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 2021
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 but the student is able to makeup the lesson if they choose. 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 student's account for 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. MAKEUP LESSONS - A makeup lesson credit is added to a student's account any time they cancel a lesson. The student may then schedule their makeup lesson through their Music Teacher's Helper account.
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. Materials are billed separately as necessary and will be included on the invoice for the following month.
Options for payments are: Venmo, PayPal and checks made payable to “Sarah Collins".
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. 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.
6. 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.
7. REFERRALS - You will receive a $25 credit if you refer a student to me that registers to take lessons for at least 1 month.