Studio Policy
Luanne would love the opportunity to teach your child and give him or her an excellent piano and music appreciation education. She considers it a privilege to be involved in this aspect of a child’s life. In order to ensure the musical progress of your child, I would like to share the following information with you before we begin piano lessons.
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Luanne's goals
- To incorporate Music Theory and Technique into exciting lessons that students will look forward to.
- to teach each student to accurately and thoroughly read music and to provide a basic understanding of all the most common musical terms.
- to encourage, in each student, the exploration of their own unique gifts for musical expression.
- to inspire in each student a love for music through lessons taught with patience and understanding.
- to help each student to aquire the confidence to perform for others.
- to promote the continual habit of daily QUALITY practice incorporating Taubman principles of alignment and freedom at the piano.
- to provide positive reinforcement as each student learns new piano pieces to perform.
Tuition
Piano Lessons
- 30-minute lessons: $92 per month from September through June. (4 lessons are also required during the summer quarter. See Summer Lessons, below.) I prefer that everyone except young children take 45 minute lessons, but if finances do not permit, 30 minute lessons are acceptable.
- 45-minute lessons: $130 per month from September through June. (4 lessons are also required during the summer quarter. See Summer Lessons, below.)
- 60-minute lessons: $170 per month from September through June. (4 lessons are also required during the summer quarter. See Summer Lessons, below.)
Taubman Consultations
- Hourly Fee: $55 per hour. This is for consultation and work in the Taubman Technique with injured pianists.
A registration fee of $30.00 per student is due in September of every year.
All lessons include an additional 15 minute self-directed computer lab session.
Each student will receive an equal number of lessons from September through June. Please note that that the tuition is a flat monthly rate which is averaged out over the year and does not reflect the number of lessons per month. So while the number of lessons will vary, the monthly tuition will not.
Payment is due on the first lesson of each month. I will add the cost of materials (music books, etc.) to the monthly bill as needed. Your tuition and any materials are listed on the calendar in your student’s folder.
Summer Lessons
My studio operates year round. While it is inevitable that practice will often be inconsistent in the summer, it is essential that some continuity is maintained so that students will retain what they have learned through the school year and not lose all practice discipline. It is also a time when special projects like composition can be undertaken for which we often don’t have time during the school year.
Each student is required to take a minimum of 4 lessons or their equivalent during the summer quarter which runs from July through August. Summer lessons are very flexible. They can be taken in 45-minute, 1 hour, or longer increments as needed to get the lesson time in.
Summer Tuition
45-minute lessons: $130 for 4 lessons or their equivalent for July and August.
60-minute lessons: $170 for 4 lessons or their equivalent for July and August.
Summer tuition is due at your first summer lesson unless other arrangements are made.
Vacations
No lessons will be given during the 2 weeks of the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, and 2 additional weeks which usually coincide with winter and spring breaks for the Enumclaw School District but not necessarily. Your tuition will NOT be affected by these breaks.
Cancellations and Makeup Lessons
NO DEDUCTIONS WILL BE MADE FOR MISSED LESSONS. Make-ups are not available for lessons unless you can switch times with another student or I may have a cancellation spot available. Please understand that you may not be able to change a lesson time or make-up a lesson at all due to scheduling conflicts.
Please do not schedule doctor and dentist appointments that will conflict with lesson times. Make-up lessons are difficult to schedule and you may end up having to forfeit a lesson if we can’t find a make-up time for you.
Lessons missed without prior notice and missed make-up lessons will not be made up.
Lessons missed due to my own illness or schedule conflict will always be made up.
Group Lessons
Group lessons provide students with an opportunity to perform informally for their peers, to “try out” a piece they plan to perform in a more formal setting, to get to know each other and to share musical ideas, opinions and knowledge. These lessons enable us to do some rhythm, listening and theory activities that often work better in a group than a private setting. There will be 4 group lessons throughout the school year. These lessons may be on a Sunday afternoon (Sunday afternoon group lessons will not replace the private lesson for that week) or on a weekday replacing the private lesson for that week. While I know it may be difficult to attend all of them, each student is required to attend at least 3 per year.
Practice
Regular, quality practice is essential to progress! Students should aim for 6 practice sessions per week. Please be sure the practice area is well lit and free of distractions such as radios, TVs, etc. I will discuss the correct piano bench height (it’s really important!) and recommended practice time with each student individually.
Performance
I encourage all students to perform in recitals and other performances whenever possible. Preparing for a formal performance is one of the best learning experiences students can have. It teaches them to organize their time in order to meet a deadline, to focus on and achieve long term goals, and to develop poise and “grace under pressure,” all incredibly valuable life skills. Performance opportunities include participation in 2 studio recitals per year, the Washington State Music Teachers Association adjudications and group lessons.
Composition
Composition builds confidence, develops intellectual and creative music skills, and helps us to understand and appreciate more fully the music we study. Time permitting, I encourage and work on composition with students who are interested. Both the state and local chapters of the Music Teachers Association sponsor composition contests which offer an opportunity for students to have their work evaluated by a composer.
Lesson Termination
I require 1 month’s notice if you intend to terminate lessons. If a student gives me less than a month’s notice, they will still be charged for the full month. There will be no refunds.
Miscellaneous
1. An acoustic piano is best but a hammer action keyboard with a damper pedal is acceptable for lessons. Be certain your acoustic piano is tuned and in good condition. It is very difficult to enjoy playing on an out-of-tune instrument. It is also difficult to develop strong listening skills or pedaling skills on a poor instrument. Putting off tuning is not cost effective; send a strong message to your child about the importance of his/her musical endeavor. Also, be sure to have strong support under the student’s feet.
2. I expect students to have washed their hands thoroughly at home or when they arrive here. No candy, gum or food is allowed in the studio-----No Exceptions!!. Long fingernails preclude the development of good piano technic, so please be sure they are trimmed very short.--no longer than the end of the finger! This is necessary preparation for every lesson. If they are too long, we may use the lesson time to study theory.
3. Parents are welcome inside the studio to listen during lessons. Parental presence is required at all lessons for children 6 years of age and under.
4. Students are requested to remove their shoes inside by the front door. Please do not wear perfume (acute allergies).
5. STUDENTS should have a carrier for their music, a loose leaf binder, 1 set of subject divider tabs, 1 zipper pocket and be SURE to pack up ALL music, workbooks, and flash cards if they have them, so materials needed will be available at lessons, whether or not we use all of them each week. Be sure to check the assignment book weekly for any pertinent information.
The study of music is rewarding and enjoyable, but it is also work! As you know, your child will be only as committed as you are. Each student will move along as quickly as the assigned material is sufficiently mastered. We all have bad (busy) days or even bad (busy) weeks. I expect these to occur with all students. I will become concerned only if these “off lessons” continue into several weeks at a time. If this occurs, I will contact you to see if we can work out a solution together. Otherwise, don’t worry....just enjoy!