FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
I charge $200 per hour in person or over the Internet and then I have discounted packages for one hour, 45 minutes and 30 minute sessions. I charge what I am worth to people who want to only take one lesson or one lesson once in awhile. For consistency which is what you need for success, you get substantial discounts paying in advance. Example: for four consecutive weekly hourly lessons the rate can be as low as $380 which is $95 per lesson. There are larger packages as well and packages for lesser time. I run specials periodically and have some good specials running for the holiday season. My group rates run anywhere from $35-$50 per hour per person and I will travel to a group like a choir for $200 per hour.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
The first thing I do after they have made a commitment with payment, is I send them a questionnaire via email. They fill that out and send it back and we make that first appointment which is generally 90 minutes. We go over the questionnaire and then I explain all the different components that make up this instrument that we will be studying and what they can expect. I test their range to see what they have naturally and what they are capable of getting, what their ear and tone are like, what are their strengths and weaknesses, and then I have them sing something. This is usually the hard part but I do my best to put you at ease and remind you that I am your ally and here to help and guide you. You could sing something as easy as happy birthday. This is the beginning and we go from there teaching you technique, exercises and tearing apart and putting back together songs.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I started my professional training in 1972 studying voice. Five years later I apprenticed under my master vocal coach. I graduated in 1979 from USF in music theory with a minor in marketing and have been teaching for over 44 years. I have been a professional vocalist and studio vocalist for many years every type of music from classical to rock and everything else in between. I am a songwriter and have produced vocals for albums. I have toured the country in groups and bands and am in the San Francisco hall of fame.