Instrument Labs

Following a progressive, multi-level curriculum that builds skills.

Instrument Labs are weekly, small-group sessions within the CMI program. In Labs, students build technique, musicianship, and musical fluency on their primary instrument. Those skills are then applied in weekly Ensembles.

  • Labs are kept small so every student gets personal attention: up to 4 students per group.

  • Yes. Each Lab follows the international Rockschool syllabus (Debut–Grade 8), so students progress step by step with recognized benchmarks and clear progress at every stage.

  • Absolutely! Many students take both — Labs for collaboration and performance, and private lessons for individual focus.

Graphic with the words 'KEY LAB' and an illustration of a hand holding a keyboard with a string attached, plus sparkling star-like shapes.

KEYBOARD LAB

BEGINNER students | LEVEL ONE

Keyboard layout, five-finger positions, Rockschool Debut–Grade 1, ensemble basics.

INTERMEDIATE students | LEVEL TWO

Scales, arpeggios, chord inversions, Rockschool Grade 1–2, collaborative arrangements.

ADVANCED students | LEVEL THREE

Extended chords, improvisation, jazz and funk, Rockschool Grade 4–5, group jams.

PRO-PREP students | LEVEL FOUR

Original compositions, studio skills, Rockschool Grade 6–8, capstone showcases.

A graphic collage with the words "Voice Lab" in bold black letters, a dotted illustration of a hand and a mouth, a black and white halftone pattern of a hand holding a microphone, and a digital silhouette of a bird.

VOICE LAB

BEGINNER students | LEVEL ONE

Breath support, pitch, simple harmonies, Rockschool Debut–Grade 1, stage basics.

INTERMEDIATE students | LEVEL TWO

Range building, tone shaping, Rockschool Grade 2–3, pop/R&B stylings.

ADVANCED students | LEVEL THREE

Complex harmonies, improvisation, emotional delivery, Rockschool Grade 4–6.

PRO-PREP students | LEVEL FOUR

Songwriting, recording, Rockschool Grade 7–8, capstone showcases.

A purple background with black text reading "GUITAR LAB." A white acoustic guitar and a black and white amplifier are positioned over the text.

GUITAR LAB

BEGINNER students | LEVEL ONE

Tuning, open chords, strumming, Rockschool Debut–Grade 1, early group performance.

INTERMEDIATE students | LEVEL TWO

Barre chords, riffs, pentatonic scales, Rockschool Grade 1–2, first improvisation.

ADVANCED students | LEVEL THREE

Modes, arpeggios, advanced rhythm and picking, Rockschool Grade 4–5, songwriting.

PRO-PREP students | LEVEL FOUR

Artist development, original music, Rockschool Grade 6–8, capstone showcases.

Graphic design with orange background, large white text reading 'My PRO LAB', a black and white halftone image of hands holding a vinyl record, a black DJ turntable, and a black stylized wave pattern.

MUSIC PRODUCTION LAB

BEGINNER students | LEVEL ONE

Intro to DAWs, loops and samples, basic beat-making, recording simple tracks, and ear training for producers.

INTERMEDIATE students | LEVEL TWO

Song structure, layering sounds, intro to synthesis, multi-track recording, basic mixing, Rockschool Production Grades 2–3.

ADVANCED students | LEVEL THREE

Advanced mixing & EQ, sound design, live recording techniques, producing across genres, Rockschool Production Grades 4–6.

PRO-PREP students | LEVEL FOUR

Portfolio development, advanced production & mastering, collaboration with vocal/instrumental labs, Rockschool Production Grades 7–8, capstone project (EP or live showcase).

Graphic with the words 'DRUG MS LAB' in bold black letters, with a hand holding a DNA double helix and two cotton swabs crossing each other.

DRUMS LAB

BEGINNER students | LEVEL ONE

Drum kit basics, posture, quarter- and eighth-note grooves, Rockschool Debut–Grade 1.

INTERMEDIATE students | LEVEL TWO

Funk and Latin grooves, 16th-note fills, Rockschool Grade 2–3.

ADVANCED students | LEVEL THREE

Polyrhythms, odd meters, soloing, Rockschool Grade 4–6.

PRO-PREP students | LEVEL FOUR

Session skills, fusion and funk, Rockschool Grade 7–8, capstone showcases.

A graphic design featuring a black and white hand with a dotted pattern, red string, and a toy guitar in the center, with the words 'BASS' and 'LAB' in bold black letters, set against a pale yellow background with black dotted circles.

BASS LAB

BEGINNER students | LEVEL ONE

Tuning, open strings, root notes, Rockschool Debut–Grade 1, early ensemble experience.

INTERMEDIATE students | LEVEL TWO

Major and pentatonic scales, walking bass, slap basics, Rockschool Grade 1–2.

ADVANCED students | LEVEL THREE

Arpeggios, modal grooves, syncopation, Rockschool Grade 4–5, improvisation.

PRO-PREP students | LEVEL FOUR

Advanced techniques, session skills, Rockschool Grade 6–8, and capstone projects.

Outline of a microphone and a keyboard with musical notes and sound waves.