FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
I divide the calendar year into 3-15 week semesters. Each semester is $330.00. It is best to start as soon as possible to secure a time that better fits your schedule, but a beginning student can start anytime and the tuition is prorated based on the remaining lessons in the semester. If you miss you do not "lose" a lesson. In most cases it can be made up. I have set aside 2-3 days for make up scheduling. Lessons do not include materials. You purchase materials only when we decide which method best works for you or your "musician-to-be". Tuition is due two weeks before the beginning of each semester. (For beginning students it is due on the first day of your lessons schedule.) Thanks!
- What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
Ask questions. Any successful teacher fully expects the prospective student to have a wide array of questions about the process of learning to play music. Here are some you should include. I have provided my answers. "May I schedule an appointment to talk with you to find out more about your piano lessons?" (Some do, some do not. A teacher that shows a genuine interest in meeting with you may take the anxiety out of starting lessons. I offer a Free Consultation just for this purpose.) "What qualifications should I have to learn piano?" (A desire to play and a commitment of the time needed.) "What do you expect as a teacher?" (To be consistent in lesson attendance and practice.) "Do you audition (qualify) prospective students?" (Some teachers do. They want to concentrate their time and effort on lifetime students, not the casual learner. I do not.) "Do you have regular performance opportunities?" (Yes. It's important that the student play under a small bit of duress. It makes them a stronger player. I do not require students perform. And I discourage parents in pressuring a child to do this.) "Do I have to play in front of others?"(adult question!) (Only if you want to.) "If I have to miss a lesson what is your make up policy?" (Most teachers have a very narrow window of opportunity for making up a missed lesson. Some do not do makeups, even if they miss. I set aside days for students to make up missed lessons.) "What materials do you use?" (One method does not work for every student. I use a wide variety of method programs so we can find one that fits the student's personality and learning process.) "Do I have to do a lot of theory?" (Some teachers dedicate an entire lesson or set aside additional lessons just for theory. I use theory as needed. It depends entirely on the student's goals and style of music they wish to play.) There can be many other questions you may have. These are just some examples that can be informative.