Lesson Tuition

Lesson tuition is $29 for 30 minutes, scaled upward for longer lessons.

Tuition for rock band lessons is $27 per student. Rock band sessions are 45 minutes long.

Payment details & attendance

Tuition is paid in advance either by month or semester. Monthly payments are due the first lesson of each month. Semester payments are due the first lesson of the semester. I accept cash in person, check in person or by mail, or PayPal for payments (online payments are assessed an extra fee).

This is a commercial studio and paying tuition reserves your scheduled time. Accordingly no refunds are given for missed lessons and there are no make-up lessons. The only exception to this policy is in the case of extreme injury or illness that impedes the student’s ability to play the instrument for an extended period of time (for example a broken arm). School trips, sports trips, family vacations, and sickness are not exceptions to the missed lesson policy.

In the event I need to cancel a lesson, that lesson will be rescheduled or tuition will be refunded.

Please be on time for your lesson. They are usually scheduled back to back so your courtesy to other students is appreciated. Late students will not be granted extra time at the end of their lessons. If you are running late a courtesy text is appreciated.

Termination or suspension of lessons

Sometimes students need to terminate lessons or suspend them long-term. If a student terminates lessons for any reason, two weeks notice or payment for the next two lessons is required. This fee will be waived if I am able to fill the student’s scheduled lesson time before those two weeks. Students returning after suspending lessons are added to my teaching schedule as space is available.

Materials

I use various piano method books and sheet music. If you are already working on a piece or method book, please bring it in and we will try to start from there. I will help students shop for books and music to ensure the proper materials are obtained.

Practice

Practice is the key to being a successful musician. Practicing also helps develop self-discipline and persistence in the face of challenges. I encourage my private lesson students to practice five times a week for 15-30 minutes each day (as developmentally appropriate). I strongly encourage making practice time a part of your daily routine. I want lessons and practices to be an enjoyable experience for my students, and coming prepared is the best way to ensure that they are.

Performance

At the end of the school year students will have the opportunity to perform in a studio recital. This is a low-key opportunity to show off musical growth over the course of the year. Other performance opportunities may arise for both private lesson and rock band students, but these are not guaranteed. Advance notice will be given for any performance opportunities and they are all optional.

Calendar

I do not teach lessons over the Juneau school district winter break or spring break. I don’t observe other school and business holidays; lessons continue as normal.

COVID-19 precautions

While Juneau has been extremely fortunate with our low rates of covid-19 transmission, I still want to be as careful as I can.

In-person lessons are available for vaccinated individuals only. Anyone accompanying students to lessons is expected to be vaccinated. If you are eligible for the vaccine but are unwilling to get it I will continue to offer zoom lessons for you.

Masks are required at the studio by default. For rock band, singers can remove masks while singing.