What do you charge?

Lesson tuition is billed in equal amounts for the school year term (August through May), and will be $158.00 per month for a 90-minute weekly session (the Accelerated Piano Lab), effective August 1, 2019.  Students starting after that date will have their monthly tuition pro-rated based on the number of lessons/number of months remaining in the school year, so may be slightly higher or lower than that. 
​I will quote you an exact monthly tuition at your complimentary interview/trial lesson in my studio.
I am a registered teacher with the MusicLink Foundation, and am happy to consider your child for this program. For more information, and the registration form, click here

Will piano lessons be FUN for my child?​

I will do my best to keep lesson time fun in my studio each week.  Learning is a process, though, not an event. A big part of my job is helping them to struggle through the hard bits, teach them to be independent learners, and then celebrating their success!

How do I know if my child is ready for piano lessons?

I believe that the two most important things in determining "readiness" for lessons are your child's interest in learning to play, and your willingness to schedule consistent home practice, and sit with them during practice if they are younger than 8. Parents do not need to read music themselves -- just be there to read their assignment to them, and be encouraging.

Do I need to have a piano in my home?

You will need to have at least a keyboard available for home practice. During your initial lesson interview, we will discuss the differences between electronic keyboards, digital keyboards, and (acoustic) pianos. You will need to be willing to purchase a full-sized (88-key) instrument by the end of your child's first year of study.

How much should my child practice between lessons?

Help your child get off to a great start by going with them to the piano once a day. Sit with them a bit and just enjoy making sounds at the keyboard, so that they develop a habit of making their own music. There is no need to set a clock to time their practice -- just encourage them to work through the goals that we chose together during their lesson . They will be written out on on post-it notes on their music, as well as on an assignment sheet that you'll receive via e-mail. It's great to encourage them to explore and "doodle" a bit, as well!

Do I need to be present during my child's lesson?

I only require parents to be present during lessons when the child is a 5 years old or younger. Because you will be your child's "practice partner" each week, it is important that you understand what was taught during that lesson, and that you have an opportunity to ask questions. 

Will my child be required to play in recitals?

I do encourage all students to play in my (two) Studio Recitals each year, which are in December and May. You'll have these dates well in advance, so please do put them on your calendar. Prior to these events, your child will have had the opportunity to play in at least one Group Lesson in my studio, in front of other students. This is a great way to learn to focus on their love of the piece that they are playing, rather than their worries about making a mistake or two. I do not require that recital pieces be memorized, and have found that almost all students learn quickly to view public performance as a means of sharing what they have learned -- not a test of their abilities.

​Do you work with adults who have never had any kind of music lessons?​

Yes! No prior experience is needed.  We will discuss your personal goals during a FREE trial lesson in my studio, and will plan a course of study that will help you fulfill your dreams as a musician. I realize that adults have busy schedules, so we set goals accordingly - and focus on having fun with music at your weekly lesson!

Do you require adult students to participate in recitals?

No, but I will encourage you to consider it!  I don't require any of my students to play from memory at my studio recitals, which makes them much less stressful for many students. Recitals are a great opportunity to show off your progress, and I think you will find that applause is rather addictive!

Do you offer bi-weekly lessons?

No, not for beginner and early-level students.  I have found that most students become quickly frustrated with the inevitable lack of progress that this kind of arrangement produces. If you have had several years of lessons in the past, and just want to brush up on some skills or need help in polishing a particular piece, I'm happy to discuss some short-term lessons with you!

What if I just want to learn popular music?

​That's great! I love teaching any style. I also work with chord charts, lead sheets (Fake Books), etc.