Frequently Asked Questions

 

How much do piano lessons cost?

How long does a lesson last?

  • Lessons are offered in either 45 or 60 minute time slots. I no longer teach 30 minute lessons, with the exception of a few families who have been grandfathered in.

Are lessons held all year long?

  • My regularly scheduled lessons go from August through the end of April/beginning of May.  Summer lessons are not required but are offered on request at a pay-per-lesson rate of $45 for a 45 minute lesson or $60 for a 60 minute lesson.

How often are private lessons held?

  • Private lessons are held at the same day and time each week. Each year's tuition package includes 30 private lessons, with a couple extra "flex weeks" to cover for days that I may have to cancel. Yearly calendars with lesson and recital dates are made available to studio families and posted on my website here by August 1st of each year.

How often are group lessons held?

  • At no extra cost, each semester will typically include two group lessons. These will be scheduled near the end of the semester to help prepare students for the Christmas and spring recitals.

How often are recitals held?

  • We have 2 recitals each year - a Christmas recital in December and a spring recital in late April or early May. 

Is recital participation a requirement?

  • While recital participation is strongly encouraged for most students, I will not require it if I feel like it is not going to be a good experience for the student.

Do you offer sibling discounts?

  • I am not able to offer sibling discounts. 

What practice requirements are expected of students?

  • Practice requirements will vary widely depending on the age and level of the student. While a young beginner will only need to play through their assigned music a couple times a day, a more advanced student will need to dedicate an hour or more each day to practicing, with other students falling somewhere in between. If you are ever unsure how much your child should be practicing, please ask!

Will my student also learn music theory?

  • Yes! Theory training is an integral part of piano lessons and your student can expect to have a heavy emphasis on theory in both their lesson and homework assignments each week.

What is your education and teaching background?

  • I began taking piano lessons as a child at 8 years old, started teaching at 16 years old, and majored in piano performance at MTSU, studying with Dr. Lynn Rice-See. I chose to put my schooling on hold in 2011 before welcoming our second child into our family, but hope to go back and finish my degree some day! I am a member of the Middle Tennessee chapter of MTNA and try to continue my pedagogy training through MTNA meetings and online courses from PianoInspires.com, a Francis Clark founded organization. I am also an active performer, frequently accompanying soloists and ensembles for my church and in student vocal recitals. 

What age should I start my child in piano lessons?

  • This depends on the individual child and their ability to focus and follow instructions. While 6-7 years old is typically a good age to start, I also love teaching 4-5 year olds if they are ready! Don't worry, I never expect them to sit still on the piano bench for long periods of time. Children learn through movement and play, and we do lots of that in lessons! 

What is the primary method of communication between teacher and parents?

  • I prefer to mainly use texts for time sensitive messages, such as needing to cancel a lesson or questions about practicing, but I will sometimes use email to send out studio wide newsletters.