Sort of both. She loved her instrumental teacher, and most of the academic teachers, but felt the program was inhumane in its demands. Plus other interests developed. She graduated in ‘17, and understands things have improved, so I highly encourage you to find current/more recent students for feedback. The community there was good, too. City kid acted in every show and went on to major in theatre. I may have already breached my own anonymity, but I’ll just say he’s working in theatre Ed now.

I had kids go to both, and they were both great, but my BSA kid went for music and fell out of love with the field. On the plus side she got really good at it and developed some serious life skills. We loved City for many things including administrators who helped our City kid, and the wide array of academic offerings. The theatre program is a shoestring miracle.

Try https://fourhourday.org/. I know they have some group classes but I’m not sure if beginner piano is one.