Studio Guidelines

Welcome new students and parents!

I am so excited to get to know you and play beautiful music together. This post contains a few guidelines that will help you and I to have a great experience learning together.

First, let's talk about practicing!

My rule is that you only need to practice on the days that you eat. That means 20 to 60 minutes of dedicated practicing of the lesson material we choose together. Your love for your instrument and talent will grow equal to your efforts.

Second, attendance.

Students are expected to attend all lessons.  Please notify me in advance if you must miss a session. No make-up lessons are given for missed or canceled lessons. You may switch lesson times with another student--but make sure to let me know of the arrangements ahead of time. To be fair to all students waiting for their lesson to start, if you come to your lesson late, the lesson will still end on time.

Third, tuition.

Payment for lessons is due on the last lesson of each month for the following month's scheduled lessons . My lesson rate is $30 for each 30-minute lesson. There is also an annual book rental fee of $25 due in September for all piano students. This covers the books that you will rent from me. As you become more skilled in your abilities, we will only choose one or two pieces from a repertoire. This rental fee will save you money on buying books for just one or two pieces.

Theory books must be purchased by the student, as they are workbooks you will write in.

Each student MUST have a metronome to practice with.

Please feel free to ask me any questions regarding these policies. I look forward to seeing your talent increase and your love of music grow.

Method and Approach

Private Lessons - One-on-one instruction for both technique, theory and musicianship. Goals are set and maintained as students learn how to achieve their personal objectives through discipline, focus, and enjoyment.

For violin students, I utilize Suzuki method books, along with several other etude, theory, & scale books to provide a well-rounded learning experience.  Intermediate to advanced students will learn from a broad selection of classic violin music repertoire.  

For piano, I begin students in the Piano Adventure series and focus on classical pieces to develop a broad base of ability and technique. Contemporary pieces are added per the student's request.

Recitals - At least two recital opportunities are given to each student every year. One may be a solo recital based on the student's ability.

Why Suzuki?

Shinichi Suzuki was a violinist, educator, philosopher and humanitarian. Born in 1898, he studied violin in Japan for some years before going to Germany in the 1920s for further study. After the end of World War II, Dr. Suzuki devoted his life to the development of the method he calls Talent Education.

Suzuki based his approach on the belief that “Musical ability is not an inborn talent but an ability which can be developed. Any child who is properly trained can develop musical ability, just as all children develop the ability to speak their mother tongue. The potential of every child is unlimited.”

Dr. Suzuki’s goal was not simply to develop professional musicians, but to nurture loving human beings and help develop each child’s character through the study of music. (from the suzuki website)