Business Details
Expert In-Home Music Lessons
City Strings & Piano was founded with a vision to provide high-quality, convenient music education directly in students' homes. Our journey began as a small violin studio and has expanded to include piano, cello, viola, and guitar lessons, reflecting the growing demand for accessible, personalized instruction. We collaborate with accomplished musicians and educators nationwide who share our commitment to excellence in music education. Our teachers are graduates of prestigious institutions and active performers, ensuring a well-rounded learning experience. Lessons are tailored to individual goals, whether students aspire to professional careers or simply wish to explore music for personal enrichment. We utilize diverse teaching methods, including Suzuki and traditional approaches, adapting to each student's learning style and practice habits. The convenience of in-home lessons eliminates commuting time, creating a comfortable environment for optimal progress. Our structured tuition plans include 44 annual lessons and recital opportunities to celebrate student achievements. With studios in over 50 cities across the United States, we make it easy for families to connect with qualified instructors. Our mission remains focused on simplifying access to exceptional music education while maintaining the highest standards of instruction.
Services
Violin Lessons
Viola Lessons
Cello Lessons
Piano Lessons
Guitar Lessons
Suzuki Method
Traditional Method
Highlights and features
- We offer in-home lessons for convenience and comfort
- Our teachers are conservatory graduates and performing artists
- Versatile teaching methods including Suzuki and traditional
- Lessons available for all ages starting at 3 years old
- Simple registration with personalized teacher matching
What people say
Patient instructors
Personalized approach
Noticeable progress
Great with children
Flexible scheduling
Offices
Services
Violin Lessons
Our violin lessons combine technical training with musical expression, taught by graduates of top conservatories. Students learn proper bowing techniques, finger placement, and posture while exploring classical and contemporary repertoire. Teachers adapt lessons to individual goals, whether preparing for youth orchestra auditions or developing recreational skills. The flexible scheduling accommodates busy family routines.
Piano Lessons
Piano instruction focuses on developing sight-reading, technique, and musical interpretation. Our teachers incorporate theory fundamentals while allowing students to explore preferred genres from classical to pop. Lessons emphasize proper hand positioning and pedal techniques while maintaining an engaging, personalized approach that keeps students motivated through regular performance opportunities.
Cello Lessons
Cello lessons emphasize posture, bow control, and fingerboard navigation through progressive technical exercises. Students study etudes and solo repertoire while developing ensemble skills through duet playing. Teachers accommodate different learning styles by incorporating Suzuki ear-training methods or traditional note-reading approaches based on each student's needs and progress goals.
Suzuki Method
The Suzuki approach emphasizes early childhood music education through listening, repetition, and parental involvement. Our certified instructors guide young learners through graduated repertoire while developing ear training and performance skills. This immersive method creates strong technical foundations through daily practice routines and group lesson opportunities that foster musical growth in a supportive environment.
Guitar Lessons
Guitar instruction covers acoustic and electric styles with focus on chord transitions, strumming patterns, and fingerpicking techniques. Students learn music theory fundamentals while exploring preferred genres from rock to classical. Teachers customize lesson plans for different learning approaches, whether developing improvisation skills or mastering specific songs through tablature and standard notation.
Questions
What instruments do you teach?
We offer violin, viola, cello, piano, and guitar lessons with specialized instructors for each instrument.
Do you offer lessons for different age groups?
Our programs accommodate students aged 3 through adults with teaching methods adapted to each developmental stage.
What teaching methods are available?
We provide both Suzuki method instruction for young learners and traditional note-reading approaches for older students.
How are teachers selected?
Our instructors are conservatory graduates and performing artists with proven teaching experience across various pedagogical styles.
Are lessons available in my area?
We operate in over 50 cities nationwide including major metropolitan areas from New York to Los Angeles.
How does the registration process work?
Contact us with your location and schedule preferences to get matched with a qualified instructor for weekly home lessons.
Reviews (18)
Michal Urieli
Dec 29, 2021
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My son studied piano with City Strings. I was impressed from the start with the thoughtful communication, and flexibility in scheduling in-home classes based on my busy schedule. I communicated mainly with Dominic, and with my son's piano teacher, Sunny. Dominic is kind, helpful and thorough, and Sunny, a Juilliard graduate, is a gentle, incredibly talented, and committed teacher. I would highly recommend City Strings to anyone. We are currently taking a break due to travel plans, but intend to return to City Strings when back in the city.
