Palaver Music Center

Built by the ensemble. Taught by professional musicians.

Five programs for ages 0 to 12+. Sliding-scale tuition. Downtown Portland. Faculty are professional musicians. The standard comes from an ensemble that plays Carnegie Hall.

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Financial aid available for all families regardless of income level.

PMC student in strings lesson with Palaver musician

Photo: Yoon S. Byun

Why PMC Exists

Access and excellence aren't in conflict. If they ever were, access would win.

PMC runs two tracks under one roof. A pathway track for students pursuing serious musical advancement — high expectations, strong curriculum, faculty who are actively performing at a national level. A community track for students seeking long-term musical participation and belonging — different benchmarks, the same standing.

Both tracks share performances, events, and community. The distinction is about goals and expectations, not about status. Families choose their track knowingly, with honest communication about what each requires.

Classical music has a history of exclusion. PMC exists to change who walks through the door — not by lowering standards, but by removing every other barrier: financial, geographic, and cultural.

PMC faculty are professional musicians. The artistic standard governing their teaching comes from the same organization that has a Grammy nomination and performs at Carnegie Hall.

Five Programs · Two Tracks

Find the right program for your child.

Ages 0–4
Early Childhood Music
Year-round · Weekly

Music and Movement for the Youngest Learners

Weekly music-and-movement classes for children ages 0–4 and their caregivers. Focused on musical play, rhythm, and the joy of sound — appropriate for children from birth through Pre-K. Offered year-round at our childcare partner sites throughout Portland.

Ages 0–4 Caregiver participation welcomed Year-round at partner sites Sliding-scale tuition
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Pre-K
Introduction to Strings
January – May

A First Experience of String Playing

Group classes introducing Pre-K students to violin, viola, and cello. Children learn the basics of holding an instrument, producing sound, and playing simple pieces together — in a community setting that makes the learning social and joyful. Offered January through May.

Pre-K (ages 4–5) Violin, viola, cello Group format January – May Sliding-scale tuition
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Grades K–4
After-School Strings
October – May · Weekly

Private Lessons from Professional Musicians

Weekly private lessons in violin, viola, and cello for students in kindergarten through fourth grade. Taught by professional musicians whose artistic standard comes from an ensemble that performs at a national level — not teaching assistants, but working performers. October through May.

Grades K–4 Violin, viola, cello Private lessons, 30 minutes weekly October – May Sliding-scale tuition
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Carnegie Hall
Lullaby Project
Three sessions · Rolling

Write a Song for Your Baby

Initiated by Carnegie Hall and carried by a small number of ensembles nationwide, the Lullaby Project brings pregnant people and new parents together with professional musicians over three sessions: reflection, songwriting, and recording. Every participant leaves with a professional recording of the original song they wrote for their child. Palaver partners with the Opportunity Alliance to reach families who may not otherwise access this kind of program.

Pregnant people and new parents Three sessions Professional recording included No musical experience required Carnegie Hall initiative
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Songwriting
Lifesongs Project
Multi-session · Rolling

Your Story, Your Song

A co-creative songwriting collaboration between professional musicians and storytellers from Portland's LGBTQ community. Participants work across multiple sessions to transform personal histories into original music — which is then recorded and performed. The songs belong to the people who wrote them. These are not exercises; they are lasting artifacts.

LGBTQ community members Multi-session collaboration Professional recording included No musical experience required
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Access Policy

Access is the design, not the afterthought.

PMC was built to lower every barrier between children and music education — financial, geographic, and cultural. We know that cost alone can keep families away, which is why financial aid is available for every program, for every family that asks.

If you want your child to be in PMC and aren't sure you can afford it, reach out. We'll figure it out together.

Sliding-scale tuition

Pay what you can. Our tuition scale means cost is not a reason to stay home.

Financial aid — no application required

Tell us what you can pay. We will work with you to make it happen.

Downtown Portland location

380 Cumberland Ave, Floor 2 — transit-accessible and at the center of the city.

Partner site programs

Early Childhood Music meets at partner childcare sites across Portland — closer to where families already are.

Professional instruction

Your children learn from professional musicians. Not teaching assistants — working performers whose standard is set by an ensemble that plays Carnegie Hall.

Find Us

Visit the Music Center

Palaver Music Center

380 Cumberland Ave, Floor 2
Portland, ME 04101

info@palaverstrings.org

Our dedicated teaching space on Cumberland Ave is on the second floor of the building at the corner of Cumberland and Mellen — transit-accessible and at the heart of Portland.

Meet PMC Faculty →
Questions

Frequently asked.

Does my child need prior musical experience to join?

No. All of our programs — including After-School Strings — are designed to meet students where they are. Beginners are welcome at every level. For the Lullaby and Lifesongs projects, no musical experience is required or assumed.

How does sliding-scale tuition work?

We offer a tuition scale based on household income. When you enroll, you'll see the range — choose the amount that reflects what your family can genuinely afford. If nothing on the scale works for you, reach out directly at info@palaverstrings.org and we'll work something out. Cost is never a reason to say no to a child who wants to be here.

Who teaches the lessons?

Your child's teacher is a professional musician. PMC is built and run by Palaver Strings — the organization with a Grammy nomination that performs at Carnegie Hall. Some ensemble musicians teach at PMC; all PMC faculty are working professionals accountable to the same artistic standard that governs the stage. That's not incidental — it's the whole idea.

Do I need to provide an instrument?

For After-School Strings and Introduction to Strings, students will need access to an instrument. We can help connect families with instrument rental options in Portland. Reach out to us and we'll point you in the right direction.

When do programs run and how do I sign up?

Early Childhood Music runs year-round. Introduction to Strings runs January–May. After-School Strings runs October–May. The Lullaby and Lifesongs projects run on a rolling basis. To enroll or make a payment, visit our Square enrollment page, or email us at info@palaverstrings.org with questions.

Is the Music Center connected to the Palaver Strings ensemble?

Completely. PMC is not a separate organization — it was built by the Palaver Strings ensemble and shares the same leadership, artistic culture, and expectations. Palaver Strings Inc. is a single 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates both the ensemble and the Music Center. Some ensemble musicians teach at PMC; all PMC faculty are professional musicians. The community programs serve the same families who attend concerts. There's no institutional distance between any of it.

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