The Community Music and Arts Center (CMAC) is an educational organization dedicated to enriching life through engagement in the arts. In pursuit of this mission, the Center provides diverse approaches to teaching and creates hospitable environments for learning. It facilitates the creation of new educational ventures and partnerships with community organizations.

Click on the links below to view our talented music instructors’ biographies:

• Brass and Woodwind Instruments
• Ensembles, Orchestration and Sound
• Guitar, Banjo and Ukulele
• Percussion Instruments
• Piano and Accordion
• String Instruments
• Voice

Private Music Lessons

Click below to learn about our private lessons, including instruments offered, tuition and fees:

    Adult Private Lessons                      Youth Private Lessons

Ready to start?

• If you are a new student and are ready to register for private lessons or want more information about our private lesson program: Click here to submit a First-Time Student Form , We will respond to you as soon as possible.
• If you are a returning CMAC private lesson student wishing to re-enroll: Click here.

Tuition Assistance

Learn to sing or play a musical instrument. If cost is a concern, tuition assistance is available for fall and spring semesters for students in grades 1-12, based on financial need. For more information or to apply, call 847.925.6659. Click here to apply. The deadline for Fall term applications is July 31 and for Spring term applications is December 22. We review applicants during the first two weeks of August (Fall term) and January (Spring term) and make decisions then.

Download the Instructor Recommendation/Student Evaluation form.

If you would like to contribute to a CMC Scholarship, call 847.925.6490.

Missed Private Music Lessons and Make-Up Private Music Lessons

Regular attendance at lessons is essential to successful and enjoyable music study. Please make every attempt to attend all classes and lessons. However, if your child is ill, keep him/her home to avoid spreading germs. Please notify your teacher in advance if your child must miss a lesson. If your child misses a group lesson, your teacher will send the week’s assignment via email so your child can see what was missed and keep practicing. Group lessons cannot be made up. If your child misses a private lesson, a make-up can be arranged if the absence was due to illness or emergency. Please be respectful of your teacher’s time, and don’t ask to make up lessons missed due to other activities or vacations. No more than 2 make-up lessons are allowed per 16 week semester, 1 per 8 week semester. If your teacher needs to cancel a lesson or class, it will be made up, and your teacher will arrange the time with you.

Inclement Weather/School Closings

In the case of inclement weather which causes the Harper campus to close, teachers will offer a make-up for the class or private lesson missed. You can check the status of our school at www.harpercollege.edu or by calling 847-925-6000. If the school is open, lessons are running, and you should make every attempt to attend.

Locations for Studios and Classes

Unless otherwise noted, all CMC classes and lessons are taught at Harper’s main campus in the Music Instruction Center (Building P), a space shared with the College’s Music Department. Teaching studios are equipped with excellently maintained grand and studio pianos, while our computer music lab has over 20 Macintosh computers, Korg synthesizers and an LCD system for clear teacher demonstrations.

View the CMAC Student/Parent Handbook

View and Register for All CMAC Courses at harpercollege.edu/cmac