Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS) Private Music Lessons Fund

The Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS) Private Music Lessons Fund assists Rensselaer students in covering the cost of private music lessons in the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS). The total cost of private music lessons are approximately $1,500 per semester.

Gift options and benefits include:

A $60,000 gift provides music lessons for five students for four years. This named giving opportunity may be endowed, and can be paid over three to five years
A $12,000 gift provides four years of music lessons for a student (may be paid over three years)
A $6,000 gift provides two years of music lessons for a student
A $3,000 gift provides a full year of music lessons for a student
A $1,500 gift provides one semester of music lessons for a student

About the Private Music Lessons Program

The Rensselaer Music Program began offering private lessons in instrumental and vocal performance in 2016, and grew into the Private Music Lessons Program from a renewed emphasis on music studies spearheaded by Dean Mary Simoni, Ph.D. A unique Bachelor of Science in Music launched one year later, which combines depth in traditional and contemporary music skills with a breadth in media, engineering and science.

The Private Music Lessons Program is open to all Rensselaer students, and is offered for academic credit. Music majors and minors may apply the credit earned in the Private Music Lessons Program to their degrees. Non-majors or minors can participate in this program as part of their HASS elective coursework. The HASS core curriculum’s “integrated pathways” include a music performance option, which also can be fulfilled through the credit earned from taking private lessons.

Student Testimonials

"I am very grateful to be taking private lessons with Prof. Morey at RPI and I hope to continue studying the violin during my time at Rensselaer. Whether you are first starting out on an instrument or working to hone your technique and grow as a musician, I believe that there’s nothing quite like private lessons, where the teacher’s primary focus is on helping you."

Sarah Shiang ’23

Violin Student
Science, Technology, & Society (Accelerated Law) Major

"Prior to my private vocal lessons, I was mostly self-taught, beyond the advice of musical directors during rehearsals. I held my own in musical auditions mostly based on instinct, but I knew I had issues transitioning between chest and head voices, and that I really only had one type of music in my repertoire. Working with Elissa significantly helped me in those areas."

Matthew Fields ’18

Voice Student
Materials Engineering Major

Lessons are taught by part-time instructors employed as “Faculty Fellows” who deliver one-on-one instruction in violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, tuba, piano, harp, percussion, voice, guitar, and jazz improvisation. These Faculty Fellows are recruited from the ranks of leading music professionals in the Capital District. Approximately 50 students participate in the program per semester for 50-minute sessions each week.

Students are typically assessed in end-of-semester juries, and evaluated on the basis of their diligence, improvement, and creativity. On occasion, showcase concerts are presented in the Experimental Media and Performing Art Center (EMPAC).