Westwood Music Studios
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Westwood Music Studios, from the instruments we teach to policy and faculty information, and scheduling your first lesson. Can’t find your answer here? Call us at 201-666-2539 or send us an email.
Getting Started
Do I need to sign a contract for music lessons?
No, Westwood Music Studios does not require signed contracts. Students are not required to prepay for the month or semester and there no registration fees, so there are long-term commitments. Lessons may be paid weekly, and you can start or stop on your schedule without penalties. We also have a lenient cancelation policy to accommodate busy schedules.The flexibility built into our policies allows students to balance music lessons in with their full schedules. This appeals to most families juggling demanding schedules and financial commitments by removing the rigid barriers of contracts, prepayment, and inflexible schedules that often prevent students from getting started.
How do I enroll at Westwood Music Studios?
The easiest way to get started is to call us at 201-666-2539 or email info@westwoodmusicstudios.com. We will discuss what you or your child is looking for, match you with the right instructor, and set up a first lesson. There is no commitment required to try — no contracts, no prepayment, and no pressure.
How long are music lessons?
Private lessons are available in 30-minute, 45-minute, or 60-minute sessions. The right length depends on the student’s age, level, and goals. Younger beginners often start with 30-minute lessons; more advanced students or those preparing for auditions typically benefit from 45 or 60 minutes. Your instructor can help you decide. You are not locked into your first choice and can freely change the length of lesson desired.
Does Westwood Music Studios offer online music lessons?
Yes, online lessons are available worldwide via Zoom, FaceTime, and WhatsApp. Students who attend in person can also switch to online temporarily for inclement weather, a scheduling conflict, or any other reason — so no lesson has to be missed.
Students and Ages
What age should a child start music lessons?
There is no single right age, but many students begin around age 5 or 6 on piano, violin, or ukulele. Wind instruments require a certain degree of physical maturity and lung capacity to properly handle the instrument, which is generally around age 8 or 9. What matters more than age is readiness — primarily the ability to focus and interact with a teacher for 30 minutes, along with knowing the ABCs and ability to count. Our faculty members work with very young beginners and adapt every lesson to the individual child. The most important thing we can do for a young beginner is establish proper technique from the very first lesson — the smallest adjustment in technique makes the biggest difference between wrestling with the instrument versus enjoying playing it. Correct technique also assures proper muscle development.
Is it too late for an adult to start music lessons?
Absolutely not. Many of our students are adults — some picking up an instrument for the first time, others returning to music after years away. Every lesson at Westwood Music Studios is tailored to the individual student, and our faculty are patient, experienced teachers who work with adult learners every week. Adult music students tend to do very well because their interest level and enthusiasm is there.
Are parents allowed to watch their child’s lesson?
Yes, parents are always welcome to sit in on lessons or relax in our comfortable waiting room. We have an open-door policy with families and believe parents should be as involved as they want to be. You will never be asked to wait outside.
Instruments and Programs
What instruments does Westwood Music Studios teach?
We teach piano, guitar (classical, jazz, rock, blues, and fingerstyle), bass, drums, violin, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone horn, French horn, tuba, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, voice, and music theory. Every instrument is taught by a specialist — a professional musician with a related college degree.
What is the Rock Band Class program?
Rock Band Classes are one of our most popular programs. Students are grouped by age, experience level, and musical interests to form real bands. The 10-week program culminates in a live performance at a local venue. It is a genuinely exciting opportunity for students to perform together before a live audience at a real music venue.
Does Westwood Music Studios offer a free violin rental?
Yes, our Violin Program includes a free violin rental. The 6-week program allows students to try the violin without the added expense of buying or renting an instrument up front. After the initial 6 weeks, students may simply sign up again – it’s an ongoing program. This removes the financial risk of starting, which is one of the most common reasons families hold off on violin.
Does Westwood Music Studios have recitals?
Yes. Student recitals are held periodically throughout the year, and are a meaningful part of the music learning experience. Recitals are not high-pressure performances, but rather a time to share the music students have been working on with family, friends, and fellow students. Participation is not mandatory but is encouraged, as preparing for a recital instills good practice habits, goal-setting skills, and builds confidence. Participation is based on a student’s readiness and comfort level, and we work with each student and family individually.
Faculty and School
How are the music teachers at Westwood Music Studios qualified?
Every member of our faculty holds a college degree, is a specialist in the instrument they teach, and performs professionally in the New York area and beyond. We carefully select instructors for outstanding musicianship, teaching experience, and genuine passion for working with students. Our students learn from true professionals, not just someone who simply knows how to play an instrument and self-designated themselves as a teacher.
Westwood Music Studios was founded in 1993 by Vincent Musco and Nancy Triggiani, both professional musicians and members of the American Federation of Musicians, Local 802 NYC.
How is Westwood Music Studios different from a large music school chain?
Westwood Music Studios is family-owned and operated, and was founded in 1993 by Vincent Musco and Nancy Triggiani, who are still involved in the school today. Every student is treated as an individual — not just another customer. Our faculty members are carefully selected professional musicians, who tailor lessons to each student’s needs, rather than delivered from a one-size-fits-all curriculum. Recognizing the financial and time demands on most families, we do not require contracts, prepayment for the month or semester, or long-term commitments. We also have a lenient cancelation policy.
Where is Westwood Music Studios located, and what towns do you serve?
We are located at 190 Westwood Avenue, Westwood, New Jersey 07675 — in the heart of the Pascack Valley, easily accessible from Hillsdale, River Vale, Woodcliff Lake, Montvale, Park Ridge, Emerson, Old Tappan, Washington Township, Upper Saddle River, Saddle River, Ridgewood, Oradell, Dumont, Bergenfield, River Edge, and Rockland County, NY. We also offer online lessons to students worldwide. Call us at 201-666-2539.
Ready to get started?
No contracts. No commitment. Just great music lessons with professional instructors who care. Serving Westwood, the Pascack Valley, and surrounding communities since 1993.