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Studio Policy
Lesson Scheduling
  • The Spring 2024 term is January 4 to June 1 .
  • Lesson types are:
  • Individual (one student);
    "Buddy" (two students);
    Group (three or more students).
  • Lessons are once a week.
  • On rare occasions group lessons will be scheduled in the place of individual lessons.

Attendance
  • Your tuition reserves a time slot for your lesson. If you must miss that time slot, please give me a 24 hour prior notice to make other arrangements.
  • Please make every effort to attend each lesson. Because of the high volume of students and packed schedule, rescheduling is difficult. However, missed lessons may be rescheduled when requested.
  • Lessons may be in person or by live video connection. Rescheduled lessons may need to be done by live video.
  • Students who are ill should not come to piano lessons.  If you are unable to come to lessons, please notify me as soon as possible. 
  • Please come prepared to study:
    - Bring all materials to every lesson - especially your assignment sheet.
    - Do not bring photocopied music to your lesson.
    - Have fingernails trimmed as needed.

Tuition

  • Tuition is due at the first lesson of each month. If this does not fit your circumstance, please speak with me about it. All payments should be regular and prompt.
  • Additional costs may be incurred for printed materials, Student Affiliate membership dues, state testing, recital or festival fees, etc. as applicable. They may be paid when tuition is paid.
  • Individual private lessons:
    30 minute lessons - $100 per month
  • Buddy lessons (two students):
    30 minute lessons - $75 per month per student
  • Group lessons (three or more students):
    45 minute lessons - $75 per month per student
    *** Home School Class length and tuition is set by special arrangement. ***
  • Term tuition purchases a weekly time slot for the term. It will not be divided into a per-lesson fee.
  • Tuition will be pro-rated for mid-term enrollees.

Practice Time

Here is where performance progress is made. The quality of practice determines the quality of performance, so it is critical that students practice well!

  • Parents should monitor the practice sessions of children and youth.
  • Practice five or six days each week. For best results establish a set time to practice. Make a routine of it.
  • Practice when you are fresh (morning time is often best), not tired, rushed or harried.
  • Practice in a quiet setting without competing sounds such as a TV, radio, video games, siblings at play, adult conversation, etc. Give full attention to the playing.
  • We recommend these minimum times:
    Elementary level students - 30 minutes per day
    This time may be broken into two separate practice sessions for very young students.
    Intermediate level students - 45 minutes per day
    Advanced level students - 60 minutes per day
  • Here is a good generic practice session outline:
    Warm up routines to warm up the playing muscles and focus the mind.
    Scales and cadences.
    Technical drills as assigned.
    Sight reading as assigned.
    Assigned literature. (The bulk of the time is spent here.)
    Review of learned pieces. The session should end with a sense of success!
  • Some work must be done at home in addition to the hands-on piano practice. This includes the workbooks for music theory (Just the Facts) and music history & literature (World of Music).

Equipment

  • Pianos should be in proper mechanical condition (pedals working, keys not sticking, keys not chipped on the ends, all keys equal in weight and in the volume produced, etc.)
  • Pianos should be tuned once or twice a year. (Ask for technician recommendations.)
  • Printed music should be well lighted on the piano desk. The piano keys should also be well lighted.
  • Digital pianos should have weighted keys, be touch sensitive and have a sustain pedal and a soft pedal. A lesser instrument hinders a student's progress from the very beginning. (Ask about recommendations on rentals and purchases.)
  • Each student at intermediate level and above should have a metronome and (pocket) music dictionary.
  • Tote bags are helpful for keeping printed music and assignment sheets from walking away and hiding.

Parking

Please park close to the curb in front of the studio. Be mindful of the path taken by cars as they steer thru the turn.

Miscellaneous

  • Please keep fingernails short to enable proper hand positioning on the keyboard.
  • All students should dress modestly.
  • As a matter of propriety and professionalism, we have determined to have another person in the studio while lessons are in session. In cases where none is already present we may request a parent to remain in the area.
  • Students should always demonstrate good manners, courtesies and attitudes within the studio and during studio activities off premises. Improper behavior may ultimately result in removal from the studio without refund of tuition or fees.
   

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