NDSU Music Academy

Pay tuition online

30 minute lessons

• Fall (13 lessons): $247.00
• Spring (15 lessons): $285.00
• Summer (8 lessons): $152.00

45 minute lessons

• Fall (13 lessons): $370.50
• Spring (15 lessons): $427.50
• Summer (8 lessons): $228.00

60 minute lessons

• Fall (13 lessons): $494.00
• Spring (15 lessons): $570.00
• Summer (8 lessons): $304.00

Prorated Fee

• $19.00 for 30 minute lesson
• $28.50 for 45 minute lesson
• $38.00 for 60 minute lesson

(Summer lessons offered only by specific teachers, check with your teacher to see about availability in the summer.)

Registration

There is a $20 registration fee per student for first time registration only

After registering, we will contact you to schedule your weekly lesson time. Once we have found a time that works for your lesson, please pay your new student registration fee of $20 online through our website within 48 hours. When we have received your new student fee, we will reserve your lesson time. If the new student fee is not received within 48 hours, the lesson time that was agreed upon will become available for other students to reserve.

Payments

Once you have registered, you may pay in full or make two payments per semester for the fall and spring semesters. Payment is due before the first lesson. Lessons will not begin until payment has been received. If paying twice per semester, the second payment is due during the seventh week of the semester. Summer session payment is due in full before the first lesson. Payment can be made in the form of a check or credit card. Checks should be made out to NDSU and sent to:
NDSU Music Academy
Attn: Tracey Dahl
PO Box 6050 Dept 2330
Fargo ND 58108

Pay Lessons Online

This site will ask for the contribution amount. You’ll need to type in the tuition amount since it changes by semester. In the fall semester there are 15 lessons, and in the spring semester there are 13 lessons. Therefore, the tuition amount changes.

Make-up lessons

There will be the option of making up one lesson each semester for an excused absence. An absence will be counted as excused when the teacher is notified at least one week prior to the missed lesson. If a student is ill, the teacher must be notified by phone a minimum of two hours prior to the lesson. If the teacher was not notified prior to the absence, the lesson will be counted as unexcused and will not be rescheduled. All make up lessons will take place during normal Academy hours.

Expectations

Academy students are expected to:

1. keep a regular practice schedule as specified by their instructor
2. attend all lessons and recital in which they are enrolled
3. bring instrument, music and all lesson materials to each lesson

Building Policies

Peace Lutheran Church has graciously opened their facility for Academy use, we wish to keep their building in good order and respect their property. The Sunday school wing is the only place students and parents will be allowed to wait in the building. An adult must accompany students at all times. Students may not wait outside of the building for any reason and must remain in the Sunday school wing. Our building host will greet you at the door and escort you to the Sunday school wing. Please use the west door located by the parking lot.

Student Dismissal

Students who are not meeting the expectations listed above may be dismissed at any time with tuition forfeited.

Cancellation of lessons

Lesson cancelled by the instructor will be made up at the earliest convenience of both parties. The Music Academy will only cancel lessons due to bad weather if NDSU cancels events for that day. Check the NDSU website, www.ndsu.edu, for cancellation information. We will not follow public school or Peace Lutheran cancellations. If a student decides to cancel due to bad weather and NDSU is open, the instructor is not obligated to make up the absence. I will send out an email blast and post on the NDSU Music Academy Facebook page when lessons are canceled.

Withdrawing from lessons requires written notification to the Academy office. If written notification is not received, students will still be considered officially enrolled and charged accordingly for tuition.

Refunds

After the first payment has been received, students are obligated to pay for that half of the semester. If a student has paid in full for the semester and does not continue lessons in the second half of the semester, a refund will be given for the second half of the semester.

Late Arrival

Students are expected to arrive on time and be ready for their lesson to begin at the specified time. Instructors will wait 15 minutes before assuming the student will be absent for the lesson. Instructors are not required to make up for lost time. However, if an instructor is late they will arrange to make up the lost time.

Scholarships for students are available on the basis of need through Excite Music. Please visit Excite Music FM to apply.

Ava Brewster, flute

Ava Brewster is the flute instructor at the NDSU Music Academy. She is a senior majoring in General Music and Neuroscience, and this is her second year teaching at the Academy. She is from Moorhead, MN, and has played the flute for 11 years. She loves playing the flute and strives to help young players develop the ability to express themselves musically.

