FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
About Magdalena’s Piano School
1. What is Magdalena's Piano School LLC?
Magdalena’s Piano School LLC is a home-based classical music education company that extends beyond traditional piano lessons by bringing meaningful music learning into everyday life through thoughtfully designed educational materials.
Our purpose is to make high-quality classical music education accessible, enjoyable, and easy to incorporate into daily life for learners of all ages. Through gentle, thoughtfully designed materials, we help students develop musical skills, understanding, confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love of music.
Our materials are designed with flexibility in mind and can be used independently at home, as part of a homeschool education, or alongside instruction from a private music teacher.
What makes Magdalena’s Piano School distinctive is the way the mailbox becomes part of the educational experience. Rather than relying solely on another textbook, app, or conventional course, students can receive something tangible and anticipated in the mail—a musical letter inviting them to discover, listen, play, read, and create.
At the heart of Magdalena’s Piano School is a simple goal: to bring harmony to every home and inspire a lifelong love of music by making music a joyful and meaningful part of everyday life.
2. Who is Magdalena?
Magdalena is the founder and creator of Magdalena’s Piano School LLC. With a bachelor’s degree in music and years of piano teaching experience, she created Magdalena’s Piano School from her love of classical music, education, and family life.
As a homeschooling mother of nine, Magdalena understands the value of educational materials that are meaningful, beautiful, flexible, and easy to weave into everyday life. Her hope is to help families make music a joyful part of their homes and to inspire a lifelong love and understanding of music.
3. What programs does Magdalena's Piano School offer?
Magdalena’s Piano School LLC offers two educational paths: Magdalena’s Musical Mail Club and Magdalena’s Piano School Learning Bundles.
Magdalena’s Musical Mail Club is a classical music appreciation and music-literacy curriculum delivered through monthly musical letters. Learners explore carefully selected classical works through beginner-level play-by-ear piano pieces, listening activities, music history, composers, instruments, rhythm, melody, ear training, stories, and creative activities. Through these engaging musical experiences, students develop listening skills, build an understanding of musical styles and elements, and foster a lifelong appreciation for music.
Magdalena’s Piano School Learning Bundles are a four-level, progressive piano curriculum designed to guide students from complete beginners to confident, musically literate pianists. Each level features 50 carefully selected pieces that gradually build students’ piano skills. Through thoughtful review and natural repetition, this gentle, step-by-step curriculum builds a strong musical foundation at a comfortable pace while developing confidence, independence, and a lifelong joy of playing the piano.
Magdalena’s Musical Mail Club can be enjoyed on its own or alongside any level of the Piano School Learning Bundles, allowing learners to develop broader musical understanding and appreciation while continuing their piano studies.
Currently available: Magdalena’s Musical Mail Club and Magdalena’s Piano School Learning Bundles for Level 1: Music Around Middle C are available for purchase. Additional Piano School levels are in development and will be released gradually.
4. Which product should I choose?
If you want to enrich your everyday life with beautiful, traditional classical music, deepen your understanding and appreciation of music, and explore piano playing in a relaxed and approachable way, we recommend Magdalena’s Musical Mail Club. It is also a wonderful starting point for children around ages 4–8 who are showing an interest in music and beginning piano playing.
If you, your child, or your student is ready to dive in and learn the fundamentals of piano playing, we recommend starting with Piano School Level 1 Learning Bundles: Music Around Middle C, which introduces beginners to the foundations of piano playing and music reading. Typically, children around age 8 and older are ready for this more structured approach to learning.
Please note: Levels 2–4 provide the future progression of the Piano School curriculum but are not currently available for purchase.
Level 1 builds the foundation learners need before progressing to Level 2: Exploring the Keyboard. Once Level 2 becomes available, learners who already have some piano experience may find that it is a suitable starting point based on their existing skills.
Levels 3 and 4 are designed for students who can comfortably read music on the grand staff and play with both hands with confidence. Levels 3 and 4 may be studied simultaneously, as each has a different musical focus.
Level 3: Expanding Your Repertoire focuses on developing and expanding the student’s repertoire through classical piano compositions.
Level 4: Magdalena’s Chorale Collection focuses on chorale playing, where several independent musical parts, or voices, are played together, often resembling the rich four-part harmony of a choir. At this level, students move beyond primarily melody-based piano pieces and develop their ability to play richer, harmonized arrangements with multiple voices.
5. Are Magdalena's Piano School programs self-guided, or do they include live instruction?
Magdalena’s Piano School Learning Bundles and Musical Mail Club are primarily independent learning programs. There is no regular live student–teacher interaction built into the core products.
