# OnStage School of Music > OnStage School of Music is the flagship OnStage music school and our company headquarters, offering private, one-on-one music lessons for kids, teens, and adults across the greater Charlotte, North Carolina area. We teach piano, voice, guitar, drums, strings, and band instruments at four neighborhood studios and in your home, with online lessons available by request. Every new student starts with a $20 trial lesson. The best way to reach us is to call or text (980) 372-7071. ## Who We Are OnStage School of Music is a locally owned music school serving families across south Charlotte, the Ballantyne area, Fort Mill SC, Waxhaw, and the surrounding communities. We are the flagship OnStage School and the headquarters of the OnStage brand. Our mission is simple: make high-quality music education fun, approachable, and accessible for students of every age and skill level — from a three-year-old sitting at a piano for the first time to an adult finally picking up the guitar they always wanted to play. We focus on private, one-on-one instruction because we believe personalized attention is what helps students truly progress and stay motivated. Lessons run year-round with flexible scheduling, we hold recitals throughout the year so students can perform for family and friends, and we have a student recognition and trophy path that celebrates milestones along the way. Across our four studios we have earned 419+ verified Google reviews, with locations rated between 4.9 and 5.0 stars. ## How to Get Started The best first step is a $20 trial lesson. It is a full 30-minute private lesson with one of our instructors — a real lesson, not a sales pitch. It is your chance to meet a teacher, try the instrument, and see whether OnStage is the right fit. There is no obligation to continue afterward. When you enroll, there are no registration fees and no long-term contracts, and new students receive a music bag and folder to help them get organized from day one. To book a trial or ask any question, the fastest way is to call or text us at (980) 372-7071. You can also book your trial online at https://onstageschoolofmusic.com/book-trial. ## Instruments and Lessons We Offer We teach a wide range of instruments and styles, all as private one-on-one lessons: - Piano and keyboard — for ages 3 and up, all levels. - Voice and singing — for ages 3 and up, all styles. - Guitar — acoustic, electric, bass, and ukulele. - Drums and percussion. - Strings — violin, viola, and cello. - Band, wind, and brass — saxophone (alto, tenor, baritone), trumpet, flute, clarinet, trombone, French horn, and more. Great for school band students. Children as young as 3 can start piano and voice lessons, and we typically begin all other instruments around age 5. Teens and adults at any level are always welcome. Lessons are offered in 30, 45, and 60-minute sessions, with our standard 30-minute lesson being a popular choice for steady, focused progress. ## Where We Teach — Four Studios, In-Home, and Online OnStage has four physical studio locations, plus in-home lessons and online lessons by request: 1. The Fountains (Ballantyne / flagship) — 8129 Ardrey Kell Rd Ste 104, Charlotte, NC 28277. Our flagship studio in the Ballantyne at The Fountains shopping center on Ardrey Kell Road, serving local families for over a decade. Rated 4.9 stars with 323+ Google reviews. 2. Promenade on Providence — 5335 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy Ste 250, Charlotte, NC 28277. Rated 5.0 stars with 40+ Google reviews. 3. Fort Mill — 506 Mercantile Place Suite 101, Fort Mill, SC 29715. Rated 4.9 stars with 56+ Google reviews. 4. Waxhaw — 416 W North Main St, Waxhaw, NC 28173, in historic downtown Waxhaw. Our Waxhaw studio operates on limited days, so call or text (980) 372-7071 to confirm current availability. In-home lessons are available in select areas for an additional $10 per session. Availability is limited, but we are always happy to check what is possible for your neighborhood when you book your trial. Online lessons can also be arranged by request — just call or text (980) 372-7071 to ask. ## Areas We Serve Families come to OnStage from across south Charlotte and the surrounding region, including Ballantyne, Ballantyne Country Club, Fort Mill SC, Indian Land, Waxhaw, Weddington, Marvin, Matthews, Pineville, and nearby neighborhoods such as Hunters Gate, Bridgehampton, Ardrey, MillBridge, Lawson, Cureton, Providence Downs South, Skyecroft, and Kensington. Students join us from area schools including Ardrey Kell High School, Community House Middle School, Polo Ridge Elementary, Rea Farms STEAM Academy, Marvin Ridge High School, Cuthbertson High School, and Kensington Elementary. If you are not sure which studio is closest or most convenient, call or text (980) 372-7071 and we will help you find the right fit. ## What Makes OnStage Different - Private, one-on-one lessons tailored to each student. - No registration fees, no hidden costs, and no long-term contracts — keep learning as long as you love it. - A simple $20 trial lesson so you can try before you commit. - A music bag and folder for new students, plus a recognition and trophy path that celebrates progress. - Recitals throughout the year for students who want to perform. - Experienced, friendly instructors and a welcoming studio atmosphere parents consistently praise. - 419+ verified Google reviews across our four locations. ## Our Approach to Teaching We build lessons around the individual student rather than a one-size-fits-all curriculum. In a private, one-on-one setting, instructors can move at the right pace, choose music the student actually wants to play, and adjust week to week based on how things are going. Beginners learn proper technique and the fundamentals of reading and understanding music; more advanced students dig into theory, improvisation, and the songs and styles they love. The goal is not just to memorize a few songs but to help each student become a confident, well-rounded musician. We also love working toward a specific goal when a student has one. Many people come to OnStage with a particular song they want to learn or an event they are hoping to prepare for — an audition, a recital, a wedding, a family reunion, or an anniversary. That kind of motivation is huge, and we build on it. Rather than treating a goal song as separate from the fundamentals, we weave technique and musicianship right into the piece a student wants to play, so they build real