Studio Guidelines

Welcome new students and parents!


I am so excited to get to know you and play beautiful music together. This post contains a few guidelines that will help you and I to have a great experience learning together.

First, let's talk about practicing! My rule is that you only need to practice on the days that you eat--with one exception--you may choose one day to have "off", or skip. That means 20 to 60 minutes of dedicated practicing of the lesson material we choose together. We will agree upon an exact amount of minutes to practice. Your love for the piano and talent will grow equal to your efforts. Students who do not demonstrate a commitment to practice and progress will be referred to a different teacher may be better suited for them.

Second, attendance. Students are expected to attend all lessons and studio classes. Please notify me in advance if you must miss a session. No make-up lessons are given for missed or cancelled lessons. You may switch lesson times with another student--please let me know ahead of time of the arrangements you have made. To be fair to all students waiting for their lesson to start, if you come to your lesson late, the lesson will still end on time.

Third, tuition. Payment for lessons is due the first lesson of each month. Currently, my lesson rate is $10 for each 30-minute lesson. There is also an annual book rental fee of $25 due in September for all piano students. This covers the books that you will rent from me. As you become more skilled in your abilities, we will only choose one or two pieces from a repertoire. This rental fee will save you money on buying books for just one or two pieces. Theory books must be purchased by the student, as they are workbooks you will write in. Students must also have a metronome.



Please feel free to ask me any questions regarding these guidelines. I look forward to seeing your talents progress and your love of music grow.

Method and Approach

Private Lessons - One-on-one instruction for both technique, theory and musicianship. Goals are set and maintained as students learn how to achieve their personal objectives through discipline, focus, and enjoyment.

For piano, I begin students in the Piano Adventure series and focus on more classical pieces to develop a broad base of ability. Contemporary pieces are added per the student's request.

Studio Class - Group sessions where all students perform for their peers, listen, and discuss such topics as: the psychology of performance, chamber music skills, learning to condition your sound to different spaces, audience courtesy, sight reading skills, creating practicing schedules, musicians, and composers, among many other topics. Studio Classes are 1 hour, $10 per session, and are held once each quarter. All students are expected to attend.

Recitals - Two to three recital opportunities are given to each student every year.