School of Musical Traditions

School of Musical Traditions is a music school in Calverton, MD. It offers personalized private lessons, group classes and workshops, jams and open mics, and faculty concerts. Students can study one-on-one with professional teaching artists across a wide range of instruments, genres, and traditions, including traditional folk, rock, blues, pop, jazz, and classical. Lessons are offered for all ability levels, from beginners picking up an instrument for the first time to players working toward more advanced goals, and the school serves students of every age who want to make music for their own enjoyment as well as those pursuing careers as performers, teachers, and recording artists. The school holds a rating of 4.9 from 71 reviews.

The School of Musical Traditions was created to expand the lesson program of the House of Musical Traditions, a fixture in the Washington, D.C. area music scene since 1972. Teaching covers a broad range of musical interests and abilities, and the school is committed to inclusivity, welcoming students regardless of race, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or age. Beyond private study, students can take part in recurring jams and open mics for the student body and the wider community, and attend concerts featuring the faculty. Among the named staff and affiliates are Beatrice Blumenthal in student relations, who teaches students of all ages and levels with a focus on making lessons comfortable and engaging, and office manager Emily Monahan, who has performed in a variety of musical ensembles. Prospective students can reach the school by phone at (240) 690-1910 or by email, and the staff assists with teacher placement to match each student with the right instructor.

The school's rating reflects the experiences of families and adult students who describe the faculty as knowledgeable, professional, and welcoming, and who note that children and beginners are able to play recognizable pieces in a short time through lessons built around the student's own musical interests.