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Academy FAQ

How can I sign my child up for lessons?

We welcome new students at any time during the year. Please fill out this form to get started!

Do you offer online/virtual lessons?

We do! Students can partake in lessons from home via Zoom.

Do you have increased safety standards in response to COVID-19?

Yes. You can read about our updated safety and social distancing protocols for in-person lessons here.

How does the schedule work?

We are open for lessons Monday - Thursday, 3:30-8:30pm. Lessons are 30 minutes long and take place on a weekly basis. Students at GIGS work with the same teacher on the same day & time each week.

Is there a commitment upon signing up?

There is no long term commitment to lessons at GIGS. Your child may start and stop lessons at any time.

When do lessons begin and end?

Our calendar is based around the school year, but is independent from the MCPS calendar. Lessons begin on the Tuesday after Labor Day, and continue through July. We close for the month of August every year, and reopen in September.

What is the cost of lessons at GIGS?

Academy lessons (30 mins) are $160/month per student. Workshop classes (60 mins) are an additional $80/month per student per class. These rates reflect an average of four weekly sessions per month.

Do you offer a sibling discount?

For families with two students enrolled, we offer a sibling discount of $140/month per student. For families with three students enrolled, the cost is $120/month per student.

How do I pay for lessons?

Payments are made via automatic online credit or debit card transactions, on the first of each month (for the month ahead). We do not accept cash or checks.

Workshop FAQ

When can I sign my child up for the Workshop?

Anytime! Depending on the enrollment of each class, students may join the Workshop at any time during the season. Please fill out this form to get started!

Who can take classes in the Workshop?

Classes in the workshop are designed to build off of what each student is working on in their weekly lessons, and they are therefore only available to students currently enrolled in private lessons at the Academy.

How long are classes at the Workshop?

Classes are 45 minutes long.

When do classes in the Workshop take place?

Workshop classes take place once a week at a designated time (depending on students' and staff availability) Monday through Thursday, between 3:30 and 8:30pm.

Spring 2024 Schedule
Guitar Orchestra: Wednesdays at 4:40-5:25pm.
Taylor Swift Back Up Band: Thursdays at 4:40-5:25pm.
Toddler Music Immersion Class: Schedule coming soon.

Do the Workshop classes run through the entire school year?

Workshop classes run on a seasonal schedule (Fall session and Spring session). Sessions run for 6-8 weeks.

Who teaches the classes at the Workshop?

Classes in the Workshop are taught by various GIGS teachers each season - including GIGS' owner Sean Gaiser!

How large are the group classes?

All classes have at least four students and no more than ten.

What is the cost of the Workshop?

Most classes are $80/month per student for an average of four classes each month.

Are there any student performances in the Workshop?

At the end of every season, each class comes together to put on an exciting concert in the Workshop for family and friends!

Do I need to attend the Workshop class with my child?

For the Guitar Orchestra and Taylor Swift Back Up Band, no. Just as with lessons at GIGS Academy, you should plan to drop off your child and pick them up after the 45 minute class. For the Toddler Music Immersion class, we request that one parent or caretaker attends each session alongside their child.

What classes are currently offered?

Our classes for the Spring 2024 schedule are Taylor Swift Back Up Band, Guitar Orchestra, and Toddler Music Immersion.

TAYLOR SWIFT BACK UP BAND

Put simply, we will be leading a group of musical Swifties to learn and perform as many Taylor Swift songs as humanly possible. Students in this class will band together to recreate Taylor Swift's catalogue with every student bringing his or her unique skill set to the table. Open to all singers and students of all instruments.

GUITAR ORCHESTRA

GIGS teachers will lead the charge in these group guitar sessions every week, drilling students on their chord formations, rhythmic strumming, dynamics, and specialized techniques. Throughout the course of the season under their instructor's guidance, students will learn and perfect the proper methods for guitar maintenance and upkeep (tuning and string changing) in addition to honing their technical skills. The goal of this class is to hammer home the fundamentals of guitar using fun, engaging drills while learning as many songs as possible with a crew of fun loving musicians!

Guitar Orchestra is open to all guitar students at GIGS - we will group interested students according to age & ability.

