatever you’ve got!) and join the fun. All ages welcome. Instructor – Tim Torgerson. (No charge, but donations are always gratefully accepted.) Register here
Beginners Community Orchestra ON HOLD
This ensemble for beginning symphonic students – our NVMS Beginners Community Orchestra is conducted by TBD. ALL AGES of beginner string players are welcome (one year of reading music experience recommended). The Orchestra will meet every other Friday night 6:30-7:30 p.m. at North Valley Music School in the Great Room. Dates TBD On Hold
Glee Club
Our NVMS Glee Club is a free Children’s Choir for ages 7-12. Sessions run 6-weeks
on Tuesdays from 3:45–4:45 pm at the First Presbyterian Church on 301 Central Ave in Whitefish. The choir performs a variety of repertoire as well as for other community events. Faculty – Karen Pogorzelski. Its FUN Its FREE!Register here
Summer Programs and Camps
Please see Summer Camps or Camp Festival Amadeus. Private lessons available, pick your dates, no weekly commitment (contact music school).
Scholarship Program
NO CHILD (OR STUDENT) LEFT UNTUNED! We believe that music programs and lessons should be readily available to everyone. That’s why we offer a financial assistance program. This program is based on the guidelines of the Federal School Lunch program.
To qualify for a scholarship, you must complete the application process below. The information will be kept confidential and will not be used for any other purpose. Faculty are not made aware of scholarship recipients.
NVMS requires that individuals reapply for their scholarships annually and report any change of financial status within 30 days of change. Failure to do so may jeopardize the individual’s membership status. In addition, please provide any changes in phone numbers, addresses, and payment information as they occur.
CLICK HERE TO PRINT APPLICATION
Mail to: North Valley Music School PO Box 4446 Whitefish, MT 59937 or email to info@northvalleymusicschool.org