♫ Expectations For Students
Consistency
Consistent, careful practicing is the key to being well prepared in lessons and for the quickest improvement. Determine a daily schedule for practice and then be diligent in meeting your daily goals. A minimum of 5 days per week of quality practicing is advised to best improve your playing. A guideline is 30 minutes of practicing per day for a 30-minute lesson. We will sit down together and work out the best practice schedule to meet your personal goals. Remember: enjoyment and progress come from how WELL you practice, not how long you practice.
Notebook
Students will help me make their weekly practice plans in their assignment notebook at each lesson. All assignments are to be completed & all current books must be brought to every lesson. Aside from the technique practices we will cover in each lesson, the student will be able to choose a piece to work on that appeals to them. As you progress, I will make recommendations for more challenging music.
Theory
If theory assignments are given, they should be completed early in your lesson week because they are provided to support the music assignments. Remember: Theory is the “nuts and bolts” of music.
Technique
Technique skills must be practiced every at-home practice to insure consistent progress in strength, coordination, confidence, and proper hand, arm and body position. Always start and end your practice time by warming up and cooling down.
♫ Expectations For Parents
Support
Positive interest and support from parents is essential for your child’s growth and feelings of success. Ask your child regularly to show you what they are learning, what they love or feel good about, and what needs more work. Your interaction/approval is invaluable!
Make Time
You will help your child cultivate good practice habits by setting aside consistent, quiet time each day for practicing (one or two sessions depending on attention span). Create a respectful family attitude that practice time will be free from distractions or interruptions.
Quality Instrument
Provide the best instrument possible for your child. It must be in good working condition. It is not beneficial for your child to be fighting with their instrument more than they are working on their techniques. If you need help finding options for instruments or repairs, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Help Your Child
For students under 12, at the beginning of each week, parents are expected to read the assignment journal and review goals with their child. During the week write progress/problem comments to me and initial the practice record. By age 12 a student should do their own record keeping.
Watching Lessons
Parents are welcome to attend lessons anytime as long as the student is comfortable with you sitting behind them. This occasionally makes students more nervous and sometimes less confident in their playing. If you would like to sit in on a lesson, all I ask is that you let me do the teaching at the lesson. No backseat teaching!
♫ You Will Need
Your current music book you are working out of, a small notebook to write that week’s assignments in, a folder or binder to put worksheets in, a mechanical pencil or a sharpened pencil (do NOT bring colored pencils), and a DESIRE TO LEARN and HAVE FUN!
♫ Private Lessons
Lesson Time
Most students have an average of 3 private lessons per month. Lessons are generally scheduled once a week in half-hour, 45-minute, or hour-long increments. I will make every effort to find a time that is convenient for you. Please arrive on time and be prepared to start promptly. Parents must pick students up on time unless other arrangements have been made. My schedule can be very tight, but by arriving and leaving on time, it allows other students to begin their lessons at their appointed times.
*NOTE*
As this is out of my home, when you arrive, please wait in your car. I will come out to get you as the student before you leaves. Please do not ring the doorbell as it would disrupt the lesson. You are welcome to park anywhere on the street.
♫ Payments
When Payment is Due
Payment is due AT THE TIME OF THE LESSON.
Cost
Lessons start at a dollar a minute at 30 minutes then for each additional 15 min you save $5. Lessons are $30 for half-hour lessons, $40 for 45 minutes (save $5), and $50 for a full hour lesson (save $10). You may pay in advance if that is easier for you. Payments can be made in Cash, Zelle, Venmo, and Paypal.
Reciept
I will keep a ledger of all lessons and payments made. If at any point you would like a copy, please let me know and I would be happy to print one out for you.
♫ Cancelations
Communication Is Key
Regular attendance is necessary for consistent progress. When a student is not prepared for any reason, it becomes even more important for them to attend lessons. Unlike other professions, I cannot resell this time. If a student needs to cancel a lesson, I ask that you reach out to me by a phone call, text or e-mail. Notification needs to occur at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to his or her scheduled lesson so that the week’s lesson time can be made available for another appointment or possible make-up. I am open to make-up lessons if we can all agree to a new schedule time for that week.
Sickness
To prevent the spread of disease, sick students should not attend lessons. If your child becomes ill at the last minute, please reach out to me either by phone or email immediately.
♫ Termination
I do have the right to terminate lessons (long term) due to negative behavior or failure to comply with studio expectations such as consistent lack of preparation, negative attitude, or repeated late payments. I feel I am a very patient person so there will be several warnings before I would result in termination.