Hovland Conservatory of Music
Hovland Conservatory of Music is a Minnesota-based nonprofit music school founded in 1968, delivering private piano and violin instruction to PreK, K-12, and adult students through a proprietary curriculum and certified teachers. It operates more than a dozen studio locations across Minnesota, Arizona, and Illinois, with online lessons available nationwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1968
- HeadquartersMinneapolis, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Hovland Conservatory of Music does
Hovland Conservatory of Music is a nonprofit private music school founded in 1968 by Mary Hovland in Blaine, Minnesota and formally incorporated as a 501(c)(3)-style nonprofit in 1995. The school delivers piano and violin instruction from PreK through adult age groups, organized into three core programs: Mini Mozarts (PreK preparation, $75/month), private K-12 lessons ($165/month after a $99 starter package), and adult individual lessons ($145/month for 30-minute sessions). The organization also operates a Pedagogy Training Certification program ($99/level) that certifies adults to teach using Hovland's method, creating a secondary revenue stream and an internal teacher pipeline. All programs are unified under a single proprietary curriculum.
The school's core technology asset is "The Conservatory Course," a standardized piano and violin curriculum developed over more than 30 years and organized into Levels 0-9, emphasizing technique, music reading, and music theory from day one. The curriculum is supported by daily online lesson videos authored by the curriculum director, an interactive student website (imahovland.com), and a parent portal (parent.hovlandconservatory.org). Lessons are delivered via certified instructors either in-studio at neighborhood locations or online through a live one-on-one format using Hovland's "Exact Instruction" methodology. Online lessons are available nationwide and internationally.
Hovland's go-to-market combines direct-to-consumer in-studio delivery with a community-led referral motion driven by parent testimonials, student performances, and word-of-mouth. Marketing channels include the hovlandconservatory.org website, Vimeo-hosted student performance videos, parent testimonials, and inquiry forms leading to Zoom admissions meetings. The school operates more than a dozen physical locations across Minnesota, Arizona, and Illinois, and is led by four members of the Hovland founding family — Mary Hovland (Curriculum Director), Peter Hovland (Business Director), Andrew Hovland (Program Director), and John Hovland (General Manager) — with no external parent company, institutional investment, or public listing disclosed.
Hovland Conservatory of Music firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hovland Conservatory of Music
- Legal name
- Hovland Conservatory of Music
- Website
- https://hovlandconservatory.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1968
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Hovland Conservatory of Music is a Minnesota-based nonprofit music school founded in 1968, delivering private piano and violin instruction to PreK, K-12, and adult students through a proprietary curriculum and certified teachers. It operates more than a dozen studio locations across Minnesota, Arizona, and Illinois, with online lessons available nationwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hovland Conservatory of Music industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Private Music Instruction
- NAICS
- Fine Arts Schools (61161), Fine Arts Schools (611610)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Private Music Lessons (Instrumental) (EDAMANAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir) (EDAMANAC), Early Childhood Music Education (Ages 0–7) (EDAMANAD)
Keywords
Where Hovland Conservatory of Music is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Minneapolis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices11 records
Markets served
Hovland Conservatory of Music business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel
Revenue model
- Monthly Tuition - K-12 Private Lessons: Recurring monthly subscription at $165/month for weekly 30-minute private lessons. Includes weekly lessons with professional instructor (in-studio or online), daily online lesson videos, proven system with clear assignments, flexible scheduling, unlimited make-up lessons, and multiple performance opportunities.
- Monthly Tuition - Adult Private Lessons: Recurring monthly subscription at $145/month for weekly 30-minute private lessons, with 45 and 60-minute options available. Includes certified teacher guidance and steady support toward personal goals.
- First-Time Student Starter Package: One-time introductory offer at $99 covering first four private lessons, first set of music books ($20 value), and annual membership ($30 value). Represents $195-$215 value. No long-term commitment required to start.
- Annual Membership Fee: $30 annual membership fee per student, included in starter package for first-time students. Provides access to online resources and ongoing curriculum support.
- PreK Mini Mozarts Classes: Monthly tuition at $75 for weekly PreK preparation classes. Classes prepare children entering kindergarten for piano or violin through movement, songs, and games.
- Pedagogy Training Certification: Teacher training program at $99 per level, offering online classes on methodology and pedagogy, books by level with access to training videos, individual training in playing and teaching techniques, and achievement certification assessments.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | K-12 Private Lessons: $99 starter, then $165/month |
| Subscription | Monthly | Adult Private Lessons: $99 starter, then $145/month |
| Subscription | Monthly | PreK Mini Mozarts: $75/month |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Pedagogy Training: $99 per level |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Hovland Conservatory of Music product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hovland Conservatory of Music delivers private piano and violin instruction for students from PreK through adult, anchored by its proprietary Conservatory Course curriculum developed over 30+ years. Lessons are delivered weekly in-studio at neighborhood locations across three states and online nationwide, with preparatory Mini Mozarts classes for pre-kindergartners and a certification pathway for aspiring teachers.
