Studio Information and Policies
Teaching Method
I believe in a balanced approach of technique and pieces. Lessons (and therefore practicing) will consist of a regiment of scales, technical exercises, and pieces. While I do not the prescribed Suzuki method, I teach pieces from the Suzuki books. I also teach the Galamian methodology of scales. I also use method books written or compiled by Percy Such, Alwin Schroeder, David Popper, and Rick Mooney.
I believe in a balanced approach of technique and pieces. Lessons (and therefore practicing) will consist of a regiment of scales, technical exercises, and pieces. While I do not the prescribed Suzuki method, I teach pieces from the Suzuki books. I also teach the Galamian methodology of scales. I also use method books written or compiled by Percy Such, Alwin Schroeder, David Popper, and Rick Mooney.
Expectations
I believe that playing the cello should be fun and entertaining as well as an educational experience. Taking this to heart, there must be expectations set of everyone involved.
Of the teacher:
Of the teacher:
- To prepare for your lesson with what you need as a cellist and as a student.
- To give you musical direction.
- To impart musical and cello knowledge.
- To make sure that you enjoy learning the art of the cello.
- Practice! I firmly believe in practicing at least the length of your lesson time for a minimum of five (5) times a week. Sufficient and consistent practice is the only way that you can improve at a decent rate while also allowing me to help you from week to week. More practicing is always encouraged. We will discuss what practicing entails and how it will help you achieve your goals.
- Behave during lessons. Nothing is more disconcerting than a student who talks back. I have prepared for your lesson, and I hope you have prepared sufficiently as well, and we should not let behavior problems get in the way. I will not tolerate poor behavior.
- Bring all of your music and your binder to your lesson. I am understanding if you accidentally leave a book once or twice, but please do not let it become a problem.
- Have an attitude of learning!
- Bring your child to the lesson on time. Any time that you are late will be deducted from the lesson time and the lesson will still end at the indicated time.
- Encourage your child to practice. I do not believe in forcing, as they will resent the cello (as I did with piano!). Incentives are encouraged if necessary.
- If your child is between 5-10 years of age, I highly encourage my parents to be active in the practice sessions depending on the child's age. Young children do not have the capacity to have focused practice that will be as beneficial. For a child between 5-6, the parents need to be fully involved in the lesson, where I basically teach them what they need to do with their child during the week. The older a child is, the more independent they become, but until they are about 9 or 10, they need to have at least a couple of supervised practice sessions. I will only accept students under the age of 8 if the child has already started cello with another teacher, started within the school system, or has already taken a year of piano.
Payment
Currently, I accept cash or checks.
Some parents/students prefer to pay per lesson or per month. I will let you decide which you prefer, but I will hold you to that payment schedule. For those that pay monthly, I will not deposit the check until the last lesson of the month is complete.
Some parents/students prefer to pay per lesson or per month. I will let you decide which you prefer, but I will hold you to that payment schedule. For those that pay monthly, I will not deposit the check until the last lesson of the month is complete.
Pricing
$20/ half hour
$30/ 45 minutes
$40/ hour
I teach lessons weekly. In special circumstances, I will accept students that want lessons every other week or monthly.
Once you commence lessons, you will be locked in at whatever price you are paying whether or not prices rise in the future. Though, if you discontinue lessons for any reason and recommence lessons later, you will be subject to any later price increases.
If you need to cancel a lesson, please let me know at least 24 hours in advance. Exceptions to this time frame are if you are sick or there is an emergency.
$30/ 45 minutes
$40/ hour
I teach lessons weekly. In special circumstances, I will accept students that want lessons every other week or monthly.
Once you commence lessons, you will be locked in at whatever price you are paying whether or not prices rise in the future. Though, if you discontinue lessons for any reason and recommence lessons later, you will be subject to any later price increases.
If you need to cancel a lesson, please let me know at least 24 hours in advance. Exceptions to this time frame are if you are sick or there is an emergency.
Discontinuance Policy
As a student, if you ever feel that you need to discontinue lessons for any reason, you many feel free to do so. There are many situations in which students need to discontinue lessons. Also, on my part, if I feel that the teacher-student relationship is not working, I have the right to discontinue my services.