How to find music lessons in your area

So, you've decided to enroll your child in music lessons, but just don't know where to look for a teacher. Or perhaps you want to take some adult beginner piano classes, but really can't find anything close enough. I'd like to give you a few ideas for finding a music teacher in your area.

If you are a music teacher yourself, make sure that you can be found. Connect to your community through some of the avenues outlined below. You may open up a whole new market for yourself. 

1. Scan some local newspapers

Often, teachers may have a small ad in the "Services Offered" section of the classified ads, or have a small ad in the Business Directory. If you can't find any teachers advertising, see if you can find an ad for a local music store. They may be able to connect you with a teacher in the area.

2. Search online

All you may need is a simple Google search to find a music teacher's website. Searching for your specific area may help. An example would be "adult group piano class, Anytown, CA". Including your town name may narrow the search results to help you find a teacher who offers lessons in your community.

Also, you can check out some online teacher directories. Some of the sites I've seen that seem to have a good amount of teachers listed include MusicPeeps.com, MusicTeachersDirectory.org, or if you want a nationally certified teacher you can check out the MTNA's Certified Teacher Directory.

3. Talk to music educators

You don't want to forget about the music teachers at the schools in your area. They can be an extremely valuable asset in your search for local music resources. Some of them may teach private lessons in their non-school hours, or they may know some other local music professionals. Call up middle schools and high schools in your town and ask to speak to the band director and/or choral director. Talk to local college music department faculty as well. Most often they will be glad to help a fellow musician.

4. Check with an arts center

If you are fortunate enough to have an arts center in your community, that may be one of the best places to start. In our community, there is a music business that runs all kinds of lessons for vocal and instrumental music students in the local arts center.

5. Talk to church music directors

You may want to contact the music directors at local churches too. Some of them are long-time members of the local music community, and if they don't teach music themselves they may know others in their church or town that are music teachers.

Whatever you choose to do as you search for a music teacher, don't be afraid to reach out to all the local music people that you can. Music is something that is designed to be shared. The more you know your local music scene, the better equipped you will be when you need someone with particular skills or resources.