University of South Florida

College of The Arts

University of South Florida

USF Community Music Project

USF Community Music Project logo

CMP at the University of South Florida School of Music

The USF Community Music Project supports our community’s children and adults of all ages and levels to experience and grow through music. We believe music is essential and transforms lives.

  • We foster engagement with music and the arts through cultivating skills, understanding, and artistry
  • We offer equitable and inclusive music making and learner-centered arts experiences
  • We promote social and emotional connections between music creation, consumption, and the human condition

Through this program, USF Artist-Faculty and USF music majors offer private lessons, classes, workshops, and events for everyone interested in enjoying and creating music. These opportunities are available for students of nearly all ages (7 and higher) and all levels, ranging from complete beginners through very advanced. Our instructors specialize on the instruments they teach.

*To join Our Community, please complete our Interest Form (one per student) for more information, or contact us if you have questions.

Stay connected to CMP! Become a Community Music Project Newsletter  Subscriber to hear our latest news and programs, learn about our community events, and receive special offers.

NEW: beginning August 1, all USF students, staff, and faculty qualify for a 10% discount! 

NEW: we have extend this discount for all US Veterans! See our interest form for details.


SPRING CLASSES 2024: Tampa Campus (Tution: $210 for 10 classes unless otherwise noted). All begin the first full week of February 2024.

  • NEW! History of Rock: Saturdays, 10-11 AM.  Learn the history of rock music.  We will start with the roots including blues , jazz , and rockabilly, then travel  through the British Invasion, hard rock and heavy metal, prog rock, and into modern rock music. We will have audio and video examples as well as some live demonstrations to see how the music has developed over 70 years. Feel free to bring your guitars or other instruments to learn some of the most iconic riffs! With Jazz Guitar Faculty, Prof. LaRue Nickelson. Ages 14+. First Class: February 10.
  • NEW! What in the World is World Music? Saturdays, 11:30 AM. From Indigenous hip hop to Indian tabla drumming, from Scandinavian metal to Caribbean carnival, this listening-focused survey course provides an informed overview of global traditions of music—how they developed and how they have influenced one another. Moving between regions and genres, as well as the traditional and contemporary, this course will also feature a number of lecture-demonstrations and is designed for both adults and children (6th grade and above). With Dr. Berthie Kibreah. First Class: February 10.
  • Chamber Music for high school students and adults: Monday evenings. Taking lessons but looking for a way to play in a small group? Searching for a way to have a conversation with others through music? Register for this section and we will match up chamber groups, or small ensembles, that will play together and rehearse with an instructor who will coach the group each week. Everyone practices their music individually, and the semester culminates with a performance! For all instrumentalists who have made music for more than three years. Groups for high school students, and groups for adults (not combined). 10 weekly coaching sessions for 75 minutes with a Community Music Project instructor. Submit a video recording (link on the interest form) where you play the F Major scale (2 octaves preferred, articulated ascending, slurred descending), and a short excerpt of your choice that best demonstrates your playing. Informal concert. First Class: February 5.
  • Youth Beginning Group Piano:  Mondays, 4-5:15 PM. 8 classes, for ages 7-12. This course is for young students with little to no prior experience playing the piano. Co-taught by Matthew Roxas and Enhui Shen. First Class: February 5.
  • Adult Beginning Group Piano:  Mondays, 5:30-6:45 PM. 8 classes, for adults.. Always wanted to play piano but just never had the chance? Or have little experience, but would like to learn with a community in a positive and nurturing environment? Then this is for you! Co-taught by Matthew Roxas and Enhui Shen. First Class: February 5.
  • Video Game Music Orchestra: Tuesdays, 7:30-8:45 PM (beginning February 6), with a final "performance" at the last class meeting. Recreate the soundtrack from “Mario Kart” in the Video Game Orchestra! This mixed ensemble is open to a variety of instrumentation, including string, woodwind, brass and percussion players. 10 Rehearsals will prepare members for an interactive concert at the end of the semester that combines music with live audience gameplay. Susan Lindemann, director. Ages 14+. First Class: February 6.
  • Join Community University Singers at USF Tampa, Wednesdays 2-3:15 PM.  Perform repertoire from across cultures and styles, no audition necessary! These rehearsals start up the first week of classes (in January). With Prof. Latoya McCormick-Hutchinson. First Class: January 10.
  • Flute Choir for middle and high school flutists: Wednesdays, 6:15-7:30 PM. For all middle school and high school flutists! Meet Wednesday evenings to play fun music together, learn more about the flute, and have an informal concert for family and friends. Submit a video recording here where you play the F Major scale (2 octaves preferred, articulated ascending, slurred descending), and a short excerpt of your choice demonstrating your playing. Kimberly Vega, director. First Class: February 7.
  • Oboe Reed Making Class: Fridays at 12 PM, beginning in February. $65. Learn to make and adjust your own reeds with proven guidance. Supplied by this course: lighting, clamps, sharpening stones, and expertise! Bring your own tools and supplies. With Oboe Faculty, Prof. Amy Collins.

