FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Currently my rates are: $30 for 30 minutes, *$45 for 45 minutes (back to back family lessons), and $60 for 60 minutes. Frequently can be every week or every other week (preference for times is given to weekly students). Please contact me to discuss rates.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Visit the registration page and fill out the corresponding form. After I receive your interest form, I will contact you by phone to schedule a FREE 15-minute interview lesson. At this meeting, we will discuss your musical interests, musical history, and musical goals, and answer any questions you may have. I want to ensure that we are both a good fit for each other so students can opt to do a trial lesson (rates apply) and may opt to stop studying with a formal 30-day notice.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Kaara McHugh holds a Bachelor's in Music in Music Education and Vocal Performance from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She has studied voice privately for 13 years in Central MA, Western MA, and New York City. For the past three years, she has taught music in elementary schools in Fitchburg, Leominster, and New York City. In addition to teaching in public schools, Kaara has pursued teaching private vocal instruction since 2012. She started at Berkshire Hills Music Academy teaching lessons to the post-secondary special learning needs community in South Hadley, MA. After relocating to Central, MA, she taught private lessons for Wachusett's Artist in Residence Program for two years. She also has been the music director for Theater at the Mount's summer drama camps including Theater Bug and Lights, Stage, Action for the past 6 years, and music directed the spring 2015 production of School House Rock Live. Kaara has sung in two young artist programs including Classical Singing in New York in June (NYC, 2011) and the Franco American Vocal Academy (France, 2013). In 2013, she toured Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic as an alto with the UMass Chamber Choir. Beyond her own private vocal study, she has performed primarily in community theaters since graduating in 2012, singing such roles as Maria Von Trapp in the Sound of Music (Sterling Community Theater, 2014) and Christine Colgate in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Theater at the Mount, 2015). She also sang in the chorus for Greater Worcester Operas Così fan tutte (2014) and Amahl and the Night Visitors (2015). While in New York City, she was lucky enough to sing in a choir that collaborated with Teatro Grattacielos performance of Sibera by Umberto Giordano which was reviewed by The New York Times! Kaara is a member of the Music Teachers National Association and has held membership with the National Association of Music Educator's and the Massachusetts' Music Educators Association.