Magdalena’s Piano School LLC primarily provides self-guided music education materials that learners can use independently at home. While our core programs are designed for independent learning, additional instruction, tutoring, group classes, and other learning opportunities may be offered in the future.
The Piano School Learning Bundles provide the curriculum and progression —what to learn, what to play, and in what order— but they don't provide a teacher who meets with the student each week. A child can work with a parent, independently when developmentally appropriate, or use the materials alongside their own local/private piano teacher.
Similarly, Magdalena’s Musical Mail Club isn't a class taught by Magdalena. It's a self-guided music appreciation and literacy curriculum designed for individuals to explore at their own pace independently or use the materials alongside lessons with a private piano teacher.
Programs and Materials
6. What ages are the programs designed for?
Magdalena’s Piano School materials are designed for learners of many ages. Rather than being divided strictly by age or grade level, the best starting point depends on the learner’s interests, musical experience, and current skill level.
Magdalena’s Musical Mail Club is a multi-age music appreciation and music literacy curriculum designed for children, teens, adults, and families learning together. Younger children can enjoy classical music listening, stories, creative hands-on activities, and a gentle introduction to piano through simple play-by-ear pieces, with a parent helping them explore more advanced material as appropriate.
Older children, teens, and adults can engage more deeply with the music history, composer and instrument studies, musical concepts, and Listening Paths while enjoying the hands-on activities and piano pieces as well.
Although the piano component is gentle and approachable for beginners, it is also purposeful. Playing by ear develops important musical skills—including careful listening, rhythm and melody recognition, musical memory, pattern recognition, and the ability to translate what is heard into playing—that provide a meaningful foundation for more advanced piano study.
Piano School Level 1 Learning Bundles are designed for beginning piano students and require no previous piano experience. Older beginners are welcome to start with Level 1 as well.
Piano School Levels 2–4 are based primarily on musical ability rather than age. Students should choose their starting level according to their current piano-playing and music-reading skills.
7. Does my child need previous musical experience?
No previous musical experience is needed to begin with Magdalena’s Musical Mail Club or Piano School Level 1 Learning Bundles.
Magdalena’s Musical Mail Club is designed to welcome learners into the world of music through classical music listening, play-by-ear piano pieces, music history, composer and instrument studies, musical concepts, and creative hands-on activities. The piano pieces do not require previous music-reading or piano experience, making the Musical Mail Club a gentle introduction to both music appreciation and piano playing.
Piano School Level 1 Learning Bundles are also designed for complete beginners and introduce piano playing and music reading gradually through a structured, step-by-step progression.
Piano School Levels 2–4 build on previously developed piano-playing and music-reading skills. Because learners may come from different musical backgrounds, placement is based more on current ability than on how many years of previous lessons or experience a student has.
8. Do I need a piano to use Magdalena's Musical Mail Club?
A piano or keyboard is recommended, but it is not required to enjoy Magdalena’s Musical Mail Club. The curriculum includes classical music listening, music history, composer and instrument studies, Listening Paths, musical concepts, stories, and creative hands-on activities that can all be enjoyed without a piano.
However, each musical letter also includes simple play-by-ear piano pieces designed to provide a gentle and approachable introduction to piano playing. Having access to a piano or keyboard allows the learner to experience this part of the curriculum and develop important skills such as careful listening, recognizing melodies and patterns, musical memory, and translating what they hear into playing.
To receive the fullest experience from Magdalena’s Musical Mail Club, we recommend having access to a piano or keyboard.
9. What kind of piano or keyboard do I need for the Piano School Learning Bundles?
An acoustic piano or a digital piano with a full-size keyboard is ideal for the Piano School Learning Bundles. However, beginning students may also use a smaller electronic keyboard, particularly when working through the early stages of the curriculum.
As students progress, we recommend a full-size 88-key acoustic or digital piano with weighted, touch-sensitive keys and a sustain pedal. This allows students to develop proper technique, dynamics, expression, and pedal skills as the music becomes more advanced.
You do not need an expensive instrument to get started. The most important thing is having regular access to a piano or keyboard that allows the student to practice comfortably and consistently.
10. Is this a Snail-Mail Club?
Yes! Magdalena's Musical Mail Club and Piano School Level 1 Learning Bundles are currently delivered by snail mail. Piano School Level 2 will also be offered through monthly snail-mail Learning Bundles when it becomes available.
Each of these programs brings new educational music materials directly to your mailbox each month.
11. What will I receive when I subscribe to Magdalena’s Musical Mail Club or Piano School Levels 1 or 2?
You will receive a beautifully prepared printed musical learning letter delivered directly to your mailbox each month. The contents of each mailing vary depending on the program you choose.
