My 5, 7, and 8 year old children have been fortunate to take piano lessons with Jacqueline Banks. Mrs. Banks has such a caring and patient nature with the children. Its amazing what the children have able to learn in such a short amount of time. I am truly impressed and excited to see their continued progression! My 8 year old child is also taking voice lessons with Ms. Siera who takes a very nurturing and supportive approach to voice coaching. I have noticed a marked difference in my childs technique and confidence when singing, and she loves her lessons with Ms. Siera.

Great Piano lessons for our 5yo. Very inviting teachers and our daughter really looks forward to the classes. Their teaching style is very positive and encouraging - love this place!!

My family has been learning piano from Jacqueline Banks at the National Conservatory of Arts for about 3 years now and LOVE her. My son started with her when he was 2 years old. He is almost 5, getting really good and still loves her classes. I started more recently. Jacqueline has seemingly infinite patience with the little ones, but also has a knack for knowing how to change course with lesson plan to keep them engaged and learning. With me, she has challenged me to learn pieces I would never expected to be able to play. It’s been an eye opener for me and really fun! I highly recommend their program!

The Conservatory is a prefect place to get music lessons. My sons have been learning piano from the Conservatory of Arts with Ms. Jacqueline Banks since 2015. They started with summer camp and then continued with private piano lessons. She is a wonderful teacher who is very patient while teaching kids. My sons love her private lessons. They have improved a lot through the past 5 years. When I hear them playing the piano, it makes me happy and proud of my sons.

Our daughter started taking piano lessons at the Conservatory when she was 6. It has now been four years and she loves her weekly lessons. Ms. Jacqueline is an excellent teacher who is very patient. Even when Covid made in-person learning impossible, Ms. Jacqueline pivoted to online without missing a beat.We are so pleased with our daughter’s growth and enjoyment with piano. I highly recommend.

Fantastic music program! The National Conservatory of Arts has served as a musical lifeline for our family. Our daughter, June started at the Conservatory through its after-school program nearly three years ago, where she participated in small group music lessons for drums, piano, and cello. For nearly two years, the Conservatorys cello instructor, Mr. Walker provided small group lessons for June and another student once a week as part of this program. His instruction and motivation helped nurture Junes original interest in cello.In March 2020, the coronavirus pandemic hit and schools closed, leaving many parents scrambling to help their children cope with the stress of social isolation. I immediately reached out to the Conservatorys director, Ms. Banks to determine how we could continue cello instruction virtually, never imaging how long the school shutdown would actually last. Ms. Banks commitment to music instruction and learning came through. She demonstrated tremendous flexibility and creativity in her efforts to make weekly lessons work, despite the uncertainty stemming from the early days of the pandemic. In less than a week, Ms. Banks arranged for virtual cello instruction with Mr. Walker.In this past year, June has flourished as a young cellist, learning scales, hand positions, and mastering more difficult pieces. We owe many thanks to Mr. Walker, Ms. Banks, and the Conservatory for making these weekly cello lessons happen through Zoom. This virtual music instruction has been an integral part of her mental health and musical growth during this most difficult year. It has served as one of the few positive and enjoyable constants in our daughters life. As I listen to Junes cello music fill our house with beautiful sound, I cannot imagine how we would have managed without the support of the National Conservatory of Arts.

Conservatory is a wonderful place. My 10 year olds been there for 2 years now. He started with the summer camp and continued with the after school program. Learning is structured (but not so much the kids would notice!), and I was quite impressed that they include history of music and music theory in the after school program. As he got more serious about the piano, we got him private lessons in addition to the group ones (during the after school hours, which was very convenient). The lessons are amazing! Miss Jackie is incredibly patient and very invested in the kids she teaches.

I have been taking piano lessons with the Conservatory for the past five years. It has truly been a pleasurable experience working with my teacher, Jacqueline, and I look forward to our weekly lessons. If you want to learn to play the piano, I highly recommend using the Conservatory. The lessons are engaging and fun and the instruction from Jacqueline is always encouraging and thoughtful.

My experience at the National Conservatory of Arts has been amazing. Right now Im learning how to play the piano. My instructor is very nice and caring. I deeply appreciate the kindness and hope to continue classes in the near future.

