You, your child, and I have a common goal: we all want to see the young student grow to become a fine musician. But your child is part of a three-way system, and the chance that he or she can make it alone is slim. You and I are important elements in your child's development.
Musical growth helps your child gain freedom from cultural ignorance, boredom and apathy. But without discipline there can be no freedom. Discipline takes many forms. Here are some important elements in that discipline:
Your child should never be late for lessons. Schedule every lesson in advance. Make certain that the time is available.
Let me care for your child's musical future, and let your child care for mine. Your role is to care for the musical well-being of both of us. Encourage sensitivity to the craft of musical growth. Remember, we all need to grow musically - student, parent and teacher - together. I encourage you to attend concerts and listen to radio programs with your children. I will occasionally notify you about upcoming concerts as well as information about local classical FM stations and special music programs on TV. From time to time I will also provide suggestions of recordings to help in creating your child's music library.
I'll practice enthusiasm combined with a positive outlook, and you should encourage your child to do the same. My aim is to instruct clearly, and your child's aim should be to learn willingly. As a parent, you should respect our attempts to promote musical education.
I want to promote fine technique and ear training in your child's musical growth, but you must assure the presence of a well-tuned piano (or well-maintained keyboard) on which to practice. It is important for a student to have an instrument that has a positive key action and produces a good sound. A responsive piano which produces a beautiful sound can be a wonderful motivator to a musical child.
Repertoire and rhythm are important elements in your child's education; you must be willing to invest in published music and a metronome.
Think of all the ways you can be supportive while I teach your child theory, technique, ear training, phrasing, dynamics, rhythm, memory skills, finger positions, scales, pedaling, and more.
Communicate with me openly and regularly. Working together we can get the job done.
Practicing
Ideally, students should have a daily practice regimen (six days a week). For young students, I recommend half-hour sessions. However, it is always the quality, not the quantity, of practicing that creates real progress. The practice session should be treated with the same respect given to lessons.
Don't despair if practicing becomes non-existent for a while, your child will make progress anyhow in the lesson itself - though it will be slower.
A sense of humor is a powerful weapon with which to dispel clashes over practicing.
Lessons
All lessons and group activities are included in the monthly fee. Most months contain four private lessons; some may contain a group lesson or recital.
The student or parent must give the teacher one month's notice for termination of lessons. Lessons may be terminated by the teacher.
Students are expected to be ready to start their lesson on time, and have all assignments and their assignment book ready. In the event of tardiness, the lesson will still end at the appointed time in respect for everyone's busy schedule.
A holiday of two weeks will be taken at Christmas, and one week at Spring vacation. Exact dates will be provided in a timely manner. Summer lessons are available, and can be arranged with individual students.
Tuition
Tuition is charged on a monthly basis, payable in advance, and due at the first lesson of each month. Statements will be provided at the last lesson of each month (statements may be sent via email of that is preferable). There will be a 5% late fee assessed for payments made after the 15th of each month. Payment may be made by cash, check, money order, or through PayPal. There is a $20 fee for NSF checks; if there is a second NSF check, check payments will no longer be accepted. No refunds will be given.
No deductions will be made for missed lessons or classes. Should it be necessary for the student to miss an occasional lesson or class, it will be the responsibility of the student or parent to call and arrange a make-up lesson at the teacher's discretion. Should it be necessary for the teacher to miss a lesson, the lesson fee will be credited to the next month or a make-up lesson will be arranged by the teacher. Exceptions are: 1) Protracted illness, 2) Cancellation due to weather, 3) Emergency, such as an accident the day of the lesson.
Tuition (as of September 2009):
One hour lesson:
$50 (usually $200/month)
45 minute lesson:
$40 (usually $160/month)
30 minute lesson:
$30 (usually $120/month)
Students are responsible for providing their own materials (method books, sheet music, lesson book, etc.). If these are purchased from the teacher, the teacher will be reimbursed by adding the cost of said materials to the following month's tuition.
For further information, please call 732/650-1471 or email lessons@retmusic.com.