Magdalena’s Musical Mail Club mailings include classical music appreciation and music-literacy materials, such as listening activities, beginner-level play-by-ear piano pieces, music history, composers, instruments, ear-training activities, and creative musical exploration.
Piano School Level 1 and 2 mailings include structured Learning Bundles with carefully sequenced piano pieces and supporting lesson materials that gradually build piano-playing and music-reading skills.
Each monthly mailing builds upon the program while providing new music and learning experiences to explore at your own pace.
12. Are digital resources included with the mailed programs?
Yes, select mailed materials are complemented by digital learning resources. Every Magdalena’s Musical Mail Club letter includes a QR code that provides access to an unlisted YouTube playlist featuring the music included in that month’s Listening Paths.
All Piano School Learning Bundles include QR-code access to an unlisted YouTube playlist where the piano pieces included in the Learning Bundle can be heard.
Some Learning Bundles may also include additional digital learning resources when they are helpful for learning or understanding the material. These additional digital resources vary from one Learning Bundle to another and are not required with every new piece.
13. How do I access the Listening Paths?
Magdalena’s Musical Mail Club letters include a QR code that provides access to the accompanying Listening Path through an unlisted YouTube playlist. Simply scan the QR code with a smartphone or tablet, or follow the provided link, to begin listening.
A standard YouTube account or YouTube Premium subscription is not required to access the Listening Paths. However, families who prefer an uninterrupted, ad-free listening experience may wish to use YouTube Premium.
Please note: YouTube Premium is an optional third-party service and is not included with your Magdalena’s Musical Mail Club subscription.
14. Do the monthly letters need to be completed within one month?
No. Although a new musical learning letter arrives each month, there is no requirement to complete the materials within a specific timeframe. Magdalena’s Piano School programs are self-guided and designed to allow learners to progress at a pace that works for them.
Some learners may complete a letter within a few weeks, while others may spend more time exploring the music, activities, and concepts or practicing the piano pieces. You are welcome to revisit previous letters and continue working with the materials even after the next letter arrives.
The monthly delivery provides a gentle rhythm and steady flow of new material without creating pressure to keep up with a fixed schedule.
15. Do you offer digital products?
Yes. Piano School Learning Bundles for Levels 3 and 4 are planned as downloadable digital Learning Bundles. Once released, they will be delivered electronically as PDF files after purchase.
16. How do Piano School Levels 3 and 4 work?
Piano School Learning Bundle Levels 3 and 4 are self-guided digital programs delivered as downloadable PDF Learning Bundles rather than monthly mailings. Each level consists of 10 Learning Bundles and features 50 carefully selected pieces.
Level 3: Expanding Your Repertoire focuses on developing piano skills and building repertoire through classical piano compositions.
Level 4: Magdalena’s Chorale Collection focuses on chorale playing, helping learners develop the ability to play richer, harmonized arrangements with multiple independent voices.
Levels 3 and 4 may be studied independently or simultaneously, depending on the learner’s skill level and musical goals.
Ordering and Subscriptions
17. What subscription options do you offer?
Currently, Magdalena's Musical Mail Club as well as Piano School Learning Bundles Levels 1 are available with monthly and prepaid annual subscription options. Piano School Level 2 is planned to follow the same monthly mailed format when it becomes available.
18. How do I order?
Simply choose your product and, when available, select your preferred subscription plan (monthly or prepaid annual). Choose your preferred payment option, enter the requested billing and shipping information, and complete your purchase.
19. Can I use ESA/ClassWallet funds to purchase Magdalena’s Piano School curriculum?
Yes. If you would like to use ESA funds through ClassWallet to purchase eligible Magdalena’s Piano School educational materials, we can provide an invoice for your purchase.
Please contact us with the program or curriculum you would like to purchase and the information needed for the invoice. Magdalena’s Piano School will prepare an invoice that you can submit through ClassWallet for payment.
Please note that eligibility and final approval of purchases are determined by your ESA program. Magdalena’s Piano School LLC cannot guarantee that a particular purchase will be approved.
20. How does the monthly subscription work?
Your first payment is processed when you subscribe. After that, your subscription will automatically renew each month on the same date you originally subscribed.
All monthly letters are mailed on or around the 15th of each month.
Orders received by the 14th of the month will receive that month’s mailing. Orders placed on or after the 15th will begin with the following month’s letter.
For example: If you subscribe on September 3, your first letter will be the September letter, and your next payment will be October 3. If you subscribe on September 21, your first letter will be the October letter, mailed around October 15, and your next payment will be October 21 for the November letter.
Each monthly payment includes one monthly letter. The subscription automatically ends after 12 monthly payments unless canceled earlier.
