FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Lessons are: $30 per half-hour, $45 for a 45 minute lesson and $60 for an hour lesson. Tuition is paid monthly on the first week of the month.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
I like to meet with the new student (and the parent who will help with home practice if the student is a child) and find out what they already know and what they want to learn. I get to know a little about them and, if the student can already play, I ask them to play a favorite song for me so I can assess their playing level. If the student is transferring from another teacher, I give a short review quiz and do a few sightreading exercises to assess their theory and sightreading levels. Once I know what levels they are working at, I do some ear training evaluation. I try to determine the student's preferred learning style, then I select the method or mixture of methods that would be best for them. I explain what is expected as far as home practice, practice instruments, student rectals, etc. and set up an assignment notebook/organizer for practice assignments, worksheets, loose sheet music, etc. that students and parents use to keep track of assignments, log practice time, store handouts and worksheets, make notes and stay organized. Once this is complete, lessons can begin.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I began classical piano training at age 3 and studied classical piano for 14 years. I attended the University of South Carolina and played professionally in clubs, bands, as an accompanist for various singers and groups and for private parties and events. I began teaching full time in the Atlanta area in 1998, then began Suzuki Teacher training in 1999. After getting certified to teach Suzuki piano, I enrolled in Orff training and got my level 1 certification in 2001. I studied with Emmy Truluck, George Darden, Jane Thompson, Mary Lib Avenger, Elaine Worley, Bruce Anderson, Pam Smith, Robin Blankenship, Leah Brammer, Rita Hauck, Charlie Tighe & Marilyn Copeland Davidson. I have additional training in teaching students with special needs including Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADD/ADHD, LD, Gifted, Gifted/LD, Developmental Delays and ED/BD. I continue to attend teacher workshops and master classes whenever possible. I also study various aspects of music and teaching independently and am always seeking to improve my performance and teaching skills.