How Much Do Viola Lessons Cost?
Viola lesson costs explained: what to expect and how to find a great teacher
Marc Levesque
Published 9/30/25 • 4 min read
The Average Viola Lesson Cost:
Viola lessons typically cost between $60-$90 per hour, but costs can vary widely depending on the instructor’s education and performing level, years of teaching, the location, lesson length and whether lessons are in-person or online.
The average price for a one-hour viola lesson is $70. Online viola lessons using Zoom or Google Meet charge between $25-35 for a half hour lesson. Local private one-on-one viola lessons range from $35-45 for a half hour lesson, while in-person group lessons can cost $25 for a half hour lesson.
Viola teachers without a music degree will charge as little as $40 an hour, and professional violists with numerous competition awards might charge as much as $200!
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What Determines Viola Lesson Costs?
Viola Teacher Level
Many teachers without a music degree usually charge around $35 per hour. That can work for some, but these teachers often can’t provide the kind of step-by-step guidance that comes with professional viola training.
Some instructors may have a degree in another instrument, like violin, but not viola. Their lessons often cost $40 to $50 per hour. They know music theory and some basic viola skills, but since viola isn’t their main focus, beginners can sometimes develop habits that make learning harder down the road.
The best viola teachers usually have at least a bachelor’s degree in viola. Lessons with them typically cost around $60 to $80 per hour, and teachers with a master’s or doctorate may charge $70 to $90. It might sound like those teachers are only for advanced students, but beginners actually benefit the most. When you start with a strong foundation, playing feels easier, progress comes faster, and learning the viola becomes a lot more fun.
Online vs In-person Lessons
Online viola lessons are usually the most affordable option. In-person lessons at a teacher’s studio or home often cost about $10 more per hour, with an additional $10 or so if the teacher travels to your home.
Prices for in-person lessons can also vary a lot depending on location and how many qualified teachers are nearby. For example, a viola teacher in California might charge $70 per hour, while a teacher in Indiana could offer similar instruction for $55—a difference of about 20 to 30%.
For students looking for professional teachers at a reasonable rate, live online viola lessons with real teachers (not pre-recorded videos) are often the best choice.
Live vs Pre-recorded Lessons
If you’re looking for the cheapest possible viola lessons, there is the option of pre-recorded lessons. These are typically video or app-based lessons that aim to teach you basic viola abilities for a monthly fee.
Unfortunately, the lessons cannot compare to the quality of live one-on-one lessons where the teacher can customize the material for you, give you live feedback on your playing in real time, and help you become better at practicing and performing.
Any student who wants to become a confident and skilled violist will benefit most from live one-on-one lessons, such as the $35 half hour lessons offered through Lesson With You.
How to Find the Most Affordable Viola Lessons
We surveyed over 100 viola teachers across our own site, Lesson With You, and two other major sites, Wyzant and Lessonface, using a random zip code as the location. We specifically looked for teachers who have a degree in viola and teach lessons online.
Lesson With You has a set price of $65 per hour and indeed the value is better than any other site we have found. Each viola teacher at Lesson With You has a degree in violin or viola but the lessons are only $65 per hour, making the live online viola lessons an incredible value.
Wyzant had a higher average price among qualified viola teachers, at $70 per hour. Even finding a teacher who didn’t major in viola, such as one with a cello or piano degree, didn’t do much to lower the price. While looking at the options, it became clear that many teachers with music degrees didn’t actually study viola, even though they charged fairly high rates for lessons.
Lessonface has the highest average price at $75 among the viola teachers we surveyed. But like Wyzant, many of the teachers listed don’t have a viola or violin degree. They do offer a free trial lesson, but it’s only 15 minutes long.
Lessonface and Wyzant both have a very large number of viola teachers, so surely there are some good deals, but finding teachers who’s education and prices matched that of the teachers at Lesson With You is difficult and time consuming.
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Do Beginners Need a Professional Viola Teacher from the Start?
When you’re starting out on viola, it really helps to have a teacher who can guide you step by step. Good habits in posture, fingering, and bowing make learning smoother and more fun, while fixing mistakes later can take months or even years.
Many beginners hesitate about lessons and look for a cheaper option. Maybe the teacher doesn’t have a viola or violin degree, or they teach several instruments. While that may seem convenient, it often means less depth of skill on viola. For most beginners, that’s not the best way to start.
A professional viola teacher helps you progress faster and gives you the solid foundation that makes playing more enjoyable for years to come.
What Will I Learn in Viola Lessons?
Viola Techniques
In viola lessons, you’ll focus on the basics that set you up for success, such as bowing, fingering, and posture. Good bowing is what brings out the viola’s rich, warm sound, and your teacher will guide you step by step while helping you combine it with clear fingering and musical expression.
You’ll also practice finger placement so you can move smoothly through notes and scales. Posture is just as important, and your teacher will show you how to hold the viola comfortably while using your shoulders and arms for support.
Music Theory and Note Reading
Engaging Viola Repertoire
With steady lessons, you’ll explore viola music that matches your level and interests, from classical pieces to modern styles. Your teacher will suggest pieces that fit you best, making the choice simple. The more you practice and keep up with your viola lessons, the easier it becomes to play and enjoy a wide variety of music.
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About the author
Marc Levesque is a graduate of the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University where he studied Piano Performance and Arts Administration, receiving both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees before attending Carnegie Mellon University to study educational technology. As a pianist, Marc made his debut with the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra at age 15, playing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 2., and he has performed at various summer programs and festivals across the United States, Italy, and Croatia. Marc is a co-founder of Lesson With You, which fully combines his love of music, technology, and education.