group classes, private lessons, & summer camps
There’s nothing like making music with your friends! Whether you're picking up an instrument for the first time or growing your skills, there’s a place for you here. Explore our classes, private lessons, and summer camps.
EARLY CHILDHOOD
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ROCK BAND
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Guitar
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Piano
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Drums
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Bass
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Ukulele
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Vocals
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Violin
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Music Production & Recording
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Songwriting
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EARLY CHILDHOOD • ROCK BAND • Guitar • Piano • Drums • Bass • Ukulele • Vocals • Violin • Music Production & Recording • Songwriting •
GROUP CLASSES
Our small group classes are designed for beginners and experienced students alike, with options to support every stage of the musical journey. Most classes are 50 minutes long, meet once a week during each seasonal term, and culminate in a live performance on our incredible stage during student concert weeks.
Because our class offerings evolve each term based on student interest and availability, we keep this page focused on helping you find the right fit. Below, you can explore class levels to determine where your student may land, then head to ActiveNet (our registration software) to view the most up-to-date schedule and register.
Can’t find your perfect class?
Our class offerings change seasonally. If you can’t find a specific age range, level, or instrument, we’re happy to help you explore your options!
Contact us at 503-616-5967
LET’S ROCK!
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Music appreciation begins early! In each of our Early Childhood classes, our instructors will guide you through activities designed to support developmental milestones and create a lasting love of music in your little rockstar.
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Are you new to an instrument? Roots-level classes introduce instrument basics and key foundational skills. Students can expect to spend, on average, up to four terms in a Roots level class before moving on to the more intermediate Rockers level.
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Have a little experience with and basic knowledge of an instrument? Rockers classes focus on intermediate level content and building consistent use of foundational skills. Students can expect, on average, to spend several terms at the Rockers level, often a full year as they grow and develop their musical strength and confidence.
Enrollment in a Rockers class requires instructor recommendation. New students can request an assessment to determine the best level for their first class.
*Prerequisite: Instructor Recommendation
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Have you been playing for at least a year and have a solid foundation on your instrument? Rollers classes move beyond foundational skills into more advanced mastery of a particular instrument. The class also focuses on skills necessary for playing in an ensemble or band. Length of time in a Rollers class varies from student to student depending on independent goals.
Enrollment in a Rollers class requires instructor recommendation. New students can request an assessment to determine the best level for their first class.
*Prerequisite: Instructor Recommendation
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Have you graduated from a Roots level class? Do you want to continue to master foundational skills on your instrument all while playing with other instruments in your own band? In this class you will learn all about song forms and arrangements and continue to build your skills playing with other instrumentalists. You will learn new chords, melodies, have opportunities to take solos, learn how to navigate a song chart, and strengthen your ability to play together with a band.
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Explore the creation of sound from the ground up at The Lab at Youth Music Project! Learn the fundamentals of mixing recorded and live music, making original beats, creating immersive audio, and making music videos.
CUSTOM GROUP CLASSES
What if we said we could customize and teach a unique class just for you? Consider the possibilities: You could form a rock band with friends, or create a guitar, drum, and piano class for your whole family. Got a different idea? We wanna hear it! If you’d like more information about custom classes, contact us at info@youthmusicproject.org.
Note: Custom Classes are typically scheduled two to three weeks prior to the start of General Registration for the coming term. We strongly recommend you contact us as early as possible so that we can best fit your class into the schedule. We may not be able to accommodate Custom Class requests made after General Registration opens, but it’s never too early to start thinking about the next term!
private lessons
Work one-on-one with a professional instructor in weekly, 30-minute lessons customized just for you! An excellent option for shy beginners to learn the basics, advanced students building mastery on their instruments, and everyone in between. Bass, Drums, Guitar, Mandolin, Piano, Ukulele, Violin, Vocals, Music Production, and more available as Private Lessons.
When signing up for Private Lessons, you will be prompted to note the instrument(s) you’d like to study, and your preferred instructor and lesson times. Your request will be placed in a queue, and a Youth Music Project staff member will be in touch to confirm your lesson day, time, and instructor as soon as it has been reviewed. When we confirm your private lesson details with you, we will begin a monthly auto-payment of $175 per month. The first payment will occur when we confirm your day and time, and it will automatically renew, monthly, beginning a month after your first lesson date. Your lesson slot will remain yours until you let us know you wish to change or discontinue your lessons.
Summer campS
Join the band this summer!
