Willan Academy of Music

09/12/2026

Some of our favorite moments this year came out of our 10th Anniversary Concert — students who'd never shared a stage before, discovering what it feels like to make music together instead of alone in a practice room.

We want more of that. This fall, we're launching an Ensemble Class for students ages 6 and up, on any instrument, led by Maestro Gregory Singer.

📅 Sundays, 2:00–3:30pm at Ripley-Grier (305 W 38th St)
🗓️ October 18 – December 6, with a performance on December 12
💵 $354 for the season

To join, we ask for a short audition — two contrasting pieces, one minute or under each — by September 30.

If your child has been playing on their own and is ready to find out what it's like to make music with others, we'd love to hear them play: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdutexgPNqlJL6ZPfKxmGvuP0mXK_wHTfLL-tvg_FbFYPunwA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=103237010617282858597

09/10/2026

With the new school year in full swing, this is the question we get asked the most: "How do I get my kid to actually practice without a fight?"

A few things that tend to help:
- Same time, same place. Attach practice to something that already happens every day — right after snack, right before screen time — so it doesn't need deciding fresh each day.
- Short and daily beats long and occasional. 10 focused minutes, 5 days a week, gets more real progress than one 45-minute Sunday session.
- Let them pick the order. Even small choices — like which piece to start with — make practice feel like theirs instead of a chore handed down.
- Celebrate the attempt, not just the result. A tricky passage played slowly and correctly IS progress, even if it doesn't sound impressive yet.

None of this requires you to know music — just to notice and encourage. That's usually enough.

09/04/2026

There's something special about making music together, not just alone in a practice room. This fall, we're launching an Ensemble Class led by Maestro Gregory Singer (with violin teacher Yuko Murase assisting) — open to Willan students of every level, from first notes to advanced. Sundays starting October 18th, building toward a performance at our December concert. Sign-ups close September 30th - link in comments

08/03/2026

Some memories stay with you. Earlier this year, we celebrated ten years of Willan Academy with an unforgettable concert at Merkin Hall, featuring our students, our faculty, and a wonderful guest performance by Dischord, the acapella group from the University of Pennsylvania.

The moment made even more special for us, one of Dischord's members, Kamila, is a Willan Academy alumna. Watching her return to the stage, now performing with her university group, was a proud full circle moment for our entire community. Congratulations, Kamila, we are so proud of you.

That afternoon was not really about the music alone. It was a room full of our community, families who have been with us for years, families just beginning, alumni who came home to celebrate with us. That is who we strive to be, always.

We are so grateful for every family who is part of this. Here is to the next ten years, together.

07/28/2026

Fall registration is officially open at Willan Academy of Music.

We are not just a music school. We are a community, one built on knowing each other, supporting each other, and growing together season after season. Whether your child is continuing their journey with us or just beginning, we would love to welcome you into that community, not simply sign you up for lessons.

Private in home, online, and in studio lessons are available across Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn.

Register today: https://www.willanacademy.com/sign-up/

07/23/2026

Featured Teacher: Meet Sam Ng 🎶

Long before Sam was singing lead roles on New York's opera stages, he was a ten year old boy in Singapore being told he wasn't brave enough to stay on his badminton team. Two days earlier, almost by accident, he had discovered he could sing.

What followed was a path built entirely on believing in himself, through rejection, through people telling him it couldn't be done, all the way to Mannes School of Music and a performing career across some of New York's most respected opera stages.

Today Sam brings that same quiet determination and warmth into every lesson he teaches at Willan, whether it's a first piano lesson or preparing a student for their own moment on stage. We are so grateful to have him as part of our community.

Read Sam's full story here:

Featured Teacher From a Singapore Badminton Court to the Opera Stages of New York A conversation with Sam Ng — voice & piano We feel truly fortunate to have a teacher of Sam's caliber at Willan Academy, an internationally accomplished performer who brings the same care and warmth to a first piano ...

06/25/2026

A moment we want to share with our Willan family.

Yesterday, our founder, Kenji had his final lesson with N, a student who picked up the guitar for the first time with him at 3.5 years old. More than 14 years later, N is heading to college.

It is bittersweet, but mostly beautiful.

At Willan, we often say that music is really about people. Today is a perfect reminder of that. The lessons, the milestones, the relationship built over more than a decade. That is what stays.

Every lesson matters. Because there is always a last one.

So proud of you, N. Go do great things!!

06/08/2026

🏆 Spring Recital Reflections

This spring on June 7, we held three separate recitals, bringing together students from across our community for a day full of music and celebration.

Eight students earned Platinum Awards, complete with trophies, for practicing every single day over spring break. That kind of dedication deserves to be celebrated.

Before each recital began, our director asked the room a simple question: “Who wants to play perfectly today?” A few hands went up. We get it. We all want that.

But then he shared something he had to learn himself. His first rule was “no mistakes allowed.” The moment he said it, you could feel it in the room. Shoulders tightened. Breath got shallow. That rule was working against everyone.

So he rewrote it on the spot.

The new rule: everyone is allowed to make a mistake today.

And just like that, something shifted. Because the real truth is, our students had already done the hard work. Every practice session, every repeated measure, every moment they showed up even when they did not feel like it. That work lives in their hands and their hearts now.

So our director asked everyone to do one thing: trust your practice, and have fun.

And they did. Every single student performed beautifully.

Congratulations to all of our Spring 2026 recital performers. We are so proud of each and every one of you.

05/27/2026

We'd like you to meet Mattia.

Before he was teaching drums, guitar, and piano to students at Willan Academy, Mattia placed second at the World Go-Kart Championship at age 12, studied at the Bratislava Conservatory, earned a full scholarship to Berklee College of Music, and performed his debut jazz album at Lincoln Center alongside one of his saxophone heroes.

But what we love most about Mattia is something he said about teaching:

"Sometimes a beginner asks a simple question that makes me rethink something I have done for years."

That curiosity — that genuine openness — is exactly what makes him so beloved by his students. Whether you're 6 or 60, Mattia meets you where you are and helps you find your own door into music.

We sat down with him to hear his full story. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

👉

A conversation with Mattia Müller — drums, guitar & piano by Kenji Haba | May 23, 2026 | blog Featured Teacher From Slovakia to New York,One Beat at a Time A conversation with Mattia Müller — drums, guitar & piano   Some teachers pass along technique. The rare ones pass along a way of seeing....

05/26/2026

This happened during rehearsals for our 10th Anniversary Concert, and we are so glad someone had a camera.

One of our students got to conduct alongside Maestro Gregory Singer of the Manhattan Symphonie. His face says it all.

The best moments do not always happen on stage.