Giving your child music lessons is one of the best investments you can make. Beyond the most obvious benefit of opening the door to a lifetime of music appreciation and personal accomplishment, studies have shown that music lessons increase a child's IQ and enhance academic performance. A Canadian study featured in Forbes concluded that after nine months of weekly training in piano or voice, young students' IQs rose, on average, three points more than their untrained peers. In the words of a recent Los Angeles Times article: "Learning to make music (and not merely listening) changes the brain and boosts broad academic performance." Other research shows that playing an instrument has a positive effect on learning math and foreign languages.

Some other often-overlooked benefits of music instruction are:

• Enhanced Hand-Eye Coordination, dexterity and motor skills: playing the piano is a physical activity requiring muscle development and development of motor skills.
• Improved Concentration and Discipline – learning to play the piano requires concentration, focus and discipline - abilities that equally important to academic achievement and success in life.
• More Confidence and Self-Esteem
• Improved School Performance
• "Renaissance" Children – music lessons broaden a child's intellectual curiosity and artistic accomplishments.