FAQ

How young a student do you take?
First Grade is as young as I teach and only then if there is an adult who will sit with the child each practice session for its entirety. Otherwise, I recommend you waiting until your child is in second grade and even then the adult should sit with her ten minutes out of every 30 minutes of practice time.

I don’t have a piano. Can I still enlist my child in lessons?
Having access to a well-tuned piano or a keyboard with weighted keys, bench, stand, and pedal is essential to taking lessons. Make sure you have invested in a quality instrument. Students will not want to spend time on an instrument which is in poor condition.
This is not a once a week activity, but the acquisition of a skill which requires daily work.

I want this to be fun. What if my child is not enjoying this or hates to practice?
Set a length of time which you expect your child to take lessons. There is a learning curve, and practicing is work–not play. The expectation should be that progress will be made, and that this is a worthwhile activity with lifetime benefits. Your sitting with your child as he practices decreases the isolation of practicing and your interaction increases her enjoyment. Children enjoy what at what they are good. You set the stage for that to occur. You and I together can make every effort to find music they enjoy.

How much do you charge per lesson?
Although I calculate the tuition basing it on $30 for 30 minutes of instruction, there is so much more time invested than those 30 min. reflect. My make up policy is one of the more liberal.

My child is going to be involved in a sports (band, academic) activity for a number of weeks. Can we reschedule?
I can give you the names and contact information of students with whom you possibly may swap times. Otherwise, you may either pay to reserve your time and do make ups over breaks and the summer or give up the time and see what I have available when you return. If the latter, you need to give me a month’s notice.

It is impossible for us to practice as much as you require. What should we do?
That is your call. Just remember: without the minimum I’m requiring (everyday 30 min. being ideal), progress will be at a snail’s pace and your child may end up hating piano.