Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Trusted Music Lessons in Cincinnati Since 1974
Founded in 1974, Toedtman School of Music has been Cincinnati's premier destination for music education for over five decades. Our mission centers on fostering cultural diversity through musical growth, serving students aged 2 to 80 with personalized instruction in piano, guitar, voice, and over 20 other instruments. With a faculty of 15+ seasoned instructors, including master performers and educators, we combine rigorous technical training with creative expression. Our diverse student body represents over 25 countries, reflecting our commitment to music as a universal language that transcends cultural boundaries.We emphasize both classical foundations and contemporary techniques, preparing students for professional careers or lifelong enjoyment. Our structured environment cultivates discipline, concentration, and artistic confidence, with research-backed benefits extending to academic performance and personal development. As Cincinnati's oldest private music school, we maintain our legacy through free introductory lessons, community concerts, and specialized programs like Joy of Music for early childhood development.
Services
Piano Lessons
Guitar Lessons
Drum Lessons
Voice Training
Violin Instruction
Trumpet Lessons
Saxophone Lessons
Clarinet Lessons
Group Music Classes
Joy of Music Program
Details
- Year established: 1974
Highlights and features
- We offer 50+ years of proven music education expertise in Cincinnati
- Our 15+ instructors include professional performers and advanced degree holders
- We serve over 500 students annually from 25+ countries of origin
- We provide free introductory music lessons for new students
- Our faculty specializes in both classical and contemporary music techniques
What people say
Masterful performances
Experienced instructors
Cultural diversity
Proven results
Free introductory lesson
Services
Piano Lessons
Our piano lessons combine classical technique with modern repertoire, taught by instructors with advanced degrees and performance experience. Students learn sight-reading, improvisation, and performance skills tailored to their musical interests. From beginners to conservatory-bound students, our structured curriculum develops technical proficiency and artistic expression.
Guitar Lessons
Guitar instruction covers acoustic, electric, and classical styles with emphasis on chord progressions, fingerpicking, and effects pedal usage. Our teachers specialize in rock, jazz, and classical techniques, helping students develop personal tone and stage performance skills through weekly practice guidance.
Voice Training
Voice lessons focus on breath control, pitch accuracy, and vocal health across musical genres. Students receive personalized instruction in classical, pop, and musical theater styles, with performance preparation for recitals and competitions included in advanced training.
Group Music Classes
Our group lessons foster collaborative learning through ensemble playing and peer interaction. Classes are organized by age and skill level, covering basic rhythm development for children and advanced arrangement techniques for experienced musicians in a supportive environment.
Joy of Music Program
Designed for ages 6 months to 5 years, this program introduces musical concepts through movement, singing, and instrument exploration. The curriculum develops rhythm, pitch recognition, and motor skills using Orff instruments and Kodaly singing methods in a playful, engaging format.
People
John K. Toedtman
Piano Instructor
Piano virtuoso with international performance experience, holding a Master of Fine Arts from Johns Hopkins University. Specializes in classical repertoire and concert preparation for advanced students.
Melissa Toedtman
Piano Instructor
Co-founder with decades of teaching experience, focusing on technical development and musical interpretation for students of all ages through personalized lesson plans.
Will Toedtman
Guitar Instructor
Jazz guitar specialist with a CCM degree, performing regularly in regional ensembles. Teaches improvisation techniques and modern guitar styles to intermediate and advanced students.
Peter Gorak
Violin Instructor
Classical violinist with performance credentials in major regional orchestras, offering instruction in proper bowing technique and Suzuki method applications for young learners.
Karen Mail
Voice Instructor
Opera-trained vocal coach specializing in breath control and classical technique, preparing students for choral performances and solo recitals with professional stage presence.
Questions
What age groups do you teach?
We offer lessons for students aged 2 to 80, including specialized programs like Joy of Music for children 6 months to 5 years old.
Do you offer group lessons?
Yes, we provide group music classes for piano, guitar, and voice that emphasize collaborative learning while maintaining individual progress tracking.
Are there performance opportunities?
Students participate in annual recitals, community concerts, and music camps that showcase their progress and develop performance confidence in supportive settings.
What instruments are available?
We teach piano, guitar, drums, voice, violin, viola, cello, trumpet, saxophone, clarinet, bass guitar, classical guitar, and provide art instruction.
Do you offer trial lessons?
Yes, we provide free introductory music lessons to help new students experience our teaching approach before committing to regular sessions.
How are instructors selected?
Our faculty includes professional musicians and educators with advanced degrees, performance experience, and specialized training in various musical disciplines.
Reviews (4)
Srikanth Pilla
Apr 17, 2022
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This place has some very good instructors and my kids have been with one of the instructors for over 3 years. However, this place is run by a pathetic bloke named John Toedtman who is incapable of having a civilized conversation. We had a confrontation on mask mandates and I wish at the least he had some decency to keep it away from my little kids who were stressed at the time. I tried educating him on state mask mandates and when they ended and what is considered a private and public space, however this guy is beyond learning. No wonder his wife left him for a piano tuner. I would not recommend any students let alone kids be anywhere close to him.
Weihong Yuan
Jun 24, 2020
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Both of my kids started to take piano lessons with Mr. Toedtman after their previous teacher moved out of town. It has been a really pleasant several years of learning. Mr. Toedtman is kind, patient, and great teacher. My kids have learned so much from him and we really appreciate the experience and tie spent with Mr. Toedtman.
Mae Yan
May 04, 2020
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Our kids started learning from age 5 and we still marvel at the kid friendliness. Every teacher is very professional and our colleagues agree too. One of our colleague's daughter was learning piano from another teacher and got so frustrated she quit. We suggested Toedtman School of Music and now their daughter loves piano and is extremely passionate about music. If you want your kids to love music, this is the best place.
Aaron Tyree
Apr 28, 2020
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I have been nothing but impressed by the instruction I have received at the Toedtman School of Music. My teacher, John Toedtman, has helped me to improve as both a bass player and as an overall musician. My appreciation for the theory side of playing has benefited greatly from the lessons that I've learned from him and my confidence as a player has grown beyond belief. I highly recommend that anyone seeking to increase their musical knowledge and their skill should look into the Toedtman School of Music.
