WELCOME!
 If you are interested in music lessons for yourself or your child, you have come to the right place! My name is Ryan Neaveill (last name rhymes with “level”), and I have been performing and composing for over thirty years and teaching music to kids and adults of all ages for over twenty years. I am located on the west side of Champaign, Illinois.
MY BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE
After receiving my bachelors degree in music composition and theory in 1989 from Illinois Wesleyan University where I majored in piano and minored in voice, I taught for five years at the Morton Academy of Music in Morton, Illinois.
In 1994, I moved to Champaign and began composing and teaching in this community. If you’d like to check out some of my published compositions and arrangements, click here. I have performed with countless groups from orchestras to jazz ensembles to rock bands to acapella singing groups. I have adjudicated state music contests for Illinois Music Educators Association (IMEA), conducted and directed numerous church music programs and, in recent years, have done masters level work at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, in the area of music ministry.
I am also a published and award-winning composer, having been a recipient of the ASCAPlus Award for the past five straight years from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, as well as various other honors and awards.
ABOUT MY STUDIO
 I offer lessons in the following areas:
- piano / keyboard
- voice
- beginning guitar
- songwriting / composition / music theory
For beginning piano and guitar students, I use a graded lesson series such as those published by Alfred or Hal Leonard. For voice students, I will typically select songs from various genres (music theater, popular music, classical arias, etc.), depending on the student’s skill level and interests, and work on technical aspects such as support and breath control as well as more interpretive aspects such as dynamics and phrasing. For more advanced piano students, I will select literature usually from a wide range of composers/genres (everything from Bach to Thelonious Monk) that will challenge them to develop new skills and techniques. I also help students work on sight-reading, improvising, playing “by ear”, and notating and composing music. We will also discuss the historical and social significance of music.
I teach all styles and genres of music including classical, jazz, and pop/rock. And, while I believe that having a well-rounded music education is important and encourage students to try a wide variety of different styles, I also understand that sometimes we want to focus on only one type of music, so I try to tailor my lessons and use music that will hold the student’s interest.
I am also an extremely patient teacher. I understand that everyone works and learns at a different pace, so don’t worry if you’re afraid you won’t catch on quickly! I will help and encourage you!
I teach all ages. I currently have students as young as five and as old as 70. It’s never too late or early to learn!
 WHY YOU SHOULD STUDY WTH ME
In addition to being one of the most experienced and educated music instructors in this community, I’m also one the most affordable. Not only is my tuition the lowest in town, but I don't charge any hidden fees (such as registration fees) or make my students pay for books—I supply all the lesson materials. I do this because I love music and want everyone to have an opportunity to study music without having to worry about the cost.
As the father of two kids, I’m also one of the most patient teachers you’ll find. Alot of that patience comes from my own personal experience of having spent a few years as a stay-at-home dad with my own two children. Not that child-less teachers can’t learn how to interact with children, but my experience has been that having kids of your own helps alot and gives you a greater insight into working with young people.
Also, you will find that many music instructors have “day jobs” and teach music part time; so they simply don’t have time to prepare for your lesson and think about what could be beneficial to you. That’s not the case with me. Teaching music is all I do and I spend a large portion of my non-teaching time thinking about my students, selecting music for them, and preparing lessons that will help take them to the next level.
Not only does teaching out of my home allow me to be affordable, it also gives us plenty of elbow room! My living room not only has a piano, but a couple of comfortable sofas so you can sit back and relax during your child’s lesson. There’s plenty of room for mom, dad and other siblings. This is a nice change from the scenario in most music stores where you’re crammed into a small, closet-like lesson room with no windows!
Finally, I am not only a musician (pianist, guitarist, vocalist) but also, and more importantly, a composer. And because of my training and vocation as a composer, I bring a unique element to music instruction that most ordinary teachers lack. When you think of great musicians of the past, they were pretty much all composers: Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, etc. These composers were highly sought after as teachers. They were the instructors with whom other musicians wanted to study. There are piano teachers out there who can teach you what notes to play and which fingers to use, etc. But they do not have nearly the level of expertise and understanding about the “big picture” in music as those of us who are composers.
For an example of how my knowledge of composition might work in a lesson, check out this online lesson I wrote on Variations using the tune “Mary Had a Little Lamb”.
 DIVERSITY
In addition to my diverse musical background, I have been fortunate to experience great diversity in the students I teach. Not only do I welcome all ages of students, but students of all ethnic and cultural backgrounds. People come to Champaign-Urbana from all over the world to study or work at the University of Illinois and many of these folks have sought me out as a teacher because of my appreciation for diversity. I have taught students from all across the globe—from Argentina to Venezuela, from Korea to Iran, and almost everywhere in between! I appreciate not only teaching my students about the universal language of music, but learning from them about their unique cultural and musical heritage and incorporating this into their lessons.
TUITION
By teaching lessons out of my own private studio, I can offer rates considerably more affordable than you will find at some of the other music stores and academies in Champaign-Urbana.
