CHMA is home to three kinds of musicians: kids exploring an instrument for the first time, adults returning to the music they've always wanted to make, and serious artists pursuing their craft. The questions are mostly the same — How much? How does it work? What's the experience like? Below are the honest answers, after 18 years of giving them.
GETTING STARTED
Q: What's the best way to start at CHMA?
A: A free trial lesson. It's 30 minutes, complimentary, and tells you more than any website tour ever could. You meet your instructor, play a little, and decide whether this is the right home for you (or your student). One free trial per family. (Already used yours? No problem — ask us about a paid trial and we'll get you set up.)
Q: How do I enroll once I've decided?
A: Easiest path: complete your trial, and your instructor will walk you through next steps the same day. CHMA will set up your weekly time slot, get your auto-pay configured, and you'll be on the books — usually in under 10 minutes. No long forms, no waiting periods. If you already know which program you want and don't need a trial, reach out through the Contact page and CHMA will get you started directly.
Q: What ages and instruments do you teach?
A: Age 4 through adult, across two program tracks. Every program has a recommended starting age built around what actually clicks at that stage of development. For younger students, CHMA would rather wait six months for a 5-year-old to be ready for guitar than start them now. For adults and artists, the only "starting age" is the day you decide to begin.
CORE PROGRAMS — PRIVATE WEEKLY INSTRUMENT LESSONS
Browse the hubs: Music Lessons for Kids (4–12) · Music Lessons & Programs (13–Adult)
Ukulele Lessons
PREMIER PROGRAMS — SPECIALIZED, ADVANCED PATHS
See all: Premier Programs hub
Q: Do you teach beginners?
A: Yes — beginners are most of who CHMA serves. About half of every new enrollment has never touched the instrument before. Whether you're 7 and showing up for your first piano lesson or 47 and finally picking up the guitar, beginner is a great place to start. Instructors at CHMA work with new students at zero and build from there.
Q: I'm an adult coming back to music after years away — what should I expect?
A: Welcome back. You're not alone — adult returners are one of the fastest-growing groups at CHMA. Expect an instructor who treats you like the capable adult you are, not a child catching up. Expect lessons built around what you want to play, not a method-book curriculum. Expect progress to feel different than it did when you were 12 — sometimes faster (you understand more now), sometimes slower (you have less practice time). Both are normal. The bar isn't where you were when you stopped; the bar is whatever you want it to be from here.
Q: I'm an artist preparing for auditions, working on a portfolio, or recording original music — can CHMA help?
A: Yes — this is what the Premier programs are built for. MCA for Singers includes weekly studio time, production support, and distribution to Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. Piano Rebellion and Fretboard Revolution are repertoire-driven, performance-focused programs taught by master-level instructors. Many CHMA instructors are working performers, producers, and recording musicians themselves — which means you're learning from people who've actually done the work you're trying to do. Reach out and we'll talk through your specific goals.
Q: I'm not sure which instrument is right — can you help us figure it out?
A: Yes, and it's one of our favorite conversations. For kids, tell us what they listen to, whether they sing in the shower, whether they like to hit things — and we'll point to the right starting program. For adults and artists, the conversation is usually more direct: what do you want to play, and what's gotten in the way before? Either way, we'd rather take 10 minutes to get the fit right than rush anyone into something that doesn't stick.
Tell us what you're thinking →
Q: Do I need to own an instrument before starting?
A: Not on day one. We recommend waiting until after your trial lesson before buying or renting — your instructor can guide you on what to look for, what brand and model fits your level, and where to buy without overspending. (Piano students often have the easiest start since most have access to a piano or keyboard at home; we'll talk through what counts.)
Q: Who is CHMA built for?
A: Anyone with real musical curiosity who wants a place that takes that seriously. You don't have to be "talented." You don't have to come from a musical family. You don't have to know exactly what you want yet. You just have to want this to mean something.
CHMA is probably not the best fit if you're hunting for the cheapest lessons in town, looking for Groupon-style deals, or hoping to drop in for one or two lessons before a wedding. None of that is how CHMA operates, and there are studios in the area that handle those needs better. No hard feelings either way.
HOW LESSONS WORK
Q: Are lessons private or group?
A: Every lesson at CHMA is a private, one-on-one session with your dedicated instructor. No group classes. No splitting attention four ways. You get the full lesson focused on you (or your student) — which, frankly, is how skills get built.
Q: Are lessons in-person or virtual?
