Frequently Asked Questions.
1. General
What is Capitol Harmony?
Capitol Harmony is a community-driven music school offering high-quality instruction for students of all ages and skill levels. We specialize in private lessons in guitar and piano, tailoring instruction to each student’s goals, learning style, and musical interests.
We also offer an Early Childhood Music Program with small group classes for children ages 3–6, designed to introduce music through play, movement, and exploration in a supportive environment.
Where are you located?
We are based in Washington, DC, in the Georgetown neighborhood. Lessons take place in person at St. John’s Episcopal Church. We also offer online lessons.
What ages do you teach?
We welcome students ages 3 through adult. Whether you are a complete beginner, a returning hobbyist, or preparing for auditions or exams, we meet students where they are.
2. Private Lessons
What types of lessons do you offer?
We currently offer private lessons in:
If you're interested in an instrument not yet listed, feel free to reach out—we may already be onboarding an instructor or can help connect you!
How long are lessons?
Lessons are typically 30, 45, or 60 minutes, depending on the student’s age, experience level, and goals.
How often do lessons take place?
Lessons take place once per week at a consistent, fixed time. Upon enrollment, a weekly lesson slot is reserved exclusively for the student.
Do you offer trial lessons?
Yes. New students may schedule a non-committal trial lesson at 50% of the regular rate, regardless of lesson length. The trial lesson allows students to meet the teacher and experience our teaching approach before committing.
After the trial lesson, students may decide whether or not to enroll. If they choose not to continue, no further billing occurs.
How does registration work?
To begin, simply fill out the interest form on our website. A member of our team will follow up to discuss availability, lesson length, and instructor fit.
After a trial lesson, the student’s proposed time slot is typically held briefly to allow time for a decision. Once enrollment is confirmed, the weekly lesson time becomes reserved for the student.
For privacy and flexibility reasons, lesson rates are not publicly listed, but are always clearly communicated during the inquiry and registration process.
3. Early Childhood Program 🧸
Do you offer music classes for young children?
Yes. Our Early Childhood Music Program is a small group class designed for children ages 3 to 6, with up to six students per class.
What do the classes include?
Classes include age-appropriate activities such as:
Singing and pitch exploration
Rhythm and movement games
Ear training and listening skills
Hands-on exploration of instruments
Musical storytelling and creative expression
What are the goals of the program?
The program is designed to foster a love of music while developing coordination, focus, listening skills, and creativity through engaging, structured play.
Do parents need to be present during classes?
For younger children, we often recommend that a parent or caregiver be present for all or part of the class to support engagement and encourage musical play at home.
How long are the classes?
Classes are 30 minutes long and meet once per week.
4. Scheduling & Tuition 📆
How is tuition billed?
Tuition is billed monthly for lessons held at a fixed weekly time. Charges are processed on the first of each month based on the number of scheduled lessons that occur on the student’s assigned weekday.
Your saved payment method will be charged automatically.
Why am I charged for multiple lessons in a month?
Enrollment reserves a weekly lesson slot for the student. Once enrolled, the student is scheduled for every lesson that falls on their assigned weekday for that month.
For example, if a student’s lesson is on Wednesdays and there are five Wednesdays in a given month, tuition covers five lessons.
Why does enrollment reserve a weekly spot and require monthly billing?
Reserving a weekly lesson time allows us to keep teachers’ schedules consistent and predictable, which supports stable instruction for students and fair scheduling for instructors.
At the same time, families maintain flexibility: lessons may be discontinued at any time with 30 days’ written notice, allowing schedule changes without long-term commitments.
Do you offer make-up lessons?
Make-up lessons may be offered with advance notice and are subject to availability. Specific details are outlined in our Studio Policy.
5. Online Lessons 💻
Do you offer online lessons?
Yes. All lessons can be held online via Zoom, either by choice or when circumstances require it.'
What do I need for online lessons?
You’ll need a reliable internet connection, a device with a camera and microphone, and your instrument. For some lessons, a second device (such as a phone or tablet) can be helpful for playing recordings or backing tracks.
We are happy to help you optimize your setup.
6. Performances & Extras 🎤
Do students get performance opportunities?
Yes. We organize recitals and workshops throughout the year. Participation is encouraged but never required.
Do you offer group classes or ensembles?
While our core focus is one-on-one instruction, we also offer group classes and workshops based on interest and availability, including early childhood classes and special-topic workshops.