Mount Olivet School of Music & the Arts
A Musical and Artistic Resource for the Whole Community
Where music and art come alive—igniting your spirit!
The Mount Olivet School of Music & the Arts (MOSOMA) nurtures creativity and inspires artistic growth in students of all ages and abilities through private music lessons and engaging art classes.
Our dedicated music teachers offer exceptional one-on-one instruction in a warm, supportive environment, helping each student build confidence and develop their skills, whether they’re beginners or more experienced musicians.
In art classes, students explore a variety of visual art genres while learning together in a creative, community-centered setting. Through painting, drawing, and mixed media, you will discover new techniques and build confidence in expressing yourself visually.
If you are interested in more information about private lessons, please fill out the Interest Form or contact the School of Music and the Arts at 612.767.2262 or by email. Discover your creativity, find your community — join MOSOMA!
About Private Lessons
MOSOMA currently serves over 270 students of all ages across 27 studio instructors. Since 2003, students from across the metro have enjoyed the professional, quality instruction, the inviting atmosphere, and the location convenience of Mount Olivet.
MOSOMA students typically register for 30-minute, weekly lessons for the duration of a semester or term:
- Fall Semester: September – December (12-15 weeks)
- Spring Semester: January – May (14-17 weeks)
- Summer Session: June – August (9-11 weeks)
Individual instructors may have slightly varied schedules, which are communicated during scheduling. For advanced students, joint lessons, or students studying certain instruments, longer lessons may be recommended (45-60mins).
The majority of lessons take place Mondays through Thursdays between 3-8:30pm, but some additional days and times are available. While returning students receive priority during term registration and scheduling, we work to ensure as many students’ schedules can be accommodated as possible.
Lesson costs vary by instructor and range from $30-$45 per half-hour lesson.
Enrollment is always ongoing as space is available and tuition is prorated for the remainder of the term. If you would like to proceed with scheduling & registration or check in on availability, please fill out the Private Lesson Interest Form.
Further questions? Check out our FAQ sheet below, then contact the MOSOMA Coordinator at mosoma@mtolivet.org.
Lesson Offerings and Instructors
Lessons are offered for kids through adults! Find instructors at MOSOMA for the instruments below.
Lesson Interest Form
To begin the scheduling & registration process or to request more information, please fill out the private lesson interest form. The MOSOMA Coordinator will connect with you as soon as possible!
Note: A parent or guardian’s name, email, and phone number is required for students under the age of 18.
Art Classes
Paint Like Paul Cezanne
Monday, August 10, 6-8pm, Mpls Campus, $40
Art Class: Drawing Basics
Tuesday, September 22, 6-8pm, West Campus Youth Center, $45
Art Class: No Fear Oil Painting – Fall Colors
Tuesday, October 27, 6-8pm, Mpls Campus, $45
Art Class: Gouache Koi Pond
Monday, November 16, 6-8pm, Mpls Campus, $45
Art Class: Rosemaling Ornament
Tuesday, December 15, 6-8pm, Mpls Campus, $45
For more information, or to be put on the email list, contact MOSOMA at mosoma@mtolivet.org.
Art Instructor
Vanessa Merry
Vanessa Merry moved to Florence, Italy at the age of eighteen to study the methods of the great masters in painting, drawing, and printmaking at Palazzo Spinelli. From here she continued her education and exploration of the human-figure, still-lifes, and landscapes at Atelier de Chimere in France where she enjoyed Plein-Air painting in the French countryside. She moved back to the United States where she attended and graduated from the University of Minnesota in Visual Arts and Art History.
She has been actively involved in the Twin Cities art scene for many years. Vanessa Merry has won several awards for her paintings in local galleries. She was the President of the Robbin Gallery in Robbinsdale, Minnesota and worked for WARM (Women’s Art Resources of MN).
Vanessa currently enjoys creating works of art in many different styles, but finds herself happiest when she is in the classroom teaching others all the skills that she has acquired in her studies.