about the studio
my studio
Yamaha P2 studio upright piano and Yamaha EP-120 digital piano (for recording/teacher use for duets). Extensive music library, both sheet music and audio materials.
Student’s Piano
Keep your piano in good working condition, that is, all the keys and pedals working and have it tuned at least once a year. Please ask me and I will recommend a piano technician, as well as someone more knowledgeable to help you in buying a piano.
An acoustic piano is the best, as nothing can take the place of its touch and sound. A digital piano is acceptable. No other type of keyboard is acceptable (please see my FAQ page on acoustic versus digital pianos on the website). If you decide to go with a digital piano, it should be on a stand, have 88 fully weighted keys, full-sized pedals (at least soft and sustain), a music stand, light, and a bench of the correct height (adjustable).
Your piano should be away from distractions - TV, siblings/friends, pets, video games - but situated where you can hear your child playing. The piano area should be well lit and the piano bench situated at the right height for the student, which I will go over in lessons. If your child's feet do not yet touch the floor, please place a footstool (or similar) under their feet.
Practice
The key to successful piano playing is daily, careful practice: students are expected to practice 30 minutes minimum per day, for at least five days per week. Younger beginning students (ages 5–8) may start at a lower daily amount of practice (10–20 minutes), which should be supervised, and gradually work up to 30 minutes per day. Grades 1–6 must fill in practice times in their assignment books, and have them signed off by parents. Older students should make every effort to a commitment to a weekly practice routine, which includes 30–60 minutes of practicing per day.
Practicing piano takes concentration, and, unlike group activities, can sometimes be lonely, making it hard for the student to face practicing and actually to even get to the piano! The time spent should be thoughtful, concentrated practice - what counts is quality time, not quantity. Try breaking practice sessions into two for better quality practice. Parents, please encourage and support your child, give lots of praise for accomplishments, and most important, actively listen to his/her practice (not just while making dinner but sit down and listen to a song, without doing anything else). Encourage good practice habits by working out a set practice time each day in the best interest of your family and your child.
Lessons in My Studio/Student Preparation
As there is no official “waiting room” at my studio, students may wait in the car or quietly on the front patio, so as not to disturb the lesson in progress. Try to be no earlier than 5 minutes before your lesson time, as it is distracting for the student whose lesson is in progress. And of course try not to be late, missed lesson time cannot be made up. By being prompt, your child will know that you respect the work that they are doing.
Parents: If dropping your child off and not waiting, please make sure that s/he is safely on the patio before driving away and please be prompt in picking up your child. If waiting, please pull up as far as possible in driveway because other students may be on their way after your lesson time.
Students: Hands should be washed and all food, candy, drinks, and gum left behind in the car. Fingernails need to be cut short, even with the end of the fingertips. If students arrive with long fingernails, lesson time will be spent cutting them short.
Missed Lessons
There are no makeup lessons or rescheduling of lessons for any reason. If an occasional schedule conflict should arise, you may use the Swap Sheet to trade lessons with another student.
Please see the Studio Policy for complete information.
Piano Party/Spring Recital
For students, there is the Winter Piano Party, and the Annual Spring Recital in June. The Winter party is more casual and a wonderful chance for students to play for each other and their parents in a relaxed, festive atmosphere. The more formal Spring Recital is held in June. All students are expected to participate in these performance events.
Contact Me
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns at all, including how your child is doing, practice strategies, etc. The best way to reach me is via e-mail or phone - please call between Tuesday and Friday, during the day, and if you don’t reach me, always leave a time on my voice mail when I may call you back.
Books and Materials
All students need to have the required books and materials for lessons, TBD on a case-by-case basis. I will give you a list at either the interview or before the first lesson. Parents are responsible for the purchase of these materials. In addition to their piano lesson books, all school-age students will need:
- Metronome (make sure it’s loud enough, any questions about this, just ask)
- Hard-cover, 1/2-inch, 3-ring binder with pockets
- Blank music staff paper notebook (small or full-size is fine)
- CD player/boom box/iPod within easy reach of student
I strongly support local business; if you can, I recommend that you purchase your materials at Chafin Music Center, in Lake Worth, (561) 585-4641, www.chafinmusic.com, they have everything in stock that you’ll need (except for the binder).
If you are unable to visit Chafin’s, I use the following online company for book orders (you can type in my teacher code, which I will give you, and see exactly which materials are needed for your child):
For other music sites that I recommend, please see under “resources” on the website.
***Please do not order your books at Amazon! They are terrific but not for piano method books. Often, books get back-ordered or are not available.***
Learning to play a musical instrument is one of the most rewarding experiences in life. It is enjoyable but also involves work and self-discipline. Regular daily practice, no matter how short a session each day, is essential to any student's progress, no matter how talented s/he may be. All students, but especially younger students (aged 5–10), need close supervision and support especially in this endeavor. The payoff? An incredible feeling of self-worth and self-esteem, success, and happiness playing music.
I sincerely hope that the combination of my teaching and your encouragement at home will make studying music and learning to play the piano a wonderful, enriching, and joyful experience for your child and the beginning of a life-long love of music.