Level One (Blue) - This program signifies a student’s formal acceptance into our Academy! The student will attend a weekly private lesson and possibly a 1 hour group lesson in addition. At this level,  the student will begin their formal training in appropriate techniques, basic music theory and sight reading skills.  (Foundation Building Stage of Programs) Level One lasts for a 6-month term (25 lessons from date on enrollment).

Level Two (Green) - At Level Two, the student will continue to attend a weekly private lesson in addition to a one hour class/group each week. This level also lasts for a 6-month term. Students will receive practice CDs for both private and group lessons and will be expected to use these CDs to continue to develop their practice habits at home. At the discretion of the instructor, the student will begin playing along with pre-recorded tracks in preparation for involvement in BAM’s ensembles and lab bands. Our students are also introduced to harmony at this level.

Level Three (Red) - This phase of training consists of 2 six-month terms, increases the weekly private lesson time and grants the student eligibility into BAM’s ensembles and Elite Lab Bands. The student attends a weekly private lesson along with the potential to audition for one of BAM’s lab bands. At this stage the student should have a clear understanding of basic music theory and basic sight reading skills.  This program will begin to develop the student’s soloing and improvisational skills by having the student participate in groups comprised of different instruments that cover a wide variety of music genres (Classical, Country, Jazz, R&B, Rock, Western Swing, etc.).     

Level Four (Silver) - At this level, the weekly private lesson time is in addition to the Lab Band classes. This program focuses on intermediate soloing and improvisational skills, and adds additional instruction on harmonizing, intermediate music theory, arranging, composition and stage performance techniques. The student will also begin to learn about basic sound physics. Level 4 also lasts for 2 six-month terms.

Level Five (Gold) - This is a 2 term program consisting of weekly one-hour advanced private lessons along with participation in BAM’s elite ensembles and lab bands, and Advanced Music Theory. This program continues to advance the student’s harmonizing skills and knowledge of intermediate music theory, composition, stage performance techniques, and understanding of sound physics.  At this stage the student should be able to perform intermediate soloing and improvisational techniques.  The student will begin to learn transcription/transposition, basic conducting, basic recording techniques, recording of software studies, and required compositional pieces. The student will also be required to attend special live-stage training field trips and will also be introduced to additional instruments (new) and taught the basics of their techniques. The student will have the opportunity to watch actual studio recordings and to record their choice of performance material in BAM’s recording facility.  CDs of the student’s selected performance will be available for friends and family.   

Star Elite (Purple) - This program is available to BAM students that have successfully completed all 5 of the previous program levels. In this exclusive phase of high-level training, the student attends an advanced weekly one-hour private lesson along with participation in BAM’s Elite Ensembles/Lab Bands, and Advanced Theory classes. The student will receive advanced training in transcription, transposition, conducting, recording techniques, recording of software studies, and required compositional pieces.  At this stage the student should exhibit intermediate harmonizing skills and have a sound understanding of music theory, composition, arranging, stage performance techniques, and sound physics in order to move on to the advanced training level in the same areas. The student will learn intermediate studio engineering, band/session leading skills, booking and promotion techniques, and music business management and teaching skills.  The student will receive special backstage privileges and will be featured performing on-stage at one or more venue performances.  The student will have the opportunity to record on one or more recording studio projects and will be listed on the album’s credits.