Weather Update: All campuses of NSU will be closed on Monday, January 26, 2026.
Read More
Established in 2014, the NSU Music Academy serves the Natchitoches area and offers lessons in guitar, percussion, piano, and voice. Lessons are taught both face to face and online and they are provided by Northwestern State graduate and undergraduate students in the Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts. Piano lessons are for those from age six as well as adults and voice lessons are for those eight and up. Each semester ends with a concert recital at NSU’s Magale Recital Hall.
Students in past years participated in the National Federation of Music Clubs Festival, the Central Music Teachers’ Association Sonatina Festival and the Louisiana Music Teachers Association Upper Elementary Auditions.
For further information, please contact Dr. Francis Yang at yangf@nsula.edu or Dr. John Price at pricejo@nsula.edu.
To see past performances, visit the NSU Music Academy YouTube channel.
NSU Music Academy
Lessons are held weekly at the university and start the second week of the Fall and Spring semesters. There is a total of 14 lessons each term and rates are as follows per semester:
30 minute lessons $320
45 minute lessons $470
60 minute lessons $620
Tuition is due by the first week of lessons. You may give a check directly to your teacher or pay online in the “Pay Online” tab below.
Additional Info:
Piano students should have access to an acoustic piano or weighted digital keyboard with the full piano range of 88 keys.
Guitar, percussion, and string students will also need their own instruments. Our instructors are happy to provide guidance with obtaining the necessary equipment.
Students are allowed one makeup lesson for the semester due to an unexpected conflict or illness. Further missed lessons are not required to be made up by the teacher. Our teachers are happy to reschedule given sufficient notice.
Online Payment
For Music Academy Tuition: Payments can be made online at the link below. Under Category please select “Other” and write in the comments “NSU Music Academy Tuition.” We ask that you please check the box to help cover transactions fees if paying online.
For Piano Day Registration Fee: Payments can be made online at the link below. Under Category please select “Other” and write in the comments “NSU Piano Day.”
FALL 2025
Saturday, November 1—Ensemble Concert: Princes, Princesses and Pirates!
9:00 AM Rehearsal
11:00 AM Concert
Monday, December 8—NSUMA Christmas Recital
The recital starts at 4:30 PM in Magale Recital Hall. Students may arrive as early as 3:30 PM to practice in the space. Warm-up space is first come, first served.
SPRING 2026
Saturday, March 14 (morning)—NSU Music Festival
Students will play for judges at their assigned time in the morning. Students receiving S+ will play for the Honors Recital at 11:00 AM.
Saturday, March 14 (afternoon)—NSU Piano Day
Featuring guest artist/clinician Dr. Igor Lipinski performing Piano Illusions, a show combining music and magic. More information to follow.
Monday, May 4—NSUMA Spring Recital
The recital starts at 4:30 PM in Magale Recital Hall. Students may arrive as early as 3:30 PM to practice in the space. Warm-up space is first come, first served.
Piano
- Steven Mendoza
- Irene Gomez
- Melissa Patino
- Erick Cabrera
Guitar
- Gabriel Polo
- Jose Luzuriaga
- Belen Tenesaca Bermeo
- Erick Cabrera
Percussion
- Charles “Mars” Heard
Violin/Viola
- Ronald Zaldana
Voice
- Clairie Parent
- Claudette Cruz
- Lhareen Lazo
