Longwood Center for Community Music
The Longwood Center for Community Music offers quality music instruction through group classes and private instruction. We believe in fostering creativity and musical growth in students of all ages through multi-sensory learning and performance. We specialize in piano, strings, and early childhood music education. Our Communiversity program allows community members to participate in University ensembles.
See our students and teachers in action on Facebook and Instagram.
Contact Dr. Kristen Topham with any questions: tophamk@longwood.edu.
Payment Information
The LCCM offers two payment options pay in full (credit or check) or pay monthly (credit card only).
- To pay in full—pay online with Visa or Mastercard, or submit a check to the cashiering office.
- To pay monthly—choose the monthly payment option at checkout, and enter the monthly amount listed for the class. You will have the option to enter a start and end date for payment.
Early Childhood
Music Together ®
An internationally-acclaimed music program for families with children ages Birth-5
Children and the grown-ups who love them meet weekly to participate in a fun, playful, and interactive musical experience. Families are immersed in live singing, movement, and instrument play to develop musicianship through body awareness and auditory processing. These informal, hands-on early childhood music classes give families and children a chance to get in touch with their inner musician and connect with other families.
Spring 2026: Sticks Collection
Saturdays 9-9:45 a.m.
Class meets: Jan 31, Feb 7, Feb 14, Feb 21, Feb 28, Mar 21, Mar 28, Apr 4
Music Together art & logo design copyright ©1992-2023 Music Together LLC. Music Together is a registered trademark. The Longwood Center for Community Music is licensed by Music Together LLC.
Piano
Beginner Piano Class
At the LCCM, young piano students are encouraged to start by learning in a group setting. We believe that foundational piano skills are best built through the engaging discovery and active listening that group classes can provide.
Find the beginning class for your child’s age group below.
Let’s Play Music
Ages 4-7 (Pre-K thru 2nd grade)
Let’s Play Music is a three-year music course starting at ages 4-7 using the piano as the main instrument. It is a foundational class that maximizes age-appropriate learning potential through experience and discovery. As musical concepts and skills are presented in a playful, joyful setting, children absorb knowledge and ability. This course emphasizes ear training, chord theory, classical music, piano, note reading, and solfege.
When enrolling in Let’s Play Music, families are making a commitment to complete all three years of the program. During the first year, parents are required to attend class with their child every other lesson. For the 2nd and 3rd years, parents attend class once per month.
Visit the Let’s Play Music website to read more!
Year 1: Keyboard Prep
In the First Year, we use engaging games and songs using our Tone Bells to teach staff reading and rhythm reading skills. Our harmony instrument is the autoharp, which each student will independently play to produce harmony and accompany the class.
Class begins August 27, 2026
Thursdays 4:50-5:35 p.m.
Instructor: Janine Scott
Fee (30 classes): $600/year or 8 payments of $75/month
Materials costs
1st year: $91 + $10.50 for class t-shirt
Year 2: Introduction to Keyboard
Students must have completed Let’s Play Music Year 1
In the Second Year, we transfer these skills to playing the piano where we also learn chord notation, intervals, and harmonic improvisation.
Class begins August 24, 2026
Thursdays 5:50-6:45 p.m.
Instructor: Janine Scott
Fee (30 classes): $600/year or 8 payments of $75/month
Materials costs
2nd year: $72 + $10.50 for class t-shirt
Year 3: Piano Skills
Students must have completed Let’s Play Music Years 1 and 2
By the end of the Third Year, students are playing piano with proper form, transposing, composing their own music, and are prepared to excel in further music instruction.
Classes coming Fall 2026
Instructor: Janine Scott
Fee (30 classes): $600/year or 8 payments of $75/month
Materials costs
3rd year: $79 + $10.50 for class t-shirt
Presto
Ages 8-11 (3rd thru 6th grade) 
An accelerated piano class for beginners! Students learn appealing repertoire from their very first lesson. Proper piano technique, ear training, chord theory, music history, solfege, and composition come together to produce rapid results. This course teaches complete musicianship in a fun, snappy style that tweens love!
Presto is a two-year program. When enrolling in Presto, families are making a commitment to complete both years of the program. Students need regular access to a piano or weighted electric keyboard for outside practice.
Visit the Let’s Play Music- Presto website to read more!
Year 1: Group Piano for beginners
Class begins August 25, 2026
Tuesdays 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Instructor: Janine Scott
Fee (30 classes): $800/year or 8 payments of $100/month
Materials costs:
1st year: $88 + $15 teacher provided student supplies
Year 2: Group piano for students who have completed Presto Year 1
Class begins August 24, 2026
Mondays 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Instructor: Janine Scott
Fee (30 classes): $800/year or 8 payments of $100/month
Materials costs:
2nd year: $88 + class t-shirt ($10.50-$19)
Private Piano Lessons
Our private piano lesson program offers an enthusiastic and well-rounded approach to piano mastery. Students develop strong technique, explore repertoire from all musical periods, build music theory skills, and gain performance experience through recitals, performance classes, and creative projects.
Students may choose to study with either a Master Artist Teacher or an Artist Teacher based on their goals and experience level. Master Artist Teachers are highly experienced educators and performers with extensive training and a doctoral degree. Artist Teachers are accomplished musicians with a music degree who provide high-quality instruction and mentorship. Both teaching tracks offer a supportive, engaging learning environment and include 26 weeks of lessons, performance classes, and recitals.
Lessons are open to students of all ages, including adults! Students must have regular access to a piano or weighted electric keyboard for consistent outside practice. Private lesson time will be determined based on student/teacher availability.