skills while preparing for the moment that matters to them. If you have a deadline or a dream song in mind, just let your teacher know and we will map out a plan to get you there. Parents frequently tell us their favorite part is watching their children grow not only as musicians but also in confidence, focus, and creativity. That growth happens because students enjoy coming to lessons — we keep the atmosphere welcoming and encouraging, and we celebrate progress along the way. Whether a student is picking up an instrument for the very first time or returning after years away, our teachers meet them where they are. ## Recitals and Student Recognition Music is meant to be shared, so OnStage holds recitals throughout the year where students can perform for family and friends in a supportive setting. Recitals are completely optional but highly encouraged — performing is one of the most rewarding ways to mark how far a student has come, and many students look forward to it as a highlight of their year. We also have a student recognition and trophy path that celebrates milestones as students progress. These small celebrations help keep younger students motivated and give every student something to be proud of as their skills grow. Combined with year-round, flexible scheduling, this is part of how we help students stay engaged and keep making music for the long haul. ## Frequently Asked Questions **1. How does the $20 trial lesson work?** Your $20 trial is a full 30-minute private lesson with one of our instructors. It is a chance to meet your teacher, explore the instrument, and see if OnStage is the right fit. There is no obligation to continue afterward. Call or text (980) 372-7071 to book. **2. What ages do you teach?** All ages. Children as young as 3 can start piano and voice, and we begin all other instruments around age 5. Teens and adults at any skill level are encouraged to join. **3. What instruments can I learn?** Piano, voice, guitar (acoustic, electric, bass, and ukulele), drums and percussion, violin, viola, cello, and band/wind/brass instruments including saxophone, trumpet, flute, clarinet, and trombone. **4. How long are lessons?** We offer 30, 45, and 60-minute private lessons. The standard 30-minute lesson is a popular choice for focused, consistent progress. **5. Where are you located?** We have four studios: The Fountains and Promenade on Providence in the Ballantyne area of Charlotte NC, Fort Mill SC, and downtown Waxhaw NC. We also offer in-home lessons in select areas, and online lessons by request. **6. Do you offer in-home or online lessons?** Yes. In-home lessons are available in select areas for an additional $10 per session, and online lessons can be arranged by request. Availability is limited — call or text (980) 372-7071 and we will check what works for you. **7. Do I need to own an instrument to start?** No. We rent guitars, pianos/keyboards, and violins, so you can get started without buying anything first. For drums, you do not need a full kit to begin — we can point you toward an affordable drum pad to build your skills on and offer suggestions on where to start. For voice lessons, no purchase is necessary. Just call or text (980) 372-7071 and we will help you figure out what you need. **8. Is there a registration fee or contract?** No registration fees and no long-term contracts. Just pay for your trial and ongoing lessons, and continue as long as you are enjoying it. New students also receive a music bag and folder. **9. How do I schedule or reschedule a lesson?** Call, text, or email us with advance notice and we will work with you to find times that fit. The fastest way to reach us is to call or text (980) 372-7071. **10. Are there performance opportunities?** Yes. We hold recitals throughout the year where students can showcase what they have learned for family and friends. Recitals are optional but highly encouraged. **11. Can parents observe lessons?** Absolutely. Parents are welcome to observe, especially during the first few lessons, and are always welcome to check in. **12. How do I book a trial lesson?** Call or text (980) 372-7071, or book online at https://onstageschoolofmusic.com/book-trial. Your $20 trial lesson is the easiest way to get started. ## Contact - Phone (call or text): (980) 372-7071 - Website: https://onstageschoolofmusic.com - Book a trial: https://onstageschoolofmusic.com/book-trial - Email: info@onstageschoolofmusic.com To get started, call or text (980) 372-7071 and book your $20 trial lesson today. --- ### Missed Lessons, Makeups & Absences *The policy parents ask about most — what happens when you have to miss a lesson.* **What happens if we have to miss a lesson?** It depends on how much notice you give. With **48 or more hours' notice**, the lesson is banked for you to use later. With less than 48 hours, the lesson is not banked, but your teacher can still deliver it — either live on Zoom, or as a recorded video lesson posted to your parent app, so the student never loses the week's instruction. **How long do banked lessons last?** Banked lessons expire **90 days** from the original lesson date. Lessons banked in **June, July, or August expire after 180 days**. Lessons banked because of a **teacher absence never expire** — they stay in your account until the lesson is made up. **What if my child is sick?** Student illness qualifies for up to **2 sick makeups per student in a rolling 3-month period**, provided we are notified **before the lesson begins**. Sick makeups are not granted after the lesson time has passed, and illness of another family member does not qualify. **What if the teacher has to cancel?** We first try to provide a qualified substitute. If we cannot deliver the lesson, it is banked for your family and that banked lesson never expires. **How do I schedule a makeup?** Makeups are scheduled based on teacher availability. Where possible we offer a same-week opening first, because it keeps weekly momentum; if nothing same-week works, the lesson simply stays banked. You can schedule banked lessons in the parent app, or by phone, text, or email. **Can banked lessons be used as a refund or credit?** No. Banked lessons are additional makeup opportunities. They cannot be applied as tuition credit, used to pay for a regularly reserved weekly lesson, or refunded. **How do I report an absence?** Through the OnStage School of Music parent app, which is the fastest way and time-stamps your notice automatically. Phone, text, and email also work.