Kat Starr Music
‘Bringing Out the Musician in You’ since 2009, KSM is a family-owned music school based in Cookeville, TN.
We offer private lessons on a wide array of musical instruments, voice, songwriting, music theory, and more!
Open to ages 4 through retired, we specialize in beginner-intermediate players of all ages.
We want to help you on your musical journey!
‘Bringing Out the Musician in You’ means:
We Teach Without Shame. No gatekeeping here, we know that everyone learns best with support.
We Meet You Where You Are. Beginner or advanced, 5 years old or retired, we tailor lessons to you.
You Are Already a Musician. Our slogan is ‘Bringing Out the Musician in You,’ because we believe that everyone is born a musician, capable of achieving great things with the right guidance.
Automatically receive 30% your first trial lesson!
Try a no-obligation Trial Lesson, with the option to book ongoing lessons.
Enjoy the option to learn multiple instruments with your instructor
Longer 45-minute lessons with a qualified KSM Teacher
60-minute Expert Lessons with Kat Starr
Hybrid option available - come in person or online!
TWO Ways to Learn
Expert Lessons with Kat Starr
Don't worry, you don't have to be an expert for these lessons! It simply means that Kat has a Degree in Music Education and has been teaching at a high level since 2009, and can get you where you're going FAST.
In Expert Lessons, you'll enjoy 60-minute lessons 3 X per month. Kat will teach you:
Music theory - Learn what you need to know for a foundation on your instrument.
Solid technical foundation - Learn skillful, pain-free movement and release tension WHILE you play.
The songs you love - to help you get where you want to go musically.
Appalachian tunes - get ready for fiddler’s jamborees, and learn the tunes of Tennessee.
Classical - from Bach to church hymns, enjoy a classical approach.
Americana/Singer-songwriter - get help writing your own songs, and learn how to make covers your own
Fakebook fast track - learn melodies and chords to start making music quickly!
Worship - as a former choir director and church music leader, Kat knows how to help Lay Leader or Professionals lead with more spirit.
KSM Teacher Lessons
Kat Starr Music Teachers have been hand picked for their skill and dedication to bringing out the musician in you.
Most KSM Teachers are former students of Kat Starr, meaning they are imbued with Kat’s values, dedication to shame-free teaching, and have the music theory and technical skills to take you FAR on your instrument!
Inside KSM Teacher lessons you will receive:
45-minute lessons, almost 4 X per month. Longer lesson times than most school.
Supportive, kind instruction - we value each student’s musical journey.
Supervision from Head Teacher, Kat Starr - ensuring students are on track for a comprehensive, tailored lesson experience.
Hybrid option - proudly using Opus1 integration, you have the ability to:
Have complete online control of your account.
Cancel, Schedule, Reschedule lessons online.
Attend lessons virtually when you choose.
Why trust us with your musical education needs?
Here’s what our students say:
What sets us apart?
Longer lesson times
Most schools only teach 30 minute lessons. Enjoy 45 minutes with KSM Teachers, and hour-long Expert Lessons with Kat Starr. This extra time allows for relaxed learning, more instructional time, and thorough understanding of musical concepts!
Online Booking & Hybrid Lessons
Kat Starr Music proudly uses Opus1, a music school management software that allows you to have complete control of your lessons online!
View subscriptions, lessons, and makeup credits from your phone or computer! Opus1 also allows you to attend lessons VIRTUALLY when needed, in addition to coming in-person.
Switch Instruments without Switching Schools/Teachers
We believe that everything we learn on ONE instrument makes us better musicians on ALL instruments. While most schools lock you into one instrument, we allow (and encourage!) you to learn multiple instruments with us! Our teachers are skillful multi-instrumentalists, and enjoy keeping you engaged in learning.
Two Formal Recital Opportunities per Year
KSM offers Fall Recital at the Cookeville Performing Arts Center. We make the experience as comfortable as possible, with exceptional teacher support and accompaniment.
Our Spring Virtual Recital gives students the chance to record their performances with teacher support and share them live on Zoom. It’s a favorite for our out-of-town students, and friends and family love being able to ‘attend’ from anywhere.
Spring VIRTUAL Recital, 2023