Many instructors and music stores/academies in Champaign-Urbana refuse to post their rates on their website. But I have no problem whatsoever posting my rates because I know I am the best deal in town! Not only is my tuition the lowest of any local music teacher, but I provide all the music for my lessons at no additional charge to you. Most other teachers will charge you extra for the lesson materials. Also, I do not have any hidden or extra charges such as “registration fees.”
MONTHLY TUITION
Tuition is $75.00 per month and is due on the first lesson day of the month. This is for a 30-minute lesson each week and it doesn't matter if there are four or five lesson days in the month, the tuition is always only $75.00 per month (so in months with five lesson days, you get a free lesson!).
DISCOUNTS
If you have two or more members of the same family who wish to take music lessons, you will receive a 10% discount. For example, two siblings who sign up for weekly, half-hour, studio lessons will pay a combined total of only $135.00 per month instead of $150.00. You will also receive this discount for one student who takes an hour lesson in one subject each week, or two half-hour lessons in different subjects (e.g. one in piano, one in voice) each week. This discount cannot be combined with the Multiple Month Discount, nor can it be applied to single lesson payments (see below).
MULTIPLE MONTH DISCOUNT
You can also save money off your tuition by paying for three or six months at a time. Tuition for three months is $200 for a 30-minute lesson each week (compared with $225 if you pay for a single month at a time). Tuition for six months is $375 for a 30-minute lesson each week (compared with $450 if you pay for a single month at a time). The six-month plan is a great deal! You save $75 which equals an entire month’s tuition! This discount cannot be combined with the family discount.
PAYMENT POLICY
Tuition is due on or before your first lesson day of the month. If you need to miss the first lesson of the month, then you can pay your tuition online (see below) or make other arrangements to make sure it is paid on time. I do allow a seven-day grace period so that tuition can be paid by the second lesson of the month. If tuition is not paid by the second lesson of the month, it will revert to the Single-Lesson Payment Plan (see below).
ONLINE PAYMENT 
If I have an email address on file for you, I will send an electronic invoice via Paypal providing the opportunity and convenience of paying your tuition online and securely using any debit or credit card (or a PayPal account if you have one). Of course, paying online is not required—you can always choose to pay by check at your first lesson. Tuition is always the same amount whether there are four or five lesson days in the month, so in months with five lesson days, you get a free lesson. If you pay by check, please make checks payable to Ryan Neaveill.
Tuition will be pro-rated in months with holidays, vacations, etc. to reflect the missed lessons.
SINGLE-LESSON PAYMENTS
From time to time I will accept students who, for whatever reason, may wish to pay for only a single lesson at a time. If you wish to pay as you go, then the tuition for a single lesson is $25 per 30-minute lesson or $50 per hour lesson. The ten percent family discount does not apply to single lesson payments.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Of course, regular attendance at your lessons is essential if you want to learn and improve in your musicianship. But things do come up from time to time so, if you have to miss a lesson, call or email me and we’ll arrange a make-up lesson. I realize that sometimes things even come up at the last minute, so you don’t even have to give me 24 hours notice! But please call ahead, even if it’s only 10 minutes before your lesson time. If for some reason you can’t make up a missed lesson, remember that you do a get a free lesson in the months with five lesson days, so it will all even out!
TERMINATION
Instruction may be terminated with two weeks notice before the end of the payment period based on your tuition plan. For example, if you pay for lessons according to the One-Month Tuition Plan, notice must be given at least two weeks before your last lesson of the month that you will discontinue lessons. No refunds will be given for lessons terminated before the end of the pay period.
CONTACT ME
You can email me at info@CUmusiclessons.com or call me at 217-778-3134. I look forward to hearing from you!
DIRECTIONS
CU Music Lessons
ATTN: Ryan Neaveill
2403 W. Springfield Ave.
Building X, Apartment 4
Champaign, IL 61821
email: info@CUmusiclessons.com
Facebook: CUmusiclessons.com
I am located in Stonegate Village on the west side of Champaign (just south-east of Kaufman Lake, and north-west of Centennial High School). The address is 2403 W. Springfield Ave., Apt. X4, Champaign. To see the location in Google Maps, click here, or for a downloadable map in PDF format, click here.
Even though the address is Springfield Avenue, Building X is actually off of Kenwood Road (approximately 500 feet south of the Springfield-Kenwood intersection). The building sits at a 45 degree angle to Kenwood Road and is marked with an X (literally! X marks the spot!). There is a buzz-in security system, so just push the button for X4 and I will buzz you in“but I will do my best to try and watch for you and meet you at the door!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What should I bring to my lesson? Bring a small spiral notebook. I will write in this book so you know what to practice each week. If you are a guitar student, bring your guitar! If you have specific music you’d like to learn, bring it in!
Can I sit in and observe my child's lesson? Absolutely! In fact, I encourage parents to sit in on their kids’ lessons. That way, you know what they should be working on and can encourage and supervise their weekly practice schedule.
How much should I practice each week? As a general rule for kids 8 years old and younger, I recommend at least 15 to 20 minutes of practice at least five days a week. For kids 8 through early teens, 30 minutes a day. For older teens and adults, try to get in at least 45 minutes to an hour.
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