A: CHMA is an in-person studio. The lesson rooms, gear, and recording capabilities are all built for face-to-face instruction — that's where the strongest results come from. CHMA doesn't offer ongoing online-only lessons. (Zoom is used as a backup for snow days and weather closures, so no one loses momentum when Chicago decides to remind us where we live.)
Q: What days and times do you offer lessons?
A: Lessons are scheduled Monday–Friday, 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM and Saturday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Specific availability varies by instructor and instrument. Weekday afternoons and Saturday mornings tend to fill first; weekday evenings and Saturday early afternoons usually have the most flexibility. Once you book a trial, we'll match you with an instructor who has a slot that works for your schedule.
Q: How are lessons personalized?
A: Each instructor builds the lesson around the student. Instructors balance fundamentals — technique, theory, listening — with the music you actually want to play. The kid who wants to learn Taylor Swift learns Taylor Swift, with proper hand position underneath it. The adult chasing "Wish You Were Here" gets there, while picking up the theory that makes the next ten songs easier. The artist working on an EP gets the technical chops and the production support to finish it.
CHMA isn't a method-book-only studio, and isn't a "play whatever you want" studio. The instructors curated by CHMA are the ones who figured out how to do both at the same time.
Q: Why weekly lessons? Do you offer one-off lessons or lesson packs?
A: The CHMA program is built around weekly consistency because that's what creates real musicians. Showing up every week for a year produces a different musician than someone who took six lessons in three months. The research backs it up — and 18 years of running this studio backs it up louder.
So we keep things simple: weekly private lessons only. No drop-ins or packs. You're not locked in — 30 days written notice through the Help Desk ends enrollment any time. While you're with CHMA, the deal is straightforward: you commit to the weekly rhythm, and every minute counts.
Q: How long until I see real progress?
A: Faster than most people expect. Most students see meaningful progress within 8–12 weeks of consistent weekly lessons — recognizable songs, cleaner technique, more confidence at the instrument. Real fluency takes longer. The students who go from beginner to genuinely skilled usually do it across two to three years of weekly work. There's no shortcut, but the journey is genuinely fun. It comes down to the time spent in between the lessons.
Q: What happens if I miss a lesson — illness, vacation, busy week?
A: Life happens — CHMA built makeups for exactly that. You get five private makeup lessons per year (based on your enrollment date) when you submit cancellation through the Student Help Desk at least 24 hours in advance. The Help Desk form is the official path because it timestamps everything cleanly. Makeups expire 6 months from the missed lesson. Same-day cancellations and no-shows aren't eligible.
CHMA is a year-round studio. There's no pause for summer — and most CHMA students don't either. Music is one of those rare skills where summer break works against you.
Q: Can I switch instructors if it's not the right fit?
A: Anytime, no awkwardness, no friction. Submit a request through the Student Help Desk and CHMA will handle it from there. Students shouldn't be locked into one instructor forever — the right fit is the lesson, and the right fit can change as a student grows. Your current instructor won't be offended; instructor changes are a normal part of how CHMA operates.
Q: What if my student loses interest or wants to quit?
A: First, your instructor will want to explore the root cause with you — and no one will guilt you for asking the question. Sometimes the answer is a small adjustment: an instrument change, a lesson plan refresh, an instructor switch. Sometimes it's a temporary break because life is genuinely overwhelming.
And sometimes — and no one in this industry talks about this — music may simply not be the right artistic outlet for a particular student. Maybe they want to paint. Or dance. Or write. Or act. Artistic expression comes in many shapes and sizes, and the goal is to find the right path for you or your child — not to keep someone in lessons because they started them. Your instructor will help you figure it out honestly.
Q: Can parents watch the lesson?
A: Always. The CHMA open-door policy isn't a slogan — parents are welcome to sit in on any part of any lesson. For younger students, it's encouraged. Even sitting in for the last 5 minutes makes a real difference. (For adult and artist students — the room is yours. Bring whoever you want, or bring no one. Up to you.)
PROGRAMS — CORE VS. PREMIER
Q: What's the difference between Core lessons and Premier programs?
A: Core is private weekly instruction in a single instrument: piano, voice, guitar, bass, drums, or ukulele. This is where most students start — kids and adults alike — and many stay here for years. It's the foundation everything else is built on.
Premier programs are specialized, more intensive paths for students ready to go deeper. Each one has its own curriculum, gear, and focus:
BOLLYWOOD VOCAL METHOD with SHREE RAMESH · Ages 7+Master classical Indian vocal technique without flying to Mumbai. Hindustani-rooted training built for film and modern Bollywood singing. The only program of its kind in the western suburbs.