Seth Schaefer, percussion and bass

Seth Schaefer is a recent graduate of NDSU and got his degree in music education while studying percussion and jazz bass. He has been teaching at the academy for 2 years and just started a position as long-term orchestral assistant sub at Cheney Middle School. Outside of teaching and practicing, Seth loves collecting comic books, playing Magic: The Gathering, and finding ways to make his favorite meals vegan. Seth's passions for music and teaching were ignited by his high school band director and was deepened through his time at NDSU. He loves teaching because he wants every student to have a chance to love music and be able to express themselves in a way that words can't.

Erin Renner, violin and viola

Erin Renner is from Fargo, ND, and holds a B.A. degree in music from NDSU. She got her start in music when she was growing up, playing old-time and bluegrass fiddle, guitar, and banjo. While at NDSU, Erin studied violin and viola, playing a range of orchestra, chamber, and solo works. She enjoys teaching lessons at the Music Academy because it allows her to help students enjoy playing their instruments, explore their interests in music, discover new musical styles, and achieve their musical goals.

Cameron Solberg, oboe

Cameron Solberg grew up in Fargo, North Dakota and is gaining her Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education at North Dakota State University. She studies oboe under Philip McKenzie and studied under Jennifer Peterson prior to college. Cameron has obtained a variety of performing and teaching opportunities while studying at NDSU. These experiences include playing in the NDSU Wind Symphony, NDSU Woodwind Quintet, NDSU Gold Star Marching Band, NDSU Jazz Ensemble, NDSU Saxophone Quartet, and various chamber ensembles for NDSU’s operas and choirs. She has also earned the title as a finalist in the Bismarck Mandan Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Concerto Competition and competed in the Greater Grand Forks Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Concerto Competition and the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Solo Competition.

While performing is a large passion for Cameron, she also enjoys sharing her knowledge and appreciation for music through teaching. In addition to teaching private oboe lessons for the NDSU Music Academy, she has also volunteered as a camp counselor for the Bemidji MusiCamp.

Onna Scheuer, piano and ukulele

Onna Scheuer has been teaching at the NDSU Music Academy since the Spring of 2020. She grew up in Bismarck, ND, and is currently a third-year student at NDSU. Onna is a double major in Psychology and Music and is going to pursue a master's degree in Music Therapy after graduating in the Spring of 2022. Onna has always been passionate about music and has played piano since age 7 years old. She likes to sing as well as write her own music, and she also plays guitar, percussion, and the flute. Teaching has been an amazing experience because she enjoys connecting with her students through music and seeing them become musicians as they progress in their lessons.

Isaac Homuth, trumpet and Piano

Isaac Homuth is currently an instrumental music education major at North Dakota State University. He graduated from high school just across the river at Moorhead High, so he has been around the FM area his entire life. Being the principal trumpet player in the NDSU Wind Symphony, split-lead trumpet player in the NDSU Jazz Ensemble, section leader in the Gold Star Marching Band, and the leader of the Gold Star Brass Quintet, he loves being a leader and helping others achieve their goals. Trumpet is his true passion and he wants to share it with as many people as possible. Besides music, Isaac also enjoys disc golf, chess, table tennis, watching movies, and cooking.

Lilliana Ash, piano and Voice


Lilliana is a freshman attending NDSU and is currently a Bachelor's of Science major in Vocal Music with a minor Psychology, in hopes on becoming a Music Therapist. Music has always played an important role in Lilliana's life ever since she was younger. She started singing and playing the piano, and it was just a talent that she loved because it made her feel relaxed and happy. As she got older she started singing the National Anthem at basketball games, and would also have special music prepared for coronation and often would be singing on the worship team, and you could also always catch Lilliana playing preludes before special events as well.

Nick Lero, alto saxophone and baritone saxophone

Nick is an NDSU student working towards a bachelor's degree in Instrumental Music Education, as well as a minor in Vocal Music Education. The moment music became his love, he recalls, is when his 2nd grade teacher (Mr. Rodman) taught the class "Yellow Submarine" by The Beatles. When not doing anything musical, he likes playing basketball, reading the classics, and playing with his cat, Mimi.

Ciara Spade, ukulele and voice
Ciara is currently a student pursuing a General Music degree through NDSU. Though her primary instrument is voice, she loves the ukulele because of its whimsical sound and its potential for self-accompaniment. She enjoys teaching because there is nothing more rewarding than seeing a student finally grasp a concept and take pride in their hard work. In her free time, Ciara can be found reading fantasy novels, doing puzzles, and cuddling with her cats.

