Charleston Academy of Music

CAM’s distinguished faculty offer a comprehensive musical curriculum that includes private lessons, music theory courses, and chamber music coaching.

We believe that these are all essential to a refined, well-rounded musical education. 

Through this comprehensive musical curriculum, students will not only learn to master their instruments but will also develop practice discipline, organizational and memorization skills, and performance etiquette.

Early Development

Children ages 4 and 5 can enroll in our Beginning Suzuki Violin Class which requires the attendance of their parent(s). These classes help stimulate the musical ideas of the participants and offer a shared creative experience for parent and child. There are 28 sessions per semester, meeting on Mondays and Thursdays. One class is offered for each age separately, and they will be limited to 5 children and their parent(s). This is a fun and engaging way for children to begin learning the violin.

Mondays 4:15-5pm Sept 8 - Dec 15
Beginning Suzuki Guitar Class Parents interested in providing a nurturing musical environment at home will enjoy being part of their children's first four lessons in order to understand the guitar enough to encourage and praise their child's accomplishments along the way. Musical games and exercises with and without the guitar will be introduced to bring the musician out of your child with respect to proper posture and classical guitar technique. Daily practice and listening at home is encouraged to allow your child to confidently speak the beautiful language of music.

Young Beginner

This program is for students ages 6 and up who are starting to develop formal musical training.  

This program involves:

• Private lessons: 1/2 hour per week for 15 weeks 
• Theory class: 45 minute class per week for 12 weeks 
• Performance class: 45 minute class, 2 times per semester

Intermediate

This program is intended for those students who have already attained the knowledge and abilities to move beyond the Young Beginner level.

The program involves:

• Private lessons: 45 minutes per week for 15 weeks
• Theory class: 1 hour class per week for 12 weeks
• Performance class: 1 hour class, 4 times per semester

Suzuki Play-In Workshops

Open to all registered violin students in Suzuki Books I and II, the workshops are intended to further develop the students’ performance abilities through a group-class setting. 

Students will have the opportunity to play for one another and together.

Advanced

This program is intended for those students who are ready for a more rigorous and challenging level of musical instruction beyond the Intermediate level. 

The program involves: 

• Private lessons: 1 hour per week for 15 weeks
• Theory class: 1 hour class per week for 12 weeks
• Performance class: 1 hour class, 6 times per semester
• Required to perform at least 1 student or Outreach Program recital per semester

Adult

Music lessons are also open to adults of all ages and levels of proficiency.
        
This program can serve as a starting point for some, a continuation for others, and offers everyone an opportunity to grow both as musical performers and arts community participants. Our attentive faculty at CAM is fully aware of the unique situations adults often find themselves in when undertaking such instruction while balancing the rest of their life and will work with the individual to best suit their schedules. 

The program involves: 

• Private lessons: 1 hour lesson weekly, or as arranged with teacher
• Adult students are also encouraged to enroll in Music Café.

Music Café

This adult program meets once a month and brings adult students together in an intimate social setting, providing them with a fun-filled opportunity to perform for each other.
        
They are able to meet people with similar interests as well as leaders of the community who are involved with the arts. 

Attendance is limited to ages 21 and up.

Honors Program

The Honors Program provides scholarships for exceptionally accomplished students in need of financial assistance. 
        
These students receive instruction in chamber music, music theory, and private lessons. They participate in master classes with renowned musicians and have the opportunity to perform in a variety of recitals. 

Scholarships for the Honors Program are awarded based on financial need and academic merit. CAM accepts applications throughout the year and will schedule auditions accordingly.

This program has been made possible by the generosity of the South Carolina Arts Commission, the Jerry and Anita Zucker Family Endowment Fund, the Joanna Foundation, the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, the Coastal Community Foundation, the Blackbaud Endowment, SC Budget and Control Board Competitive Grant and private donors.

This program involves:

• Private lessons 
• Theory class
• Performance/Master class: 1 hour class, 6 times per semester
• Participation in chamber music ensembles 
• Student recital: either one full recital or two 1/2 recitals
• Required to play at least 1 Outreach Program concert each semester

Intermediate Strings Ensemble

This group is open to all strings students at the intermediate level.
        
These students will have the opportunity to explore familiar strings repertoire arranged for a larger ensemble.

Chamber Music

This program is offered to Advanced, Honors Program and selected students as a way of enhancing their musical experience.
        
Students are nominated by their private teacher and are then required to perform a live audition.  The ensembles are formed at the start of each semester, based on the compatible skill levels of the students, and are coached by a member of the faculty.  

This program involves:

• Rehearsals/Coachings/Masterclasses: Meet with faculty coach 1 hour per week