DJ MASTERY PROGRAM · Ages 10+Real DJ skills on real industry-standard gear. Mixing, scratching, beatmatching, live performance — taught by a working DJ.
MUSIC CREATION ACADEMY FOR SINGERS · Ages 13+Imagine performing your original song to a room that actually listens. MCA students write, record, and release their own music — with weekly studio time, behind-the-scenes production support, and distribution to Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.
PIANO REBELLION with DEREK BERG · Ages 13+High-level piano instruction with CHMA's owner and founder. For serious students who've outgrown traditional Core lessons. Repertoire-driven, performance-focused, master-level instruction.
FRETBOARD REVOLUTION with EVAN DUNN · Ages 13+Advanced guitar mastery with one of CHMA's founding-era instructors, nearly 14 years affiliated with the studio. Theory, technique, and stylistic depth across genres. For the player ready to leave the beginner phase behind.
MUSIC PRODUCTION TRAINING · Ages 13+Professional production skills: DAWs, recording, mixing, sound design. For students who want to make tracks, not just play them.
Premier programs are an investment of time and tuition. They're worth every dollar for the right student.
Q: Can Premier programs be a starting point, even without Core lessons at CHMA?
A: Absolutely. Premier programs are open to anyone who meets the program's age and readiness requirements, whether or not they've trained at CHMA before. Some programs (like MCA for Singers) involve a fit conversation or audition step to make sure the student is ready for the work. Visit each program page or reach out — we'll guide you through it.
PRICING & VALUE
Q: How much do lessons cost?
A: Core Lesson Program — Piano, Voice, Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, and Drums:
- 30-minute lesson — $47 per session
- 60-minute lesson — $94 per session
Premier Programs:
- Piano Rebellion — 30 min: $60 / 60 min: $110
- Fretboard Revolution — 30 min: $60 / 60 min: $110
- Bollywood Vocal Method — 30 min: $50 / 60 min: $99
- DJ Mastery — 60 min: $99
- Music Production Training — 60 min: $99
- Music Creation Academy — $699/month (includes behind-the-scenes production hours)
How monthly tuition works: Monthly tuition is based on the number of scheduled lessons in that month. Four Mondays in a month means four lessons billed. Five means five. You're never charged for official CHMA closures.
Q: Is there a registration fee, and what's included in tuition?
A: Yes — a one-time $25 registration fee per student at enrollment. Not annually like many studios. If a student withdraws and later re-enrolls, the $25 fee applies again at re-enrollment.
Beyond that, there are no additional fees for recitals, recital admission, technology, or supplies. Tuition covers the full experience:
- Weekly private lessons with your dedicated instructor
- Recital and showcase participation (free admission)
- Lesson materials, sheet music, practice planners, and the student binder
- Access to the parent portal and Student Help Desk
- Studio time and equipment use during your lesson
- Make-up lessons (within policy)
Q: Do you offer sibling or multi-student discounts?
A: No, CHMA doesn't offer bulk discounts at this time. Every student pays the same published rate, by design — it keeps pricing simple and instructor compensation fair regardless of enrollment volume per family.
Q: Why isn't CHMA the cheapest option?
A: Because the cheapest option isn't what we built — and we're proud of that.
CHMA sits deliberately in the middle of the local market. Not the lowest, not the highest. The position is earned through three things:
- Spacious, professionally equipped studios with high-end recording capability, soundproofing, and acoustic treatment — not divided rooms built to pack students in
- Instructor compensation above market, so CHMA attracts and retains the best instructors in the western suburbs
- Real support infrastructure — Help Desk, parent portal, billing systems, and an actual office that picks up the phone
CHMA is priced for students and families who want the experience to match the investment.
Q: Do you offer Groupon deals, discount codes, or promotional rates?
A: No promotions, Groupons, discount codes, or first-month-free deals. Every student pays the same published rate.
Discount-driven offers don't produce the long-term studio relationships CHMA is built for. We'd rather charge a fair rate to people who value the work and stay for the long haul.
STUDIO, INSTRUCTORS & TRACK RECORD
Q: What's the studio like?
A: No closet-sized studios here. Many lesson providers in the area try to maximize revenue by cramming in as many studios as possible — which usually means claustrophobic, walk-in-closet-sized rooms. The CHMA facility in Clarendon Hills was built for music, not retrofitted for it. Each lesson room is a dedicated creation space with proper acoustic treatment, professional audio equipment, and real instruments. MCA students have access to a full recording environment. DJ Mastery students train on real DJ rigs.
