When We Play Together: The Power of Collaboration in Music Lessons

Collaboration is at the heart of music—and of learning.
At our school, music goes far beyond practicing notes alone. Students learn that the real magic happens when they listen, share, and build something bigger together. Collaboration shows up everywhere—whether they’re rehearsing a duet, teaming up in the Music Learning Lab, or bringing the energy of a full band to life.

Why Collaboration Matters:

  • 🎶 Musical Growth: Students sharpen their timing and balance when they play with others. They learn to match dynamics, adjust rhythms, and blend tones.
  • 🤝 Life Skills: Collaboration teaches respect, patience, and communication—skills that students carry into classrooms, friendships, and future careers.
  • 🌟 Confidence: When students share their ideas and cheer each other on, they grow braver and more willing to take creative risks.

Collaboration in Action:
We have Rock Band camps where kids get together to play in a group. This can be a very new experience for them to need to play the part of an instrument, which may be one they’re very familiar with or a newer one. Sometimes teachers and students have duets for performances as well. This added layer of musical performance energizes many into reaching higher for their personal goals. More instruments and more people involved – up to a band or an orchestra – can motivate students in their lessons at home.

Learning about collaboration and how each person within a group will come to the music differently also adds to the challenge of playing together. It assists students to manage teamwork in settings where they can’t choose their team but need to complete a project. Many of these young, confident musical collaborators grow into tomorrow’s leaders.

That transformation is what collaboration looks like. A single instrument sounds beautiful, but harmony happens when voices and instruments join together. Every time our students collaborate, they learn that music—and life—is richer when shared.

Instrument Petting Zoo

Picking an Instrument

Busy Sunday afternoon, 11/10 at 3pm? Interested in music lessons, but need help picking an instrument? MTMS is holding a special FREE event – Instrument Petting Zoo!

Try All the Instruments

This event is open to the public. Everyone is invited to come try out an instrument or several. We’re all fans of “the more, the merrier!” Our teachers will be there offering free mini-lessons.

Fundraising for Our Local Food Bank

If you try a free music lesson on one of our instruments and like it, consider enrolling in a sampler. Our 4-week beginner lessons samplers require no long-term commitment. And in November, we’re donating 50% of all Music Lessons Sampler proceeds to GRIN (Gahanna Residents in Need).

Plenty of Instruments to Choose From

Worried your instrument of choice won’t be around? Don’t be! Here’s a list of musical instruments you can try at our Instrument Petting Zoo event.

  • Piano
  • Guitar
  • Ukulele
  • Bass
  • Drums
  • Saxophone
  • Clarinet
  • Trumpet
  • Flute
  • Violin
  • Cello
  • Recorder
  • Harmonica
  • Voice

Call or text us (614) 418-7110 if you want to see something that isn’t on the list and we will do our best!

Teachers being teachery: Violin lessons at Michelle Tuesday Music School in Gahanna, Ohio

Rock’n’Roll Playlist

We’ve been talking about the three stations in the Rock’n’Roll space in the lab. Last week was the compositions in NoteFlight and the first week of December we talked about the music history of Rock’n’Roll.

The third station that rounds this all out is the listening station. We compiled a playlist of Rock’n’roll for students to take time out and just listen. Everyone gains benefits listening to music, whether it is stress relief or lowering blood pressure or simply activating both sides of the brain for better studying. This station is set for learning about Rock’n’Roll, though, so buckle up for some great music.

Would you like to listen? Click here. I’m listening to it today. There are some great songs!

Interview with a Student: Arianna

She is a pianist who has participated in many performance opportunities and ensemble classes in her time here. I asked her what some of her favorite memories are from over the years. “Definitely the great teachers I have had…

I recently sat down with Arianna, a student and lab attendant here at MTMS who began lessons in 2011 when she was just 7 years old. She is a pianist who has participated in many performance opportunities and ensemble classes in her time here. I asked her what some of her favorite memories are from over the years. “Definitely the great teachers I have had. They helped me with both the technique and artistry components of piano playing. I also had a lot of fun with my band, Gum!”

I remember Arianna telling me from the time she was 11 years old that she wanted to work here one day. It’s easy to see the love she has for music and learning. I asked her about the impact that this school has had on her. “I have learned a lot about music theory from the computer lab. Learning how chords work helps me understand harmonies when I’m playing in an ensemble. I have also learned over time in my lessons how to really play musically, not just how to play the notes.”

We hired Arianna as one of our computer lab attendants in December 2017. When I asked her about the opportunities MTMS has provided her with, she said that getting hired here was definitely the biggest. But she also told me that she really learned how to express herself here. Through all her recitals and performances over the years, we have watched Arianna grow as a musician. “Music has become a really big part of my life,” she said to me. “I think it really has shaped who I have become as a person.”

We want to hear from you too! Post a review on Google or our Facebook page to tell us what MTMS means to you.

Musically,
Katie Ball, Lab Lead

OMTA and Music Performance

I was privileged to enjoy a luncheon with the Ohio Music Teachers Association yesterday. What a wonderful group of folks! You would think that the power of this organization is in networking with music education colleagues in the area, including others who teach private music lessons, and that’s certainly a benefit to the group. But they also organize a slew of events, including continuing education opportunities for music educators and music performance events for students. Continue reading “OMTA and Music Performance”