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                         “To play without passion

                                              is inexcusable!”

                                                      ~Beethoven

STUDIO POLICIES

Required Materials
Tuition
Missed/Canceled Lessons
For Students
For Parents

As a teacher, I strive to help all students become independent musicians who are competent and confident in performing at their highest possible level. Through piano lessons, students will develop technique, musicality, performance experience, and overall poise and self-confidence. Helping students understand music, feel comfortable sharing their music, and gain personal enjoyment from music is my top priority.

Lessons are structured to the individual needs of each student and will include:

Playing progress will be benchmarked through masterclasses, studio recitals, various piano festivals, and competitions in which students may be invited to participate. Each spring, students must memorize at least one piece to perform in the National Guild Auditions.

To achieve these goals, encouragement and support at home is vital. As a parent, you are investing in your child’s education. In particular, daily playing time is essential for students to experience success in learning their materials. Students will need guidance at home and a structure put in place for practice times. Families and students should have a plan for when this playing time will take place each day. Consistent, efficient daily practice leads to the satisfaction and joy of steady progress towards solid musicianship.

Lesson time is equally important. Disruptions need to be kept to a minimum. Siblings who need to be brought to lessons should be supervised at all times and kept quiet during lessons.

My studios are located in Sharpstown (Saturdays only) and Westchase/Alief in Houston, Texas. At-home lessons are dependent on schedule and are available for an additional fee.

 

Required Materials

 

Tuition

For the instructor to travel to the student's home, an additional monthly fee is charged to offset gas costs and driving time based on distance and time of travel; the standard gas mileage rate in 2018 is 54.5¢ per mile.

Tuition is due at the first lesson of each month and may be paid by check, online bank-to-bank transfer (Zelle or Quickpay), or Paypal. The studio may charge a $10 late fee for any tuition payments not received by the tenth of the month.

Tuition is charged only for the number of lessons scheduled per month. This allows families the flexibility to account for important events and vacations by discussing with teacher IN ADVANCE. There is no set materials fee; books will be purchased by teacher then included in your monthly bill for reimbursement.

 

Missed/Canceled Lessons

If it is necessary for the teacher to cancel a scheduled lesson and rescheduling a make-up lesson is not possible, the student will be credited for the lost lesson.

If it is necessary for the student to cancel the lesson and no switch can be made with another student, nor is rescheduling a make-up lesson possible, parents will be responsible for the tuition for the lost lesson. No credit will be given.

An exception to this policy is if a student is absent due to injury, illness, or travel. Please discuss these situations with the teacher.

I try to accommodate students as much as I can; however, I wish to caution students and parents that rescheduling lessons is sometimes difficult, and I am not obligated to make-up missed lessons. I very much appreciate your making arrangements for make-up lessons as soon as possible, and I will try to do the same with you.

 

For Students
  1. You should come to lessons prepared and refreshed, not tired from other activities, and with a positive attitude.
  2. You must bring all of your music books and assignment notebook to each lesson to record weekly practice goals and progress.
  3. If you arrive early, you may sit quietly on the couch, read, or color. Activity books and puzzles will be provided. You must remain quiet until the start of your lesson.
  4. If you are late to your assigned lesson time, you will only receive the remaining time of your lesson to be fair to the student after you.
  5. I expect that you come to lessons having practiced and completed your assignments. Suggested minimum daily practice times are:
    1. Primer Level — 20 Minutes
    2. Early Elementary — 30 Minutes
    3. Late Elementary and Intermediate — 60 Minutes
    4. Late Intermediate and Early Advanced — 75 Minutes
  6. Track your daily practice and update your Star Chart each week.
  7. Do your theory homework a little each day (instead of finishing it in the car on the way to lessons)!
  8. Keep your nails trimmed so that they do not click on the piano keys.

 

For Parents

Parents are a positive force in helping to ensure that children make timely progress. Knowing your child’s weekly assignments and making sure they have practiced daily are critical. Checking your student’s notebook regularly provides important insight to practice habits. I may also use the notebook to write messages to parents.

For tips on ways to keep your young pianist motivated, visit the parents’ page.

Please call me if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you for your commitment to your child’s music education.

 

*These policies are in accord with recommended professional policies of the National Guild of Piano Teachers. My fees are reasonable based on my education, experience, and dedication to each student’s advancement. Tuition fees take into consideration that I must provide for my continuing education costs, as well as bear the expense of equipping and maintaining my studio, instruments, lending library, and other equipment and supplies. Please also keep in mind that I spend many hours planning, studying, scheduling, making phone calls, sending emails, bookkeeping, and organizing other studio related responsibilities, in addition to actual lesson time. I acknowledge my students’ and their parents’ place in a three-way relationship, and pledge to do my best to make music study a rich, growing experience for my students.