Learning piano as an adult, after 20 years of not playing any instrument, has been a wonderful addition to my life. In 30 lessons, I have gone from learning basic notes to now playing Beethovens Moonlight Sonata. Thanks to Jacqueline for her flexibility and patience in helping me learn and grow despite a busy work schedule!

Awesome school. Also offer adult lessons.

The National Conservatory of Arts provides effective voice lessons which has helped me to develop a lot. I have been able to sing for my friends, in small recitals, and other performance-related things. I would definitely recommend this to a friend, 10/10.

Ive attended adult piano classes at the National Conservatory of Arts for two sessions thus far, and my experience has been overwhelmingly positive! Scheduling has been extremely flexible and accomodating, and the in-session support Ive received has strengthened my piano skills and guided my at-home practice. I definitely recommend!

ZERO STARS! This is the first review I’ve ever written, took me a while because I couldn’t believe how poorly I was treated. Usually I brush bad customer service off by not returning but this is a special case.I paid for a full month of lessons for 2 instruments and she stole every penny of it. Bad energy, lies on top of more lies and no regard for my efforts and patience. Before I paid her I got calls and text right away. After I paid her she stopped responding to me, and when we finally did speak she sent me another bill and tried to flip everything on me like it was my fault. It wasn’t. In no way shape or form was any of this my fault. She got my money I got nothing and she tried to play the victim. I can’t speak for any of the other instructors but Do not patronize this woman Jacqueline Banks...she will not respect you or your money. This woman didn’t do anything she said she could do...she misquoted a price then wanted me to pay for her mistake. She disappeared on me twice and did nothing to remedy the issue but to say get over it and let’s start over. Maybe that’s ok for some, but right is right and wrong is wrong. Adults try and do things to fix their mistakes, none of those things exist with this woman. Still can’t believe this happened but hopefully this review will send people in a different direction. Don’t send this woman any of your hard earned money. She may steal it.

Hi highly recommend the National Conservatory of Arts to anyone, especially adultsz who are interested in learning how to play the piano. I started group adult lessons prior to th COVID Pandemic and meet Jacqueline Banks through my cousin who had started taking lessons in 2019. Group lesson rates are very reasonably priced and Jackie is great at encouraging students to find their own spin on songs we want to learn.When the pandemic limited in person classes, NCA was really quick at changing how lessons were done, switching to a virtual one-on-one format, which has worked out really well!

The National Conservatory of Arts is an outstanding nonprofit organization that meets all of my music education needs for me and my family. I love the adult piano and voice classes, and both of my children participate in their music-based after school program. THEY ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT THERE< AND CRY WHEN I COME PICK THEM UP. My oldest daughter even stared in their musical theater productions - IT WAS AWESOME! I cant say enough wonderful things about them except - LOVE EM.

My daughter takes violin at the facility on 16th street. She loves having class with her friends from school. I didnt know there was an after school program, so I am considering enrolling my daughter in the program. But, I am writing this to orient everyone about a music school that I think is the Districts best kept secret. My daughter is reading music after her first week. This is something that my wife and I have tried for months, moving from teacher to teacher with no results. I am well pleased that my daughter can enjoy learning music in a children friendly facility thats within walking distance from our home. I am glad we got a chance to enroll in the program this year, and not having to be placed on a waiting list. I would recommend National Conservatory of Arts to all who wants their children to learn and have the opportunity to compete at the regional competition with the Royal Conservatory. Great kept secret!

My 6yr old daughter is in Ms. Jackies level 1 violin class. Ms. Jackie is very patient, attentive, and often goes the extra mile to ensure each child gets their lesson. Lessons are scheduled for an 1/2 hr, but Ms. Jackie regularly gives extra lesson time at no cost to parents. She is passionate and committed. My wife and I are lucky to have found such a gem of a teacher.

I attended an introductory session with them in August 2019 and was looking forward to continuing until I received the most immature, unprofessional email from their director which even included name calling because she felt I offended her. Seriously? Name calling at this age? They may be able to teach you or your child music, but don’t expect any professionalism, maturity, respect or civility from them. It’s a shame what a negative light she has shone on her organization.

It is truly a privilege and pleasure to write a review about this program! My 14-year old godson, who I am raising, loved every aspect of this program. The directors are a multi-talented, incredible couple who function with the highest level of integrity, professionalism, and creativity as well as with true care, consideration and sensitivity for their program participants. I fully commend the directors and their staff for operating this excellent program and enthusiastically recommend it for anyone looking for a quality performing arts program for their children!