TODDLER MUSIC IMMERSION

This class has been specifically designed for toddlers with special needs, but is open to any and all music loving children ages 1-5. Every week, Sean and his staff will help students express themselves musically and connect with peers through sensory activities and exercises. The main goal of the Toddler Music Immersion class is to break down barriers between children with and without special needs in a positive and loving musical environment.

Courtyard FAQ

When is GIGS Courtyard open?

GIGS Courtyard is open on select concert dates in the spring and fall.

How can I contact GIGS Courtyard?

We are available by email at gigscourtyard@gmail.com.

How can I purchase tickets to a show at GIGS Courtyard?

Tickets are available for purchase online here.

Does GIGS Courtyard have a vaccination policy?

In line with current industry standards, we will require all attendees of GIGS Courtyard to show proof of full vaccination upon entry. When you arrive at the venue, please be prepared to show your vaccine card or a photo of your vaccine card to registration staff in order to show proof of your status as someone who is fully vaccinated. If you have registered for more than one ticket, please make sure that all ticket holders in your party are aware of our policy and are prepared to show their vaccination status. Ticket holders who arrive at the venue without proof of full vaccination will be denied entry without a refund. Our hope is that this policy will allow all guests at GIGS Courtyard to have a safe and enjoyable experience.

Are there different tiers of tickets for shows at GIGS Courtyard?

Yes. General Admission includes unlimited beer, wine, and water with the price of your ticket. VIP Admission includes unlimited beer, wine, and water; a laminated all-access VIP pass; exclusive access to a private indoor open liquor bar, indoor air-conditioned lounge area & restroom, and second & third floor private balconies overlooking the stage.

Will I have access to a liquor bar if I don’t purchase a VIP ticket?

Yes. Liquor is available for purchase in General Admission at our cash bars.

Is there food available at GIGS Courtyard?

Yes, there is always food available at GIGS Courtyard. Depending on the event, food will either be available for purchase from a food truck/vendor or will be included in the ticket price.

>What if I am a non-drinker? Do I still have to purchase a full price ticket?

We got you. Simply email us at gigscourtyard@gmail.com, and we will send you a discount code.

Is GIGS Courtyard ADA accessible?

Absolutely! General Admission tickets are 100% ADA friendly. VIP Admission grants access to areas of the second and third floors of GIGS and are therefore not ADA accessible. Restrooms are located in the ADA accessible General Admission area.

Can I submit my band to be considered to play a show at GIGS Courtyard?

Sure! You can reach out to us at gigscourtyard@gmail.com and show us what you got!

Is there parking available onsite?

There is no designated parking lot at GIGS Courtyard. We recommend taking a car service to our shows. Stay tuned for more information on local public lots approved by the Town of Kensington.

Does GIGS Courtyard have an age policy?

Yes. Events at GIGS Courtyard are 21+. You must bring your ID with you to enter each event.

Are tickets available onsite?

If a show is not sold out, tickets may be available for purchase onsite via cash or credit card. We will announce ahead of time whether a show is sold out or not.

Is there a drug policy?

Yes. Illegal substances of any kind are not permitted at GIGS Courtyard. Infractions will result in ejection from the venue and possible legal action.

Can I bring my own food & drinks to GIGS Courtyard?

No. Outside food & drinks are prohibited.

Is there seating available at GIGS Courtyard?

GIGS Courtyard is a standing room only venue.

Do you have a refund policy?

Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Do you have a weather policy?

In case of inclement weather, the show will be rescheduled to a later date. Typically, rain dates are planned for the immediate next day after the scheduled show. If a call is made to reschedule a show, ticket holders will be alerted and their tickets will automatically be transferred to the new date. Refunds are not available for shows rescheduled due to inclement weather.

Are pets allowed at GIGS Courtyard shows?

No, pets are not permitted at GIGS Courtyard (with the exception of service animals).

Where are the restrooms located?

There are portable restrooms outdoors (including at least one ADA accessible unit).

Contact Us

Address

3762 Howard Ave, Kensington, MD, 20895

Email

gigsstudio@gmail.com

Phone

‍301.466.1358

Hours

Academy

Workshop

Monday-Thursday, 3:30-8:30pm

Courtyard

Open for designated weekend events, April through October.