Music in Las Vegas

Music for kids splits into two paths: private lessons on one instrument, and group programs like early childhood music classes, youth choirs, rock bands and orchestras. The music lessons guide goes deeper on choosing an instrument and a teacher.

Three things to decide first:

1. Group or private. Little kids do well in group classes built around singing, rhythm and movement; one-on-one lessons make more sense once a kid can sit with one instrument for half an hour. Ask a teacher what age they like to start the instrument your kid wants.
2. Rent or buy. Ask whether you need to own or rent an instrument before the first lesson, because a rental is the cheap way to survive the first three months.
3. Recitals. Ask whether there are recitals and whether they are required. Some kids need the stage; some need to never see it.

Only 8 of the 151 programs are listed as free, so budget for this one. 75 post a price range. Ask about the makeup policy for missed lessons and whether the first lesson is a trial. 13 of these are in Summerlin, and ask whether a teacher travels or teaches online. My own bias: a kid who picks the instrument practices; a kid who is assigned one negotiates.