By Brendon James/reporter
Students can learn one-on-one how to play instruments to their heart’s content.
TCC offers private lesson courses to students interested in learning how to sing or play instruments.
NE student Michael Tice said the private lessons can help both beginners and experts, and the college offers a wide variety of instruments for students.
“The private lessons teacher will analyze your issues and adjust to your learning speed,” Tice said. “They can tell if you are playing the instrument wrong or even if you are holding it wrong. The lessons just help you grow as a musician. The teachers have a wealth of knowledge and years of experience they can share with you.”
NE music associate professor Hsinyi Wang said there are benefits in taking a private class instead of taking classes in a group.
Photo by Katelyn Townsend/The Collegian
“In a group, students can learn to play their instruments from other students playing,” she said. “In a one-on-one lesson, we teachers can pinpoint every problem a student has and help them improve. We pretty much have everything the curriculum will allow us to have.”
Wang also said NE has two recital labs open to the public.
“It’s unusual for universities to even have one recital lab,” she said. “We have two. Anyone can come see our performances. This is how we prepare our students for future auditions and transfer exams.”
The recitals are held Tuesdays at 6:15 p.m. in NFAB 1104 and Fridays at 12:30 p.m. in College Hall (NCAB 1111).
“We are a very busy department,” she said. “I am proud to say that the students here are happy and hard-working.”
NE instructional associate Patricia Asher said in private classes, teachers will assess where students are in their learning process, but there is a petition process a student must fulfill to take a private class.
“You must be willing to take these classes seriously,” Asher said. “If you want to take these classes, you must come talk to me for a mini-counseling session. If I approve you of taking a private class, then I will lift the petition and allow you to register.”
Asher said there is a waiting list for each class. After a student completes the petition process, they must register within the allotted time.
“We offer 180 private classes on this campus, so there is a wide variety of music classes a student can take,” she said. “There is a wait list, and if a student does not register for the private class they want, then I will give it to someone else.”