Erin Grau
Dec 28, 2021
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From a curious 4 year old to a confident 7 year old musician, we've watched our daughter thrive with Sally as her teacher. She started playing violin, and now plays both violin and piano, she can read music, and even writes her own songs. Her little sister thought it looked so fun that she started playing when she turned 4, too! When our oldest first asked to play violin, I had no idea where to turn because I am not a musician, but after some research we found City Strings & Piano, and they've been so easy to work with, so professional, with such a strong roster of professionally trained musicians and gifted teachers, and they have the cutest and well-organized recitals. Even during the pandemic, they found creative ways to engage the kids in music. We highly recommend them!
Janie Hwang
Feb 22, 2021
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My 10-year old daughter has been studying with Julia Birmbaum from City Strings for almost 2 year. Julia has done a great job helping her with specific songs, etudes and scales. She works with her on fundamentals, finger and bowing technics. The City Strings program provides a nice platform for lessons / recitals. Their cost structure offers good value and they have done a good job transitioning to virtual - in-person based on individual families comfort level with in-home lessons.
Janie Hwang
Feb 17, 2021
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My 10-year old daughter has been studying with Julia Birmbaum from City Strings for almost 2 year. Julia has done a great job helping her with specific songs, etudes and scales. She works with her on fundamentals, finger and bowing technics. The City Strings program provides a nice platform for lessons / recitals. Their cost structure offers good value and they have done a good job transitioning to virtual - in-person based on individual families comfort level with in-home lessons.
Stephen Shen
May 24, 2020
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I really enjoy my piano lessons with City Strings & Piano. Dominic has been so responsive to questions and finding the best fit in a teacher. The convenience of a teacher coming to my residence has saved me travel time and potential delays that would have taken away instructional time. My teacher Rita has been so patient and is so knowledgeable with a Ph. D. in music from U. Michigan. I feel that I'm really getting a fair value from my lessons. Would highly recommend for these reasons.
Michael Healey
Jan 29, 2019
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My son (who's in third grade) has been taking violin lessons with City Strings since last fall. We're very happy with it. The price is reasonable, and you can't beat the convenience of having the lesson in your own home. But the best part has been my son's teacher, Caroline, who is excellent. She's great at dealing with kids on their level without talking down to them. She's got all kinds of tricks for motivating them and helping kids understand music!
Jamillah Davis-Hernandez
Jan 13, 2019
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We started our son with violin lessons in May. We have been so pleased with his instructor Steven. He is so flexible with his schedule and is patient. I recommend City Strings to everyone. Dominic also works with you on finding the perfect instructor for your child. They're just amazing!
Joe Masi
Dec 01, 2018
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I can not say enough about Dominic and his team at City Strings & Piano. His staff is absolutely amazing and have taught my 10 year old son how to play violin. A special thank you to Irene for her patience and commitment. If you or someone you know is looking to learn or advance their musical knowledge then look no further! City Strings & Piano is the only place to go. I sincerely mean that. Joe M. NYC
Camillia Matuk
Oct 25, 2018
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My 3.5-year old son has been taking violin lessons from Dominic at City Strings & Piano for a month now, and he loves them. Dominic knows exactly how to how to make him excited about music and about practicing. In addition, having Dominic come to our home, and being able to rent instruments directly from him, has really simplified the whole process for us. We look forward to our lesson every week!
Janie H.
Oct 15, 2018
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Their platform makes finding and scheduling on-going children's violin lessons easy. Their fee is based on monthly installments but their trial lesson allows one to figure out it they are the right fit before making a commitment. The teacher they assigned works very well with our 8 yr old. He provides a nice balance of structured enrichment, encouragement and expertise. Some of the pieces she is working are quite hard and he is able to break down the music in manageable steps so is able to learn and not get frustrated.
Jon Yaeger
Jul 23, 2018
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We used City Strings service for our daughter for Violin lessons and our instructor David Do is great. He is professional, caring, courteous, and patient.
Julia Bloom
Jun 23, 2018
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My daughter takes cello lessons from Courtney and our whole family has enjoyed having her as a weekly visitor. I second Katie's review - Courtney is professional, knowledgeable, and all-around easy to work with. The individualized instruction in Suzuki method has been really helpful for my daughter since her previous experience was school orchestra. She enjoyed participating in a packed-out recital this past year and is preparing to audition for the local youth orchestra now, at Courtney's suggestion.
