Frequently Asked Questions
How much do you charge? Are prices different for lessons for adults vs children?
Please click here for a fee outline. The price for lessons is the same no matter the age or level of the student. The lesson fee reserves a block of studio time to be used by the student, regardless of their age.
What is the Registration Fee for?
Your registration fee goes toward studio and recital costs, including rental fees, supplies, books, and professional development for the instructor. All these things help me to be the best teacher I can be, and help me to continually improve my skills. It also guarantees your spot in the studio by assuring me that you are serious about lessons.
How is the monthly fee calculated? What about months with five weeks?
The monthly fee is calculated based on the number of lessons in the entire season and then divided evenly so that each month's payment is predictable. This means that the monthly fee is the same regardless of whether there are four or five lessons in a month.
When you sign up for lessons, that lesson slot is reserved for you for the entire year. This means your lesson slot will be dedicated to your musical growth even if you are not able to attend a lesson. In this case, time normally allotted for your lesson will be used to prepare materials, send notes and recommendations through the portal, or research applicable teaching methods.
What if the student is sick?
In order to help keep your family safe, I will be sanitizing my piano and studio before each student's lesson. Students are required to wash their hands before their lesson and encouraged to do so again before going home. Masks are no longer required, but are recommended if the student or anyone in their household is contagious. Students are encouraged to stay home if they are feeling sick (refer to my Studio Policies on missed lessons for more information). Only one parent or guardian will be permitted to stay during the lesson. Please contact me with any questions or concerns.
Are Online Lessons available?
Yes, online lessons are available during periods of isolation or quarantine. In-person lessons are preferable, as they allow for direct interaction between the student and the instructor. If your child is beginning lessons for the first time, it may be best to wait until you are comfortable having in-person lessons. It is more valuable to wait until you have access to lessons that provide your child with a firm foundation on which to build their musical knowledge than to rush into a situation that does not provide the ideal learning environment.
Will there be cats in the studio?
There is a door to the studio which will be closed during lessons. If you are worried about allergies, we can book a meet and greet for you to see how you react to the studio.
What length of lesson should I sign up for?
I typically suggest an hour-long lesson to begin. This allows time in each lesson for technique, theory, pieces, games or activities, and practice planning. Some young children start out with shorter lessons if they are not comfortable focusing for an hour. One of the benefits of longer lessons for young children is the opportunity to "practice practicing", that is, taking time to go over exactly how a home practice can be successful. This gives children and parents the knowledge and tools to be confident in their at home practices. Students working towards exams could use 90 minute lessons, especially if they are studying for theory or history as well as practical exams.
What is the best age to start lessons?
The ideal age for a child to start music lessons varies greatly from person to person. It can be very overwhelming for a child who is just starting full-time school to have lessons after school. If your child has never been to full-day school or day-care, they might be tired or miss you very much at the end of the day and want nothing to do with music lessons. You know your child best, so you will make the best decision for them.
Here are some things I like a student to be able to do before starting lessons:
1. Be able to identify the first seven letters of the alphabet and say them in order. It's also helpful if they know the sound those letters make so we can use words like "cat", "dog", and "elephant" to identify the keys "c", "d", and "e" on the keyboard.
2. Be able to count to ten and identify those numbers.
3. Be able to pay attention for the duration of the lesson. I try to add "off the bench", whole body, active learning, but there will still be sitting involved.
Do you teach adults?
Yes! I love teaching adults. I have had many adult students, from university students to retirees. Lessons look different for adults than they do for children, but learning new things and having fun have no age limit. Adults are invited to participate in all studio activities, and can earn stickers and prizes.
How often should I practice and for how long?
A student should get to the piano every day, even for a short practice. Spending time at the piano on a daily basis helps the student to remember what was learned in the lesson, which allows them to practice successfully and reduces frustration. This can be accomplished by working your practice into a regular routine. A lot of students find they have more success if they are able to get multiple short practices into their routine. For example, practicing for 15 minutes before school and 15 minutes after they get home might fit more easily into a busy day. Multiple short practices can also reduce the chances of the student becoming bored or tired while they practice.
It's important that students understand how to practice so they get the most out of their weekly lesson. With younger students in particular, I go over what a practice should look like during the lesson so they don't go home feeling overwhelmed with the idea of playing on their own.
On average, I suggest a student practices for at least half as long as their lesson length per day. So a student with a 30 minute lesson should be practicing for a minimum of 15 minutes per day.
I want my child to learn, but they hate practicing. What should I do?
If taking piano lessons will result in daily fights about practicing, then your child will not enjoy learning the piano. If your child is not ready to commit to regular practice, they are not ready for lessons. Learning an instrument takes time, discipline, and practice. Without regular, committed practice, a student will not progress.
The benefits of learning an instrument do not outweigh the costs of daily fights and arguments. In these cases, it is best to wait until your child is either self motivated enough to practice regularly on their own or until they are old enough to pay for their own lessons.
What if I miss a lesson?
Make-up lessons will be scheduled if notification of a missed lesson is given at least 24 hours advance. For more information about missed lessons, check out my Studio Policies.
Should I stay for my child's lesson?
Parents are welcome to sit in on any lesson. It is often helpful for new students to get help from their parents when practicing at home. If you have a music background and feel confident in being able to help your child with practicing, sitting in on lessons is not necessary. Notes will be accessible through the student portal on this site, so you can have a practice outline.
Some children benefit from having their parents in the room if they are nervous about lessons, while others tend to act up more if they can see their parent. As this varies with every child, you can try sitting in on a couple lessons and see how it goes and we can work together to find the best rhythm for you and your family.
Can I drop off all my children for their lessons at the same time?
This is another case-by-case situation. I have books, seating, and a small desk in my studio. If a sibling can sit quietly for the duration of the lesson, then they are welcome. If the sibling becomes disruptive to the learning environment, I will ask the parent to find an alternative solution for siblings during lessons. There are a number of small parks and walking paths in my neighbourhood if it's nice out and you want to spend some time outdoors during your child's lesson.
I don't have a piano, can I still take lessons?
You will need access to a keyboard on a daily basis in order to start lessons so that you are able to practice regularly. It is important to use a weighted keyboard or an acoustic piano in order to learn proper technique. If you are waiting to find out if your child enjoys piano before investing in an instrument, remember that not having an instrument at home will lessen the chances of them enjoying piano. It is important to ensure you or your child has access to a piano for regular (daily) practice in order for lessons to be successful enough to warrant purchasing one yourself. Most people enjoy something if they feel like they are capable and improving, and not having an instrument to practice on at home makes it difficult to feel that way. Playing on a small keyboard feels very different from playing on an acoustic piano, and that difference could be jarring during lessons. If a child leaves every lesson discouraged because they haven't been practicing, it is unlikely they will want to continue. If finances are a barrier to finding a piano for practice at home, please let me know. I would be happy to do what I can to connect you to a solution within your budget.
