SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION OPEN!

Sign up for Music Lessons!

SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION OPEN! Sign up for Music Lessons!

Finding joy in musical exploration

Music Lessons

...for children, teens and adults!

Who are Songbird Music Lessons for?

Anyone aged 3 to 103! No music experience required, no need to own an instrument. All you or your young person needs is a desire to make or explore music!

Instruments

  • Exploration and Beginner levels:

    Guitar, Piano, Voice, Ukulele, Mandolin, Hand Drums, Drum Set, Percussion, Strings, Recorder, Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, French Horn, Songwriting, Music Reading/Theory, Home Recording and more!

  • Intermediate level: Voice, guitar, Piano, Mandolin, Flute, Music Reading and Theory.

  • Affordable short-term instrument rental available for some instruments.

Scheduling & Location

  • In-person lessons in South Philly near 19th and Porter.

  • Online lessons for some musical interests/instruments.

  • Daytime & afternoon lesson times

  • Weekly and biweekly options

Investment

$30 for 30 min lesson

$45 for 45 min lesson

$60 for 60 min lesson

Sliding scale arrangements are available upon request. Group lessons and class investments vary. Please contact me for details.

Why choose Songbird Music?

Songbird musical experiences are rooted in my belief that we are all musicians and we all deserve to find joy in making music. Everyone comes at music from a different angle; I meet students where they are and support them in on their own musical journey.

Summer Camp 2024

Song in a Week Camp

…small group music camp for tweens.

Music micro-camp in South Philly for young people ages 9-12. 7 spots available. Write, play and record a song with a group in a week. Prior musical experience singing or playing an instrument is welcome but not necessary.

The camp week will include:

  • individual music coaching

  • songwriting

  • creating cover art

  • play/sing/record music as a group

  • instrumental and vocal exploration.

  • games

  • socializing with peers

  • outside time

Camp Dates & Times:

July 22 - July 26, 2024

Monday - Friday

9 am to 3 pm

*before/after care optional for extra charge.

Location:

19th and Porter in South Philly

Cost:

$300/wk

*Sliding scale available

About Songbird Music

Songbird Music lessons and classes are focused on the enjoyment of making music and following the curiosity, passions and personality of the individual.

Some students gravitate to a more traditional method book and focus on learning one instrument. Many students explore many different instruments before deciding to focus on one or learn to play several different instruments. Still others are drawn to writing music or recording or altering sounds to make music or learning to play songs they listen to. Still others may be interested in playing in a group with others or singing while playing an instrument. Each of these is a valid way of exploring music and can fit a wide variety of learners.

As an unschooler, I believe in life long curiosity, learning and following your passions as well as the importance of finding what makes you happy as a person, for many if not all of of us, music improves the quality of our lives. I teach music through this lens.


Meet Songbird Music Teacher, Bethany

  • Songbird Founder Bethany Cann

    Bethany Cann

    Owner, Music Teacher

  • Hi! My name is Bethany Cann (she/her), music teacher and owner of Songbird Music. I started teaching music in Philadelphia over 20 years ago. Before opening Songbird Music in 2016, I taught music in the School District of Philadelphia for 12 years and taught private music lessons. I have a Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Marywood University where I majored in voice and minored in piano and a Master of Music Degree from Boston University. I am also an experienced childcare provider and homeschool evaluator.

    Exploring through music is one of my lifelong learning pursuits. Since I was a child, I have loved learning about various places and cultures through music as well as collecting and learning to play lots of different instruments. Over the years, I learned to play many instruments including flute, saxophone, ukulele, mandolin, guitar, drum set, hand drums and many more. I own a large collection of musical instruments that can be accessed by my music students. Singing is the musical medium that I most connect with and through which I can best express myself. I love to help my students find and develop their own favorite musical mediums. South Philly is home and where I enjoy an unschooling lifestyle with my 5 and 10 year-old sons. In my free time, I love to sing and write songs. One of my current joys in life is singing harmony and playing flute, mandolin and guitar in the South Philly based band, Porter Street.

Questions before you register?

Click the button below to email me with questions and inquiries!

Location

Songbird Music is located on the first floor of a private home in the beautiful tree-lined neighborhood of Girard Estate in South Philly.

Close access to Rt 76 and Rt 95 as well as the 17 Bus.

During lessons, caregivers can sit in the room, in a separate room, on the front porch or can leave for an errand or walk and come back for pickup.

The home has 6 steps to enter and the first floor bathroom is very small.

Take a walk or get some errands done while kids are in music lessons!

Parents of music students often visit:

Donatucci Library a block away, Girard Park 2 blocks away, Acme 2 blocks away, Aldi, Barry Playground 3 blocks away, Staples for Amazon returns and much more.

What Songbird Students Say…

  • "I've recommended Bethany to everyone I know! My daughter has been taking bi-weekly guitar lessons with Bethany for almost a year and loves it. Bethany is amazingly supportive and encouraging of my daughter's interest in guitar specifically and music in general. She is such a patient and gentle teacher and has taught my daughter so much in such a short amount of time. Bethany's knowledge and range in music styles and instruments are added bonuses to the warm and inviting space she's created for music exploration. -PD"

    -PD

  • "I have been taking classes since October and I'm really enjoying it! Bethany is such a great teacher, so guitar class is always something to look forward to. I think that it's so cool that Bethany plays so many instruments. And I really like the song selection that we work on together! -JR, 8

    -JR, 8

  • "Bethany is really good at teaching me, she's really fun while she does it!

    CR, Age 9