Product overview
Hovland Conservatory of Music is a non-profit music school founded in 1968, offering private piano and violin instruction through its proprietary Conservatory Course curriculum. The school provides a unified portfolio of products centered on The Conservatory Course (Levels 0–9): Mini Mozarts (PreK preparatory class), private lessons for grades K–Adult (in-studio or online via eLessons), and a Pedagogy Training Program for adults seeking teacher certification. All programs share the same standardized curriculum, certified instructors, online resources, and performance opportunities, unified under the Conservatory Course umbrella.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- The Conservatory Course Proprietary standardized piano and violin curriculum developed over 30 years, progressing students through Levels 0-9 with emphasis on technique, music reading, and theory from day one; used across all Hovland locations and online.
Quantifiable outcome
- All students who start and finish lessons with Hovland Conservatory learn to read and play fluently
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Hovland Conservatory of Music
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Hovland Conservatory of Music technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Hovland Conservatory of Music partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Hovland Conservatory of Music competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Kindermusik: Early childhood music education program for infants through age 7, delivered through licensed educators. Directly comparable to Hovland's Mini Mozarts PreK segment, addressing the same early-childhood music readiness pain point.
Direct peers
- TakeLessons: Online marketplace connecting students with private music instructors across the U.S. Overlaps directly with Hovland's online private lesson offering and target demographics, with a much larger instructor network but no proprietary curriculum.
- Musika Music Lessons: National network of private in-home and online music instructors covering piano, violin, and many other instruments. Directly competes with Hovland on private lesson format and online delivery, though lacks a proprietary structured curriculum.
- School of Rock: The largest U.S. franchise of private music schools, offering weekly lessons across multiple instruments plus performance-based group programs. Directly comparable to Hovland's model of standardized curriculum-driven private instruction, though broader in instrument coverage and geographically larger.
- Suzuki Association of the Americas: National organization supporting Suzuki-method violin (and other instrument) instruction across hundreds of affiliated teachers and schools. Direct competitor specifically in the violin instruction niche, with a comparable method-driven, structured-progression approach.
- Allegro Music Academy: Multi-location private music school offering piano, violin, and other instruments with structured curriculum. Closely comparable in format to Hovland's neighborhood studios and recurring subscription model, serving similar K-12 and adult segments.
Others
- Steinway & Sons: Premier piano manufacturer that also operates the Steinway Society and supports piano education initiatives. Adjacent to Hovland as a key stakeholder in piano pedagogy; not a direct competitor but an ecosystem partner and potential channel.
- National Guild for Community Arts Education: U.S. membership organization supporting nonprofit community music and arts schools, of which Hovland is a member-type peer. Useful as an industry context point for nonprofit music school operations and benchmarking.
Broad incumbents
- Yamaha Music School: Globally established music education system with proprietary group and private curricula across many instruments. Comparable to Hovland in offering a structured, branded method; much larger scale and broader instrument coverage.
- The Royal Conservatory (RCM): Internationally recognized music education institution offering graded curriculum, certification, and teacher training. Comparable to Hovland's Conservatory Course in providing structured levels and pedagogy certification, though more focused on pre-college and credentialing.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Hovland Conservatory of Music social profiles
Digital presenceHovland Conservatory of Music financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hovland Conservatory of Music leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Hovland Conservatory of Music funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hovland Conservatory of Music M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Hovland Conservatory of Music
What does Hovland Conservatory of Music do?
Hovland Conservatory of Music delivers private piano and violin instruction for students from PreK through adult, anchored by its proprietary Conservatory Course curriculum developed over 30+ years. Lessons are delivered weekly in-studio at neighborhood locations across three states and online nationwide, with preparatory Mini Mozarts classes for pre-kindergartners and a certification pathway for aspiring teachers.
Is Hovland Conservatory of Music a public or private company?
Hovland Conservatory of Music is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Hovland Conservatory of Music founded?
Hovland Conservatory of Music was founded in 1968. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Hovland Conservatory of Music based?
Hovland Conservatory of Music is headquartered in Minneapolis, United States, in the North America region.
How does Hovland Conservatory of Music make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Monthly Tuition - K-12 Private Lessons are the primary driver. The others are monthly Tuition - Adult Private Lessons, first-Time Student Starter Package, annual Membership Fee, preK Mini Mozarts Classes and pedagogy Training Certification.
Who are Hovland Conservatory of Music's main competitors?
Kindermusik is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are TakeLessons, Musika Music Lessons, School of Rock, Suzuki Association of the Americas and Allegro Music Academy. Others are Steinway & Sons and National Guild for Community Arts Education. Broad incumbents are Yamaha Music School and The Royal Conservatory (RCM).
Does Hovland Conservatory of Music have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hovland Conservatory of Music.
What industry is Hovland Conservatory of Music in?
Hovland Conservatory of Music's product category is Private Music Instruction. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMANAA, Private Music Lessons (Instrumental), with a secondary code of EDAMANAC, Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir). Its NAICS code is 61161 and its SIC code is 8200.