Lessons begin the week of August 24, 2026
Private Piano Lessons; 30-minutes
Master Artist Fee: $800/year or 8 payments of $100/month.
Artist Teacher Fee: $680/year or 8 payments of $85/month
Materials Fee: $40 (individual book purchases)
Private Piano Lessons; 45-minutes
Recommended After the 3rd year of Piano Study
Master Artist Fee: $1200/year or 8 payments of $150/month
Artist Teacher Fee: $1020/year or 8 payments of $127.50/month.
Materials Fee: $40 (individual book purchases)
Private Piano Lessons with Student Intern
Lessons with a student intern offer an affordable and encouraging learning experience guided by a developing educator. Under the mentorship of experienced faculty, the interns will provide 24 weeks of lessons. These lessons are often a great fit for students seeking an introduction to the instrument.
Lessons begin the week of August 24, 2026.
Beginner Lessons: weekly 30-minute lessons
Student Intern Fee: $360/year or 8 payments of $45
Materials Fee: $40 (individual book purchases)
Strings
Our private string lessons provide personalized instruction tailored to the individual goals, skill levels, and musical interests of each student. Students receive one-on-one guidance in technique, music reading, performance skills, and repertoire development. Our experienced instructors incorporate principles of the Suzuki method to build confidence, achieve steady progress, and develop artistry on the violin, viola, or cello.
Students may choose to study with either a Master Artist Teacher or an Artist Teacher based on their goals and experience level. Master Artist Teachers are highly experienced educators and performers with extensive training and a doctoral degree. Artist Teachers are accomplished musicians with a music degree who provide high-quality instruction and mentorship. Both teaching tracks offer a supportive, engaging learning environment and include 26 weeks of lessons, performance classes, and recitals.
Lessons are open to students of all ages, including adults! Students must have regular access to a piano or weighted electric keyboard for consistent outside practice. Private lesson time will be determined based on student/teacher availability.
Lessons begin the week of August 24, 2026
Private String Lessons; 30-minutes
Master Artist Fee: $800/year or 8 payments of $100/month
Artist Teacher Fee: $680/year or 8 payments of $85/month
Materials Fee: $40 (individual book purchases)
Private String Lessons; 45-minutes
Master Artist Fee: $1200/year or 8 payments of $150/month
Artist Teacher Fee: $1020/year or 8 payments of $127.50/month
Materials Fee: $40 (individual book purchases)
Private String Lessons with Student Intern
Lessons with a student intern offer an affordable and encouraging learning experience guided by a developing educator. Under the mentorship of experienced faculty, the interns will provide 24 weeks of lessons. These lessons are often a great fit for students seeking an introduction to the instrument.
Lessons begin the week of August 24, 2026
Beginner Lessons: weekly 30-minute lessons
Student Intern Fee: $360/year or 8 payments of $45
Materials Fee: $40 (individual book purchases)
Voice
Children’s Choir
Ages 7-12 | All Levels
The LCCM Children’s Choir is designed to provide an educational singing experience for children ages 7-12. The choir offers young singers the opportunity to develop vocal technique, music literacy, and performance skills in a welcoming environment. Rehearsals emphasize musical excellence, creativity, and collaboration as children explore a wide variety of choral literature.
Wednesdays 6:30-7:15 p.m.
Instructor: Victoria Kinney
Fee: NO FEE
Thanks to a generous patron, the children's choir will be offered free of charge this spring.
COMMUNIVERSITY
The Communiversity program is a great way for community members to stay curious, learn something new, and connect with others. For just $25 per semester students can join select university classes and learn alongside college students in a fun and engaging environment.
The $25 enrollment fee allows you to enroll in as many Communiversity courses as you would like!
Community Jazz Band
Ages 15+ | One year of playing experience
We welcome area musicians to join the Community Jazz Band. Members can rehearse and perform with other musicians as they develop their improvisational skills and perform music from the Great American Songbook.
Wednesdays 5:45-7:15 in Wygal 104
Director: Dr. David Moore
University Choir
Ages 14+ | All Levels
This excited choral ensemble is open to everyone. No audition. Whether you have experience singing in a choir and in reading music or this is a new adventure for you, you're welcome to join!
University Choir is for Longwood students and community members. Each semester we sing classic choral repertoire, beautiful and fun to sing, but not too difficult and give one performance. This fall we have a very special opportunity to sing the great GLORIA by Antonio Vivaldi, a staple of most choral programs. Join us this semester to learn this truly great composition. We will perform at the end of the semester with the Longwood String Orchestra in Jarman Auditorium.
*Any minors interested in singing in the choir need to be accompanied by a guardian at all events.
Thursdays 5:30-7:15 at John’s Memorial Episcopal Church in Downtown Farmville
Rehearsals begin the week of August 25.
Director: Dr. Christopher Swanson
University Band
Ages 16+ | High-school level instrumental experience
The Longwood University Band is a concert ensemble comprised of Longwood Students and members of the greater Farmville community. There is no audition required. The group performances offer a variety of exciting repertoire from across the wind band repertoire, and is directed by Ms. Brianna Gatch. Please feel free to contact her with any specific questions at waddellmk@longwood.edu
Tuesdays 5:30-7:00 in Jarman Auditorium
Rehearsals begin the week of August 25
Director: Ms. Brianna Gatch
University String Ensemble
Ages 15+ | Some instrumental experience
The Longwood University String Ensemble is a concert ensemble comprised of Longwood students and members of the greater Farmville community. There is no audition required. The group performs a wide variety of repertoire throughout the semester.
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 - 7:15 PM in Wygal 104.
Rehearsals begin the week of August 25
Director: Dr. Emily Ilyes