H O W A R D L A M'S S T U D I O
L e s s o n s
Why study music?
Music making integrates spatial orientation, singing, movement, timing, and eye-hand coordination. It provides a balance of emotional and intellectual stimulation. That being said, if someone is learning music, he/she will become a well-developed person in various aspects. Check out Benefits of Learning Music
What makes music learning so precious?
Aestheticism is one of the purposes of Fine Arts education. It includes music, drama, dance, drawing, painting, crafting, architect, poem, e.t.c . Music learning is fostering each individual to appreciate art conceptually and visually. It establishes the "Aesthetic perspective".
How long are piano lessons?
Piano lessons ranges from 30 minutes, 45 minutes or an hour long and we meet once per week throughout the year. Lesson times change over time as you advance and when the pieces you play become more difficult, they require more time to cover. At a beginner level the lessons are usually only 30-45 minutes long. More advanced students typically takes an hour long lessons or more.
I am an adult thinking about piano lessons for the first time. Can I learn to play the piano at my age?
The answer is absolutely yes! I have students who are professionals, already successful in their own occupations, who are taking lessons for the first time in their lives. Some of my best students are adult with no previous experience who quickly mastered the foundations of music and started studying the easier classics within their first or second year of study. So, if you are committed to practice and study, you will learn and enjoy the piano.
How long will it be before I can play the piano successfully?
It depends on the time you commit, but more importantly, your ability to comprehend the music theories, how fast you can read and memorize the piece, and play them on your piano with proper techniques. Practice makes a trendmenous difference to succeed in piano playing!
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S t u d i o P o l i c i e s
PAYMENTS AND LATE FEES
All fees for lessons are due in no later than the first class of each month. It is necessary to ensure that these payments are received on time. A $10.00 late fee shall be assessed for any payments received after the first lesson of each month. If payment has not yet been received by the second lesson of the month, additional late charges at the rate of $2 per day shall be added to the original fees.
All Chase Quickpay and Citibank Popmoney transfers are due 24 hours before the first lesson of the month, otherwise late fee applies.
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CANCELLATIONS/MAKEUP CLASSES:
In the event of an absence, please notify me 24 hours prior to the assigned lesson time. Late cancellations and no-shows will not be rescheduled. Only excused absences that are made in advance with valid reason(s) will be rescheduled on a space-available basis.
Our studio encourages commitments and consistency in learning. Students will be credited with only one absence per month. If a student misses more than one lesson, I will try to arrange for make-up lessons, but this is not guaranteed.
Please remember that most teachers do not offer make-up lessons at all because of scheduling complications. Therefore, this is a generous compromise.
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INSTRUMENT FOR PIANO LESSONS:
A good quality piano that is "in-tune" with a working pedal with no sticking keys is necessary for enrolling in private piano lessons. An acoustic piano is preferable, but a digital piano on a stand is acceptable provided it is functioning properly with at least a full 88-keys.
PRACTICE AND PARENTAL SUPPORT
Sufficient scheduled practice time on a daily basis is the surest guarantee that you, or your child, will experience consistent progress at the piano. Learning the necessary skills to become proficient at the keyboard will not occur by simply going to piano lessons. It takes committed practice on a daily basis during the week to put skills covered at the lesson into motion. Parental support is an extremely important factor in musical training. Children whose parents take an active and honest interest in their child's progress tend to be more enthusiastic and productive.
SPORTS AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Although this is a private piano studio, and is not affiliated with any school district, it is no less an educational institution--and must be regarded as such. It is the position of this studio that piano lessons are to be treated with the same level of importance as any other subject your child may be studying in school. It is also the position of this piano studio that sporting events and other extracurricular activities are not considered valid excuses for not practicing during the week. Please respect my curriculum and my commitment to your child's musical education by maintaining a priority level for piano studies equal to that of other school activities.
RECITALS AND PERFORMANCES
During the year, performance opportunities are made available to qualified students. These events provide students with further incentive to practice and excel, and can have a positive effect on a student's sense of accomplishment. Recitals build confidence and reinforce the concept that good practice habits result in good pianists.
When students reach an appropriate level of advancement, they will be eligible to participate in the studio's recitals. Students who take part in these recitals commit to the event at least three months in advance, thereby giving ample time to prepare their respective piece(s). All music--except duets--is to be memorized. Those students whose piece(s) is/are not performance-ready by the deadline shall be withdrawn from the program.
Students scheduled to perform for recitals are required to attend and perform. Except in cases of family emergency or illness, students may not "drop out" from the program. Such behavior then affects the entire recital, and is not fair to the other performers and the teacher.
Performers must be at the recital facility no later than 20 minutes before the beginning of the recital. Participating students and their families are expected to remain for the duration of the entire recital, thereby providing ample audience and respect for all performers.
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DISCONTINUATION POLICY:
We require students to notify the studio one month prior to discontinuation of lessons. For example, if you plan to discontinue lessons in May, then we will need to receive your notification (verbal or email) by the first lesson in April. If no notice is given by the first lesson of the month before lessons are being discontinued, the student/parent will be responsible for the next full month’s tuition, and any tuition that has been paid will not be returned/refunded. The full month's tuition is not transferable and applies only to the student who discontinues his/her lessons.
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