Registration for summer private lessons is now open! Summer lessons will begin the week of May 12. The final week of summer lessons is the week of August 18.

Please note there will be no lessons held on campus June 10-14, 2025 due to a conference taking place on campus. 

From age 7 to 70+, there is a place for students of all ages and experience levels in the Butler Community Arts School’s private lesson program!

Our trained Teaching Artists composed of Butler students, alumni, and community professionals are passionate educators engaged in creating learning experiences that accomplish their students’ goals. Private lessons take place in Lilly Hall on Butler University’s campus.

The Policies and Procedures section below lists more information about our lesson program and corresponding logistics. We thank you for taking the time to read through its important details.

NOTE: If you’re interested in percussion or guitar lessons, please email us at BCAS@butler.edu with your weekly availability before you register. Due to limited lesson availability for these instruments, we’ll need to review your weekly schedule before confirming if lessons can be arranged.

Piano (minimum age 5)

Strings (minimum age 5)

Ukulele (minimum age 5)

Percussion (minimum age 7)

Guitar (minimum age 7)

Brass (minimum age 9)

Woodwinds (minimum age 9)

Composition (minimum age 9)

Music Theory (minimum age 9)

Voice (minimum age 12)

These policies are implemented to ensure equitable treatment for all our students, allowing for flexibility while maintaining a clear structure for financial transactions and lesson attendance. We believe in fostering a positive and supportive learning environment, and these policies reflect our commitment to that principle.

For any inquiries or clarification regarding this policy, please contact our office at BCAS@butler.edu or (317) 940-5500.

Registration procedure for new students

• New student registers for lessons.

• Based on the instrument type and scheduling availability, BCAS pairs new student with a teacher.

• BCAS confirms the proposed lesson time with the teacher.

• Once the teacher confirms, BCAS confirms the lesson time with the new student/parent via email.

• Once the new student confirms the lesson time, BCAS sets a start date and sends formal email with specific details about the start of lessons and general program information.

• Lessons begin!

Registration process for returning students

• Returning student registers for lessons and includes the name of their teacher in the registration form.

• BCAS puts the returning student in the teacher’s schedule and notifies the teacher that their student has registered and can begin lessons.

• The teacher will reach out to the student to set up the next lesson.

• Lessons resume!

Account balance, credit, and rollover policy for private lessons

At the Butler Community Arts School, we strive to ensure a transparent and fair policy for our students participating in our programs. Our account balance policy is designed to accommodate changes in scheduling while maintaining fairness and clarity.

Registration and lesson selection:

• Students are required to select the number of lessons they intend to take during each semester at the time of registration.

• A table depicting the number of lessons that can fit based on the remaining weeks in the semester will be provided for easy reference during the registration process (see table below and in registration form).

• A $20 non-refundable registration fee is due at the time of registration. Lessons must be registered for prior to each semester – Fall, Spring, and Summer.

• Only one registration fee is due per family, regardless of the number of students in a family. The registration form automatically charges a $20 registration fee, so it is best to register all students in a family in the same registration form so you do not get charged a fee more than once.

Unfinished lessons:

• Lessons that are not utilized within a semester will not roll over to the next semester.

• If not all lessons that were registered for originally are able to be had by the end of the semester, accounts will be prorated accordingly.

Credit/Refund for overpayment:

• In the event that a student overpays for lessons, the excess amount will be credited to their account or refunded. This credit can be applied to future lessons within the next semester. Credits are valid for one calendar year only. Credits can only be used for the program they were originally registered for.

Tuition

At least one half of tuition is due prior to the start of the first lesson. Tuition is due in full by the following deadlines: Fall—November 1, Spring—April 1, Summer—July 1. Customizable payment plans are available as needed. Please email BCAS@butler.edu to establish a payment plan.

• 30-minute lessons are $26 each

• 45-minute lessons are $38 each

• 60-minute lessons are $50 each

Lesson packages for new and returning students

Allow for one to two business weeks of turn around time between date of registration and the start of lessons. Please note that there is a high volume of registrants around the time that registration opens each semester. Your patience is appreciated!

Returning students may resume lessons with their teachers as soon as they are registered for the new semester.

• Returning student lessons: Upon registration, please connect directly with your lesson teacher to set up your fall lesson time, as the BCAS office will not coordinate lessons for returning students. For returning students, we’re offering up to 15 lessons for the summer session.

• New student lessons: The BCAS office will coordinate the start of lessons for new students. After the first lesson, scheduling will be arranged directly between the student and their teacher. We’re offering up to 15 lessons for the summer session for new students.

NOTE: Additional lessons can always be requested via email to BCAS@butler.edu

Lesson attendance and make-up policy:

• At least 24-hours advance notice must be given to the teacher in order to be offered a make-up lesson.

• All lessons missed by the instructor will be made up.

• If less than 24-hour notice of absence is given, the student will be charged for the missed lesson.

• Exceptions to the 24-hour notice policy are: inclement weather, a family emergency, car trouble, or student illness.

• No more than 3 lessons can be missed by a student within the 24-hour cancellation window. Teachers will not be required to make up any lessons beyond those 3 cancellations.

