Lesson Information

Studio Policy

Teaching Style
I tailor my teaching approach to each individual student, catering to their learning style and taking their individual goals into account. I believe it is most effective to be encouraging and supportive, highlighting strong areas and working with the student to assess problem areas and discover ways to correct them. We will develop foundational skills with scales and etudes, bring out musicality and performance energy with solo work and also work on music the student may need to learn for school, band etc.

The First Lesson
The first lesson will likely be 45-60 minutes long. This will give us time to get to know one another, for me to assess the current skill level, for you to ask questions and for me to discover the student’s learning style and assign music accordingly. If the student has had previous lessons, I encourage you to bring all books and a prepared piece to play for me. I will give you a list at the end of the lesson of what needs to be purchased based on the skill level, goals and music you may already have.

Fees (subject to change – please call to confirm)
30 minute lesson $30.00
45 minute lesson $40.00
60 minute lesson $50.00

Travel Fee (Applicable if I teach in your home): Varies according to distance. Generally $2-5 per lesson.

Materials fee (Only applicable to students ages 8 and younger): $5/month. (This covers activities, coloring pages, music “homework”, stickers, etc.)
Group lesson rates available in some cases.
Music books and tools (such as metronome, tuner etc.) may be purchased either directly from me or at various music stores

Payment
While the fees are calculated based on minutes per lesson, payment for an entire upcoming month is due at once. Students are expected to pay for the next month’s lessons at the last lesson of the current month. For example, payment for October lessons is expected at the last lesson in September. If payment is not made by the first lesson of the month, a late fee of $10 will be added to the total.

Recitals and Performances
I expect students to seek out out performance opportunities, such as through church or school, and also pursue competitions and auditions relevant to their age and skill level.

Lesson Times
It is recommended that you schedule your child’s lessons at an optimal time of the day; when they are not tired, hungry or distracted.

As a performing musician, my own schedule is always changing and I may have an occasional “gig” that conflicts with a lesson time. While I try to schedule lessons at times and days that are least likely to conflict with a gig, I may need to change a lesson time once in awhile. You will be notified in advance and given options for a different time that week.

Attendance
Students are expected to attend weekly. Cancellations must be made a minimum of 24 hours in advance and will only be made up in case of illness or other emergency and if my schedule allows. If I have to cancel a lesson, we will either make it up later in the week or deduct the cost of the lesson from the next month’s payment. If a student arrives late to a lesson, the lesson will still end at the designated time. Consistent and extreme tardiness may be grounds for dismissal.

Studio Guidelines
Lessons are given in my home unless otherwise arranged. Parents may stay for the lesson if they'd like, or they can drop off and pick up the student. If you arrive early for a lesson and there is a student before you, I ask you to wait quietly so as not to make the other student uncomfortable. Please forego heavy perfume as I have allergies. I also ask you to please reschedule the lesson if your child is ill.

Referrals
While my schedule is quite full, I welcome new students. If you refer a new student to me, make sure they mention the referral and you will receive one free lesson. The month following the new student’s first month of lessons will be prorated to reflect the free lesson.

Young Students
I believe that even a very young child can have a passion for music and the capacity to learn basic musical concepts. I do accept students as young as four or five, providing they know their alphabet, can count, and have a true desire to learn music. I strongly recommend that a child this young only be enrolled if at least one parent knows music so that instruction can continue at home in between lessons and practice can be facilitated. At this age, however, they are too small to hold and play a regular flute. We will begin instruction on the Yamaha Fife, learning musical concepts and developing skills that can transfer over to the flute when they are big enough. Children ages 6-8 may do well on a Jupiter Prodigy flute, which is light and small with a curved headjoint. The learning experience will be tailored to the child’s age and grasp of new concepts. A parent is required to stay for the lesson so that behavior can be controlled and so that the parent can see what/how the child is learning and reinforce that at home. Please keep in mind that a child this young is not likely to progress as obviously as an older student on flute-specific skills. We will work a lot on basic musical concepts while interjecting flute-specific skills at a pace that won’t overwhelm the child. This will lay the groundwork for easy transition to, and quick progression on, a regular flute when the child is big enough. I understand that on occasion a young child will be cranky or restless on any particular day and I will provide various hands-on activities to redirect their focus, but there are no refunds if a lesson has to be cut short because the child is no longer focusing. If this continues regularly, we may need to reassess whether the child is ready for lessons.

Helpful Student Files
(In Rich Text Format)

Studio Policy

Repertoire List

Student Information Form (fill out and bring to first lesson)