Piano Laboratory Program
The Piano Laboratory Program at Western Kentucky University is designed to provide piano pedagogy students and future teachers with actual teaching experience in private and group settings while serving our community. All teachers in the Piano Laboratory Program are either recent graduates or are currently enrolled in a piano or pedagogy course in the Western Kentucky University Department of Music.
The Piano Laboratory Program is currently enrolling for Spring 2024 for the following:
- PLP 1 (new beginners, ages 6-8)
- PLP 2 (continuing beginners, who have completed PLP 1)
- PLP Private Lesson Packages (ages 5+)
Please read below for details to see which offering best fits your family. Complete
the enrollment form below to start the application process or contact Dr. Jessie Welsh directly.
This Spring 2024 class is designed for beginner piano students, ages 6-8, with no prior piano experience. Please contact Dr. Jessie Welsh about enrollment for the Spring 2024 semester and complete the registration form below. You may be asked to meet for a brief interview, in which Dr. Welsh will assess student readiness. Admittance into the program is dependent upon a successful interview and teacher availability. The class will be capped at 5 students, or according to teacher availability. Instruction includes a weekly thirty-minute group lesson immediately followed by a thirty-minute private lesson.
Group class meets 5-6PM on Tuesdays in the Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center, and students are required to attend the full hour. Students enrolled in the PLP class will enjoy a variety of experiences while learning fundamentals of music and basics of playing the piano. In the group setting, students will engage in musical games, singing, ear training, creative activities, and informal performances. Private lessons include a variety of materials, including sequenced method book songs, rote songs, and holiday music.
Cost:
- Semester Materials Fee: $30/semester
- Semester Tuition: $260/semester
Calendar:
PLP 1: Tuesdays, 5-6PM
Week 1: Week of January 22
Week 2: Week of January 29
Week 3: Week of February 5
Week 4: Week of February 12
Week 5: Week of February 19
Week 6: Week of February 26
Week 7: Week of March 4
Week 8: Week of March 11
Week 9: Week of March 25
Week 10: Week of April 8
Week 11: Week of April 15
Week 12: Week of April 22
Week 13: Week of April 29 (group classes only, no private lessons)
Important Dates:
- WKU Spring Break: March 18-19—no lessons or classes
- Public School Spring Break: April 1-2—no lessons or classes
- Dress Rehearsal/Performance Class: April 29
- Recital: May 6 at 6PM in Recital Hall
Students in all programs are invited to participate in the monthly PLP performance classes at no extra charge. Performances will take place on the following Mondays, 6-7:30PM:
- February 26
- March 25
- April 29
Sign up here for Performance Class!
This Spring 2024 class is designed for continuing piano students who have completed PLP 1. No new enrollment for this class is currently being accepted. Continuing students are not required to complete an interview but should still complete a registration form below. Instruction includes a weekly thirty-minute group lesson immediately followed by a thirty-minute private lesson.
Class meets 5-6PM on Mondays in the Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center, and students are required to attend the full hour. Students in PLP 2 will strengthen their reading skills, continue learning more advanced rhythms and technical patterns, and build performance confidence. In the group setting, students will engage in musical games, singing, ear training, creative activities, and informal performances. Private lessons include a variety of materials, including sequenced method book songs, rote songs, and holiday music.
Cost:
- Semester Materials Fee: $30/semester
- Semester Tuition: $260/semester
Calendar:
PLP 2: Mondays, 5-6PM
Week 1: Week of January 22
Week 2: Week of January 29
Week 3: Week of February 5
Week 4: Week of February 12
Week 5: Week of February 19
Week 6: Week of February 26
Week 7: Week of March 4
Week 8: Week of March 11
Week 9: Week of March 25
Week 10: Week of April 8
Week 11: Week of April 15
Week 12: Week of April 22
Week 13: Week of April 29 (group classes only, no private lessons)
Important Dates:
- WKU Spring Break: March 18-19—no lessons or classes
- Public School Spring Break: April 1-2—no lessons or classes
- Dress Rehearsal/Performance Class: April 29
- Recital: May 6 at 6PM in Recital Hall
Students in all programs are invited to participate in the monthly PLP performance classes at no extra charge. Performances will take place on the following Mondays, 6-7:30PM:
- February 26
- March 25
- April 29
Sign up here for Performance Class!
12 Private Lessons, 3 Performance Classes, and 1 Semester-End Recital
The private lesson package is designed for all ages and levels. Please contact Dr.
Jessie Welsh about enrollment for the Spring 2024 semester and complete the form at
the bottom of this page. You will be asked to meet for a brief interview, in which
Dr. Welsh will assess student readiness. Admittance into the program is dependent
upon a successful interview and teacher availability. Scheduling will be based
on teacher availability and student preference. You will be asked to list three possible
lesson times, as we work to accommodate all students’ schedules.
Instruction includes weekly 45-minute lessons with a private teacher in the Ivan Wilson
Fine Arts Center. Group performance classes are held three times during the semester on Monday nights,
6-7:30PM. Students are expected to attend every lesson and group class, as well as
the semester-end performance. Lessons are taught by current piano and piano pedagogy
students, as well as recent graduates. Dr. Jessie Welsh oversees the teachers and monitors student progress throughout the semester.
Cost:
Semester Materials Fee: $30/semester
Semester Tuition $600/semester
* Includes 12 45-minute weekly lessons, 3 group performance classes, and a final-semester performance.
Group Performance Class:
- Students enrolled in the private lesson package are required to participate in the
3 performance classes during the semester:
- February 26, March 25, and April 29, 6-7:30PM
- Sign up for the 6-6:45 or 6:45-7:30 group class
Private Lessons: Weekly, scheduled individually
Week 1: Week of January 22
Week 2: Week of January 29
Week 3: Week of February 5
Week 4: Week of February 12
Week 5: Week of February 19
Week 6: Week of February 26
Week 7: Week of March 4
Week 8: Week of March 11
Week 9: Week of March 25
Week 10: Week of April 8
Week 11: Week of April 15
Week 12: Week of April 22
Week 13: Week of April 29 (group classes only, no private lessons)
Important Dates:
- WKU Spring Break: March 18-19—no lessons or classes
- Public School Spring Break: April 1-2—no lessons or classes
- Dress Rehearsal/Performance Class: April 29
- Recital: May 6 at 6PM in Recital Hall
PLP Policies for All Offerings:
- Tuition and materials fees sent out by the WKU Bursar's Office via mail
- Can be paid via check or online
- Students must enroll in a minimum of 2 semester of study.
- Any lessons or group class missed by the student will not be made up.
- Make up lessons will be offered if the teacher needs to miss a class/lesson for any reason.
- Students are required to participate in the semester-end performance:
- Monday, May 6th, 2024 at 6:00 PM - Fine Arts Center Recital Hall
- Parents/guardians are asked to sign a photo/video release for students enrolled in
lessons, as
student teachers and recent graduates will be asked to film lessons for discussion and feedback. - The parent/guardian is responsible for safe transportation to and from the lesson room.
- Students are required to practice 5-6 days a week outside of lesson/class time, generally
for the
length of their lesson time.
*Photos courtesy of Carrie Pratt.
Please complete the following form to begin the registration process:
Western Kentucky University is a fully accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music since 1948.
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