Please review the About Private Lessons and Policies and Procedures sections before registering.

Ages: 18+

Meeting times: Classes are held weekly on Fridays starting May 30 and ending July 25. There will be no class held on June 13 or July 4.

• Beginning Ensemble: Fridays, 4:45-5:45pm
• Intermediate Ensemble: Fridays, 6-7pm

Tuition:

• Total Tuition Cost: The cost of this program is $150
• Non-Refundable Deposit: At checkout, a $50 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your spot. This will be deducted from the tuition cost.
• Remaining Balance: The remaining $100 of tuition is required one week before the program’s start date.

Registration Deadline: May 23

Course Description: Adult Strings Ensemble welcomes music students who are returning to their strings or trying them out for the first time. In this class, students will learn not reading and basic playing techniques on the violin, viola, cello, and bass in a fun, no-pressure environment. 

No audition is required. Beginning Ensemble assumes no prior experience. Intermediate Ensemble requires one year or more of prior study. If unsure about your level or ability, or have questions about the curriculum, please contact the ensemble director, Ms. Shannon Crow via email at scrow@butler.edu

Participants must provide their own instrument. All other materials will be provided.

Meet the Instructor:

Shannon M. Crow is a graduate of Butler University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music. Ms. Crow has been teaching private violin and viola lessons for over 20 years, and has extensive experience teaching students from 4 years to 80 years of age. Currently she conducts Orchestra B and the Parent Orchestra of the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra, and is the Lead Teaching Artist at the Butler Community Arts School.

Shannon founded and directs the Adult Strings Ensembles, the Butler Strings Project, and Butler Strings Camps, as well as teaches private violin and viola lessons. 

When not teaching private lessons, Ms. Crow has partnered with the VA in research and in supporting our veterans through music; and is an avid performer in local orchestras and for private events.

Meeting times:

• Tuesdays, 2-3:30pm
• Starting on May 27 and ending on July 22. There will be no classes held on June 10.

Tuition: This program is free to all participants.

Course Description: Veterans, their family members, and VA staff are invited to join the VA-Butler Veteran Modern Band, which meets weekly at Butler University.

Participation is free, and Veterans are welcome to bring their own instrument or borrow one from the program.

No prior musical experience is necessary—beginners are especially encouraged to come explore a variety of instruments and make music alongside fellow Veterans as they build new skills together.

Meet the Instructor:

Shannon M. Crow is a graduate of Butler University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music. Ms. Crow has been teaching private violin and viola lessons for over 20 years, and has extensive experience teaching students from 4 years to 80 years of age. Currently she conducts Orchestra B and the Parent Orchestra of the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra, and is the Lead Teaching Artist at the Butler Community Arts School.

Shannon founded and directs the Adult Strings Ensembles, the Butler Strings Project, and Butler Strings Camps, as well as teaches private violin and viola lessons. 

When not teaching private lessons, Ms. Crow has partnered with the VA in research and in supporting our veterans through music; and is an avid performer in local orchestras and for private events.

View BCAS summer camps and all Camps and Community Programs at Butler summer camp offerings via the link below.

It is required that all interested applicants read through the Program Information Guide that includes details on policies, procedures, pricing, and program details. 

Watch the Ballet Intensive Showcase from 2024

Watch what it’s like to be a student in the Butler Ballet Summer Intensive

Meet the Artistic Director, Marek Cholewa!

Marek Cholewa, Professor of Dance at Butler University, came from the National Ballet of Panama where he was Assistant Artistic Director/Master Teacher/Répétiteur/Choreographer. He obtained his master’s degree from The Rimsky-Korsakov Music State Conservatory in St. Petersburg (Russia), as Répétiteur/Choreographer in 1982. Prior to this Mr. Cholewa studied at the National School of Ballet in Poznan, Poland. From 1976-’78, he was a Soloist with the National Ballet of Poland where he performed principal roles from XIX and XX century classical ballet repertory. Read more.

Join Butler dance faculty, Marek Cholewa and Rosanna Ruffo, for a professional ballet workshop based on the Vaganova System. This two-week workshop will have a classical ballet focus including: ballet, pointe, variations, men’s allegro, and pas de deux. 

• Professional level, ages 18+
• Monday, August 11 through Saturday, August 23, 2025 (classes Monday-Saturday); final performance on Saturday, August 23
• Tuition: $850 (this includes the $50 non-refundable deposit required with application)
• Application deadline: June 30, 2025
• Full tuition due by: July 28, 2025

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

The Cholewa-Ruffo Workshop is a professional-level intensive program that is rigorous and repertoire-focused. It is designed for rising first-years and above (18+). 

POLICIES:

• No refunds will be issued after July 28, 2025.
• If an injury prevents participation in the program, a request in writing for a refund (minus $50 non-refundable deposit) should be emailed to BCAS@butler.edu by July 28.
• Upon receiving your application, the artistic directors may request a video audition of classical variation.
• The application is not complete until you have selected “Submit Form” at the end of the payment section. You will receive a confirmation page.
• Online tuition payments can be made here.