Studio Policies

Attendance

Absences

If your child will be absent, please notify me well in advance to schedule a make-up. I make every attempt to offer make-up lessons. If your child is absent and I am not notified in advance, or if you simply do not show for your lesson, I cannot offer a make-up lesson.

I do not issue refunds or credits for absences. Tuition is paid in advance. See Refunds and Credits below for my refund/credit policy.

Punctuality

Please be on time for your lessons and pick your child up on time.

Teacher Illness/Emergencies

If I cancel your lesson due to illness or an emergency, I will contact you as soon as possible to schedule a make-up lesson. If we cannot arrange a make-up lesson, I will credit the next month’s tuition.

Expectations

What You Can Expect from Me

I customize each student’s lesson based on their current knowledge, skills, and abilities. I understand that everyone learns at their own pace, in their own way – and that the best way to learn an instrument is to approach music holistically from multiple learning perspectives.

Given that, here’s what you can expect from me as your piano teacher:

  • I will offer each student a comprehensive music education that integrates lessons on proper technique, music theory, ear and eye training, musicality, artistry, standard piano repertoire, and music history.

  • I will always prepare high-quality lesson plans designed specifically for each student.

  • I will teach a holistic program that values compassion, patience, and mindfulness while helping my students reach their musical goals and advance their abilities.

  • If a student is a beginner, I will start that student in an appropriate series of method books to ensure a solid foundation in the basics of piano.

  • If a student has prior knowledge, skills, and experience playing piano, I will select repertoire and/or method books that appropriately challenge that student and advance their skills.

  • I will teach a wide range of genres, including classical, pop, jazz, folk, ragtime, rock, blues, children’s music, sacred music, and age-appropriate tunes you may hear on the radio.

  • I will always listen to my students and center lessons around each student’s goals, strengths, challenges, and age-appropriate musical preferences.

  • I will make learning music FUN and interesting.

What I Expect from My Students

I expect my students to practice often, keep a lesson log, and come prepared to each lesson. I also expect my students (and parents) to communicate any questions or concerns they may have.

Here are some realistic practice guidelines based on a student’s age and level. These guidelines are in addition to your weekly lesson:

  • Ages 4-6 | Young Beginner – 20 minutes a day, 3-4 days a week

  • Ages 7-11 | Beginner – 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week

  • Ages 12+ | Accelerated Beginner – 30-45 minutes a day, 5 days a week

  • Ages 12+ | Early Intermediate – 45 minutes a day (depending on repertoire), 5-6 days a week

  • Ages 12+ | Intermediate or Advanced – 45-60 minutes a day or more (depending on repertoire), 5-6 days a week

  • Adult | Beginner – 30-45 minutes a day, 4-5 days a week

Parental Involvement

One question I get asked occasionally is, “What’s my role as a parent to ensure my child learns how to play?”

Firstly, it is not a parent’s job to teach a student how to play the piano. (That’s my job.) Your child will know from their lessons and weekly assignment log exactly what to practice each week. I do not expect parents to learn how to play the piano or to read music.

Here’s what I expect from my students’ parents (or guardians):

  • Encourage your child with positive feedback.

  • Take an interest in what they are learning and in what interests them (e.g., what kind of music they like, their favorite song, their favorite technique, an instructional game they liked).

  • Ensure your child has access to a piano and that they have their assigned books and lesson log.

  • Ensure your child has the time to practice consistently each week without distraction.

  • Remind your child to practice at regularly scheduled practice times.

  • Communicate any schedule conflicts in a timely manner so we can arrange a make-up session.

  • Pay your child’s tuition on time to avoid accruing a late-payment fee.

Inclement Weather & Emergencies

My studio follows Fairfax County Public Schools for inclement weather school closures:

  • If the schools close due to inclement weather or an emergency, my studio is closed.

  • If after-school activities and/or SACC is cancelled due to inclement weather or an emergency, my studio is closed.

  • If there is a two-hour delay, I will conduct lessons that day.

If your lesson is cancelled due to inclement weather or an emergency, I will contact you to schedule a make-up. If we cannot arrange a make-up lesson, I will credit the next month's tuition.

For updates on school closures, go to www.fcps.edu.

Parking

  • If your lesson is scheduled after school hours (i.e., after 3:30), please park on the street near my house. Parking is available on my street and on side roads.

  • If your lesson is scheduled during school hours (i.e., before 3:30), please park in my driveway to avoid getting a ticket. I will make sure there is space available.

Supplies

Here are the supplies you will need for piano lessons:

  • Acoustic piano or digital keyboard with bench

    • Strongly recommend: Your piano has 88 weighted keys, a bench, an attached music stand, and at least two pedals.

  • Assigned method books and repertoire

  • 1 – Composition book or spiral notebook, wide-rule or college-rule (i.e., weekly assignment log)

  • 1 – Tote bag for music and supplies

  • 1 – Metronome with a wide tempo range, e.g., ranges from 40-208 beats per minute (BPM)

  • 3 – Pencils, #2, sharpened

  • 4 – Colored pencils (red, blue, and green)

Tuition

I offer the first lesson for FREE – for all students. Come and see if we're a good fit, first. This gives you and your child a chance to meet me and see how I teach, at no cost. After that, tuition is paid in advance and due by the first of the month.

2022/23 Rates

  • $50 for 30-minute lesson for young beginners

  • $60 for 45-minute lesson for beginners and intermediate students

  • $80 for 60-minute lesson for advanced students

Payment Methods

I accept checks, Venmo, and PayPal. I do not accept cash.

Late Fee

I charge a $10 late fee if your tuition is more than 5 business days past due. The late fee will be applied to your next bill. If you are late on tuition, I will do my best to send a reminder.

Refunds and Credits

I do not issue refunds. I will credit your account for cancellations due to inclement weather, teacher illness, emergencies, or inability to schedule a make-up lesson.