| Saxophone | Piano | Clarinet | Music Composition | Jazz Improvisation | Jewish Studies |
About 613 Music Academy
613 Music Academy, located in Phoenix, Arizona, is a premier center for music education with a strong focus on Jewish Music Education. We provide students of all ages and skill levels with high-quality private music lessons, ensemble coaching, and performance opportunities designed to build both technical skill and creative confidence.
Our private lessons establish a solid foundation in music knowledge, offering students the choice between a general music curriculum or a specialized focus in areas such as jazz theory, music composition, improvisation, Jewish Music Studies, and advanced musicianship.
Beyond private instruction, 613 Music Academy proudly offers jazz band clinics, workshops, and school visits, bringing our passion for jazz education directly into the community. These programs are tailored to help student ensembles strengthen their understanding of jazz style, phrasing, and group interaction while nurturing a deeper appreciation for the art of improvisation.
At 613 Music Academy, our mission is to inspire creativity, musical growth, and a lifelong love of jazz through personalized instruction and meaningful performance experiences.
About Our Director
Sarah Koussevitzky is a saxophonist and passionate music educator based in Phoenix, Arizona. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies with a minor in Arts Management and Administration from the University of Texas at Austin.
Sarah’s musical journey has been shaped by renowned mentors such as Roxy Coss, John Mills, Barbara Laronga, Kenny Rampton, and Brice Winston. Her performance experience includes appearances at internationally acclaimed festivals like the Next Generation Jazz Festival, Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Essentially Ellington, the Montreux Jazz Festival, and the North Sea Jazz Festival. She has shared the stage with jazz greats including Terrell Stafford, Cyrus Chestnut, Kenny Rampton, Conrad Herwig, and Joe Lovano.
A strong advocate for music education and community engagement, Sarah co-founded Jazz Girls TX, an initiative that empowers young women in jazz. She has also worked with organizations such as Jazz Outreach Initiative, ReedGeek, WIJO (Women in Jazz Organization), MacSax Austin, and Jazz Houston, where she currently serves as Brand Manager.
As an educator, Sarah is known for her student-centered and inclusive teaching philosophy. She approaches music as a language—emphasizing the importance of learning to read, write, and speak it fluently. Sarah strives to create an environment where students feel heard, inspired, and empowered—musically and personally— while holding high musical standards with a progress over perfection mindset.
Learn with Sarah:
Saxophone, Clarinet, Piano, Jazz Improvisation, Music Composition, Jewish Music Studies
Lesson Studio Information
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613 Music Academy teaches all ages and enrolls based on an individual’s goals, readiness to learn, and fit in the studio.
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Yes! Most of our students participate in a fully Jewish music curriculum designed to complement their technique books. The program helps students develop a deep understanding and fluency in music as a language, while reinforcing their technical studies through Jewish songs carefully matched to their skill level.
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Music lessons far more than preparation for a professional music career. Through consistent study and practice, students develop discipline, patience, focus, and confidence. Learning music strengthens listening skills, creativity, memory, and problem-solving, while also teaching children how to work through challenges and experience the reward of steady progress.
Music can also become a lifelong source of joy, self-expression, and connection. Whether playing for personal enjoyment, participating in community events, or sharing music with family and friends, students gain an appreciation and fluency in music that enriches their lives well beyond childhood — regardless of whether they pursue music professionally.
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Online music lessons offer families flexibility, consistency, and accessibility while still providing students with high-quality musical instruction. Students can learn from the comfort of home, saving travel time and making it easier to fit lessons into busy schedules. This convenience often leads to greater consistency and long-term progress.
Online lessons also give students access to specialized teachers and programs that may not be available locally. Teachers can easily share digital resources, sheet music, recordings, and practice materials during lessons, helping students stay organized and engaged between sessions.
For many students, learning in their own environment also increases confidence and comfort, allowing them to focus more fully on making music. With the right structure and guidance, online lessons can be highly interactive, personal, and effective for developing strong musical skills and independence.
Let my children hear music.
- Charles Mingus
Jazz is a fun kind of music that lets you be creative. One of the coolest parts is improvisation, which means making up music as you go—like telling a story with sounds! Kids can use any instrument (or even claps and taps) to join in. Jazz helps you learn to listen, work with others, and express your own ideas. It also teaches about different cultures and how music brings people together.
Reach out to us to bring a Jazz for Kids clinic to your playgroup, homeschool coop, or elementary school!
Studio Policy
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I will teach students the fundamentals music in a positive and enthusiastic environment. My goal is to empower each student to influence their music education with input based on their interest and long-term goals. I will tailor the curriculum to match each student's specific learning needs.
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Students agree to arrive at each lesson punctually, well-prepared, and with their assignment books, music, and instrument. To make good progress, daily quality practice is necessary. Please ask questions about home assignments so the student and parents can completely understand the assignments and goals.
Parents: If something is happening at home or school that is affecting your child please let me know. The more information I have, the more I can be sensitive to the needs of your child.
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Lessons are scheduled for one time weekly.
Tuition will be charged on the 1st of each month to the method on file with My Music Staff. All payments are non-refundable. The studio is open for 42 weeks each calendar year. The weeks where lessons are not held (due to holidays, personal performance opportunities, or illness) will be communicated in advance. Studio closure weeks will not receive a make-up lesson credit.
To end enrollment for the coming month, notice must be received via email by the 15th of the current month.
*Please note that tuition reserves the weekly time slot, but may not directly correlate with lessons received if the student does not attend the scheduled lesson times. -
When notice of a missed lesson is provided 24 hours prior, the studio may provide up to 2 make-up lessons each term (August-December; January-May) subject to availability. Make-up lessons must be used within 30 days.
Tuition is based on the number of lessons the studio schedules and will not be altered. Planned vacations or other conflicts communicated in advance receive a make-up lesson credit for that month.*Enrollment cannot be guaranteed for the fall term without summer enrollment.
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Each student is responsible for purchasing the required music and materials for lessons. Materials will be assigned by me and the student will be expected to have the materials no later than two weeks after the materials have been assigned. Advanced notice will be provided whenever possible. *** Some materials will be provided digitally through the student’s log in portal.**
Students must have their own instrument to practice at home. If you have questions or would like input on the purchase of an instrument please let me know.
***HOW CAN I MAKE THAT A THING
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When students enroll, they are reserving their place in the studio for the entire term. Changes to weekly schedules may be made on a case-by-base basis each month before tuition is due.
If the student decides to pause lessons during the course of a month, tuition for the remainder of the month still applies. Alterations to this policy are on a case-by-case basis.
Please note that a student's spot will not be guaranteed for the fall term if they were not enrolled in lessons during the summer term.
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From time to time I use photos and short videos of my students around the studio, on the studio website, or in social media posts. These videos and posts are encouraging to other students and helpful to other teachers. If you do not want your child's image(s) to be used, please let me know. The students are identified only by first name.