This matters more than people realize. The space is part of the lesson.
Q: Who are your instructors?
A: CHMA instructors are independent working musicians, performers, producers, and educators — curated by CHMA for their unique teaching expertise, not hired as employees following a corporate script. Most have been part of the CHMA instructor network for years. Many came up through the Chicago music scene professionally before affiliating with CHMA — which means students at CHMA often work with instructors who've been on the same stages and in the same studios they're aspiring toward.
This is by design. CHMA doesn't impose a one-size-fits-all method or curriculum. Each instructor brings their own teaching system, refined over years. CHMA provides the studio, the scheduling, the support infrastructure, and the curated network — the instructor brings the craft.
CHMA doesn't position the brand around any single instructor, and students shouldn't be locked into one person forever. If you ever want to make an instructor change, you can — no awkwardness, no friction.
Q: Do your instructors stay, or is there a lot of turnover?
A: Most CHMA instructors have been part of the network for years — including three founding-era instructors still affiliated nearly 14 years in. CHMA curates intentionally and pays above market specifically to avoid the constant turnover typical at chain studios. When a student lands with the right instructor, that relationship is the lesson — and CHMA protects it.
Q: How long has CHMA been around?
A: CHMA was founded in 2008 by Derek Berg, the current owner. CHMA has operated continuously as a locally-owned music academy in Clarendon Hills for 18 years — through every economic cycle, the pandemic, and the rise of every "online music lesson app" that promised to replace real instruction. CHMA is still here because real instruction wins.
Learn more on the About page.
PERFORMANCE & PROGRESS
Q: Are there performance opportunities?
A: Yes — and they matter. Whether it's a kid walking off stage beaming after their first recital, or an adult playing in front of a crowd for the first time in 20 years, those are the moments CHMA exists for. Two main anchors each year:
- Annual Student Show — every February. Free admission, all CHMA students and families welcome. Students with 6+ months of lessons can perform.
- Daisy Days Festival Showcase — every June, in partnership with Daisy Days. Premier program students and select advanced Core students perform.
CHMA also shares student wins on social, features original releases from MCA students on streaming platforms, and celebrates milestones in the studio.
Q: What kind of music can students learn?
A: Whatever you want to play, balanced with the fundamentals that make every style possible. Instructors at CHMA have taught everything from classical piano to Punjabi devotional singing to death metal guitar. Your instructor meets you where your taste lives — and uses that as the engine for real skill-building.
LOGISTICS
Q: How does billing work?
A: Tuition is billed monthly via auto-pay (credit card, debit, or bank account). 100% of CHMA active students are on auto-pay — it's the smoothest way to run a recurring weekly program for everyone involved.
Q: How do I pause or stop lessons?
A: CHMA requires 30 days written notice to discontinue, submitted through the Student Help Desk withdrawal form (no login required). The Help Desk form is the official path — emails, texts, or verbal notice don't qualify.
No contracts, no minimum terms, no cancellation fees. Just the 30-day notice.
If you need to come back, you're always welcome. Re-enrollment runs at the then-current rate (a $25 registration fee applies on re-enrollment, and CHMA will do its best to match your previous time slot or instructor when possible).
Q: Where are you located, and what areas do you serve?
A: The CHMA studio is in Clarendon Hills, IL, serving students across the western suburbs of Chicago, including Clarendon Hills, Hinsdale, Westmont, Willowbrook, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace, Burr Ridge, Darien, Downers Grove, Naperville, Western Springs, La Grange, La Grange Park, Indian Head Park, and Countryside.
Students from neighboring towns are welcome too — many travel a bit further because the right fit is worth it.
Q: Do you have a waitlist?
A: Some instructors and time slots fill up. If your preferred slot isn't available right away, CHMA can put you on a VIP waitlist for that specific opening. Most other slots are bookable directly.
CONTACT & POLICIES
Q: How do I contact you?
A: Prospective students and families: Contact us or call/text (630) 986-8742.
Current enrolled students and families: Student Help Desk is the fastest path.
Q: Where can I find your full policies?
A: Student Handbook — covers cancellations, makeups, withdrawal, holiday schedule, and full studio procedures.
WHAT FAMILIES & STUDENTS SAY
★★★★★ 5.0 stars · Reviews on Google
Read all reviews on Google →
Below are real reviews from CHMA students and families. Names are attached to every one — no anonymous quotes, no curated marketing speak.
