January is the month of new beginnings and new resolutions, but it can also be a time to step into music as organizations and individuals in Eastern Oregon offer the chance to learn or hone a musical skill.

While many music teachers begin classes in the fall, others will continue to take students year-round. La Grande vocal coach Shahayla Ononaiye said she often has people give the gift of lessons.

“I think the gift of art is a great idea, and it’s just a cool way to start the new year, learning something new,” she said.

Ononaiye said the most common question people ask is if they’ll be able to sing better with lessons.

“I think a lot of people think the art is just something you have or you don’t have. It’s a skill that can be learned, just like anything else,” she said. “Usually I recommend trying out a month (of lessons), seeing how you feel and what you learn. Everybody’s goals are different, but we always have a good time.”

Ononaiye provides voice lessons and coaching through Direct Music Source in La Grande. The store connects music instructors with students for instrument lessons, as well.

Finding classes and lessons differs in each community, but music stores and arts centers can be great starting points.

Pendleton Music Co. provides contacts for private lessons in guitar, bass, piano, violin and fiddle at all levels; in Baker City, check out Baker Music Garden led by Lindianne Sarno, 541-624-8699.

The Oregon East Symphony, based in Pendleton, also helps link string players with private lessons and offers multiple ensembles for youth musicians, as do the ensembles from Inland Northwest Musicians, based out of Hermiston.

For those in Umatilla County interested in learning the guitar, the Pendleton Center for the Arts has two “guitar for beginners” sessions (level 1 and level 2) and two adult ukulele classes starting this month.

“Our winter term begins Jan. 17, so if you’ve been curious to take a class, the time is now,” said Kate Brizendine, PCA coordinator of education and outreach.

For teens, PCA’s “Our Art Rocks” teen program is fully grant funded and offers free classes to teens age 13-18.

“This includes guitar with Margaret Mayer, ceramics with Brian Purnell, and a wide variety of other class offerings, taught by local (and awesome) artists,” Brizendine said.

Youth guitar classes at PCA are also free, and the next session begins Jan. 9. Find more about winter term classes for PCA at pendletonarts.org/classes.

Back in La Grande, Art Center East is also beginning its winter session this month, including multiple musical opportunities.

For those 18 and older, Art Center East is launching a new six-week class of Beginner Campfire Guitar this month, and the next session of Community African Drumming Group begins Jan. 10. Run through ACE, the 10-week class is open to anyone 12 and older. Participants learn how to play the djembe — a goblet-shaped drum played with bare hands — or to refine djembe skills. Drums are provided, and no experience is necessary.

The course meets once a week on the campus of Eastern Oregon University, and registration is available at the ACE website: artcentereast.org/music/community-music/community-african-drumming/.

While the Crossroads Carnegie Art Center in Baker City may not have any music classes on its winter schedule, there are multiple art and dance opportunities available. For each of the arts centers, those interested in finding out more about classes, lessons and teaching opportunities only have to reach out and start a conversation.