For more than 28 years, the Youth Conservatory (YC) has helped parents provide the best for their children by fostering the standards of musical excellence in a learning environment filled with enthusiasm and enjoyment. Founded in 1978 by internationally recognized pianist and pedagogue, Gary Amano, the YC occupies a central role among Cache Valley’s cultural programs for young people. Each week, more than 300 pianists, ages 4?18, of varying abilities and backgrounds, come to the Chase Fine Arts Center for piano lessons and musicianship classes. This unique program offers 30 – 85 minutes of instruction per week, with affordable tuition rates starting at $24 a month.

The Youth Conservatory is a preparatory division of the Utah State University Piano Program. The majority of the students enrolled in the Youth Conservatory participate in a 30-minute private piano lesson and a 55-minute musicianship class each week during fall and spring semesters. Enrollment options allow students the choice of participating in only lessons or only class; however students who enroll in both lessons and class achieve optimum results. For the youngest musicians (4 and 5-year-olds), the Youth Conservatory offers a weekly 45-minute course that focuses on movement, listening, and elementary music theory. This fun course does not require that students own a piano yet, and prepares them for successful individual piano instruction later on.

Through each of its components, the Youth Conservatory seeks to provide students with a complete music education. The half-hour private lesson addresses the mechanics of piano playing and the individual interests, needs and goals of each student. Youth Conservatory students may study with faculty or undergraduate private instructors. Undergraduate teachers are tiered based on experience, and tuition costs are relative to the tier selected.

The musicianship (group) classes provide opportunities for peer interaction, discussion and performance while supplementing the private lesson with music theory, history and ear-training. The classroom theory curriculum, produced by TCW Resources for the Youth Conservatory, has been adopted by many teachers and studios nationwide because of its comprehensive approach and student appeal.