Take private online lessons from the world's best professional musicians.
Whether you're a beginner or a pro, alumni teachers from the prestigious Aspen Music Festival and School are waiting for students like you – only on Forte!
Founded in 1949, the Aspen Music Festival and School is the preeminent classical music festival in the United States, noted both for its concert programming and its musical training of exceptional musicians. The typical eight-week summer season includes more than 300 classical music events—including concerts by four orchestras, solo and chamber music performances, fully staged opera productions, master classes, lectures, and children’s programming—and brings in 100,000 audience members.
Your goals. Your talent. Your dreams. Entrust them to a teacher who knows what it takes to reach the highest levels of musicianship.
Forte’s partnership with the Aspen Music Festival and School offers you unprecedented access to elite musicians who are eager to share their skills and knowledge with students of all levels.
Meet some Forte teachers.
Annamarie Wellem
AMFS alumni teacher
Cello lessons
Annamarie Wellem is currently pursuing her master's degree at the Cleveland Institute of Music and is a graduate of Rice University, where she earned her bachelor's with former Houston Symphony principal Desmond Hoebig. Originally from Chicago, she received her training at the Music Institute of Chicago Academy where she studied with Tanya Carey and Hans Jorgen Jensen. She has sat principal of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Fringe Opera, and Cleveland Pops Orchestra as a substitute cellist.
On her teaching, she says, "In my studio I foster a love for music above all else and believe that a strong technical foundation is essential to reach our full expressive potential. I emphasize body awareness, problem solving, curiosity, mental resilience, and good practice habits– things I think help us to create an enjoyable and sustainable relationship with playing. Ultimately, I hope to give my students the tools to take charge of their own musical growth! I truly love teaching, and I have found working with students to be some of my most fulfilling experiences."
Elizebeth Barnes
AMFS alumni teacher
Voice lessons
Elizebeth is a graduate of The Hartt School of Music (University of Hartford) with a Masters in Voice Performance and Literature from the Eastman School of Music. She's sung professionally with The Santa Fe Opera, The Annapolis Opera, Maryland Lyric Opera, The Atlanta Opera, Fort Worth Opera, Sarasota Opera, and The Aspen Opera Theater. A DMV resident since September of 2019, she has a flourishing studio of avocational and young professional students. She's a third generation opera singer and educator, following in the footsteps of her paternal grandmother and mother.
On her teaching, she says, "As a teacher I strive to cultivate an environment where students dare to explore their voices, develop a confident stage presence, and spark curiosity about musicality and repertoire. I want all my students to enjoy the work and process of building their vocal technique. Having fun while fostering an understanding of the voice is the focus of my teaching. I want students to understand optimal breath, phonation, and resonance so that they will grow no matter what their vocal goals might be. I want my students to perform music they are passionate about, and I encourage the exploration of less familiar genres."
Bryce Leafman
AMFS alumni teacher
Percussion lessons
Bryce has performed around the world as the Assistant Principal Timpanist/Section Percussionist of the San Francisco Symphony and has taught students of all ages across the country. Prior to winning his position with the San Francisco Symphony, he was the Principal Percussionist of the Billings Symphony and has also performed with the New World, Omaha, and New Hampshire Symphonies and the Boston Philharmonic, among others.
As a teacher, he has held titles of Director of Percussion Studies at San José State University, Director of a private music school where he taught 12 percussion ensembles, and has had over 25 private students on both classical percussion and drum set. He has held teaching fellowships at the New England Conservatory of Music, Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and Aspen Music Festival and School.
Why take lessons from an Aspen Music Festival and School alumni teacher?
- AMFS verified alumni teachers are among the top musicians in the world and perform in some of the most prestigious orchestras, opera companies, and ensembles on the globe.
- Having participated in AMFS programs of study ranging from orchestra, solo and collaborative piano, opera, conducting, composition, brass quintets, classical guitar, and more, AMFS alumni are experts at their craft and at the top of their field.
- AMFS verified alumni teachers have taught in AMFS Education programs and been recommended by the AMFS’s Dean of Students, ensuring the highest level of teaching experience and ability.
Forte’s video conferencing tool offers radically better audio quality and other features purpose-built for learning music.
The Royal College of Music and Berklee College of Music have offered programs on our platform.
Forte's Dedication to Excellence
All levels welcome
Forte is a great place for beginners and advanced learners alike. No more stage fright from classroom lessons - with one–to-one online lessons, you can learn at your pace with the personalized attention of your dedicated music teacher.
Flexibility
Online music lessons offer more scheduling flexibility, allowing students to learn at a time that is convenient for them.
Safety & convenience
We pride ourselves in providing a safe online environment where students take classes from their own home.
Personalization
We believe every musician is unique, and their learning experience should be too. We know that working with a teacher who feels exactly right for you makes all the difference. That's why we ask questions about what you want from your lesson experience to intentionally connect you with teachers who align with your skill level, your musical goals and aspirations, and your budget.
The best online learning experience
Forte Pure Audio is our proprietary audio environment that uses state-of-the-art technology to revolutionize online music learning. With Forte Pure Audio, the most human and expressive aspects of music making, like tone color, dynamics, articulation, inner pulse, and musical nuance, are no longer sacrificed because your lesson is online.
Fair Pricing
We strive to enhance music accessibility by offering affordable pricing options.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who are the Aspen Music Festival and School Verified teachers?
Aspen Music Festival and School Verified alumni teachers are musicians who have attended and performed at the Aspen Music Festival and School. They have been verified by the Aspen Music Festival and School to teach on Forte.
- How much does it cost to take lessons with a Aspen Music Festival and School Verified teacher?
Aspen Music Festival and School verified alumni teachers are premium teachers on Forte and start at $100 per one-hour lesson.
- To take lessons on Forte, what do I need on the tech side?
Forte makes it easy to learn online and doesn’t require any special equipment. All you need to get started is a laptop/desktop computer and the Chrome browser OR an iPad with the Safari browser.
- What instruments can I learn on Forte from the AMFS Verified teachers?
Forte offers a wide variety of instruments, including all Western classical instruments, composition, songwriting, and more – we are always adding new instruments. If your instrument is not listed, please email us at info@fortelessons.com.
- Why is Forte the best platform for online music lessons? What makes Forte superior to other online lesson platforms?
Forte was purpose-built for online music lessons, with help from some of the world’s top conservatories. With tools designed to disappear rather than distract from your lesson experience and Forte Pure Audio, our industry-leading audio that captures the full richness of sound, you can focus on doing your best learning online and getting the most out of your lesson experience.
- What if I don’t like my teacher?
Forte makes it easy to find a teacher who meets your needs and will help you become the best musician you can be.
If you take an introductory lesson with a teacher and it’s not the right fit, you can easily review other teacher profiles to find the right teacher for you by clicking Browse Recommended Teachers in your Profile tab.