Frequently Asked Questions

Year 1 tuition is $340 per semester (or $85 per month), Year 2 is $380 per semester ($95 per month), and Year 3 is $420 per semester ($105 per month). There is a $50 registration fee and a $50 recital fee each year, paid to Ms. Abigail, plus year-specific student materials purchased through Let's Play Music ($91, $72, and $79 for Years 1–3, plus shipping).

Children should ideally be age 4 by April 1 before the school year in which they begin Let's Play Music. Ms. Abigail is happy to talk with you about whether the program is the right fit for your child.

The curriculum spans three school years. Each school year has two sequential semesters, and each semester includes 15 weekly classes.

Classes are taught weekly. 1st year: 45 minutes, 2nd year: 50 minutes, 3rd year: 55 minutes.

Classes include 5–8 children.

Parent involvement in music training is crucial. Parents are involved at home and in class. In the 1st year, a parent or caregiver attends with the child two times per month. In the 2nd and 3rd years, parent attendance is only once a month, though at-home involvement remains high.

It has been well-documented that children in group settings learn and perform better. They are more comfortable and stimulated in this environment, and they thrive on the synergy and playful interaction of the Let's Play Music class.

Research has proven that age 4–5 is an ideal age for music instruction. The ears are at prime listening capacity and the brain is busy connecting a network of neurons. Let's Play Music captures this opportunity window by training the ears without requiring the finger strength or dexterity that a piano does.

In the 1st year, children build musicianship with the singing voice, the tone bell set, and the autoharp. The piano becomes the instrument for instruction and practice in the 2nd and 3rd years — each child plays their own full-size keyboard in class and needs one for practice at home.

No. Let's Play Music is a highly sequential six-semester program — concepts are introduced and then built upon. Completion of the 1st year is a prerequisite for the 2nd year.

After graduation, students are prepared to excel in private piano instruction. They enter private lessons knowing note names, rhythmic values, and chord structure, with the skills to play scales and cadences in five keys, transpose, and compose.

Your child will LOVE it! You will love it because you will see your child demonstrate advanced musical concepts and skills. Your relationship will grow as you enjoy class time and practice time together in a playful, nurturing environment.

Sound Beginnings is a family class designed for children ages 0–4 and a caregiver.

Semester tuition is $260 for a single child, with siblings $100 per additional child (including infants). The registration fee is $15 per student or $25 per family, and student materials are about $45 per semester plus shipping, purchased through Let's Play Music. Tuition is paid directly to Ms. Abigail by cash, check, or Zelle.

The curriculum is organized into 6 non-sequential semesters — students can begin with any semester, with no prerequisites. Each semester includes 15 weekly 30-minute sessions over a 4-month period.

Classes are held at Ms. Abigail's home studio in Rancho Peñasquitos, near the I-15 and 56 intersection. The exact address is shared when you sign up.

Each semester includes a digital download of the semester songs, access to the Let's Play Music app, a student workbook, a Sound Beginnings tote bag, and the percussion instrument for that semester.

The parent or caregiver attends with the child every week and reviews class activities at home — parent involvement is the heart of the program.

Children can begin Let's Play Music in the fall after they turn 4.

Tuition is paid directly to Ms. Abigail by cash, check, or Zelle. Semester tuition is due at the beginning of the semester; monthly arrangements can be made in advance with Ms. Abigail.

Enrollment purchases your spot in the class for the full semester, so tuition is not refunded or waived for missed classes. If you're going to miss, please let Ms. Abigail know ahead of time by text.

To keep the learning environment focused, only enrolled children may attend class. Each child attending must be enrolled individually for insurance purposes; babies under 6 months may have a no-materials option. Music is always more fun with friends, so if you'd like to bring one, please talk to Ms. Abigail and they can attend with you as a sample class.

Ms. Abigail is an approved vendor for Pacific Coast Academy, SoCal Scholars, and Julian Charter School. If your charter school is not listed, contact her about becoming an approved vendor.

Please arrive no earlier than 5 minutes before class — classes begin and end on time. No gum, candy, food, or toys in class, please.