Welcome to The TDS Web Site


The Talent Developing Studio offers group and private music lessons in an encouraging, family-oriented environment.

Our teachers are music education professionals whose passion is to help The TDS students to appreciate music and to enjoy the art of performing their pieces musically.

Our emphases are:

  • A caring attitude.
  • Highest integrity.
  • Professional teaching quality.
  • Joyful learning
  • Fun
  • Family involvement.

The Talent Developing Studio offers group piano lessons for children (Music for Young Children™), private piano lessons for all ages, Suzuki strings, traditional-method strings, flute, voice lessons and The TDS Singers (ages 6-15 years).

CONGRATULATIONS to Patrick Elliott, John Kelley, and Noah Lacatell for being selected to participate in the Central Regional Orchestra!!! Over 250 violin students in grades 7 to 9 from Richmond, Henrico, Hanover, Chesterfield, and the private schools auditioned for the two orchestras!  Patrick Elliott was selected as second chair in the top orchestra.

NEW CLASSES
Beginning in February 2012: ART for Children AND Beginning Guitar

ART CLASSES taught by Sarah Lapallo
Grades 1 - 8 8-10 students
Feb 1 - Apr 4 (10 weeks) Wednesdays 10:30 - 11:30am
This class will blend art appreciation and art history with hands on projects and experiments. Topics will range from Baroque to Modern, and Francisco de Goya to Jackson Pollack. In class, we will discuss an artist or style and then do 1 or 2 projects which relate to that topic. Students will keep a sketch book for observation projects at home and for some in-class projects.
Materials: Sketchbook (any size preferably something that can be carried around. Sarah recommends about a 4in x 4in. Must have blank pages, no lines), a pencil, colored pencils or crayons, and pad of 11x17 bristol vellum or other heavy paper (at least 15 sheets). Other materials like scrap paper or acrylic paint may be required as well.

$180.00 for the session (full payment or 2 payments of $92)

BEGINNING GUITAR CLASSES taught by Sarah Lapallo
All ages 8 – 12 students
Feb 6 to May 14 (15 weeks) Mondays, 4 - 5pm
Prerequisites and supplies: Elementary level of reading music is preferred but not required; need a guitar, a pick, and an electric tuner.
Teacher will provide books/ learning materials which are covered by the cost of the class.
Class will cover: basic music theory, how to read TAB, guitar theory (ie string’s names, parts of the guitar) how to tune a guitar by ear and with a tuner, basic chords (probably G, C, D, Em, F, Am, etc) and how to use a capo.  This class is a good way to try out guitar without the year-long commitment of lessons.
$225 for the session (full payment of $225 or 3 monthly payments of $78)

On the Northern Neck: Piano and voice lessons with David McEntire in Callao. Email or call for more information.

Check the Calendar for changes.


The TDS is located in Hanover County, Virginia, on Rte. 301, 10 miles north of I-295, at the intersection of Rte 301 and 54. Our studio is in the W&W Building behind the Hanover, VA, Post Office.
Our telephone Number is: (804) 537-5800.
Our mailing address is: The TDS, P.O. Box 1598, Mechanicsville, VA 23116.
Our email address is: info@thetds.com