Studio Policies

Tuition

Lessons are weekly, 30 / 45 / 60 minutes.

Sign up for lessons to get on the schedule, or send me a note to ask a question first. Either way I’ll get back to you within a day or two with current rates and what’s open. Multi-student families get 5% off their total.

Tuition is billed monthly, due on the 1st of the month, and reserves your student’s place in the schedule. It is non-refundable.

Missed lessons

If your student can’t make a lesson because of a conflict or illness, I don’t reschedule the time slot. I’d rather not lose the week, though. Send me a short video of the current piece before the lesson time and I’ll write back with detailed feedback in place of the lesson.

If I have to cancel a lesson myself, I make it up. In person, by video feedback, or virtually, whichever works best for your family.

In severe weather, lessons move to virtual. If a student prefers not to attend virtually, that lesson is forfeited.

Vacations and holidays

The studio follows the Brownsburg Community Schools calendar for major breaks: fall break, spring break, winter, and summer.

What to bring to each lesson

• Your instrument
• Current method books
• Printed music
• A notebook and a pencil

If your student needs new books, I’ll tell you well ahead of time. Most can be found online or at a local music store in Indianapolis.

Parent attendance

For students under 18, one parent or guardian stays in the room during the lesson. This is for your student’s safety and mine. It also makes home practice easier in the early years, because you’ll have heard exactly what I asked for.

Visits by appointment only

To protect student privacy and keep lessons focused, the studio is open by appointment only. If you’d like to observe a class or drop by to say hello, let me know ahead of time and I’ll find a window that works.

Lesson format

Most lessons move through the same four things, in order. Scales and arpeggios, a short technical exercise, repertoire, and a little sight-reading when there’s time. Young students’ lessons follow the same bones in a shorter, more playful form.

The 1 to 5 scale

At the end of each lesson I leave your student with a single number between one and five on the week’s assignments.

• 5. Well-prepared, clear improvement from last week.
• 3. On the path, still growing.
• 1. Didn’t complete the assignments. It happens. I want to know so we can talk about what got in the way.

Studio Class

Twice a year I hold a 45-minute group Studio Class open to any interested student. It’s a chance to play for each other, listen carefully, and practice giving feedback. It’s one of the best things for a young musician’s ear, and one of my favorite afternoons of the year.

Pausing or ending lessons

If you need to pause or stop lessons, please give me 30 days’ notice. That lets me plan the schedule and offer your student’s spot to someone on the waitlist. You’re always welcome to reach out before that point if you’re unsure. Sometimes a short conversation is all it takes to find the right adjustment.

Questions

Anything here unclear, or your situation doesn’t quite fit? Send me a note.