Payment Policy

Lessons must be paid for
  • monthly,
  • in advance, 
  • during the last week of the month for the following month's lessons. 
  • (For example, payment for February's lessons  is due the last week of January.)
  • the final day for payment is the last business day of the month.
  • An invoice will be emailed to online students during the last week of the month.   
  • Cash or check are accepted for payment at my home studio.
There will be absolutely no refunds or credits for missed or canceled lessons.

Fee Increases

Regular annual lesson fee increases should be expected.

Scheduling Lessons

I will work with you to find a lesson time that fits your schedule.  Please, then, view your lesson time as a firm commitment to be cancelled only in case of a genuine emergency. 

Skype Lessons

Please see the "Skype Lessons" tab for more information on how online lessons work.

Piano Materials

Piano curriculum choices are made based on my assessment of each student's needs. If your child is transferring from another teacher most likely the same curriculum will not be used in order to give the student a fresh perspective on lessons.

I will provide a link for students to make it easy to order their materials online and to make sure the correct materials are purchased.  Feel free to purchase the materials at whatever local or online retailer works for you.

Summer Lessons

Continuing piano lessons through summer vacation is highly encouraged.  Students who continue to study through the summer will have priority in scheduling lessons when the school year resumes.


Rescheduling lessons. I will attempt to reschedule a lesson if the request is made at least 24 hours in advance of the regularly scheduled lesson, however, I cannot guarantee that a time will be available and am not obligated to provide a rescheduled lesson. Rescheduled lessons are taught only during the times I have determined my piano studio to be open. Lessons canceled, for any reason, without 24 hour notice are not eligible for rescheduling.

Practice Requirements

The most important practice session is the day of the lesson, following the lesson. Studies show that retention of lesson material is dramatically improved if this practice session occurs.

Students are expected to practice at least six days each week. My requirement for beginning students is that each assigned song or exercise be played five times during each daily practice session. Performance at the lesson is a reliable indicator of if and how much the student is practicing.

Written work. Students will also have either a Theory Workbook, a Note Speller, or both with assignments to complete weekly. Please work with your child to make sure these assignments are completed.

Flash cards. Finally, most beginning students will have flash cards to practice. Please help your child review them several times each week.

Note Rush App. A new tool I encourage every student to use is "Note Rush."  It is available for both iphone and Android devices (including tablets.) I will introduce the student to the app when the student has reached the appropriate level of study to benefit from it.
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Student Dismissal

Occasionally it becomes necessary to dismiss a student.  Reasons for dismissal may include an ongoing lack of practice, lack of cooperation with the teacher during lessons or a chronic poor attitude at the lesson.  These reasons will be discussed with the parent in an effort to resolve the issue. If they cannot be resolved the student may be dismissed at the teacher's discretion.