55+ MacPhail Music for Life™

Individual Music Lessons

One-on-one musical instruction gives students the full attention of one our experienced teaching artists. These private music lessons are specially designed for your music level; beginners are welcomed. We will match you with a teacher based on your musical interests, schedule, learning style, and level of ability, allowing you to learn at your own pace to achieve your chosen goals. Our teaching artists are experienced in working with adults ages 55+.

A 30-minute lesson at MacPhail begins at $48.00. While the exact cost will vary depending on the teacher and location (Austin), you should expect to spend between $48 to $55 for a 30-minute lesson or $96 to $110 for a 60-minute lesson.

Music Classes & Ensembles

Enjoy learning and making music with others? MacPhail Music for Life™ classes bring like-minded adults ages 55+ together to create and learn about music in a fun and supportive setting. Classes are a great place to learn together and socialize with peers with common musical interests.

MacPhail Music for Life™ (55+) Community Partnerships

MacPhail Music for Life™ is an interactive music education and creative arts program for adults 55+.  Through our community partnership program, our trained teaching artists come to your site delivering a program that is tailor-made for the older adults you work with.

Classes include a variety of musical activities and adult music lessons, such as: singing, playing instruments, movement, composition, learning music history, and much more.

Experiential and sequential teaching creates an environment that promotes wellness, artistic growth, engagement, community, and self-expression. MacPhail Music for Life™ classes are tailored to all Care Levels: Adult Day, Assisted Living, Independent Living, Intergenerational Programming, Memory Care, and Skilled Nursing.

Classes include:

MUSIC FOR LIFE classes provide innovative, life-long learning music experiences. Structured around a musical concept and goal, activities include interactive singing, movement and music history activities.

SING FOR LIFE offers a choral format that focuses on the development of vocal technique, breathing, choral blend, and artistry with attention given to the aging voice. Singers contribute to the choice of repertoire and involvement in community presentations.

MACPHAIL HOUR: Led by MacPhail teaching artists, the hourlong concert/lecture series provides educational experiences celebrating music in its social, historic, and cultural contexts (classical, popular, jazz, and folk music) and teaching related to the composer, instrument or genre.

UPWRAPPING MUSIC: These music appreciation classes examine topics of music history. Teaching artists use lecture, video, audio, and live performance to teach about composers, performers, musical styles or genres and their significance and impact.

BODY, VOICE, SPIRIT integrates sound-making and gentle stretching to release tension and free the body and mind. Teaching artists combine techniques by theater artists and yoga practitioners in this joy-filled class.

MUSIC & MINDFULLNESS increases awareness of the present moment, while acknowledging one’s feelings, thoughts, and body through music. A board-certified music therapist leads self-care, meditation, relaxation, and deep breathing. Songwriting, music making, guided imagery, and music-based mindfulness help participants to forge a deeper connection with oneself while managing stress and anxiety.