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UH Community Arts
Academy

Where Passion Meets Purpose

For All Ages, All Stages

Homegrown Houston Artistry

The University of Houston Community Arts Academy offers eclectic, adventurous, premium-quality learning experiences in music, theater, dance, and visual arts. The Community Arts Academy is a UH home for any Houstonian, regardless of age, who wants to grow through creativity.
  • Grow more self-assured, confident, and disciplined
  • Grow more curious about the diverse world of arts and ideas
  • Grow more empathetic and collaborative
  • Grow more observant of beauty and meaning in the world
  • Grow more enthusiastic about your own potential for excellence

The UH Community Arts Academy also offers UH artists with career expanding opportunities to teach, perform for, and collaborate with Houston communities. 

Join our diverse, supportive community of artists and learners and enjoy the wondrous opportunities and resources the University of Houston offers growing artists.

GET IN TOUCH

Fill out our inquiry form to learn more

Community Arts Academy

For students seeking highly personalized, ongoing, comprehensive instruction in the arts. Currently we offer piano, violin, viola, cello, organ, harp, guitar, flute, voice, choral, and mariachi studies.

For those interested in private music lessons, we have instructors in piano, violin, viola, cello, organ, harp, guitar, flute, and voice. Other instruments available upon request (subject to availability).

Our approach aims to train a well-rounded musician in a peer-supported environment.

Get in Touch Here

MUSIC LESSONS: Voice and Instrument Studies

For students seeking highly personalized, ongoing, comprehensive instruction in the arts.

Currently we offer piano, violin, viola, cello, organ, harp, guitar, flute, voice, choral, and mariachi studies.

Piano, violin, viola, cello, organ, harp, guitar, flute, and voice

Our approach aims to train a well-rounded musician in a peer-supported environment.

Fill out our inquiry form here

Get in Touch Here

Kids & Teens enrolled in piano, violin, viola, cello, organ, harp, guitar, and voice studies at the Community Arts Academy receive two weekly classes:  

  • Weekly private lesson with CAA Teaching Fellows with guidance from UH Moores School master faculty. Students may enroll in either 30-, 45-, or 60-minute lessons.
  • Weekly Saturday group learning experiences, which include:  
    • Musicianship classes that improve music literacy, music composition skills, improvisation skills, and collaboration skills.
    • Monthly performance classes with special guest teachers and supportive feedback from peers.
    • Monthly University Adventures that nourish curiosity and passion. Destinations include KUHF public TV and radio studios, the world class UH piano repair workshop, the UH college of Architecture, the UH Creative Writing Center, and other fascinating and inspiring places. 

All actively enrolled music students will receive free tickets to all UH Moores School of Music performances. 

Adult music studies students receive a weekly private lesson, plus opportunities to participate in monthly performance salons, online music theory courses, piano chamber music experiences, plus free access to special topics seminars.

All actively enrolled music students will receive free tickets to all UH Moores School of Music performances. 

Part 1

FOR ADULTS (16 and up). No prior experience required.

Master the fundamentals of piano playing in this fun and inspiring group music making class. Held at the UH Moores School of Music and led by a master piano teacher, this course delves into various musical styles, from classical to pop, fostering a comprehensive understanding of piano techniques.

Participants will delve into piano technique essentials, sight-reading skills, expressive playing, rhythmic precision, harmonic comprehension, and ear training.

Cost: $450 for ten hour-long group classes in the fall/spring or five 90-minute group classes in the summer 

Day and time: Mondays at 5:30 p.m. (fall/spring); Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. (summer)

Location: Moores School of Music, 3333 Cullen Blvd, Houston, TX 77004

Register Here

Part 2

FOR ADULTS (16 and up). Prerequisite for enrollment: Fundamentals of Piano Part 1 or 6-12 months of piano instruction 

This 10-week class helps beginner pianists build their skills and continue the musical explorations that began in Fundamentals of Piano Part 1.  Having already gained basic proficiency in music reading and keyboard technique, students in this class will expand their repertory of performable, beginner piano pieces in a variety of styles.  This class is designed to help beginner pianists reach new levels of musical excellence, while having fun in a supportive, social learning environment.   

Cost: $450 for ten hour-long group classes in the fall/spring or five 90-minute group classes in the summer

Day and time: Mondays at 6:30 p.m. (fall/spring); Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. (summer)

Location: Moores School of Music, 3333 Cullen Blvd, Houston, TX 77004

Register Here

FOR ADULTS (16 and up). No prior experience required.

Master the fundamentals of guitar playing in this fun and inspiring, ten-session group music making class. Jeremy Garcia, affiliate professor of guitar at the UH Moores School of Music, will introduce students to a variety of music styles, including classical, flamenco, jazz and American popular music, all employing finger-style methods.

Students will receive instruction in guitar technique, music reading, tone production, musical expression, rhythm, harmony, and ear-training.    

Cost: $450 for ten hour-long group classes in the fall/spring or five 90-minute group classes in the summer

Day and time: Mondays at 6:30 p.m.

Location: Moores School of Music, 3333 Cullen Blvd, Houston, TX 77004

Register Here

FOR ADULTS (16 and up). No prior experience required.

Discover the joy of singing in this engaging group class for adults (16 – up), held at the UH Moores School of Music. Led by an expert vocal instructor, this course introduces the foundations of healthy singing, including vocal technique, music reading, ear training, and expressive performance. Students will explore solo and group singing in a supportive and inspiring environment, building confidence and artistry along the way. 

Cost: $450 for ten hour-long group classes in the fall/spring or five 90-minute group classes in the summer 

Day and time: Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.

Location: Moores School of Music, 3333 Cullen Blvd, Houston, TX 77004

Register Here

For kids 5-6 years old. More information coming soon!

