FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
It is easiest for all and saves lesson time to pay by the first lesson of each month by cash or check, but I do make exceptions to it for outstanding situations. I also am open to bartering for lessons if they have a skill that would be useful to me. Some do pay twice a month.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
We set up a meeting on the phone or in person at my "Awesome Airwaves!" Music Studio in my home to discuss details of the first meeting so everyone is prepared. At the first meeting, I have them read my lesson policy and see if they have any questions, and then have them fill out a form of their contact information, and any background they have had in music. I show them the books from which we could work, giving them a choice from various methods and give my recommendations. I start the actual lessons addressing posture and breathing, employing what I have learned from the Alexander Technique. Then they are ready to approach the piano in a way in which they are in control of their playing. I take quite a bit of time for proper hand position, initial approach to the keyboard, and artistic releases. We get a feel for the steady beat on my 100 year old floor drum, as a steady beat is essential in playing or singing well. Then we get into the books and I start assigning the next lesson after having explained everything in detail. Vocal students need to bring a recording device to each lesson to have the vocalese with which to practice each day. All students need to have some kind of notebook for me to record directions and details for each ensuing lesson. They are to refer to this each day of their practice.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I was certified by Music for Young Children on August 30, 2011 for completing their Webinar Fast Trak 10-10 program on digital marketing! :) It took place over 10 months of the year, and each month covered a different facet of digital marketing, such as using Facebook, Blogs, Twitter, and a Web page. As a result I have a blog on Facebook, called,"What is Artistic Teaching?" You will find my lesson policies, etc. on those pages, as well as my lesson schedule and details of my teaching style. It was a great feeling of accomplishment to follow through with that! :) In February of 2013 I earned my certificate for my MYC Level III Seminar - 12 hours of webinars! In May of 2013 I took a webinar with Paul Coates on "Taming the Practice Monster," through the auspices of my supervising teacher at MYC. In this webinar we learned new tricks for teaching improvisation during the lesson, which I have employed immediately in my lessons that week. My students all enjoyed this part of the lessons, and I have encouraged them to continue on their own at home as well as at lessons. One 7th grader actually wanted hers video-taped, which we did on the spot, and now I carry it around on my smart phone! FUN!:)