My seven year old son loves the program and he has improved in his academics through him learning music. Learning music at NCA helps with academic learning. The staff is exceptionally experts in helping my son and other fellow children enrolled in the program. I strongly recommend the national conservatory of arts because it works.

The director of this school insulted and threatened my husband when he complained about her changing the schedule at the last minute. DO NOT RECOMMEND. Very rude and unprofessional...

My experience at the National Conservatory of Arts was amazing. They taught many classes like voice, piano, guitar, and dance. The instructors were very nice and caring towards myself and the other students that they taught. Your kids will love this camp!!

Bad customer experience.I enrolled my 4 years old daughter to music lessons with the National Conservatory of Arts on Thursday 8th of August using their website and I paid online an enrollment fee of 115$.However, I was surprised not to receive any follow up email to confirm the enrollment of my daughter or any follow up email to provide information about the start date of the class and to confirm availability of my preferred time for the class “Saturday morning”.The next day Friday 9th of August, I called the school many times and I left voice messages but no feedback. I did the same on Saturday 10th of August.On Monday 12th of August, I called again and I sent an email using their website contact box and still no feedback. The same day, I decided to go visit their location in their NE location in DC. I was there at 5pm. Next to the door of the church, I found a man who told me that there was nobody in the conservatory in the 3rd floor and he let me go up to check by myself. When I came down, he told me that the conservatory is going to move to a new location soon.With no visibility about what was going on, I started to doubt the professionalism of this music school and at the same time I had to make a decision; either wait more and see or make a decision to move with another school and finalize my daughter’s schedule. I made a decision on Tuesday 13th, to enroll my daughter with another school and I got a confirmation email from this new school the same day.On Wednesday 14th of August at 10.52 pm, I received an email from Jacqueline from the National Conservatory of Arts, apologizing for the delay on returning my calls and emails, and following up on the enrollment. When I explained that the time was sensitive for me and I had to enroll my daughter in another music school because I did not hear back from her for a week and I asked for a refund, she refused the refund and suggested a credit store instead because the refund was not allowed as mentioned in the online enrollment form. Also, to justify her late follow up, she said that I registered for a class that starts in September. Based on her judgment, if I register for a class that starts in a month from now, it is OK that I do not receive any confirmation email or any follow up email for a week and it is OK that nobody responds to my phone calls and voice messages for a week.I am writing this long review so other parents, who want to organize their kids schedule properly and in advance, do not face the same issue. I honestly think that they owe me a refund. I decided to enroll my daughter in another school not because I changed my mind but because they were not professional in managing an on-time communication.________________________________________________________________________In response to Jacqueline comment below : true she emailed me, but that was for the first time on Wednesday 14th of August at 10.52 pm apologizing for her late response to my calls and emails. Also, she called my husband for the first time on Thursday 15th of August who was in a business trip.I took the decision to move forward with another school on Tuesday 13th of August after many failed attempts to reach out to her through phone, email and even visit to the school location. The new school sent me a confirmation email and a follow up email the same day for a music class that started on Saturday 7th of September.In my case, it was her lack of communication that caused all this issue. For her time was not sensitive, for me as a parent who wants to organize her daughter saturdays schedule in advance time was sensitive. I will not accept the credit store and I still think that she owes me a refund.

My daughter attends the CCMP program at National Conservatory of Arts.This is an after school program she attends M-F. However, there aresome days when the District schools are not in session, and the director, Jackie allows for me to drop my daughter by walk-in at the facility. When, I thought that was bit of a stretch, I was approved to allow my daughter to have her speech lessons at National Conservatory of Arts. The program is of great value to our community. Thanks Jackie!

We are lucky to have such wonderful music teachers in our community. Thank you so much!

Overpriced. They wont tell you how much the total costs of attending class is until after you paid for it. Once you pay for lessons, you also have to buy the book (around $20) and the administration fee ($30). The admin fee does not seem to be a one time fee if you stopped and try again.

I enjoy being a student of NCA. After, winning the Royal Conservatory Competition last year, I am focused of winning again this year with a more complicated piece. I plan to taking courses at Julliard through NCA this summer to help me learn the piano at a deeper level.

My daughter has been with the Comservatory for 3 years. Super excited her piano certification exam next weekend.