Jared Hartl, tuba

Jared Hartl is from New Rockford, ND, and currently a senior Instrumental Music Education major at NDSU. He has been playing tuba for 9 years and has also played euphonium and bass trombone during his time at college. Jared has studied under Dr. Joel Pugh of UND and Connor Challey and Douglas Neill of NDSU. His favorite genres to play include marches, jazz standards, chamber music, and polkas! Jared hopes to pass on his love for all things tuba while teaching at the NDSU Music Academy.

Aubrey Spangelo, piano and percussion

Aubrey Spangelo is an Instrumental Music Education major at North Dakota State University. Originally from Mandan, North Dakota, Aubrey has been a student of music for 10 years studying piano and percussion. In her free time Aubrey loves to bake various treats, read fiction novels, and listen to educational podcasts. She is excited for this opportunity to start teaching at the music academy to connect with people through music and help support them on their musical journeys.

Lauren Sampson, piano and clarinet

Edmore, ND native Lauren Sampson is a recent NDSU graduate with Bachelors of Science degrees in math and music. While at NDSU, she played soprano and bass clarinets in the NDSU Wind Symphony and clarinet ensembles, bass drum in the Gold Star Marching Band, and participated in the percussion ensemble. She has been playing piano for 17 years and clarinet for 14. In her free time, Lauren enjoys playing board games and video games with friends, hiking, and curling. She cannot wait to share her passion of music and performing with new students!

Alejandro Lopez Ochoa, piano and percussion

Alejandro Lopez is currently an International student from Honduras, doing a Major in Music performance at North Dakota State University. He has played percussion for nine years and piano for three years and is part of many ensembles at NDSU, like, Wind Symphony, Jazz ensemble, Percussion ensemble, Gold star Marching band. Alejandro worked as a music teacher in Honduras for two years and one year as a volunteer. He also enjoys teaching and sharing music in all ways possible.

Jessica Livdahl, voice

Jessica Livdahl is a soprano from Fargo, North Dakota. She is in her third year pursuing a vocal performance degree at NDSU, and this is her first semester teaching at the NDSU Music Academy. She is a member of the NDSU Concert Choir with which she has performed as a soloist in the Messiah, as well as the Madrigal Singers. She is also very interested in opera, and is an active participant in both the NDSU Opera program and the FM Opera chorus. Jessica has a passion for performing vocal music, but also enjoys working with younger singers to help them grow as musicians. She hopes to assist her students in sharing their music with the world.

Tyler Hills, guitar

Kenzie Johnson, trombone and cello

Joshua Sperr, horn

Q: How are lessons set up?
A: Before the semester begins, I collect all the instructors’ availability. I create a Google Spreadsheet for each instructor with times they are available to teach. Once a student registers for lessons, I email that Spreadsheet link to the student. The student then edits the document to pick a lesson time that works for them.

Q: Why are the tuition amounts different for fall versus spring versus summer?
A: The tuition changes because there are a different amount of lessons. In the fall there are 13 lessons, in the spring there are 15 lessons, and in the summer there are 8 lessons.

Q: Where do the lessons take place?
A: Peace Lutheran Church. The address is 1011 12th Ave. N, Fargo. Upon entering the church, walk towards the back. There will be a host to greet you and direct you to where lessons are. The lesson rooms are located upstairs in the Sunday School wing of the church.

Q: Are instruments provided by the Academy?
A: No, students will need to purchase or rent their own instruments. Of course, we do have pianos at the church for lessons! For other instruments, check out local music stores such as Eckroth Music and Schmitt Music for purchasing or rental options.

Q: What materials should be purchased for lessons?
A: Besides an instrument, lesson materials will be determined by your instructor specifically for you! At the first lesson, the instructor will get to know the student’s level to recommend appropriate method books and music. These materials can often be purchased at Eckroth Music, Schmitt Music, or Popplers Music.

Q: What length of lessons should I select for my child?
A: This depends on the age, attention span, and goals of the student. For younger students age 4-12, I would recommend 30 minutes. Middle school and high school levels would be more 45 minutes to an hour. If your child is interested in being involved in music at the college level, I would say definitely an hour.

Q: Can I sign my child up for lessons on multiple instruments?
A: You sure can!

Q: What days and times are lessons available?
A: Academy hours are Monday through Friday, 3:30-8:00pm. However, each instructor has different availability within that time frame. Once you register for lessons, I will send you a Google Spreadsheet of the instructor’s availability.

Q: Why aren’t there lessons during the weekend?
A: Our instructors are all music majors at NDSU. They often have musical obligations and performances on the weekend.

Q: Can we invite friends and family to the recital?
A: Yes, of course!