We offer exciting week-long day camps in the summer! Rock & Pop Camp for ages 6-12 jams to some of the hottest hits of today and yesteryear, Mariachi Camp for ages 8-12 celebrates the music and culture of Mexico, and our Teen Camps offer rock band, songwriting, live music engineering, and metal guitar intensive tracks! Registration for summer camps opens each February.
Rock + Pop Camp
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Rock out like your favorite musician at Youth Music Project’s music-intensive summer camp! Rock & Pop Camp for ages 6-12 jams to some of the hottest hits of today and yesteryear—from the Beatles to Billie Eilish, from QUEEN to Imagine Dragons— we play it all!
Each day at camp is chock-full of fun with band rehearsals, a recording session, music fundamentals, and time spent creating a band press kit with your band name, logo, and bio. Campers will record an original song, as well as perform some favorite hits at a concert for friends and family at the end of the week!
Students will be placed in bands based on their age and should expect to play a variety of instruments throughout the week. Camps are limited to 36 campers per week which allows for lots of individual attention. You don’t need to bring an instrument or have any prior experience to sign-up; Youth Music Project’s got you covered!
Morning snack and lunch will be available. Menu details and costs will be sent prior to camp.
Camp runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday – Thursday, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.
Tuition: $535 per week
Sliding-Scale Tuition Assistance available.
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Week 1: June 22nd – 26th
Week 2: June 29th – July 3rd
Week 3: July 6th – 10th
Week 4: July 13th – 17th
Week 5: July 20th – 24th
Week 6: July 27th – 31st
Teen camps
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Form your own rock band and learn songs from all-time greats and today’s favorites, from the Beatles and Led Zeppelin to Bruno Mars, Imagine Dragons, and more! All levels welcome—if you have even a basic knowledge of your instrument, you’ll be amazed at what you can do in a Youth Music Project beginner-level band. Student musicians will be matched with others at their level for a challenging and rewarding rock and roll experience, culminating with a live concert for all of your fans.
Camp Schedule: Monday–Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Camp concert at 6:00 p.m. Friday
Tuition: $365
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You have a song inside of you… let the world hear it! Professional songwriters help get your creativity flowing as you learn the building blocks of writing great songs. Explore ideas, write lyrics, compose melodies, create chord progressions and get ready to perform. By the end of this week-long workshop, you will have new tools in your songwriting tool kit to put to use for the rest of your life.
Camp Schedule: Monday–Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Camp concert at 6:00 p.m. Friday
Tuition: $365
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Calling all aspiring performers: make sure your set always sounds awesome! Working with our talented band of instructors, students will develop fundamental skills for mixing music, learn how PA systems work, and get hands-on experience running a live performance. Learn how to operate a sound board, set-up for a concert, and make amplified audio sound its absolute best. Camp culminates with students mixing performances by our teen camp bands and songwriters in front of a live audience.
Camp Schedule: Monday–Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Camp concert at 6:00 p.m. Friday
Tuition: $365
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Trace the evolution of Metal through the decades, deconstructing the sub-genres that define the movement. We will explore the history of the most iconic metal bands, and how their sound influences the bands of today. From Metallica, Megadeth, and Pantera; to Pierce the Veil, Trivium, and Sevendust. Learn the most iconic riffs and learn the guitar tech involved to replicate the sounds of the genre at home. This camp isn’t just about playing loud—it’s about understanding the anatomy of a riff, the physics of distortion, and the cultural influences that made heavy metal a universal language of rebellion.
Musical ability required: proficiency in basic chords and power chords
Camp Schedule: Monday–Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Tuition: $275
Mariachi Camp
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Immerse yourself in the music of Jalisco, Mexico this summer in YMP’s week-long Mariachi band camp! Throughout camp, you will learn how Mariachi music portrays Mexican history, going back to the beginning of the 1800s where it first began its groove. You will explore the unique Mariachi sound which includes guitarróns, vihuelas, guitars, violins, trumpet, and a chorus of all members’ voices. The songs you sing will be in Spanish, but no prior experience with the language is necessary and learning the translations is a fun part of camp!
Come join our Mariachi Summer Camp, where students can choose to learn how to play the Mariachi instruments. Students will learn how these instruments make up the sounds of mariachi, and will be able to perform a concert by the end of the week.
For guitar, ukulele, guitarron, and vihuela there is no previous experience necessary or the need to bring their own instrument. If a student wants to play a violin or a trumpet during camp, they must have their own instrument (violins can be rented from YMP) and possess some basic proficiency.
Camp runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday – Thursday, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.
Students will need black pants for the concert on Friday.
Tuition: $535