"I wanted to play piano, but thought that being in my 40's was too late in life to learn. CHMA proved that it is never too late to learn, even if you have no music experience! Derek had me learn with the styles of music I enjoy — Jazz and contemporary."
— Steve Loan, Adult Piano Student
"I've been playing piano for about 13 years I think, but I have never made more progress than I did within my first few months at CHMA. They perfectly cater their curriculum to each individual student, focusing on their specific strengths."
— Tristan Rush, Experienced Piano Student
"My 6 year old daughter just started piano a few months ago with Tiffany and loves it (and loves Tiffany)! I was afraid she'd be overwhelmed but they do such a great job of balancing the fun with learning that it's been a really enjoyable experience so far. Highly recommend."
— Mandy Steinmetz, Parent of Beginner Student
"I've been taking lessons at CHMA for six years as a voice student, piano student, guitar student, and a member of the Recording Artist Academy. I had tried many different music institutions before coming here, and I've never looked back."
— Hannah Swoyer, Multi-Program Student
"The best part of CHMA is that the lessons are designed completely around the students' preferences. The idea that a student can walk into a room and name a tune and instantly have an expert start working on it with them that day is something pretty special."
— Ben Waverley, CHMA Student
"Best in town. Best around. Derek and his team is amazing. All ages are welcome. They really take care of their clients and community. Highly recommend!"
— Jackie Errico, Local Guide
REAL CHMA WINS
Q: Have CHMA students gone on to do real things in music?
A: More than fits on a single page. Here are a few CHMA is especially proud of.
COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES AT TOP MUSIC SCHOOLS
CHMA alumni have earned acceptances into some of the most competitive music programs in the country, including:
- Berklee College of Music — Boston, MA
- Belmont University — Nashville, TN
- Columbia College Chicago — Chicago, IL
Among others. These aren't programs students stumble into — they require a serious audition, a strong portfolio, and years of disciplined preparation.
ADULT STUDENT MILESTONES
CHMA adult students have gone well beyond their lessons. They've joined bands, produced their own music, played in contemporary church bands, started family bands, participated in live productions, and released their own original tracks. There's no expiration date on building a real musical life — and the proof is in the studio every week.
MCA STUDENTS RELEASING ORIGINAL MUSIC
Music Creation Academy isn't a metaphor. MCA students don't just learn to write songs — they record them, release them, and put them on the same streaming platforms as the artists they grew up listening to. Below is the official MCA Spotify playlist: 30+ tracks from 12 student artists, all developed and produced through the program.
Open the full playlist on Spotify →
Featured MCA artists (alphabetical):
- Ava Nicole
- Brigid & Grace
- Briley
- Edward & Graham
- Ellie Banke
- Grace Franko
- Grace Stafford
- Katherine Buikema
- Sarah Lampsa
- Sarah Steil
- Sohan Whittier
Every artist on this playlist worked with their CHMA instructor week after week to write, record, and finish what you're hearing. This is what Music Creation Academy actually produces.
ELLIE BANKE — SINGER & SONGWRITER
Ellie started as a CHMA student under the instruction of Evan Dunn and Derek Berg, and later became one of the affiliated CHMA instructors. She's now a full-time singer-songwriter from the Chicago suburbs with multiple Spotify singles streamed over a million times each, and a social following of nearly 3 million across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. After a viral moment, she got the chance to meet and collaborate with Ed Sheeran — and re-released her song "Dive" as Dive (Ellie's Version).
Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, or visit elliebanke.com.
SPIRO DUSSIAS — GUITARIST
Spiro came up through CHMA under the instruction of Evan Dunn and is now one of the most-talked-about progressive metal guitarists in the world. Guitar World magazine featured him in a January 2025 profile, calling him shred guitar's next great hope. He landed multiple "best guitarists of 2024" year-end lists, was the featured artist for Jackson Guitars' American Soloist promo video, joined ESP Guitars' artist roster, and — yes — has given guitar lessons to Jordan Rudess of Dream Theater.
Read the Guitar World feature.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU
Most students who walk into CHMA aren't going to land a Guitar World cover or a million Spotify streams — and CHMA would never promise that. What CHMA brings is the curated instructor network, the studio environment, and the operational infrastructure. What every student gets is the dedication and rigor of an instructor matched to them — the same standard regardless of where they're starting or where they're hoping to go.
READY TO START?
One trial per family. 30 minutes. No pressure. You'll know if it's a fit.