About
Music is a powerful expression of one's soul and, as such, can shape us emotionally, intellectually and spiritually.
Onalaska Music Academy endeavors to cultivate all aspects of musicianship, technique and performance as a means to achieving pleasing, aesthetic results.
Music theory, sight reading, ear training and sound music fundamentals are thoroughly taught at Onalaska Music Academy to provide a basis for musical expression and performance skills.
Onalaska Music Academy is committed to achieving technical excellence so every student may enjoy the beauty of music that reaches the soul.
Director - Lynn Maher
Onalaska Music Academy (formerly known as Spicer Music Studio) was formed in 2008 by Lynn Maher. OMA was located on Critter Court in Onalaska and that was its home for 3 years. Lynn began her business with primarily piano instruction, then added violin and guitar from 2009 to 2011.
Wanting more exposure, Lynn decided to move to 1288 Rudy Street. 2011 continued to be a year of growth and voice instruction was added. In 2015 Drum was added to the studio instrument options. Now in 2022 OMA has continued to add instructors to the point where two teachers cover each instrument. In 2020, we relocated to 1052 Oak Forest Drive to accommodate our continued growth and added online capabilities to support our in person lessons.
Lynn's musical journey began with 7 years of piano study with Barbara Clark Byler during her junior/senior high school years in her hometown of Appleton, WI before continuing her college education at Bob Jones University. Ms. Byler was a Julliard and Oberlin graduate and studied with Rosina and Josef Lhevinne. Barbara Byler had many stories to tell about her classmate, Van Cliburn and her years of study under such fine teachers. Those years of study with Ms. Byler gave Lynn a wonderful musical foundation.
Lynn is a lifetime member of Tri-M (Modern Music Masters) Honor Society. She was the Treasurer of the Appleton, WI chapter when it was formed in 1969. She has soloed with the Freeport Chorale, White Heron Chorale and Fox Valley Symphony.
"I love what I do", says Lynn. "I feel that the combination of teaching piano and being an entrepreneur was a challenge in 2008 and continues to fulfill and inspire me. Seeing the growth of my studio from its inception has been wonderful."
In addition to being the director and instructor of Onalaska Music Academy, Ms. Maher frequents the local tennis courts, swims, weight lifts, walks her 4 miles on alternate tennis days and is an avid reader. She is a WSMA adjudicator and, most importantly, continues to sing and play piano.
Testimonials
"All of the staff at Onalaska Music Academy have been wonderful to work with. My instructor, Irene, has both challenged me and helped me improve. It has been a great experience!"
- Student -
“Lynn does a very good job pushing Ali to develop her piano skills and get the most out of playing piano.”
- Parent -
Here's what our clients say
“Mrs. Maher's musical knowledge and patience with our kids lead us to choose OMA for piano lessons. Our kids have excelled under her guidance.”
- Parent -
"This is the best place for music lessons in the Onalaska/La Crosse area. We've tried three other music schools as well as two separate teachers who would come to our home, and Onalaska Music Academy is by far the best. Not the cheapest, but the results speak for themselves. I have three girls all learning different instruments - trumpet, flute and piano - and there's no other music school that can accommodate all three, let alone all on the same day with overlapping times. The instructors are super-accommodating and for the first time, my girls actually look forward to going to their classes and they don't give me grief when I ask them to practice. And I love being able to look into the classroom through the glass door and watch them from time to time. And their Saturday makeup lesson program is awesome."
- Parent -
“I am very grateful for Onalaska Music Academy - Mrs. Maher emphasizes the fundamentals of piano, which has helped my daughter not only sight read but also challenge herself with new pieces. Having to practice daily has taught her discipline and responsibility, which translates to her schoolwork.”
- Parent -
“OMA helped get me where I am today because the teachers push me with each song and give me confidence as I grow older.”
- Student -
“Mrs. Maher's musical knowledge and patience with our kids lead us to choose OMA for piano lessons. Our kids have excelled under her guidance.”
- Parent -
“I like that I can sing with my teacher.”
