Note-taking classes

School teaches 457 students the art of the instrument

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Fred Green started playing drums in a marching band in the seventh grade. Today he runs two music schools in northwest Las Vegas.

The Northwest Music Academy opened last May at 7830 W. Ann Road, Suite 210, and his first school, Brill Music Academy at 8534 Del Webb Blvd., opened three years ago.

When Green opened his first music school, which offers private lessons, he had four instructors and 35 students. Today, with two schools there are 457 students and 18 instructors.

More than half of the teachers have their master's degrees and several work for the school district. Many are professional musicians.

Sven Rainey teaches guitar to "anyone who is brave enough to walk through the door." He has a master's degree in classical guitar and performs as a flute and guitar duet act with his wife, Kristi Benedick.

Rainey has been with the academy since it opened eight months ago but has been teaching for more than eight years. He also teaches a group guitar class at UNLV.

The newer facility is twice the size of the Summerlin location with 17 private booths. Parents are invited to sit in on all lessons, but some kids don't want their parents in the room so there are windows at each lesson room for parents to look through. There is one large classroom for group lessons.

The academy instructs students of all ages. Children as young as 5 can begin playing the piano, but for the guitar or singing lessons, Green said, they should be a little older.

"It's been proven that kids who study music develop the part of the brain that makes them better at science and math," he said.

Rainey said it is important to get a child's attention right away to keep them interested.

"Everyone has different goals. Kids want to learn what's on the radio right now. I've been teaching Green Day a lot lately. It's fine with me. It's fun stuff," Rainey said.

Not all students start at an early age, though. There are beginners in their 60s and 70s.

Green said if the student is interested and practices, he or she will succeed regardless of the age they begin learning.

"Adults realize it's going to take some time to learn. With kids you have to teach them to do first. Adults want to understand first," Rainey said.

Lessons are either a half-hour or an hour long, depending on the student's age and his or her needs.

"It's hard to get a 5-year-old to sit still for half an hour," Green said.

Marie Kelly, 9, a third-grader at Deskin Elementary School, began taking violin lessons nine months ago. She said she wanted to learn how to play the instrument but her school doesn't offer lessons.

"I always thought it was very pretty and wanted to play," she said.

Lessons are available in all instruments and voice coaching is available.

Green said he has had requests for all types of instruments, including the harp and bagpipes.

"I was able to research and find someone to refer them to," he said.

Recitals are held twice a year and all students are welcome to participate.

Lessons are available from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, visit www.1stacademyofmusic.com.