In my studio, I emphasize:
- Becoming a successful musician.
- Playing using proper technique with a beautiful tone.
- Playing with good musicality and an understanding of phrasing.
- Learning and applying music theory and music history in your performances and sight reading.
- Exploring a wide variety of solo and ensemble repertoire.
- Learning how to practice properly.
- Setting personal, technical, and performance goals, and working towards becoming the best musician you can be.
Student Responsibilities
Learning a musical instrument is comparable to learning a new foreign language that also takes coordination! My job as a teacher is to share my passion, teaching skills and my knowledge with my students. I expect my students to maintain a high standard and uphold their responsibilities:
- Arriving promptly to lessons. Your scheduled time is your time. If you are late, we will not run over into the next lesson.
- Bringing all lesson and assignment books and your instrument. I do not always have a spare for students to borrow.
- Being prepared for lessons. A good rule of thumb is to practice every day the amount of time equivalent to one lesson.
- Being open to new ideas, trying hard and putting forth your best effort during lesson.
- Understanding that frustration is part of the process.
- Buying music, sending in contest forms, and arranging rehearsals in a timely manner.
- Paying tuition promptly.
Lesson Payment
Payment for each month is due by the first lesson of the month. The amount owed will be the weekly charge times the number of lessons reserved for that month.
Please remember that the lesson fee is tuition. It reserves a spot in my schedule every week for that student on that day. Though the total tuition for the month is based on an hourly amount, tuition paid also includes time and effort I invest outside of lesson time.
- Tuition is due by the first lesson of the month.
- A $15 late fee will be assessed if tuition is not paid by the third lesson of the month.
- Tuition is due whether or not the student attends the lesson.
Cancelations
- If I must cancel a lesson due to scheduling conflicts or illness, you will receive a credit for that lesson.
- As a courtesy, I will try to arrange a make-up lesson for students who cannot attend due to illness. Make-up lessons are scheduled on availability basis and are not guaranteed.
- Lessons canceled by the student must be done so with at least 48 hours notice, excepting unique or extenuating circumstances as determined by mutual agreement of both parent and teacher.
- Lessons canceled with more than 48 hours notice will receive a lesson credit for the next monthly invoice.
- Lessons canceled with less than 48 hours notice will not be refunded or rescheduled.
Performances
Concerts, contests, recitals, and master classes can be rewarding experiences. They give students tangible goals, opportunities to learn, and a venue to share their music. I encourage all students to participate in some public performances. These may include studio recitals, all-district band contest, RAFA contest and review and many others.