Teaching Method and Philosophy
I've been playing piano since I was 4, cello since I was 11 and started teaching when I was still a teenager. I studied piano through college, received my undergraduate degree in cello performance at the University of Texas at Austin and continued with graduate study at Indiana University. I’ve performed around the world - as an orchestral, chamber and back-up musician ~ music has immeasurably expanded my world, and I love to be able to pass my experience on to others!
Although I was trained in "old school" methods I've broadened my view of the role of music in our lives considerably in the past few years. First and foremost, I want to encourage a love of music - of all kinds. I give my students the tools to understand what they're doing - to really speak the language of music - so they can have music as an oasis in a busy life, whether that's sitting down at the end of a long day and playing a favorite Journey song, or taking a study break with some Bach. There are more than five centuries of "classical music" to explore and about a hundred years of popular...we can definitely find something that piques the interest of every student!
As I get to know each student, I like to find a way to weave playing their instrument - even if it's for only 15 minutes for younger children - into daily lives so it just becomes part of their world.
My teaching method is eclectic and based on my broad experience. I work with the student and parents to determine individual goals and while each student will be getting a core curriculum that will provide them all the necessary musical tools they need for success, the methods will be different for each person. Love “Let It Go”? Great! That will be a reward to play after a few other things on the practice schedule - getting students excited about music is awesome!
Interested in Festivals, Exams and Contests? We will discuss on an individual basis - there are plenty to choose from! I am a member of the Music Teachers National Association and the Texas Music Teachers Association and am experienced preparing students for the ABRSM exams. These are the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music - examiners come over from the UK to evaluate performance, musicianship and more - much of the way I teach encompasses their requirements so if this is something you're interested in, we will talk more! Exam entry fees vary and there will be additional costs for purchasing music.
Although I was trained in "old school" methods I've broadened my view of the role of music in our lives considerably in the past few years. First and foremost, I want to encourage a love of music - of all kinds. I give my students the tools to understand what they're doing - to really speak the language of music - so they can have music as an oasis in a busy life, whether that's sitting down at the end of a long day and playing a favorite Journey song, or taking a study break with some Bach. There are more than five centuries of "classical music" to explore and about a hundred years of popular...we can definitely find something that piques the interest of every student!
As I get to know each student, I like to find a way to weave playing their instrument - even if it's for only 15 minutes for younger children - into daily lives so it just becomes part of their world.
My teaching method is eclectic and based on my broad experience. I work with the student and parents to determine individual goals and while each student will be getting a core curriculum that will provide them all the necessary musical tools they need for success, the methods will be different for each person. Love “Let It Go”? Great! That will be a reward to play after a few other things on the practice schedule - getting students excited about music is awesome!
Interested in Festivals, Exams and Contests? We will discuss on an individual basis - there are plenty to choose from! I am a member of the Music Teachers National Association and the Texas Music Teachers Association and am experienced preparing students for the ABRSM exams. These are the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music - examiners come over from the UK to evaluate performance, musicianship and more - much of the way I teach encompasses their requirements so if this is something you're interested in, we will talk more! Exam entry fees vary and there will be additional costs for purchasing music.
Studio Policies
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Music - performance and teaching - is a large part of my income, so it's necessary to have some policies in place to create stability for all of us!
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Supplies and Studio Policies
What do you bring to each lesson and what do you need at home?
FOR LESSONS:
All students: bring your assignment notebook (spiral) and your music books.
Cello students: in addition, bring your cello, bow and rockstop.
All students will receive a spiral notebook at their first lesson for assignments. They need to always bring that with them to lessons! We'll keep track of assignments, practicing progress, goals and achievements! You will be responsible for purchasing your student's music books - either from me if I have them or from Strait Music/Amazon, etc.
AT HOME:
Cello students need a cello in good condition, strings, rosin, bow, case, a soft cloth that remains in the case (an unused and dry washcloth works well for this), rockstop (I prefer one called a black hole), metronome, music stand and a “cello chair” - this will vary depending on student’s height. In addition, some soft lead pencils with eraser would be very helpful so they can make markings in music. Depending on a variety of circumstances, strings may need to be purchased during the year and the bow will likely need to be repaired. Students need to have a cello to practice at home - if they're lucky enough to have a school orchestra, please ensure that they can bring the instrument home to practice or have another instrument available to them. It's better to play the same one consistently but we can be adaptable! I highly recommend WESTBANK STRINGS for your needs. BLACKERBY VIOLIN SHOP is also extremely good. Please use one of these two shops to ensure quality instruments and service.
Piano students need to have a weighted full size keyboard (like a Roland) or a traditional piano that is regularly tuned and a metronome. You can use a simple app for a metronome, but I find that the volume is sometimes a problem with that so an actual physical metronome is better. I recommend creating a practice zone that will allow for peaceful practice with all your required tools easily at hand.
POLICIES
• Bring required supplies to each lesson
• Demonstrate willingness to learn and positive attitude in lessons.
