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Palmquist Studio of Music

Enjoy making Music with Understanding

We’re a Music Studio based out of the Boston metropolitan area. Our goal is to help our students become creative and expressive musicians. As a student you will discover the audiation method, which will not only teach you the instrument, but also instil you the fundamental and key understanding of a true musician.

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Welcome to Palmquist Studio of Music

We’re a Music Studio based out of the Boston metropolitan area. Our mission is guiding our students to become creative and expressive musicians. As a student you will discover the audiation method, which not only teaches you the instrument, but also instils you the fundamental and key understanding of a true musician.

Teaching skills in a creative way leads both teachers and students into a wonderful, magical, aural world that reaches deep inside the human spirit. This world renews and heals and delights.
– Marily Lowe

What We Offer

We offer music classes to children who want to learn and develop their musical understanding and capabilities. Our instruments include vocals (singing), the piano and guitar lessons. Our focus is teaching our students using the audiation method, which puts emphasis on understanding music itself and playing with expression before learning notes.

Our Philosophy

We offer music classes to children who want to learn and develop their musical understanding and capabilities. Our instruments include vocals (singing), the piano and guitar lessons. Our focus is teaching our students using the audiation method, which puts emphasis on understanding music itself and playing with expression before learning notes.

Meet your new Teacher

Image of music teacher.

I’m passionate about guiding my students as they become creative and expressive musicians. I do this by teaching my students how to audiate, which means they can think and understand music. When a student is audiating, music is expressive, creative and more enjoyable for them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a typical class look like? Keyboard Games classes typically 45 minutes long and have 2 or 3 students in the same class. Music Moves for Piano classes are 1 hour long and could be individual classes or partner lessons. The first 10-20 minutes of both Keyboard Games and Music Moves for Piano classes we spend away from the piano in an open space where we are listening to songs and chants, moving, and building our audiation.

This Activity Time is extremely helpful to building our audiation that will later be transferred to the instrument. This helps us learn how to speak the language of music and how to feel the music in our bodies.

Then we do some Creativity/Exploration/Improvisation activities at the keyboard using rhythm patterns we create and within specific parameters. Next we work on technique and keyboard geography. Then we move to performance pieces, folk songs or other rote pieces in the books.
Once the pieces are learned, we play them with the duet and then change the pieces, allowing the student additional opportunities for creativity and improvisation. Once enough pieces are learned we begin creating medleys and mashups that are extremely fun.

At the end of the lesson I make sure the student knows which pieces to practice, which creative activities to continue to work on, how to access the audio recordings and which recordings to use during practice time at home. Music Moves for Piano classes also incorporate lots of repertoire pieces outside of the books.

We prepare to learn these pieces over several weeks and when we’re ready start to play them on the keyboard.

How much does each class cost? We purposefully do not have a per class cost, but instead offer a package of services that not only includes the classes that month but also books and materials, administrative fees, and access to online audio recordings. All of this is included in your monthly fee. The fixed monthly payment varies depending on which day you have class.

For Keyboard Games classes, Mondays are $175 USD per month, and Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursdays $190 USD per month.

For Music Moves for Piano classes, Mondays are $210 USD per month, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays are $225 USD per month.

For Music Play classes, the payment is $200 USD for the 8 week session.

Do I have to buy my own books? No you don’t, we will take care of ordering all books and materials you will need. We also will give you a welcome pack when you join.

How does the payment work? We charge a fixed monthly fee that is calculated based on the total amount to be paid for the entire year, and then divide it by the 10 months of the academic year.

If any sibling discounts apply we will take that into account. You will pay the same amount every month so you don’t have to worry about the number of classes included each month. On average you will be paying for 3.5 classes per month.

On the first of each month you can make your payment using Zelle or we will send you a payment request on Venmo. Although our monthly payments are calculated based on th 10 month academic year calendar, you don’t have to commit to the entire year.

We only ask that you commit to one month at a time. For summer session payments, the amount for the entire summer session will be calculated and the fixed monthly fee will be billed on the first of the month.

What I need to stop classes? Before stopping classes, please let us know if you need help working out any issues you might be having. Does your time slot no longer work for your schedule? Is your child having trouble engaging?

We are always open to discussion and are happy to help you find a solution. If we are not able to help you with an issue you are facing (financial, family issue, logistical issue) please let us know as soon as possible.

If I cannot make it to my class, can it be made up? We understand that sometimes you might be sick or have some other urgent matter that prevents you from coming to your regularly scheduled class. We try to be flexible by allowing 2 classes to be made up per academic year.