- Student -
“I think it’s fun to do lessons. It’s also fun to wait for your turn...so you can listen to all of the music.”
- Student -
“Taking music lessons has helped out alot in school and gives me something to do when I am bored. Thank you OMA!”
- Student -
“My Voice teacher is very nice and very kind. He is also very funny.”
- Student -
“Mrs. Maher (Piano) will give you all the tools you need to be the best musician you can be!”
- Student -
“I really like lessons because piano is really cool and Mrs. Maher is really nice!”
- Student -
“I have an amazing teacher and I’ve learned so much from him since I’ve started taking voice lessons. He also makes it fun to learn. I love taking my lessons here.”
- Student -
Studio Policies
INSTRUCTOR’S VACATION:
There are four non-teaching weeks built into the academic year. These weeks are those of Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. The week of Christmas will vary depending on what day of the week Christmas falls. In addition, each teacher is allowed two vacation weeks of their choosing, during which the studio may provide a substitute teacher, or you may select a make-up lesson day/time depending on the availability of other instructors.
TUITION:
Is paid by automatic withdrawal on the 28th of every month (ACH or EFT). If the 28th lands on a Saturday or Sunday, tuition will come out on Friday. A $30.00 fee will be assessed for insufficient funds.
There is a one-time-only REGISTRATION FEE of $25.00 per family to be paid at the time of registration.
MAKE UP LESSONS:
The studio will expect notification if a student must miss a lesson or recital due to illness, vacation, etc. This notification may be given in person, over the phone, via email, or on the MyMusicStaff program. Refunds will not be issued for student cancellations. Lessons cancelled by teachers will be made up. We are offering make up lessons for our clients if they are unable to attend their regularly scheduled lesson. You can sign up for make-up lessons through MyMusicStaff, or by contacting the studio. Make-up lessons do not have to be taken the same month as the absence and do not expire so long as you are an active student.
DISCONTINUED LESSONS:
To discontinue lessons and to discontinue charges to your account, a withdrawal form must be completed and submitted to the studio no later than two weeks prior to that pull date of the ACH. Tuition is not prorated for the last month nor are refunds given for students missing their last month. No exceptions will be made for relocating, illness, etc. Your agreement is with Onalaska Music Academy, not with an individual instructor, and the studio reserves the right to replace teachers who leave with another qualified instructor without notice to the students.
INCLEMENT WEATHER:
Always assume the studio is open if schools are closed due to inclement weather. We will call/email each student if we need to close due to bad weather. Please check your voicemail and emails or call the studio if you are unsure. Notice may also be given through MyMusicStaff which may come through as a text alert.
PERFORMANCE/
COMPETITIONS:
As a member of WMTA and WSMA, Lynn Maher and other teachers who are members, can provide many opportunities for those students desiring performance situations or competitions. Information and dates relative to those events will be announced well in advance. Some events may require advance fees. There are 8 seasonal studio recitals, and often student recitals are conducted at public venues.
FOOD and BEVERAGES:
No food and beverages (including gum and candy) are allowed in the studio. Please keep the waiting area clean and in order for everyone. On inclement days, please remove your shoes and place them in the coatroom. Plan on bringing indoor shoes or slippers on those days. It is helpful if you keep your voices at a lower level as the teachers are trying to focus on their students with as few distractions as possible.
LESSONS/TUITION:
Enrollment in Onalaska Music Academy entails a year-round commitment from the beginning of September to the end of August. However, your commitment is calendar month to calendar month, paid in advance on the 28th of the preceding month. Notice of withdrawal must be received no later than two weeks prior to the monthly fee pull date.
Each student will have the opportunity to receive 48 half-hour lessons during this period. Lessons will be given on all holidays except Memorial Day, Labor Day, Christmas, and Thanksgiving unless noted. Students who terminate lessons during the summer months will not be guaranteed a day/time in the fall with their current teacher. Continuity and progress can only be achieved for musicians with regularly scheduled lessons on a monthly basis. To ensure this, the studio reserves the right to provide a substitute teacher without prior notice.