We Create Music Together
For almost a decade, the faculty of National Conservatory of Arts has offered an environment where music can flourish in all its aspects, enriching the lives of students of all ages and cultural backgrounds. The belief that music is a fundamental part of human life is at the center of our philosophy and mission.
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As musicians, educators, and performers, we believe that participation in a musical life serves all areas of human development. Our work is upheld by our belief in the power of art to change lives, as we learn, grow, and thrive through our engagement with others in meaningful musical activity. Scientific research into music making has never been more profound at advocating for the benefits of music education to all ages. And, as we consider The Importance of Music in Our Lives with our students, they offer sentiments which reaffirm what we already intuitively understand: that our musicality is not only fundamental to life – it serves our humanity.
Benefits of becoming an NCA student
Guitar, piano, drums, bass, voice, singing, violin, viola, cello, ukulele, and percussion lessons in ONE location!
We are the only school in Washington DC that offers all of these popular instruments: Electric & Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Bass, Drum set, Voice, Singing, Violin, Viola, Cello, Ukulele, and Percussion in one location.
The largest and most qualified teaching faculty in Washington DC.
We have dedicated music teachers, all with either college training or professional performance experience. Our music teachers are dedicated to learning about your personal musical goals and helping you to achieve them. With at least three music teachers for every instrument, we are confident that we have the right teacher to meet your music lesson needs. In addition to their teaching credentials, our teachers have warm personalities, are extremely friendly and dedicated to teaching you the style of music that you want to learn in your music lesson.
The widest range of music lesson times available seven days a week!
We are the only music school in Washington DC that offers music lessons seven days a week from early in the morning to late at night to accommodate your busy schedule.
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9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Monday - Friday.
9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays.
2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. on Sundays
A proven track record of excellence since 2003
Every year, aspiring music teachers start their own studio, and a year or two later it’s closed. The National Conservatory of Arts has a proven track record of offering quality music lessons in Washington DC, year-round. Our full-time mission is teaching music lessons trusted by over 1,800 families for over ten years.
A comfortable parent's lounge for our clients
With over 3,000 square feet we have the most spacious and parent-friendly waiting area in Washington DC.
Instead of waiting in a music retail store showroom, our clients enjoy a spacious, professional parent's lounge with comfortable chairs, kids’ books, Wi-Fi, magazines, and bottled water service. You can also sit in on their lesson anytime you like.
Free music recitals in world-class music halls and our annual student showcases with NO participation fees!
We are one of the only music schools in Washington DC that offers free recitals with a grand piano in a first-class professional recital hall and student recitals.
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Every parent just wants to know how their child is doing and if they are really progressing. The best way for a parent to understand if their investment in lessons is really worth it, is to have their child participate in a recital.
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The National Conservatory of Arts holds bi-monthly recitals, monthly masterclasses, and annual juries. We hold these at prestigious auditoriums with world-class acoustics. We even provide a red carpet and step-and-repeat banner to make it fun!
Trophies, certificates, and award medals to celebrate achievement.
We are the only music schools in Washington DC that give their students the opportunity to earn gold, silver, and bronze medals (kids and teens love them!), trophies AND certificates for passing musical tests. Do other schools offer trophies and certificates? A few. But none of them inspire their students with smiling faces.
More importantly, when our students have a test coming up, they practice more, their parents are proud, their teachers are proud, and everybody wins. You can only get this experience here. We also specialize in music lessons for adults.
Student Discount Cards
We are the only music school in Washington DC that offers student discount cards for their students which saves them money all throughout the year.
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We also sell music books, accessories, and rent instruments. All of our current students receive a student discount card that saves them money on all of their music supply needs. The student discount card can also be used at other local businesses including In-Tune Piano Tuners. At In-Tune Piano Tuners, our music students can save money but still receive professional piano tuning.
Early morning and lunch-time lessons for home-schoolers, retirees, college students, and working professionals
Since we have the most versatile hours in Washington DC, we are able to be a 'full service' music school. This allows us to offer lessons as early as 9 a.m. and we see many students between the hours of 11 a.m.-2 p.m. If you are a home school parent, retiree, college student or working professional who has a flexible schedule, take advantage of our early morning and lunch time lesson spots.
Located on 16th Street at the intersection of Allison in Northwest Washington DC.
Our school is convenient to all areas of Washington DC. You will find great shopping, dining, and convenient access points to the school and 16th Street. If you'd like to grab dinner before or after your lesson there are numerous restaurants close by. Our location is also convenient to Petworth, Brightwood, Tenley Town, and Adams Morgan. Our location is convenient to the S2 and S9 bus lines.
Seasonal music camps and after school programs
The National Conservatory of Arts offers music camps for every single no-school day, school breaks, and summer camps. We also have a music-based after-school program that offers private lessons, and group classes, and features a drum ensemble, youth orchestra, and chamber program for middle and high school students.
Picture day
We are the only music school in Washington DC that offers a picture day for their students. Every Spring and Fall we host a free picture day with a professional photographer. This is a service that our student's parents love as they all want quality photos of their children. Adults are welcome too! Students can bring their instruments to the photo shoot and wear whatever they like.
Month-to-month lessons
The Conservatory does not require semester minimums for lessons. Every student here is on a month-to-month basis.
If you are ready to start, you have nothing to lose as we only want students who truly want to be here and we will not commit you to a long-term contract.
Recent performance
Meet our founder
Welcome to The National Conservatory of Arts—a community music school founded by pianist Jacqueline Banks. The School’s faculty and staff’s mission is to cultivate the musical potential in each student and foster a sense of musicianship and artistry. Whether you are beginning your musical journey, continuing a devoted practice and study, or rekindling a passion, we want to inspire your lifelong participation in music.
Toward this end, the School offers varied and comprehensive opportunities to guide your study including: music for infants, music and art classes for young children, individual and group lessons for instrumentalists and singers of all ages, ensemble and performance opportunities, the high school certificate program, adult chamber music workshops, and evening and weekend concerts. Explore the offerings outlined in the pages that follow. Each is designed with the individual in mind, and each promotes musical growth—the development of knowledge, skills, and expressivity—within a vibrant, caring, and engaging school culture.
We are pleased to provide program advisement. Come join us for a joyful and enriching year of music-making at the National Conservatory of Arts.
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Jacqueline C. Banks, NCA Founder & Executive Director
