STUDENT LESSONS
Private lessons are held weekly and are either 30 minutes of 45 minutes in length. Group lessons are 1 hour and 15 minutes in length and occur 2 times during the school year. Please see the RESOURCES page of this website for the exact weeks of the group lessons. The group lesson takes the place of the private lesson during that week. Group lessons cover music theory, history, performance, improvisation and ear-training as well as other areas of music.
 
The school year calendar starts the Tues. after Labor Day and continues through the Friday before Memorial Day. I follow the St. Vrain Valley School District calendar in regards to the following breaks when we won't have lessons - Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break and Spring Break. Please note, though, that piano lessons are held on many days when school is not held, such as Mon. holidays (President's Day, etc.), and half days, etc.
 
Students are expected to be year round students to continue their musical progress. The summer session consists of 8 regular length lessons, 6 longer lessons, 4 double lessons or any combination thereof. Summer scheduling is extremely flexible to suit your needs and lesson days and times can be easily switched when necessary. Students are required to take the summer session in order to enroll for the school year session in the fall. There are no group lessons in the summer, but specialized classes may be offered where there is interest.
 
Students should come prepared to their lessons with all their music, assignment books, projects and other necessary materials. Assignments, hand-outs, etc. are organzed in a 3 ring binder that is provided by the teacher. Students should arrive on time and may enter the studio directly (there is no need to knock or ring the doorbell).
 
PRACTICING
Students should practice daily on a well-tuned piano in an area with no distractions. It is also important for students to have access to a metronome.
 
Daily, consistent practice is key to success in piano playing. There is, unfortunately, no other way around this. Please make sure that practice time is a daily priority. Encouragement and enthusiasm from family members can help the student develop a positive attitude towards practicing and performing. Practicing is not always "fun", but the rewards are definitely fun! I also make lessons as enjoyable as possible.
 
It is very helpful when parents check the assignment notebook and make sure that all of the assigned work is being practiced during the week. Also, encourage the students to perform for you, or share what they are working on. It really does take a "village."  
 
CANCELLATIONS AND MAKE-UPS
Make-up lessons will be offered, upon request, for lessons missed because of an illness or unavoidable situation whenever possible. All other missed lessons may or may not be made-up, and is at the discretion of the teacher. "No Show" lessons will not be made up. Please give as much advance notice as possible and keep the requests (except of course because of illness) to a minimum, since the school year calendar is very tightly scheduled. Lessons will be made-up during group lesson weeks if no time is available during the current week.  
 
If a student is unable to attend a group lesson, he/she will be able to attend another group lesson that week (one which is close to his/her level). No other make-up lessons will be available for missed group lessons.
 
PAYMENT
Tuition for lessons during the school year are averaged into nine monthly payments. Payment is due by the 7th of every month between September and May. Parents will find their account balance on this website when you log-in, for lessons fees, music books and festival fees.
 
The 1st half of the Summer Session fee is due by June 7. and the remaining half by July 7.
 
PHONING
During lessons I do not answer the phone so as not to interrupt the lesson. If you need to contact your child, please text or leave a message, and I will check those when I'm able.
 
For all other communications, please email, text or call between the hours of 9:00 am and 8:00 pm.
 
PERFORMING OPPORTUNITIES
There are studio recitals, piano festivals and various other performances scheduled throughout the year. Part of the student’s musical education is acquired through performance, and so students are encouraged to perform as often as they’d like, but it will be expected that all students will perform in the two yearly studio recitals. Please see the Recitals & Festivals page for current performing information and more specific information on the festivals.