"Making Music Changes Lives"

2025-2026 Lesson Fees:

  • $40 per 45 minute private lesson.
  • $50 per 60 minute private lesson.
  • These fees include the cost of the Recital once per year.
  • Fees are invoiced via PayPal each month based on the number of lessons that month and are due by the 5th of each month.
  • Up to two make up lessons per semester may be used with advanced notification.
  • 16-18 Private Lessons are scheduled each semester, summers are optional but encouraged.

​Lesson Policies 

Lessons will mimic the community school year calendar and typically run the first week of August until the third week in May.  Vacation weeks are generally taken one week in October for Fall Break, one week in November for Thanksgiving Break, two weeks in December for Winter Break, and one week in March for Spring Break.  Summer lessons are optional, but encouraged.


Attendance is expected at each scheduled lesson.  If there is a need for an absence, up to two make up lessons may be scheduled each semester with advanced notice.  Students who do not show up to a lesson forfeit the make up lesson.

Student Expectations:  Cookeville String Academy is designed for students who are seriously committed to the study of the violin and viola and lessons are taught in a manor consistent with a pre-college level conservatory environment.  Students who take lessons for several years will be very well prepared to go on to the study of music at the college level after weekly lesson attendance and personal practice. Therefor students are expected to practice each week to a level that shows significant progress from one lesson to the next.  Students who are more advanced will have more challenging and technical pieces to study, and will need to commit more time to daily practice.  Advanced students are encouraged to take a 60 minute weekly lesson to be able to cover all of this material.  

In all my years of teaching, I have never met an adult who told me they were glad they gave up the study of  the violin or viola.  It was with almost 100% certainty, a deep regret to have done so.  The string instruments are among the hardest instruments to learn to play well, but the ability to do so will be one of the greatest achievements of your life, and you will never regret the time spent on this endeavor.  I hope I can be a small part of that beautiful journey.   - Sarah