Policies

Diligence and consistently well guided study lead one toward competent and skillful musicianship. I work to engage my students in the learning process and build their enthusiasm through the selection of appealing material of musical value for study.


Student Responsibilities




1.   Regular, organized practice

Make a written schedule for six daily piano practice sessions. Elementary students should practice one hour and high school students should practice two hours. If necessary for better concentration, divide the time into two periods.
2.   Patient practice with attention to details

Students must plan what they are to accomplish during each practice session. Verbal and written instructions on what and how to practice are provided and proper technique is demonstrated at the piano during each lesson. Students must follow directions and make a best effort to apply the instruction while practicing at home.
3.   Musical repetition and drill

The study of music requires individuals to repeat passages of the music they are practicing in order to establish aural perceptions and physical movements. Repetition during practice is a mindful activity that needs concentration and self assessment. If a student is asked to repeat a segment of music three, four or eight times, each repetition is an exercise in looking accurately at the music, listening for the appropriate sounds and sensing the movement that achieved the desired result. Pauses between repetitions are important in allowing the student to evaluate each sound and how it is physically produced.
4.   Develop good listening skills

Piano study is the correlation of attentive listening and choreographed movements at the keyboard. Learning to listen for a wide variety of pianistic sounds and developing the physical means to produce them is the focus of much instruction. Students must train their perceptions to certain sound qualities and sound relationships in the music they study. Students apply the sound ideas learned at each lesson to shape their music into a polished performance that reflects technical poise and musical understanding. The development of good listening skills extends beyond the private lesson and the practice room. In order to become a good listener and an accomplished musician, students must take every opportunity to experience great performances of great music. Hearing the piano performed on recordings or on a concert stage provides a standard of measurement upon which to base one's own work and progress. Seeing the music recreated in live performance is a stimulating experience and can inspire students to excel.


Role of Parents

The accomplishments of children and the abilities that they exhibit are products of the priorities that their parents set. Structuring a practice schedule as part of a child's daily routine elevates music study from an optional activity to an important pursuit. The child's practice space should be free of household or sibling distractions. By asking questions that express an interest in the music learning process, parents can prompt children to explain their knowledge and exhibit their abilities. I have explained the practice assignment during the lesson and the techniques for practicing have been demonstrated. If a student or parent is unclear about what is expected, they should contact me via phone or email for clarification.



Basic materials for study
•     a piano tuned twice annually and properly maintained
•     a metronome
•     a music dictionary
•     an assignment book
•     well groomed hands with short fingernails for proper position and movement on the keyboard.



Lesson Fees

The current hourly rate for private lessons and ensemble coaching is $85.00.

Elementary and high school students enroll in the studio's comprehensive musicianship curriculum of 48 private lessons that include insturction in:
•     Piano technique
•     Repetoire interpretation
•     Music Theory
•     Sight Reading.



Elememtary and high school students pay and annual tuition in twelve installments of $330.00 per month that covers:
•     45 one-hour private lessons
•     Three additional private coaching sessions prior to scheduled performances
•     Group performance classes.

Thirty-nine lessons take place during the calendar school year (September1-May 31) and nine lessons are given during the summer months (June 1-August 31). Lessons are not taught during the following holidays:
•     Thanksgiving week
•     Christmas week
•     Spring break week
•     Four summer weeks of vacation time as chosen by each student's family.

Students who require more time away from music study may make up the lessons, add additional time to the lessons they attend or choose to forfeit the lesson fee they have paid.



Studio fee

A $350.00 fee, payable on September 1 is used to cover the following studio activities:
•     Teaching preparation prior to each lesson
•     Acquiring teaching materials for each lesson by traveling to area music stores
•     Grading written assignments outside of the lesson time
•     Communicating regularly with parents and students to assist in practicing
•     Creating student performance opportunities through paid memberships in national, state and local professional music teachers' organizations  
•     Registering students for performance events
•     Working as a volunteer at music teachers' association events to organize and facilitate student performance opportunities  
•     Attending national, state and local music teacher conferences, classes and workshops to bring teaching best practices to the instruction of each student 
•     Maintaining three quality pianos, office equipment, a website and a library of over a thousand music books, scores and recordings that are used to instruct and inspire students  
•     Hosting two studio recitals.



Scholarships

I will consider need based scholarships.



Referrals

A $20.00 tuition credit will be given to each student who refers a new student to the studio.