Lessons

I am currently taking all virtual students!  Click here to get in touch with me about rates and scheduling a lesson! I teach all levels and all ages and all goals.  Unfortunately, due to the recent global pandemic, I am not taking any students who wish to study in person for the time being.

Philosophy:
My teaching philosophy is simple: teach in the best way that each individual student can learn.  This means that I don’t have a specific curriculum that I use for everyone – I cater to each student’s learning style and goals.  Although each student is different, I tend to focus on basic fundamentals and sight-reading skills.  If a student has a firm fundamentals base, everything else will come much easier.

Expectations:
I expect that each student will put in the effort that is required for private lessons. I as a teacher, I cannot directly make a student better…I am only there to guide the way. It is the student that needs to put in the effort to improve their skills. Basically, the student is in charge of their own progress.

Payment:
For regular students, I request that prepayment of at least a month’s worth of lessons be made at the beginning of the month.  Upon request, I can provide an invoice for you. This helps me manage and better predict my own earnings, and full cooperation of this policy is appreciated.

I can also provide lessons on a per-service basis.  This is ideal for students who may not have time or the financial resources to have consistent lessons, but have solo festival or an audition that they need some extra help with.  There is no difference in fee for regular students vs. per-service students.  Payment for each lesson is due before the student leaves.

I take check, cash, Apple Pay, and PayPal.

Cancellation/reschedule policy:
If a conflict arises please give more than 24 hours notice of the cancelled lesson, or else no make up will be given or payment for missed lesson will be expected.  The exception is, of course, sickness, family emergency, injury, inclement weather, etc.  This policy is to protect my schedule and my expected income.  I am very forgiving as long as you give me 24 hours notice!

Please be on time to your lesson.  If you know you will be late, please let me know ahead of time.  If you are more than 15 minutes late without a legitimate excuse, your lesson will be canceled and no make up will be given or payment for lesson will be expected.  This is to protect my schedule and the schedule of any students who are scheduled to follow your lesson. Once again, I am very forgiving as long as you notify me!

And, of course, the policies go both ways! I will offer a free lesson if I cannot follow my own policies!