<p>If your kid is resistant to piano lessons, you could also consider guitar lessons. They can learn a lot about music (especially chords), and they will always be able to sing and play, if they like that kind of thing.</p>
<p>You're right about that. My son who is headed off to NEC next year learned the guitar and ran with it. It definitely took him into music on a very serious level, so we don't even think of it in terms of strumming and humming around the campfire!</p>
<p>It may interest some people that in some conservatoires in Europe a girl's maturity required for voice lessons is the start of her menstruation. I personally think anything before 14 is too young for girls really (unless it is a big exception) and even that is very young. Most girls start around 16.</p>
<p>I think the key to when to start lessons is determined by what the child is doing with his or her voice. If she is singing in a well-conducted chorus, then more than likely voice lessons are unnecessary until the child is older. If she is singing (especially belting) demanding songs for mature voices in shows, then voice lessons are necessary to learn proper technique as to not harm the vocal chords.</p>
<p>In NY State, students can learn musical theater and classical pieces which are leveled. They are then performed at a festival that is judged. By the time the student gets to level VI pieces, they are on a professional level and are used to determing entry into All-State for juniors in high school.</p>
<p>Most children start with level I or II pieces in early middle school. In order to score well, vocal lessons can be beneficial, as students are judged on breath control, phrasing, tonality, expression and even sight reading. The leveling of the pieces helps a student learn songs that are more appropriate to younger voices. Vocal lessons to prepare these pieces properly help lay the ground work for good (and healthy) singing. Since the student's performance is graded, it allows both the student and parent to know a child's mastery of the piece. Input is given in all aspects of the song and suggestions for improvement are offered in writing.</p>
<p>So in the end, I don't think age alone should be the determining factor. More importantly, it is the appropriateness of the songs learned and the quality of the instruction.</p>