A private music studio built around the student.
We’re a working-musician-led music school in Suwanee & Cumming, GA. Every student begins with a private evaluation, gets matched with the right instructor, and progresses on a curriculum tailored to their goals — from a curious beginner’s first lesson to a senior’s college pre-screen recording.
What we do
Soul Music Lessons is a private music studio offering 1-on-1 instruction for students of all ages and levels. We teach strings (violin, viola, cello), the full guitar family (classical, acoustic, electric, jazz, bass), piano and keyboards (acoustic piano through synths and arrangers), voice, drums, saxophone, flute, and a comprehensive music theory program covering ear training, songwriting, and improvisation. After the first evaluation lesson, students who want to play with peers can join group ensembles or band programs alongside their private weekly lessons.
Online lessons via Zoom are available for every program. Local students can switch between in-person and online any week, and out-of-state or international students can take the same private instruction from anywhere.
How we approach teaching
Match before method
Every student starts with a private evaluation lesson. We listen, assess where you are, and pair you with the instructor who fits your goals — not just whoever is available. The right teacher-student fit shortens the learning curve more than any specific method does.
Curriculum, not just repertoire
Pieces alone don’t build a musician. Our lessons combine technique, sight-reading, theory, ear training, and performance prep so students grow well-rounded skills they can carry into ensembles, auditions, college programs, and a lifetime of playing.
Audition-ready, recital-tested
Our students prepare for school orchestra placements (Lambert HS, Northview, South Forsyth, and others), regional youth orchestras (ASYO, GYSO), GMEA and All-State auditions, and college pre-screen recordings. The studio runs regular recitals and informal performance opportunities so on-stage time is part of the year, not a once-a-year shock.
No contracts, no traps
Lessons are weekly. Pause whenever life requires it, switch instructors if the fit isn’t right, end any time. We’d rather earn the next lesson than lock you into a contract.
Where we teach
Our studio is based in the Suwanee/Cumming area of North Forsyth County. Local students travel from across North Metro Atlanta — Forsyth County (Suwanee, Cumming, Sugar Hill, Buford), North Fulton (Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Roswell), Gwinnett (Duluth, Norcross, Peachtree Corners, Berkeley Lake, Lawrenceville), and surrounding cities (Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Marietta, Woodstock).
For students outside the Atlanta area, online lessons via Zoom deliver the same private 1-on-1 instruction. We have students in regular weekly lessons across the United States and internationally. See Online Lessons for how it works.
For details on the schools and youth orchestras whose students study at Soul Music Lessons, see Communities & Schools.
Who we teach
Beginners (ages 5+). A large portion of our roster starts with no prior music background. Beginners are matched with instructors who specialize in foundational technique, learning-to-learn skills, and keeping the early lessons fun enough to make the practice habit stick.
Middle and high school orchestra students. School-orchestra players preparing for chair tests, county honor groups, or all-state auditions get curriculum aligned to their school’s expectations — including the specific repertoire and audition formats used at Lambert, Northview, South Forsyth, and other Forsyth/Fulton/Gwinnett schools.
Audition-prep and college-bound students. Advanced students preparing for ASYO, GYSO, GMEA, All-State, college pre-screen recordings, or conservatory auditions work with instructors experienced in audition pedagogy: required scales, excerpt mastery, sight-reading at audition tempo, and mock-audition preparation.
Adult learners. Adults returning to music after years away — or starting an instrument for the first time — are common at the studio. We don’t default to children-focused method books or pacing.
What students get from our studio
- Private 1-on-1 lessons with a working musician — not a course, not an app.
- Curriculum tailored to your goals — every student’s plan is built around where they are and where they want to go.
- Group ensembles and band programs available alongside private lessons for students who want to play with peers.
- Online lessons via Zoom for any week, any reason — same instruction, no commute.
- A free practice library — sheet music, sight-reading exercises, theory tools (Circle of Fifths, modes, ear training), all available 24/7 in the free library.
- Performance opportunities — recitals, ensemble concerts, audition preparation, and informal play-throughs throughout the year.
- No contracts — pause anytime, switch instructors, end whenever it makes sense.
Read more
- How It Works → — the actual step-by-step from inquiry to first lesson, weekly cadence, and what to expect.
- FAQ → — common questions about ages, instruments, audition prep, scheduling, and online vs in-person.
- Schools & communities we serve → — the schools, youth orchestras, and counties our students come from.
- Online lessons → — how Zoom-based private lessons work for local students and students anywhere in the world.
- Free theory tools → — Circle of Fifths, modes, sight reading, plus our practice tools (metronome, tuner, virtual piano).
Ready to start?
Book a no-commitment evaluation lesson. We’ll listen to where you are, talk through your goals, and build a plan just for you.
Book your evaluation lesson