• Practice regularly (we all work on what that means for each student).
• Pay tuition by the 1st of the month for the coming month.
• Do NOT come if student has missed school for illness or if there's any doubt whatsoever about their health. My husband is immuno-compromised and we just can't take any chances! Lessons missed for illness will be made up!
• Provide at least 48 hours' notice to me for lessons with schedule conflicts.
FOR LESSONS:
All students: bring your assignment notebook (spiral) and your music books.
Cello students: in addition, bring your cello, bow and rockstop.
All students will receive a spiral notebook at their first lesson for assignments. They need to always bring that with them to lessons! We'll keep track of assignments, practicing progress, goals and achievements! You will be responsible for purchasing your student's music books - either from me if I have them or from Strait Music/Amazon, etc.
AT HOME:
Cello students need a cello in good condition, strings, rosin, bow, case, a soft cloth that remains in the case (an unused and dry washcloth works well for this), rockstop (I prefer one called a black hole), metronome, music stand and a “cello chair” - this will vary depending on student’s height. In addition, some soft lead pencils with eraser would be very helpful so they can make markings in music. Depending on a variety of circumstances, strings may need to be purchased during the year and the bow will likely need to be repaired. Students need to have a cello to practice at home - if they're lucky enough to have a school orchestra, please ensure that they can bring the instrument home to practice or have another instrument available to them. It's better to play the same one consistently but we can be adaptable! I highly recommend WESTBANK STRINGS for your needs. BLACKERBY VIOLIN SHOP is also extremely good. Please use one of these two shops to ensure quality instruments and service.
Piano students need to have a weighted full size keyboard (like a Roland) or a traditional piano that is regularly tuned and a metronome. You can use a simple app for a metronome, but I find that the volume is sometimes a problem with that so an actual physical metronome is better. I recommend creating a practice zone that will allow for peaceful practice with all your required tools easily at hand.
POLICIES
• Bring required supplies to each lesson
• Demonstrate willingness to learn and positive attitude in lessons.
• Practice regularly (we all work on what that means for each student).
• Pay tuition by the 1st of the month for the coming month.
• Do NOT come if student has missed school for illness or if there's any doubt whatsoever about their health. My husband is immuno-compromised and we just can't take any chances! Lessons missed for illness will be made up!
• Provide at least 48 hours' notice to me for lessons with schedule conflicts.
Tuition
Students receive a once weekly private lesson - I offer 30, 45 and 60 minute lessons and we'll select the best option depending on the student's age, goals and level. I can teach adults on a more "a la carte" schedule as long as lessons times are before or after those "after-school hours" that are so coveted!
During the 2025-2026 year, I will have several studio classes (mini masterclass) students to play for each other - they will be casual and a chance to enjoy some music, maybe sight-read some duets with other students, get to know other students and parents in the studio and have some cookies! Participation is not required - we will have a minimum number of students in order to have the class so some may end up not happening, depending on schedules.
For students who begin during the summer, I'm more than happy to work around summer camps and vacations!
Summer 2025
If you're able to commit to a regular lesson time during the summer, that would be ideal. If you have lessons you have to miss because of travel or camps, that is perfectly fine! If you can only make certain dates during the summer for "touch-base" lessons, that's perfectly fine too! It's not ideal to miss an entire summer as a lot can be lost technically so if you're able to, please continue lessons during the summer! We can do Zoom lessons if you're traveling and have access to an instrument. Tuition is due by the beginning of the month for the coming month and we will count how many lessons you're able to come to and be charged accordingly. If you have to miss a lesson due to illness or if schedules change and you give me at least 48 hours' notice, it will be made up. Lessons with less notice will be made up at my discretion (during the year I won't have this flexibility - this is only for summer). If I have to change a lesson, it will be made up.
2025-2026 School year Information
**Rates will be $110/hr starting in September 2025.
There will be 32 lessons per student for the 2025-2026 school year - some months there will be 3 lessons, some months 5 but the monthly fee is the same as it's based on the school year. Please let me know any questions about this! If you need to leave the studio during the year, I require four lessons minimum and will recalculate the tuition on a per-lesson basis for lessons received, so please understand there may be some tuition due. I will have all parents complete a registration form for their kids indicating this information and understanding of studio, tuition and makeup policies.
IMPORTANT: As the schedule stands, there are 34 weeks available for lessons during the school year and your student will have 32 lessons. This means there are two missed lessons built into the schedule and tuition, so up to two lessons can be missed without needing makeups during the year. If no lessons or only one lesson is missed, then a little additional tuition will be due in May. If more lessons are missed, then we'll be scheduling make-ups for those when appropriate (see below). Just know that your student will receive at least 32 lessons during the year! If your child is starting during the school year, it will be a different tuition amount based on the number of lessons they will receive.
Monthly lesson fees, payable at the first lesson of the month September - May.
30 minute weekly lesson: $196/mo
45 minute weekly lesson: $294/mo
60 minute weekly lesson: $391/mo
Payment can be made via Venmo (friends/family option), Zelle, cash or check.