Community members (and UH students) are welcome to join our choir and mariachi ensembles. For more information on how to join a UH choir or mariachi, please fill out the inquiry form HERE.

Learn more about choir HERE.

Learn more about mariachi HERE.

For questions, please contact us at caa@uh.edu or 713-743-3398.

Registration occurs at the beginning of the fall, spring, and summer semesters. To learn more, please fill out the inquiry form HERE. 

After completing the inquiry form, pending teacher availability and/or placement interview, you will receive information about registration as well as other learning experiences offered by the Community Arts Academy.

Fall semester begins in August, spring semester begins in January, and summer lessons are flexible.

For additional questions, please reach out to us directly at caa@uh.edu or by calling 713-743-3398. 

Fundamentals Group Classes:
Semester Tuition
Fall/Spring/Summer Semester $450
 

Active CAA students receive free tickets to all Moores School of Music performances.

Payment plans available for fall & spring semesters.

  *University of Houston Students, Faculty, and Staff receive a 10% discount.
  **Currently Enrolled UH Students can apply for a Cougar Artist Scholarship for greatly reduced-price music lessons. Subject to availability.

Choir and Mariachi Studies:
Semester Tuition
Fall/Spring Semester $50

Active CAA students receive free tickets to all Moores School of Music performances.

Music and Instrument Studies:

Tuition includes a weekly private lesson, a weekly group experience at the University of Houston, and end-of-semester recitals.

Active CAA students receive free tickets to all Moores School of Music performances.

Fall/Spring Semester
Package Length		 Tuition 
(Includes 14 Lessons*)
30-minute lessons $945.00
45-minute lessons $1,207.50
60-minute lessons $1,470.00
Summer Semester
Package Length		 Tuition 
(Includes 7 Lessons*)
30-minute lessons $332.50
45-minute lessons $463.75
60-minute lessons $595.00

  *University of Houston Students, Faculty, and Staff receive a 10% discount.
  **Currently Enrolled UH Students can apply for a Cougar Artist Scholarship for greatly reduced-price music lessons. Subject to availability.

Payment can be at the beginning of the semester or in installments with an additional fee.

By Credit Card: You will receive an invoice e-mail from caa@central.uh.edu. Upon receipt of your invoice, pay by credit card using the link provided.

By Check: Personal checks should be made out to University of Houston. We cannot accept cash payments.

Deliver to: our office in MSM #120
OR
Mail to:
Moores School of Music
ATTN: CAA
3333 Cullen Blvd #120
Houston, TX 77204-4017

Camps, Workshops, and Festivals

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Our Community Arts programs are for everyone, aged 5 and up. 

Absolutely! Our Community Arts programs are for everyone, and most of our programs are beginner-friendly. Only our Piano Fundamentals Part 2 requires previous experience (Piano Fundamentals Part 1 or 6 months of previous piano instruction).

We offer the following discounts for students enrolling in private lessons:

  • UH Faculty/Staff/Student Discount: 10%
  • Early Registration Discount: 10% (dates vary depending upon semester, available upon request)

Available scholarships for private lessons:

  • Currently enrolled UH students can apply for the Cougar Artist Scholarship for private lessons. Subject to availability.

We offer payment plans for private lessons students in the fall and spring semesters only. Students can opt into one of several payment options:

  • Pay tuition in full before 1st lesson.
  • Pay 50% of tuition before 1st lesson and the remainder by September/February 15th.
  • Pay 50% of tuition before 1st lesson, 25% by September/February 15th, and remaining 25% by October/March 15th.

Payment plans are not available for the following:

  • Non-credit choir
  • Non-credit mariachi
  • Group classes (adult fundamentals group classes)
  • Cougar Artist Scholarship recipients

Community Arts Academy private lessons follow the UH semester schedule:

  • Fall: Begins late August (14 lessons)
  • Spring: Begins mid-January (14 lessons)
  • Summer: Flexible scheduling between June and early August (7 lessons)

Group class dates are listed in the class description.

To cancel your enrollment, please email us at caa@uh.edu as soon as possible. Cancellations made before the first lesson may be eligible for a partial refund, depending on the timing and program type. Once the semester has begun, refunds are not guaranteed and are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please refer to our full cancellation and refund policy for details.

Possibly! While we list our most commonly offered instruments and classes on the website, our faculty and teaching artists have a wide range of expertise. If you're interested in an instrument or discipline not currently listed, please reach out to us at caa@uh.edu. We’re happy to explore options and may be able to match you with an instructor or consider adding a new offering based on interest.

We know parking on a busy university campus can be a bit of a puzzle, but we’ve got options to help make it easier for our Community Arts Academy families:

  • Visitor Parking: You’re welcome to park in any designated visitor sections or garages on campus. These are pay-by-hour and can be paid via credit card or Text-to-Pay (instructions are posted at each location).
  • Event Parking: For some events, parking attendants will be on-site to help direct traffic and assist with payment.
  • CAA Student Parking Packages: We offer special parking packages just for our students, which include parking validations for use during lessons and events.

Heads-up about game days: During major campus events — especially home football games — parking can be more limited, and validations may not be accepted. We’ll do our best to notify families in advance when this might affect your visit, and we recommend allowing extra time to find parking on those days.

If you have questions about parking or want to learn more about our validation options, feel free to reach out to us at caa@uh.edu.

Before beginning private lessons, some students are invited to a brief Teacher Consultation Meeting. This is a relaxed, informal session — not a full lesson — where we get to know your musical background, goals, and learning style. It helps us match you with the teacher who’s the best fit for your needs.

There’s no pressure to perform; it’s simply a chance to connect, ask questions, and ensure a great start to your learning experience. If a Teacher Consultation Meeting is recommended for your registration, we’ll reach out to schedule it after you sign up.