21. How does the prepaid annual subscription work?
The prepaid annual subscription is paid in full at the time of purchase and includes 12 months of printed musical learning letters, with one letter delivered to your mailbox each month.
Piano School Level 1 consists of 12 monthly Learning Bundles. The prepaid annual subscription covers the complete 12-month Level 1 curriculum and does not automatically renew.
Magdalena’s Musical Mail Club consists of 24 monthly musical letters divided into two 12-month cycles. The prepaid annual subscription covers one 12-month cycle and does not automatically renew. After completing the first 12-month cycle, subscribers who wish to continue with the second year may purchase another prepaid annual subscription for the remaining 12 monthly musical letters. After all 24 letters have been received, the Musical Mail Club curriculum is complete.
22. When will I receive my monthly musical letter?
Orders received by the 14th of the month will receive that month’s mailing. A new musical learning letter begins its journey to your mailbox around the 15th of each month, bringing fresh lessons, inspiration, and the joy of music into your home. Orders placed on or after the 15th will begin with the following month’s letter.
Please allow up to 10 days for delivery, depending on your location and local postal service.
23. How do I cancel my monthly subscription?
Monthly subscriptions may be canceled at any time to prevent future renewals. You may cancel your monthly subscription at any time through your customer account on our website. Simply log in to your account, open your subscription details, and select the option to cancel your subscription. Your cancellation must be completed before your next scheduled billing date to avoid being charged for the next monthly mailing.
Payments that have already been processed are non-refundable, and any musical letter associated with a payment already processed will still be prepared and mailed according to the regular mailing schedule.
Once canceled, no additional payments will be processed and no additional letters will be mailed beyond those already paid for.
Gifts and Multiple Students
24. Can I give Musical Mail Club or Piano School Learning Bundles as a gift?
Giving the gift of music is easy! Simply place your order as you normally would, enter your recipient's mailing address as the shipping address, and use your own information for billing.
You may also print a gift announcement to let your recipient know their musical letters are on the way. Their musical learning letters will then be delivered directly to their mailbox, bringing the joy of music month after month.
25. How do I order for multiple recipients at different addresses?
Place a separate order for each recipient, entering each person's mailing address at checkout. This keeps every subscription tied to the correct address.
26. Can I copy or share the materials with others?
Thank you for supporting Magdalena’s Piano School and the continued creation of beautiful, thoughtfully prepared music education materials. Each purchase or subscription is intended for one student, and we kindly ask piano teachers to encourage each student to purchase their own Learning Bundles or monthly musical letters. Individual purchases help support the creation of new music, lessons, and learning materials for families to enjoy.
Homeschooling families are welcome to make copies for siblings within their immediate household.
Public and private schools, piano studios, organizations, and other educational programs interested in using the materials with multiple students are invited to contact Magdalena’s Piano School LLC to learn about licensing options.
All Magdalena’s Piano School materials are protected by copyright and may not be copied, shared, or distributed outside of the permissions described above.
Policies and Shipping
27. What is your refund policy?
Because educational materials are reserved, prepared, and mailed throughout the subscription period, payments for both monthly and prepaid annual subscriptions are non-refundable once processed.
Monthly subscriptions may be canceled at any time to prevent future renewals. Payments already processed for an upcoming or current mailing are non-refundable.
Prepaid annual curriculum purchases may be canceled within 24 hours of purchase. After that period, prepaid annual curriculum payments are non-refundable because educational materials are reserved and prepared for the full 12-month curriculum period. Prepaid annual subscriptions do not automatically renew.
Digital products, including downloadable PDF Learning Bundles and other digital materials, are non-refundable once purchased due to the nature of digital content and immediate electronic delivery. If you experience a technical problem accessing or downloading your purchase, please contact us, and we will be happy to assist you.
If a physical shipment is lost or damaged in transit, please contact us. Eligible lost or damaged shipments will be replaced when appropriate.
28. Do you ship internationally?
Currently, we ship physical products within the United States only. We are working toward making Magdalena’s Piano School programs available internationally and hope to welcome learners from around the world in the future.
If you live outside the United States and are interested in our programs, we invite you to join our email list at www.magdalenaspianoschool.com to be among the first to know when international ordering becomes available.
29. What happens if my letter is lost or damaged in the mail?
Please allow up to 10 days for delivery, depending on your location and local postal service. If a shipment is lost or arrives damaged as a result of transit, please contact us, and we will gladly send a replacement when appropriate.
We recommend providing a secure, weather-protected mailing location whenever possible. Once a shipment has been successfully delivered to the address provided at checkout, Magdalena’s Piano School LLC is not responsible for loss or damage that occurs after delivery, including damage caused by weather, pets, children, vehicles, or other circumstances at the delivery location.