About
Central Music Academy offers private lessons for students ages 8-18, with weekly half-hour lessons. It also offers Play it Forward private lessons at $30 per 30-minute lesson and a 10-week ensemble session for $200, plus ensembles for students ages 8-18 and free ensembles for students whose families meet the HUD low-income household threshold. Other offerings include Chamber Choir, Mariachi for grades 6-12, Modern Band, Saxophone Ensemble for ages 14-18, Steel Pan Ensemble, and a Family Drum Class.
Programs
- Private Lessons — Students between the ages of 8-18 are eligible to enroll at CMA. · Weekly half-hour lesson
- Play it Forward — Families who do not meet the HUD low-income household threshold. · Weekly private lessons; 10-week ensemble session · Offers private lessons for $30 per 30-minute lesson and $200 for a 10-week ensemble session. Part of every paid lesson helps fund free lessons for students who need them.
- Ensembles — Students ages 8-18 are eligible for free ensembles if their families meet the HUD low-income household thresholds. · 10 weeks per semester for an hour each session · General ensemble tuition is $200 per 10 week semester.
- Chamber Choir — Students ages 8-18 are eligible to participate. · Mondays 7-8 PM · Small voice ensemble led by voice/piano instructor Elizabeth Frodge.
- Mariachi — Students in grades 6–12 are eligible to participate. · Wednesdays 7-8 PM · Students must have at least one year of experience on a mariachi instrument and be able to attend weekly rehearsals.
- Modern Band — Students ages 8-18 are eligible to participate. · Tuesdays 5-6 PM · No prior musical experience is required. Students must be able to attend weekly rehearsals.
- Saxophone Ensemble — Students ages 14-18 are eligible to participate. · Year-round
- Steel Pan Ensemble — Students ages 8-18 are eligible to participate. · Tuesdays 6-7 PM · No prior steel pan experience is required, and all instruments are provided.
- Family Drum Class — Children of all ages (and their grown-ups!) · July 28, 2026 · A free community event held at Central Music Academy.
At a glance
- Ages: 8–18 years old
- General schedule: January - Spring lessons begin; March - Honors Recital; April - Student juries; May - Kentucky Gives Day, Spring Recitals; June - Summer lessons begin; August - Fall lessons begin; December - Bluegrass Gives, Student juries
About the provider
Central Music Academy has provided free musical learning opportunities for more than 1,700 kids since 2004. Its mission is to foster equitable access to high-quality, tuition-free music instruction and to use music and musical instruction to improve the lives of students while removing financial barriers. The leadership team includes Erin Walker Bliss as Director, Michelle Clouse as Assistant Director, and Valerie Wright as Communications Director. The academy reports a 100% high school graduation rate, with 99% going on to college.
Enrollment is limited and lesson availability varies by instrument. Some instruments receive higher demand and may experience increased wait times. Lesson placement is based on instructor availability, and spaces are limited. Students qualify for free lessons and free ensembles if they are between the ages of 8 and 18 and their families meet the HUD low-income household threshold. Play it Forward is for families who do not meet the HUD low-income household threshold. Students must be able to attend weekly rehearsals for ensembles.
Last updated September 12, 2026.
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