Multi-Session Group Music Lessons for Teens from Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education Berklee School of Music, 2/19/25 – 5/14/25, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM ET

Description

The Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education (BIAAE) is generously offering free group music lessons to Autistic teens. Traditional instrument options include: Alto Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Trombone, Trumpet, Violin, Viola, Guitar, Piano, Voice, or Percussion.  If you do not have a physical instrument, we recommend visiting your local music store to source an instrument or use a virtual instrument through Bandlab for Education platform.

Explore and grow as independent and ensemble musicians using instruments or voice during practice and group lessons. Lessons will focus on note reading, technique, and recording as participants work to record and perform music with their peers. Participants will use Bandlab for Education (a free platform) to collaborate in an ensemble and to optionally use virtual/digital instruments. Click here to watch a video explaining how Berklee Staff will use Bandlab for Education during this interest series.

At the end of the session, students will participate in an online ensemble performance and receive a recording. The ensemble performance will also be featured on the BIAAE and AANE websites.

Click here to listen to “Embraceable You,” the ensemble performance of the Winter/Spring 2020 Berklee Music Lessons Interest Series.

Important Things to Know:

1. Rental instruments are not available from Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education. You have several options:
   1. Use your own instrument
   2. Use a digital instrument available from Bandlab for Education
   3. Rent an instrument on your own. Click here to download a list of instrument rental companies in Greater Boston and across the US. 
2. Students can choose to play one of those traditional instruments: Alto Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Trombone, Trumpet, or digital/virtual instruments available on Bandlab for Education
3. Note that a piano keyboard interface is used for all digital/virtual instruments (other than drums). You will be able to learn how to read music and development keyboarding skills that you can use for any MIDI instrument. However, you won’t learn how to play a physical instrument.
4. Technology requirements for zoom:
   1. a computer or tablet device
   2. an internet connection
   3. a webcam so you can see and interact with others
   4. audio capability and built-in or accessory microphone
5. You aren’t required to install anything on your computer or tablet in order to use Zoom, but some people do find it helpful to download the zoom client. If you have never used zoom, before the interest series, we strongly suggest that you visit: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us
6. Technology requirements for Bandlab for Education:
   1. a computer or tablet device
   2. an internet connection
   3. audio capability and built-in or accessory microphone
7. Your registration confirmation email will include a zoom link to join your lessons and instructions for accessing Bandlab for Education.

Dates

February 19
February 26
March 5
March 12
March 19
March 26
April 2
April 9
April 16
April 30
May 7
May 14

Registration

Advanced registration is required.  After you have registered, a confirmation email is sent with a link to attend the program. Registrants who do not receive the confirmation email should check their email spam folder. Registration closes 24 hours prior to the event. Early registration is highly recommended as many programs fill quickly.