Each year, MacPhail Center for Music asks students and families to tell us about their experience—what’s working, what matters most and where we can continue to improve.
This spring, 599 students, clients, parents and caregivers responded to our annual Student Satisfaction Survey. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share your perspective. Your feedback helps us strengthen the experience we provide to thousands of music learners each year.
And this year, one message came through especially clearly: MacPhail students value the quality of their music education and the teachers who make it possible.
Exceptional music education starts with exceptional teachers
94% of students rated the quality of their music education at MacPhail as Excellent, up from 90% the previous year.
New questions added to the survey this year helped us look beyond an overall rating and better understand what makes a great learning experience. Among applicable programs:
- 93% strongly agree their teacher creates a positive music learning experience.
- 89% strongly agree their teacher helps them reach their goals.
Students consistently described MacPhail faculty as knowledgeable, encouraging and invested in their individual growth.
“MacPhail has become much more than a music school for our family — it has been a meaningful and important part of our lives for many years. It’s a place filled with passionate teachers, supportive relationships, and a strong musical community that has helped my kids grow both as a musician and as a person.”
– MacPhail parent
Music learning that meets students where they are
MacPhail serves students across ages, experience levels, instruments and musical interests—from early childhood music and individual lessons to bands, choirs, ensembles, music production and lifelong learning.
This year, 97% of respondents agreed that MacPhail’s music offerings are relevant to their musical interests, including 79% who strongly agreed.
For the first time, we also asked students in Group Classes and Ensembles more specifically about their learning experience:
- 88% strongly agree their class or ensemble creates a positive, supportive environment for learning and participation.
- 86% strongly agree they are actively engaged and have opportunities to participate.
- 79% strongly agree their class or ensemble is well organized and they understand what they are working toward.
- 78% strongly agree their class or ensemble is appropriate for their skill level and moves at a good pace.
These insights help us understand not only whether students are satisfied, but what contributes to meaningful music learning across different types of programs.
A place to belong and thrive
Students are also increasingly telling us that MacPhail is more than the place where their lesson or rehearsal happens.
In 2026, 79% strongly agreed that MacPhail is a place where they or their student can thrive, up from 74% in 2024. The percentage who strongly agree that they feel part of the MacPhail community also increased to 47%, its highest level in three years.
And perhaps one of the clearest measures of the overall experience: 97% of respondents said they are likely or very likely to recommend MacPhail to a friend.
Listening—and continuing to improve
Positive feedback is only part of why we conduct this survey.
Students and families also told us where we can make the MacPhail experience better. Feedback pointed especially to opportunities to simplify registration, scheduling and administrative communication; create more opportunities for connection and informal music-making; and continue improving our facilities and spaces.
We’re grateful for both the praise and the constructive feedback. It helps us understand what makes MacPhail special—and where we have work to do.
Thank you to the 599 students, clients, parents and caregivers who shared their voices with us this year.
Your feedback helps us continue building a place where people of all ages and backgrounds can learn, create, connect and grow through music.