Frequently Asked Questions
Hi! Click on any question below.
If you have other questions, please feel free to
email me.
|
|
What kind of students do you teach?
Beginning and intermediate ages 5 and up. (Yep. Also adults.) For young children (5-7),
I work best with those who have started reading English.
Do you have a waiting list?
I now keep one on-line here. When an opening occurs, I take a name from
the top of the list for the area in which the previous student lived.
Most openings happen at the beginning of summer, in October when students realize they can't
handle both school and piano, and in February/March when parents get tired of nagging kids to PRACTICE!
Why don't you answer your cell phone?
Because I am honestly dangerous when talking and driving at the same time. Plus, I cannot disturb
a lesson unless it is a personal emergency. There simply is no piano lesson
issue so urgent I cannot return a call later.
What are your teaching goals?
I consider my first job is to help families develop good practice habits. If after 1 or 2 years
everyone (parents, student and myself) decides it's a go, we continue building a solid foundation
in note reading, theory, technique, and interpretation. When the student is ready for training beyond
my capabilities, we find a college professor!
How much do you charge?
Beginning in June of 2005, my monthly fee for each student is $40 with a $10
trip fee for each home to which I must travel. For very young students I also
offer half lessons (15-20 minutes long), and these are $25 for each student.
How do you like to be paid?
I prefer to be paid in advance by a check or money order. Cash gets spent and your name's not on it. Much harder to keep track of who has paid.
How often and how long are lessons?
Lessons are scheduled once a week on the same day or evening. As to length, it depends upon a student's
preparation, usually 25-40 minutes. Half lessons run 15-20 minutes.
What about recitals?
I have a wonderful new program for "Student Producers" which gives my older
students the chance to organize and "produce" my recitals. They are booked at retirement
centers which work great as a community service. No program is ever scheduled to
last longer than an hour!
As well, I do not force any student to participate; but they are strongly
encouraged. We try to have at least two recitals booked per year, and you may participate
in any or all of them.
What are your practice requirements?
I do the 5-Times rule ... play everything 5 times for 5 different days.
I consider a practice session complete when each assigned piece, scale, or theory
exercise is played 5 times. Each student will complete 5 different practice sessions
before each lesson. This way, every assignment is rehearsed 25 times before I show up again. Those
students who follow this rule do VERY well.
Also, if a student is having difficulties in a particular spot of an assigned
piece, practicing only that annoying spot 5 (or more) times will often clear up the mess!
Time-wise, this means a very young student or one taking half lessons will
practice at least 20 minutes for 5 different sessions before a lesson. Students 8-years and older
will do 30-40 minutes a session for 5 sessions each week.
What about missed lessons?
As this is my main source of income, I cannot give credit for misses unless it's my fault. I will be happy to attempt make-ups. As I am in certain areas on certain days, the same day works best.
What about holidays?
I do not work Sundays. Definitely take off 4th of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas; usually New Year's Day. Labor Day and Memorial Day, are optional.
What about 5th weeks?
I do not charge extra for a 5th week (such as five Tuesdays in a month). This is supposed to balance out the holidays I take.
How far will you drive?
My lesson route includes Desert Hills/New River areas, Arrowhead/Peoria, Paradise Valley,
Deer Valley, and Central Phoenix down to Indian School Road.
What books do you use?
I prefer the Francis Clark Music Tree series to begin, the
Achievement in Music Series for theory, and the
Faber & Faber books for supplimentary work. Have not had good luck with the Bastien
books. I am glad to utilize any appropriate material you already have to keep down costs.
|
|
What is the Achievement in Music Series?
|
The Achievement in Music Series is an incentive program I've constructed to add fun to music theory. It's loosely based on the Arizona Music Teacher's Guild requirements although I am not a member. Click the logo at right for more info.
|
|
|
|
Why do you teach in students' homes instead of yours?
For several reasons:
- I strongly believe the home is God's classroom and His Spirit will guide your child's instruction better there than anywhere.
- Parent/teacher conferences are available on the fly.
- Keeps you from one more trip in the Phoenix traffic.
- Ensures lessons are not forgotten.
- Better for the environment by reducing cars on the road.
- My customers really like it.
- Great tax deduction for my car.
|
How and when do you schedule your lessons?
I have to keep homes in the same areas scheduled at similar times for economy. Juggling 30-40 family's
schedules is very difficult, so at the end of August for the fall schedule I open up registration
for current students. (For summer, registration opens at the end of May.) From the scheduling
information provided at registration, I work out the best possible schedule. (Quite a chore!)
During fall and winter, I teach a few lessons before school, and then begin
again at about 2:30 or 3:00 on. For the summer, I teach only in the morning and evening to avoid
travel during the hottest part of the day.
How punctual are you?
Well ... I ask for an hour's window to allow for traffic and student's extra needs. Sometimes a student before you is not there and I show up really early. I try to avoid surprises, but you know how it goes ...
How long have you taught?
I did some teaching when in high school (don't ask when). Started teaching part-time here in Phoenix in 1983 and full-time in 1989. Keep a student load of 45-55.
What are your credentials?
Took private lessons for 11 years as a kid. Played professionally at a restaraunt in Montana during two summer breaks. Continuous piano/organ service at church. Majored in Children's Theater at college. Won top awards on an arrangement and an original piece in world-wide competition sponsored by my church. Love kids and animals. Pretty darn patient.
| 
