Welcome to the Piano Lessons Philosophy page! I hope that this provides you with the information that you need. If you are interested in signing up for piano lessons (either for yourself or for your child), please head over to the New Student Sign-Up page and fill out that form. If you have additional questions, please head to the Contact Us page and fill out that form. Thank you!
It is my belief that all of the elements involved with learning to play the piano are equally important – note recognition, reading music, proper finger technique, rhythm, and music theory (the "grammar" of the music "language"). But, maybe most important of all, is enjoyment! If the student can learn to love learning to play the piano – if the fire gets lit – then there is a lifetime of enjoyment and fulfillment that awaits. Learning to play the piano is truly one of the greatest talents or hobbies that a child can learn and do.
Piano Lessons (private, individual lessons)
Cost: $25 per half-hour lesson in my home (piano only). Lessons taught in my home are on a digital Clavinova with weighted keys. I charge an additional fee (generally $5–10 per house) to travel for lessons. However, this amount is based on distance/mileage and it can be greater for longer distances. Students/families pay for all materials including a lesson journal (students typically will use either the digital practice journal or a spiral notebook), which they are expected to bring with them to each lesson; practice books; and specific, additional "fun" music the student wants to learn.
Organ Lessons (private, individual lessons)
Cost: $25 per half-hour lesson, plus an additional fee to travel (generally $5–10 dollars if the organ is within the local area). However, this amount is based on distance/mileage and it can be greater for longer distances. All arrangements to reserve and pay for time on an organ are the responsibility of the student/family. Students/families pay for all materials including a lesson journal (typically a spiral notebook), which they are expected with them to each lesson; practice books; and specific, additional sheet music the student wants to learn.
Note for all piano and organ lessons: To begin, lessons will only be taught at my home. Eventually, lessons will be organized and scheduled geographically by day (for example, in-home lessons on Tuesday, Whiteman AFB on Wednesday afternoon, etc.). It is expected that each student will take lessons at least once per week (students may occasionally take additional lessons in preparation for a big event or performance such as a recital or an audition). If your student(s) take lessons in my home, you can sign up for whatever day and time works for you that week on a first-come, first-served basis. If you’re taking lessons in your home, it is expected that you will take lessons every week in the same time slot (same day and time). If there are no available slots, or if the available slots don’t work for you, please send me a message. I will only teach piano lessons to a child if another responsible adult is also present in the home in which the lesson is taught. Although I’ve never had any problems — and do not anticipate any problems in the future — this proactively prevents problems and protects all individuals. :) Cancellations without a penalty are accepted prior to 72 hours before your scheduled lesson; cancellations within the 72 hours prior to your scheduled lesson will be charged the full rate for the scheduled lesson. If your student misses two lessons/weeks in a row, your slot(s) will become available to other students beginning the third week. Exceptional circumstances (such as sickness and family vacations) will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Other regularly-scheduled or recurring extracurricular activities do not normally count as exceptional circumstances.