Lessons

Policies

• Fees will be paid monthly unless you discuss it with me.  The first lesson day of the month is when you need to pay me for that month.  

• I accept cash or check or Zelle.  If your check is returned for insufficient funds I will charge you $20 to cover my costs.  After two checks are returned I will no longer accept checks.

• If you have an excused absence we will try to make up that lesson., subject to availability.  Excused absences are for illness, family emergency, or if you let me know 24 hours ahead.  

• Please let me know as soon as possible if you will be missing a lesson, since I may be able to make up that lesson ahead of time.  

• Cancellations for weather should be checked with me by phone.

• I teach 48 lessons a year.  I have budgeted out the fees so you pay me for 4 lessons a month even if we have three or five lessons in a particular month.  That means I take 4 weeks of vacation in a year.  You will not receive a makeup lesson for one of those weeks.

• Most of the lessons for beginners are 30 minutes once per week.  When the student advances lessons may grow to 45 or 60 minutes and consequently cost more..  

• Currently, my fee is $120 a month for a 30 minute lesson once each week if you come to my studio and pay by the month.

• If you have more than one student, the first price break is at 90 minutes a week ($100 a month per each 30 minutes a week).  

• Music is included in the fee for pianists and may be kept.  Popular sheets may be purchased by the student and brought to class.  I cannot provide these since they are prohibitively expensive.  

• Singers will borrow music and it should be returned when you are finished with the book or stop taking lessons.  

• You may always bring in your own music and karaokes to sing.  

• Final authority on repertoire and other pedagogical issues will be mine.

• If you are taking a leave of absence you will lose your customary lesson time.  I may reschedule your time and you will need to contact me about a time when you return.  I will assess how many lessons you have had and how many you have paid for.  I will require you to pay me for lessons that have been taken, but have not been paid for yet.

• Workshops and some competitions require an additional fee, however, recitals are included in the price.  

• When you decide to leave I will assess how many lessons you have had and how many you have paid for.  I will require you to pay for the lessons you have received and haven't paid for yet.  Since some months have more lesson days than others, the end of the period may not correspond to the beginning or end of the month.

Descriptions

Piano Lessons

I am constantly working to be the best teacher I can be.  I will work with you and your student to create the best course of study for your needs.  Some older students may wish to learn theory and chords in order to play by ear, from lead sheets, or compose. When I use method books, I don’t use method books that have the student play in only three positions. Instead, I prefer to use the Celebrate Piano! series that has the student moving around and exploring the whole piano from the very beginning.  I will add in other pieces and books as the student shows an understanding of the basic keyboard geography and note reading.  Students are allowed to learn at their own pace.  This results in a highly individualized and flexible program.  Theory and technique are included in the lesson books including transposing, so they learn to be flexible.  Other resources for study are provided as needed. 

Voice Lessons

I teach voice with a technical approach.  We will start the lesson with exercises designed to help train the muscles to move in the correct ways.  I am a proponent of bel canto singing.  This is the most relaxed and beautiful production of sound.  It will not damage the vocal cords but is capable of creating vocal flexibility and strength without strain.  Some students struggle to match pitches.  This is relatively easy to correct.  The technique will correct problems with matching pitches, yodeling and weakness in the upper range.

I teach mostly Broadway and Classical repertoire.  I generally like to have two songs going at any given time.  We work on the style of the piece, interpretation of the text, and physical presentation.  My goal is to prepare the student for performance through offering wisdom about presentation, and student recitals where the students sing for each other.  The students are very supportive of each other and help each other learn how to perform.  Students who are preparing an audition will be advised on audition procedure, proper music, and preparation.

My background is in Classical Music.  I am capable of coaching in Italian, French and German, including Art Songs and Opera.

Recitals

Recitals are traditional. I try to have 6-7 students per recital.  Piano students usually play 4 pieces or fewer if they are long.  Voice students usually sing 2 pieces.  I try to do it twice a year.