Details About Lessons, Policies, Performances & More!
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Piano is at the heart of everything we do here at the studio. We use the Faber Piano Adventures curriculum as well as exploring and learning songs/pieces the students love. Lessons include age- and level-appropriate exploration in the following areas:
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**Piano Lesson Scheduling Information: weekly 30 or 45 minute lessons. Email today for more information or register now!**
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Composing your own tunes is the ultimate expression of music education. The Faber Piano Adventures curriculum lays a solid foundation for students to begin composing.
The Piano & Composition lessons employ everything included in Piano Lessons but additionally offer students the opportunity to explore that foundation with GarageBand and other recording software & equipment.
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**Piano & Composition Lesson Scheduling Information: 45 minute or 1 hour lessons. Email today for more information or register now!**
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Singing while playing the piano may be my favorite thing to do in the world. It's an activity that requires a huge engagement from your mind and body and is truly exhilarating.
The Piano & Voice lessons employ everything included in Piano Lessons but additionally offer students the opportunity to study vocal technique and practice coordinating their instruments.
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**Piano & Composition Lesson Scheduling Information: 45 minute or 1 hour lessons. Email today for more information or register now!**
Studio Information and Policies 2020
1. ATTENDANCE - Arrive on time and prepared for lessons with all materials needed.
A. CANCELLATIONS - If you have to cancel a lesson, please email me (texting is fine on the day-of). Payments will not be lowered or refunded for missed lessons and lessons will not be made up. Skype/FaceTime lessons can be arranged with the teacher to take place during the student's lesson time if the student would like to meet while traveling. If the teacher cancels the lesson, the fee will be credited to the following month.
B. STUDIO CLOSURE - The studio is closed for some holidays and other days during the year. A calendar is given to all students at the beginning of each school year with all "closed" dates indicated (also available here). No payment is due for closed dates.
C. INCLEMENT WEATHER CLOSURE - The studio follows PPS for all inclement weather closures and payments are not lowered or refunded when the studio closes due to weather. Skype/FaceTime lessons are available at the student’s typical lesson time when the studio is closed due to weather.
2. PAYMENTS & FEES - All lesson payments for the month are collected on the first lesson of each month. This reserves the student's weekly time for lessons. A 10% late fee is added for any payments received after the first lesson of the month. Materials are billed separately as necessary and will be included on the invoice for the following month.
Options for payments are: cash, Venmo, checks made payable to “Sarah Collins,” and PayPal.
Fees include:
- $25 - Registration Fee - one-time fee due at first lesson
- $10 - Piano Party Fee - 1-2 times per year - due at the beginning of the month for which the party is scheduled
- $5 - Special Guest Performance Fee - 1-2 times per year - due at the beginning of the month for which the performance is scheduled
3. PRACTICE - There are many skills required to play the piano well, and practicing is key among them. If you come to lessons consistently and practice regularly (4 days each week) you will make excellent progress. Consistency is more important than absolute time spent. Music cannot be “crammed.”
I use assignment books with all of my students, so there are guidelines about which exercises and songs should be played each week. Assignments should be played 4 days each week, playing each item 3 times. New and ongoing lesson materials, songs the students know and love, compositions and improvisations are also all great choices for practice time.
Technique is a major focus during lessons and should be used while practicing. Good posture requires a bench that's tall enough for the player's forearms to be in line with the keys and a foot stool so that legs are bent at a 90 degree angle. Good hand technique requires short nails and a focus on playing with firm fingertips and round hands.
I prefer that the impulse to practice come from the student, but it is normal to need reminders (especially for 4-8 year old students). If practicing becomes a family battle please notify me.
4. MATERIALS
A. Keyboard or piano (preferably 88 weighted keys)
B. Well-lit (overhead lighting alone is not sufficient), quiet and distraction-free space
C. Books (recommended by me based on age and skill level),
D. Assignment book
E. Binder
F. Pencil
I work to find songs students are interested in playing in the form of arrangements that fit their skill level. I can often do that at no cost to the student, but occasionally there will be charges for sheet music. Students are welcome to check out books from my ever-expanding music library any time.
5. PERFORMANCES - I host two performances each year: a Piano Party and a series of Special Guest Performances.
- Piano Parties differ from traditional Piano Recitals in the following ways: students get to choose their own music, performing is optional (though preparing is not) and students choose whether or not they’d like to perform on the day of the party. The preparation for the party includes extensive work with memorization and handling performance fears. There is a $10 per student fee for the party due at the beginning of the month for which the party is scheduled whether or not the student attends the party.
- Special Guest Performances occur during the students' lessons at least once each year. We prepare music for weeks in advance and then invite a guest to attend the lesson. The student performs as many pieces as they choose and then we enjoy snacks, music games and pictures and videos of the student. There is a $5 per student fee for the performance due at the beginning of the month for which the performance is scheduled.
6. PARKING AND ENTRY – We'll meet in the lovely Mount Tabor Music School (4110 SE Hawthorne, Portland, OR 97214 - upstairs) for all lessons. There is a parking spot designated just for us: the spot closest to Hawthorne in the UPS parking lot. If it's occupied, feel free to park along SE Hawthorne or 41st or in any legal street spot. Go in through the main entrance facing Hawthorne and our stairs are immediately to the left.
7. WAITING AREA – Parents and siblings are welcome to stay in either of the available waiting areas during lessons. All people under age 18 in the waiting area must be with an adult.
Since the waiting area is so close to teachers' studios, it is important to talk quietly and turn down cell phones to prevent a disruption to the lessons.
8. COMMUNICATION - I check email each weekday and can be reached by phone during non-teaching weekday hours. I can also be reached via text and Messenger for time-sensitive issues.
9. TERMINATION POLICY - Please give 30 days notice if you choose to discontinue lessons. Payment is due during this 30-day period whether or not lessons are taken.
10. REFERRALS - You will receive a $25 credit if you refer a student to me that registers to take lessons for at least 1 month.