2014-15 STUDIO POLICIES & INFORMATION

• Lessons are available either at my home in Port Washington (I have 2 grand pianos, a Steinway and an A.B. Chase) or at Ye Olde Piano Shop in Cedarburg, where there are a variety of grand pianos to play on – Sohmer, Pramberger, Baldwin among others.  Students study a wide variety of music, and are exposed to classical, baroque, jazz, and contemporary composers, plus music theory, technique, improvisation, and composition.
  
• Students need to make time for daily practice. We work in every lesson on how to practice effectively. You cannot expect to become proficient if you are over scheduled and have no time to practice. Besides, playing well is much more fun than struggling along.
  
• Tuition can be paid monthly or by semester. Enrolling entails the responsibility for completing the semester. Tuition is due the first lesson of the month. Please make a note on your calendars at home when tuition is due. 
• Only one absence will be made up per semester. Parents must let me know in a timely manner if there are conflicts so we can plan ahead and try to accommodate by revising the schedule or exchanging lessons with another student. No refunds can be given for missed lessons.

• Additional lessons are available to all students in the summer if desired.

• PianoTeams are 5-piano ensembles that have a wonderful chamber music (like a small orchestra) sound. Ensembles provide students with musical “street smarts”: the ability to think on the fly and respond quickly to what they are hearing. When possible, students will be able to participate in PianoTeams or other ensemble combinations.

• Music Learning Community.com is by subscription and helps in learning everything from note names to key signatures, music terminology, rhythm and ear training through entertaining games. I encourage families to look into this wonderful website and consider a subscription  (see Links page).
  

• Music Fund. A music account is set up at the beginning of each semester. At the end of the 1st semester and at the end of summer, a full accounting is given and the fund is replenished. The music fund covers the cost of purchasing music and audition fees. For new students, the music fund also serves as a registration fee to hold a place.

• An instrument that is kept in tune and good repair is important for the student’s progress. Practicing on a good acoustic instrument helps the student progress and rewards their efforts with beautiful sound.