I appreciate the connections Courtney has to the larger music community and her encouragement to us to get involved in it. It's also been great working with Cara on payment and other administrative details - quick response time, clear communication.
I appreciate the connections Courtney has to the larger music community and her encouragement to us to get involved in it. It's also been great working with Cara on payment and other administrative details - quick response time, clear communication.
Susan Mitchell
Jan 03, 2018
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We have two sons who have both taken lessons at home with Cincinnati Strings. Thomas, who is 10 years old, has been taking violin lessons, first with Dominic and now with Scott Jackson, for over three years now. Duncan was 16 years old when he started taking piano lessons with Jordan Neiman. The teachers have all gotten to know both boys as individuals and adjusted their teaching to best suit their learning styles while making the lessons fun.
Sometimes it can take several different approaches before a new passage or piece can be mastered. Scott and Dominic, with patience and perseverance, are able to push Thomas beyond what he thought he was capable of doing. Thomas in turn has not only been learning to play violin and develop a love of music, but along the way is himself learning about patience and perseverance. Having lived in different cities, we have worked with a variety of music teachers and we have been really pleased with Cincinnati Strings. The convenience of having the lessons at home with these fantastic teachers and the added option of their group class really is the best I could have hoped for.
Sometimes it can take several different approaches before a new passage or piece can be mastered. Scott and Dominic, with patience and perseverance, are able to push Thomas beyond what he thought he was capable of doing. Thomas in turn has not only been learning to play violin and develop a love of music, but along the way is himself learning about patience and perseverance. Having lived in different cities, we have worked with a variety of music teachers and we have been really pleased with Cincinnati Strings. The convenience of having the lessons at home with these fantastic teachers and the added option of their group class really is the best I could have hoped for.
Joshua L.
Oct 26, 2017
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My son Aidan has been working with Mosa Tsay as his cello teacher, and she's been awesome! I would highly recommend Mosa and City Strings & Piano NYC!
Cara Macari
Jul 07, 2017
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My 5 year old daughter couldn't wait to start violin lessons. It was only after finding City Strings and Piano that we were able to find a teacher that was not only a masterful instructor, but also knowledgable about various teaching approaches, and flexible and responsive to my daughter's specific learning style. She got to participate in a wonderful recital experience. I highly recommend City Strings!
Sarah J.
Mar 02, 2017
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We love our piano teacher! Our daughter has made such great progress and she really enjoys her lessons.
Patrice Poulin
I started learning cello a few months ago. As an adult, I needed a teacher who could be flexible and patient with my learning style. I'm not a middle school kid learning music for band. CS&P gave me a great teacher who comes to my house each week and who is flexible enough to accommodate schedule changes due to my job. But more importantly, my progress has been above my own expectations. My teacher makes it fun to learn and practice daily injecting the right amount of music theory as we go along so I can play increasingly complex music.
And since I enjoy learning technique and scales a lot, we focus more on that rather than learning simplified songs for my level. Ultimately this strategy will pay off and has already made me a better cellist student than I could have expected. I highly recommend the school in general and my teacher in particular.
And since I enjoy learning technique and scales a lot, we focus more on that rather than learning simplified songs for my level. Ultimately this strategy will pay off and has already made me a better cellist student than I could have expected. I highly recommend the school in general and my teacher in particular.
Katie J.
City Strings has been great. My daughter (who is in 8th grade) has been taking cello lessons with Courtney since November. Courtney teaches the Suzuki method where as my daughter has been learning essential elements in school since 4th grade. By practicing the Suzuki method, she feels like her technique has improved and it's been a satisfying challenge for her. The fact that we can have lessons at home with City Strings was the reason I went with them.
We have a set time/evening for the lesson and the few times it doesn't work, Courtney has been flexible and we've moved the lesson to a time that works for all of us. I highly recommend City Strings- especially Courtney. She is professional, full of knowledge, and is just amazing.
We have a set time/evening for the lesson and the few times it doesn't work, Courtney has been flexible and we've moved the lesson to a time that works for all of us. I highly recommend City Strings- especially Courtney. She is professional, full of knowledge, and is just amazing.