As Your Teacher…
My desire is to instill in each student a love for music. I plan to do this by creating an encouraging and fun atmosphere, developing each individual’s talents and abilities through games and activities, and giving opportunities for students to learn and grow at their own pace. Every student learns so differently. I work with my students to find the best way for them to learn individually and go from there. Throughout your child’s musical journey with me, I will facilitate opportunities to help my students take ownership over their own learning, with the intention of them continuing to learn long after they end lessons with me as their teacher.
Lesson Content
Our thirty-minute lessons will vary slightly week to week, while still retaining a similar format and routine. In our lesson time, we will review concepts that the student has been practicing throughout the week, talk about any struggles or questions the student may be having concerning their pieces and work through the week’s lesson plan. I believe strongly in teaching my students a well rounded musical education, by embracing their natural strengths and patiently developing their weaknesses. During their time with me, we will be studying music theory, music performance, sight-reading, proper piano technique, basic music literature, music history, memorization, chording, and musical creativity through composition and ear-training. Each student is required to pay for their own piano books and is responsible to bring them to each lesson.
Missed Lesson/ Make Up
If a student is late for his/her 30-minute lesson period, they are still required to pay for the full lesson. There is no refund or reimbursement for that missed time.
If a student must miss a lesson due to an illness of family emergency, I allow one makeup lesson per month. This is an hour long group lesson and will be scheduled at the beginning of each month. Any missed lessons exceeding this one, will not be refunded. It is the parent’s responsibility to notify me immediately when their child will not be able to make their lesson.
If you decide to end piano lessons with me, you will not receive a refund for the installment that has already been paid (whether that’s the monthly payment or the semester payment).
Practice Requirements
I require my student to have a consistent practicing routine. Together we will work out a good amount of time to spend practicing, develop strategies to help them succeed in this and also have a couple tools for them to keep track of their practice time. Weekly practice requirements will vary student to student, differing due to their age, book level, level of understanding and personal schedules. I will have practice sheets for the students to fill out and bring each week of practice.
Students are welcome (but not required) to wear masks or gloves to their lesson and I will be willing to wear a mask if the student or parent would like me to (please let me know in an email before lessons so that I can make the necessary arrangements!). Upon arrival I would ask that my students wash their hands and that parents or any others with the students would remain in the front room during the student’s lesson. I will also be sanitizing my piano and the doorknobs between each student.
Additionally, I ask that parents and students would communicate with me if their child or household is experiencing any coldlike or flu symptoms. We can then switch to online lessons until the household has recovered or schedule a makeup for the end of the month.
Due to the nature of piano lessons, it is difficult to practice social distancing between the student and teacher. Because of this, I’m hoping we can be proactive in keeping my studio healthy and things moving as smoothly as possible. I realize the challenge this will be as we enter the colder months in WI, but I’m confident, as I observe the data we have so far and implement these new protocols, that the concern should be minimal.
If you find that you’re not comfortable with these steps that I’m taking in any way, please feel free to send me an email and we can discuss if there are any ways that I can ease your concerns.
These past few years have been taxing, uncertain and stressful for us all on some level. I hope to offer a safe place to land and a joyful time of renewal, enjoyment and the celebration of music when my students have their lessons. I truly believe in the therapeutic power of music to uplift, to inspire, and to help our brains process life in ways that children and adults alike often struggle with. As Victor Hugo put it, “ Music expresses that which cannot be said, and on which it is impossible to be silent.” Let’s not let these important things drift to the wayside when life feel uncertain.