FAQs

Welcome!

I am so glad you are here!

What is the process for new students?

Start anytime with a 6-week trial! Students receive 6 30-minute weekly private lessons. The cost of the trial is $300. Materials are sold separately.

To get started, please fill out the interest form on my contact page. Prospective students will then be given an opportunity to schedule a free consultation over Zoom to discuss details and scheduling options. After meeting with me and having all their questions answered, families can then decide if they would like to move forward with a 6-Week Trial.

What are your policies?

Registering for on-going lessons requires agreeing to my studio policies.

In a nutshell, these are:

A quality at-home practice instrument is required before the first lesson. A full-size digital piano with touch sensitive and weighted keys and sustain pedal (not button) is acceptable and often preferred over an acoustic piano that has not been well maintained (see more below).

Tuition is divided into 12 equal installments regardless of the number of lessons taught in a month. Rate: $185/mo for 30-minute lessons, $250/mo for 45-minute lessons. Tuition includes 40 lessons offered over the course of the year, all required music and materials, annual registration fee, and a Piano Party.

No long-term commitment. Lessons may be discontinued with 30 days notice.

Your tuition reserves a space just for you! Make-ups or credits for missed lessons are not given, unless the Teacher cancels the lesson. However, two extra lessons are offered during Summer Session, provided the student remains continuously enrolled, which may be viewed as 'make-ups'.

Lessons may be held online in the case of illness, distance, or weather emergencies.

Young children must attend with a parent/guardian.

Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions!

When should we start?

Start anytime - it’s always a good time to start your musical journey! Tuition will be prorated based on your start date.

Students may start as young as 4, but some students may not be ready until they are 6 or 7. It helps if students can follow simple directions, and already know their alphabet and numbers 1-10.

Please note, children will need parental support during home practice until they are at least 10. To get the most out of lessons, parents should also consider whether they are available to help their student with regular practice.

How does practice work?

Student progress is a result of how much they practice and how well they are supported at home. Practice is directly related to progress and student mindset.

When students don’t practice, new material remains 'unfamiliar', which leads to uncomfortable and negative feelings toward piano in general. When students are feeling negatively about piano, they don’t want to practice, which causes a negativity loop.

When students do practice, their confidence in the material soars, which leads to positive feelings about piano and themselves. When students feel positively about piano, they practice more! Nurturing this positivity loop should be the goal of all piano families and their students.

Building and maintaining good practice habits will fundamentally affect your student’s musical journey. In the beginning, frequency is more important than duration. Even 5 minutes a day will establish a strong musical habit so that when assignments become more demanding, students can easily adapt and achieve.

The best way to start each practice session is by reviewing the recent assignment notes. Parents should help their children access these assignments and maintain a practice routine.

Assignments are diverse and can include listening or video activities in addition to repertoire.

Do I need an instrument at home before starting lessons?

Absolutely! Student success hinges on the ability to practice between lessons. Your home instrument is an incredibly important part of your student's musical journey, and having a quality instrument to practice on will greatly enhance their multi-sensory experience and skill.

I generally recommend a high-quality digital piano over an acoustic, mostly for practical reasons. Digital instruments are usually less expensive, do not require tuning, and are easier to move around. That said, a well-maintained acoustic piano is one of the most inspiring home instruments you can have.

Your instrument must have:

-88 weighted keys

-At least 1 pedal

-A stand to ensure the keyboard is at the proper height

-A bench to promote proper posture

Please invest in the best instrument you can afford, or plan to upgrade within a year of beginning instruction. When shopping for digital pianos, you should expect to spend anywhere from $900-$2000 for a high-quality instrument. Most models in this price range will come with the basic features above, but the price will be higher for models that have more voices and/or better speakers. While having more voices is a personal choice, it’s very worthwhile to have the highest quality speakers. The Yamaha Clavinova series is excellent. Roland and Casio also make fabulous digital instruments. I recommend any of these brands.

You may find good deals around the holidays!

Used digital pianos can also be a good way to start, so check NextDoor, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace.

How long does it take to learn piano?

This depends on countless factors, but the short answer is that it takes as long as it takes.

Accomplishment is a matter of perspective though, so it’s important to consider what your goals are for your student.

Student progress is mainly based on how much they practice, but parent support, teaching approach, age/maturity, and home instrument quality all factor into a student’s accomplishments.

In terms of my core curriculum, Piano Safari, each level takes 1-2 years to complete, and there are 3 levels in the series. Completing Piano Safari Level 3 equates to a late-intermediate level, and students are ready to advance into higher repertoire.

As you embark upon your musical journey, remember that progress is not a straight line. Every student will experience periods of accelerated growth or progress plateaus. Persistence is what really counts if your goal is to develop a lifelong love of music through the piano. You can spend your whole life learning to play, and will discover that music will be your companion throughout your lifetime!

Melanie F

“I wanted to take a moment to say THANK YOU for all you've done to help James and Eric succeed in piano. Setting achievable goals, teaching and playing ability, patience, and care--we couldn't ask for more or for a better teacher!”