OUR GIFT TO THE COMMUNITY CLASSES - FREE! Tampa Campus 

  • Anime Piano Arranging Class: Wednesdays, 5 PM 10 classes. Requirements: some piano experience, a good ear for listening (instrumentation, registration, form, harmonies, melodies, & rhythms); recommended: identify your preferred song/piece/soundtrack music from Anime/Japanese films (optional). With pianist and class creator, Matthew Roxas.  First Class: February 7.
  • ALLA Breve Flute Festival Ensemble, Spring Edition: details will be announced soon; open to flutists of all ages, who have played at least one year. We’ll play music with parts on a variety of levels to keep everyone comfortably engaged (distributed ahead of time so you can practice on your own). With support from Alry Music Plublications. Music will be distributed in advance. Rehearsals: Wednesday, March 27 and April 3, 6-7:30PM; Friday, April 5, 5-7 PM, and April 6 (time TBA). Performance at the USF Flute Festval, April 6!
  • USF Flute Festival: April 6. Join us for this all-day event featuring Dr. Jennifer Grim, flute professor at the University of Miami. Interactive classes, workshops, and performances by area flutists, including the Alla Breve Flute Festival Ensemble! With support from USF ResearchOne

Classes fill on a first-come, first-served basis. To register, complete our interest form

Directions and parking information 

Some of Our Previous Gift to the Communtiy Classes

USF Flute Lesson Scholarship, Fall 2023 with USF Flute Professor, Dr. Arnone: this opportunity is competitive, and available to a school-aged student who has not been able to take flute lessons, but has a strong interest in making music. Ten 30-minute lessons, beginning the week of September 11. Lessons will be at USF or online. A commitment to practicing and attending are required. 

Fall Anime Piano Arranging Class: some piano experience, a good ear for listening (instrumentation, registration, form, harmonies, melodies, & rhythms); recommended: identify your preferred song/piece/soundtrack music from Anime/Japanese films (optional). 

All-State Mock Audition Double Reed Day at USF: Sunday, August 27, 1-4 PM (Tuition: FREE). USF Professors Amy Collins (oboe) and Fernando Traba (bassoon) present an afternoon for those preparing oboe and bassoon All-State materials. 

USF Flute Summer Fast-Track with Dr. Francesca Arnone: level-up your summer flute practicing, June 10, 9 AM - 4:30 PM (Tuition: FREE). Join us one-day intensive to carry  you through your summer studies! Including breathing and centering, the summer warm-up, scale slam, hitting those money notes, FBA etude overview, understanding rhythms, and sight-reading. For high school flutists (with FBA Prep + more, those entering grades 9-12 in Fall 2023); with a follow-up on August 27.

Summer Alla Breve Flutes Community Flute Ensemble with Dr. Francesca Arnone. Sundays in June: June 4, 11, 18, from 7-9 PM (Tuition: FREE). Open to flutists of all ages, who have played at least one year. We’ll play music with parts on a variety of levels to keep everyone comfortably engaged (distributed ahead of time), with an informal presentation on our final day! With support from Alry Music Publications

Shades of Broadway The Wiz with Prof. Allyssa Jones, Director of USF Vocal Ensembles: Wednesdays, 7-8:30 PM. 10 one and a half-hour classes. Each semester this course will focus on a show created by underrepresented composers on Broadway. Spring 2023 will be The Wiz; open to singers and instrumentalists of all ages and levels.  Now accepting new students through February 1.

SOLD OUT FOR SPRING 2023! Beat Club for Music Production with Mr. Kenrick Wagner, Director of the USF Commercial Music Program (beat making with DAWs and Midi controllers): Wednesdays, 5-6 PM. 10 one-hour classes. High school to adult / ages 14+. Create your own hip-hop/EDM/video game beats using online sounds, digital audio workstations, and midi controllers. Learn about EQ, sequencing, and arranging sounds using industry standards. Explore how to create a business with your beats. Ten classes, beginning January 25.

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