DROP OFF/PICK UP
Children under the age of 12 must have a parent or guardian at the facility at all times.
ABSENCES/MAKE UP LESSONS
I understand that illness and unexpected circumstances arise, so I allow make up lessons if at least one hour’s notice is given for the lesson cancellation. Make up lessons can either be scheduled on a different day than our usual lesson, or can be credited to the student’s account (for Charter Students, we can make it up once the existing Purchase Order runs out, and for non-Charter Students, you will not have to pay for your following lesson). Please note, I do not offer lessons during holidays, winter break, spring break, or summer break. Charter School students must make up their lessons prior to the end of the school year.
NO SHOWS
I’m happy to offer make up lessons so long as the student has informed me of the need to cancel within an hour’s notice of the lesson time. No shows or cancellations less than an hour’s notice will not be permitted a make up lesson. I send a reminder text the day before each lesson unless I'm requested not to.
TARDINESS
If a student is late to his or her lesson, I completely understand but will still need to end our lesson at the originally planned scheduled time, due to my needing to get to subsequent lessons. If I’m late to a student’s lesson I will go over the time to make up for the time missed, to ensure the student gets their fully allotted time. If the student is unable to go over their scheduled time slot, I will find another time to make up the missing time.
LESSON CALENDAR 2024-2025
I take off time from teaching on weekends, holidays, and during school breaks to spend extra time with my children, and therefore do not offer lessons on the following dates:
Labor Day: Monday September 2nd
Fall Break: Friday October 4th-Monday October 7th
No School Day: Friday November 1st
Veterens Day: Monday November 11th
Thanksgiving Break: Thursday November 21st-Friday November 29th
Winter Break: Monday December 23rd-Friday January 10th
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Monday January 20th
Lincoln's Birthday: Friday February 14th
President's Day: Monday February 17th
Spring Break: Monday April 1st-Friday April 11th
Memorial Day: Monday May 26th
Summer Break: Monday June 16th-Mid-August (TBD).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
METHODS OF TEACHING
There are a variety of ways to play an instrument, sing, or act. For example. You can play the guitar by reading sheet music, chord charts, or tabs, or also by playing by ear! I tend to like to like to show my students multiple ways to learn, as I think it gives them more tools, but I am also happy to focus on a specific style if preferred.
For music, I like to combine methods taught in popular books, while also supplementing with songs the student is interested in learning and skills that I’ve personally found helpful for myself. I know so many adults who say they took lessons as a kid but didn’t stick with their instrument. I think this is common for two reasons:
1.) In order to master a skill, repetitive and sometimes monotonous practice can be required. If this is emphasized too much, playing an instrument can feel like all work and little enjoyment.
2.) Popular teaching method books tend to use songs that students aren’t familiar with or aren’t interested in.
I like to try to balance a mixture of skill development with fun in learning songs my students are interested in, because I believe when you love your instrument you are more willing to put in the effort with the harder and less enjoyable aspects.
For acting, I love to work with students on auditioning, cold reads, diction, commercials, scenes, monologues, improvisation, and acting techniques.
For singing, I like showing students how to sing on pitch, support their breath, find resonance, understand the difference between chest voice, head voice, and mixed voice, and play with being able to sing different styles of music, if interested.
PRACTICE
Rather than requiring a specific amount of time for students to practice each week, I like to set “goals” for my students. Each student is giving his or her own notebook where I write down the date and goals for each week. Whenever a goal is accomplished, students get a “point” for meeting that goal. Once ten points are achieved, the student gets to pick a prize from my prize box. Some students may need very little practice to achieve a goal, while others may need more. Like anything, the more time you devote the better you will get, but I love using this method of goals because it clearly shows how the student is growing, which can be very encouraging! If a goal is not met the week it was assigned, no sweat! We will work on the goal during our lesson time or move it to the following week.
SUPPLIES
I include the cost for supplies in my lesson rates, so you don’t need to worry about buying anything other than the instrument itself. Any books or materials used, will be provided by me.
PERFORMANCES/RECITALS
I offer 2 non-mandatory performance opportunities each year. One is a community performance on a Sunday afternoon in May, and the other is a holiday performance at a local convalescent home. I love when students realize that their talents are not only a blessing for themselves, but also can help others! I help each student find the perfect performance piece and allow for plenty of time for students to feel confident in what they will perform.
Thank you so much for entrusting me with the rewarding experience of helping you or your child learn a new skill or progress in an already existing one!