FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
All students get a free first lesson/interview. This serves as an opportunity for me to get to know the student, and for the student to get an idea of my personality and teaching style, in order to see if we'd be a good fit to work together. Once enrolled, students pay tuition in equal monthly installments, based on a calendar of lessons for the year (sort of like signing up for a college course and paying tuition in equal payments over the course of the academic year). There is also a once-per-studio-year Enrollment and Materials Fee, which, among other things, covers the cost of all books the student will need for the year (i.e., I select and buy them on behalf of the student).
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
During the free first lesson, I work to get to know about each student's personality, interests, past studies, and areas for growth. I then work to craft a course of study that engages the student and helps them to build the skills needed to be well-rounded, inspired, and competent musicians at whatever age and stage of development they are.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have studied and played piano for 23 years; singing for 19 years; and composition for about 15 years. I earned the Bachelor of Arts in Music at Swarthmore College in 2006, which entailed rigorous work in music theory, piano performance, music history, and composition. The liberal arts approach to music at Swarthmore emphasized critical thinking around the historical, social, and philosophical context of music, which I think helps me to bring a unique perspective to my teaching. I've been teaching private lessons since 2008, working with a broad range of students of different ages, skill levels, and backgrounds. During that time I've enthusiastically and continually worked to build my skills as a teacher and a musician. These professional development pursuits have included membership in the Music Teachers National Association; workshops in music teaching techniques and strategies; 2 years of work as a classroom Spanish and music teacher at a small Friends school; participation in the 4-week composition program at the Atlantic Music Festival; and membership in The Curious Piano Teachers, an international professional development network for innovation in music education.