We will offer you to join another group class (at approximately your level) within a week or two of the missed class, or if that isn’t possible we will schedule a different time that works for both of us.

Please let us know at least 24 hours ahead of time if you are unable to make it to your class. If you cancel with less than 24 hours notice, unfortunately the class will be lost and cannot be made up.

How do I join? Send us a message by filling out our contact form or sending us an email at palmquiststudioofmusic@gmail.com.

We will answer any questions you have and help get you signed up for a trial class.

If you find that our studio is a good fit for you, we will then schedule our first month of classes and send you more details via email.

Immediately start to see amazing results!

What makes the Palmquist Studio different? We offer an innovative and creative way to learn how to speak the language of music.

It is not a traditional approach and it is definitely not boring. Every class will have you moving, singing, chanting, improvising, creating, listening and understanding music like never before. It is so much more than just pushing down keys and simple imitation.

When will my child learn to read music? At the beginning and for at least a few years we will be learning music aurally. This is done so that each student can develop his or her audiation. Introducing music notation too early in the process can hinder their ability to feel and express the music they are playing.

When the student is developmentally ready we will start learning how to read and write music and it will go rather quickly because the solid foundation has already been built and then it’s simply putting the symbol to the sounds we have spent a long time using.

Learning music is similar to learning a language. At first we need to be immersed in it by listening, then we begin to imitate words and sentences and then we create our own sentences. Only after a child has spent years listening, imitating and creating in their native language do we introduce reading and writing. Trust the process, and trust me that your child will eventually learn how to read and write music with ease.

How do I access the audio recordings? On the menu at the top of the website there is a tab called ‘Audio Files.’ In the drop down menu, click on the book you are in and it will open up a new page. It will ask you to enter a password to access the recordings. These recordings are available only to members of the studio, and we will provide you the password upon joining the studio.

For tonal and rhythm pattern recordings, go to the same ‘Audio Files’ tab on the menu and at the bottom you will see Tonal Patterns and Rhythm Patterns. Click on the one you’re looking for, enter the password and access the tracks you are looking for.

All students are encouraged to use these audio recordings three times a week while practicing at home.

Do I need to get a piano or keyboard? For the first 4-6 weeks our focus will be on developing audiation, movement and body awareness, so it’s not necessary immediately. However, after the first 4-6 weeks it would be best to get a piano or keyboard.

We recommend getting an upright piano or a full range 88 key weighted keyboard. Smaller range non-weighted keyboards are not sufficient for our purposes. Used pianos and keyboards can be a great way to save money. Please ask us if you need help finding an instrument, we are more than happy to help you.

What days and times do you offer classes? We offer Keyboard Games and Music Moves for Piano classes on Mondays-Thursdays from 3:00pm-7:00pm. Upcoming Music Play class dates TBA.

Do you offer classes at my home? All in person piano classes and Music Play classes are taught at the studio. I think you will find that when you come to the studio you will be more focused during class and ultimately be more committed to the adventure of learning music.

If it isn’t possible for you to come in person to our studio in West Medford, MA, we could consider the option of online classes using the Forte Lessons platform. Some students learn very well this way and it’s a great way for you to study with Miss Annie even if you don’t live near the studio. There are a few limited spots open for online classes on Thursdays.

What Other People Say About Us

Find out what other families have to say about us:

“Through observing our son’s piano classes with Miss Annie I witnessed the brilliance, and true fun, of learning through the audiation method. Her classes pack in a variety of activities (listening, echoing patterns and rhythms, movement, time at the keyboard, and more) and I am always impressed at how she keeps each class moving along (and very artfully with easily distracted/high movement needs kids), while maintaining genuine positivity, respect for student individuality, and so much patience. Miss Annie has years of experience teaching children and it shows. How lucky her students are!”

-Molly J.

“My daughter, Carolina, has been taking lessons with Miss Annie for the past 8 months and I couldn’t be more pleased. Miss Annie is very informed in teaching the students through the technique of audiation and Carolina seems very receptive to this method. Her interest in piano has not only been sustained but has definitely grown with Miss Annie being her teacher.”

-Erin L.

“Miss Annie’s piano school in West Medford is a wonderful place for children to learn to love music. My two young children (preschool and kindergarten) are delighted to see Miss Annie week after week and practice rhythm, singing, keyboard, reading music, and improv. I’m seeing them improve in both musicality and in behavior, with a focus on self-space and listening more than we talk. I’m thrilled with the quality and consistency of Miss Annie’s program and recommend her to others who want to share the gift of music with their children.”

-Angela G.