Important dates for 2024-2025
September 2 - Fall lessons start!
Nov 24-30 - Thanksgiving break - no lessons
Dec 13/14 Winter recital (details TBD)
December 22 - January 4 - Winter break - no lessons
March 16-22 - Spring Break - no lessons
May 23 - last day of spring semester lessons
May 23/24 - Spring Recital (details TBD)
May 25-31 NO LESSONS!
June 1 - Summer lessons begin!
During the 2025-2026 year, I will have several studio classes (mini masterclass) students to play for each other - they will be casual and a chance to enjoy some music, maybe sight-read some duets with other students, get to know other students and parents in the studio and have some cookies! Participation is not required - we will have a minimum number of students in order to have the class so some may end up not happening, depending on schedules.
For students who begin during the summer, I'm more than happy to work around summer camps and vacations!
Summer 2025
If you're able to commit to a regular lesson time during the summer, that would be ideal. If you have lessons you have to miss because of travel or camps, that is perfectly fine! If you can only make certain dates during the summer for "touch-base" lessons, that's perfectly fine too! It's not ideal to miss an entire summer as a lot can be lost technically so if you're able to, please continue lessons during the summer! We can do Zoom lessons if you're traveling and have access to an instrument. Tuition is due by the beginning of the month for the coming month and we will count how many lessons you're able to come to and be charged accordingly. If you have to miss a lesson due to illness or if schedules change and you give me at least 48 hours' notice, it will be made up. Lessons with less notice will be made up at my discretion (during the year I won't have this flexibility - this is only for summer). If I have to change a lesson, it will be made up.
2025-2026 School year Information
**Rates will be $110/hr starting in September 2025.
There will be 32 lessons per student for the 2025-2026 school year - some months there will be 3 lessons, some months 5 but the monthly fee is the same as it's based on the school year. Please let me know any questions about this! If you need to leave the studio during the year, I require four lessons minimum and will recalculate the tuition on a per-lesson basis for lessons received, so please understand there may be some tuition due. I will have all parents complete a registration form for their kids indicating this information and understanding of studio, tuition and makeup policies.
IMPORTANT: As the schedule stands, there are 34 weeks available for lessons during the school year and your student will have 32 lessons. This means there are two missed lessons built into the schedule and tuition, so up to two lessons can be missed without needing makeups during the year. If no lessons or only one lesson is missed, then a little additional tuition will be due in May. If more lessons are missed, then we'll be scheduling make-ups for those when appropriate (see below). Just know that your student will receive at least 32 lessons during the year! If your child is starting during the school year, it will be a different tuition amount based on the number of lessons they will receive.
Monthly lesson fees, payable at the first lesson of the month September - May.
30 minute weekly lesson: $196/mo
45 minute weekly lesson: $294/mo
60 minute weekly lesson: $391/mo
Payment can be made via Venmo (friends/family option), Zelle, cash or check.
Important dates for 2024-2025
September 2 - Fall lessons start!
Nov 24-30 - Thanksgiving break - no lessons
Dec 13/14 Winter recital (details TBD)
December 22 - January 4 - Winter break - no lessons
March 16-22 - Spring Break - no lessons
May 23 - last day of spring semester lessons
May 23/24 - Spring Recital (details TBD)
May 25-31 NO LESSONS!
June 1 - Summer lessons begin!
About Practicing...
Part of playing an instrument is regular practice time - and a critical component of that is learning HOW to practice (or, as I like to call it, "train"). There will be days that students are excited to play and days that they greet the prospect as enthusiastically as taking out the garbage - however, it is crucial that we work as a team to support the student's progress and help motivate them. I am not above using bribery in the form of stickers and other fun motivational tools and parents, you can do it too! I will ask the student to keep track of the time they have practiced - it is far better for them to do 15 minutes a day than an hour and a half in one session of "crash practicing". I fully understand the demands on school kids and will be flexible with my expectations by reducing minimum practice requirements during academically challenging weeks. Ultimately, we will develop goals for each student and they will learn to take responsibility for achieving them. As Yoda says, "do or do not...there is no try".
Make-up Lessons
If you need to reschedule a lesson, please give me as much notice as possible - at least 48 hours unless there is a medical emergency. I will do the same. Any lesson missed with adequate notice or for illness will be made up whenever possible. I will always make up lessons that I have to miss or reschedule. There are no refunds, credits or make-ups for missed lessons without notice and regularly schedules lessons cannot count as a makeup.
Recitals
Performance is an important part of the musical experience - why keep the joy to yourself?! For in-person students we will have recitals at least twice a year - some may be in retirement or care homes, others may be in churches or performance spaces - we will create this together! If you have a favorite place you like to play, let me know and I'll make it happen!
NOTE: I can start students at any point during the year - the best time to start an instrument is when you're ready! Or even when you're not ready - if you're thinking about it, just go for it!
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