Piano Beginners (New Students)
Your first day of piano lessons is an exciting time. There are just a few things you will need for your first lesson:
- A small notebook or memo pad for keeping your weekly assignments in
- A pencil
- (Optional) A small electronic metronome
There are lots of books available for your journey and every student has different needs. I usually start students out in a set of loaned books and we get a feel for how that is going over the first couple of weeks. If we need to make adjustments from there, it is much easier (and affordable) to switch those books out! Once I’ve settled on a book series that I feel is suited for the students, I will purchase the books for you and bill them on the next bill. There is no markup for books. I pass the price along to my students that I pay. For any future books or supply purchases, I highly recommend Lindner’s Music in Watertown or you can find them online at SheetMusicPlus.com or Amazon.com.
Returning Students
If you are a returning piano student and you are in the middle of a series of books already, bring them along to your first lesson and we will evaluate how those books are working for you and try to pick up where you left off. If I feel the books aren’t serving you well, I might recommend switching to another series.
Recitals
Recitals are held mid-December for Christmas time and again at the end of each school year. In recent years, the First Baptist Church of Watertown has been our supporter and provided a wonderful concert space for us! The programs are a great time for parents, grandparents, and others to experience the hard work all the students have been doing throughout the year. Students will be performing 1-2 pieces for the recital. Students are expected to dress nicely as they would for a school play or concert. Information about the recitals will be sent out to the parents well in advance and dates are posted on the school calendar.
Prices & Fees
Lessons are billed at a rate of $80/month for standard 1/2 hour private piano lessons. For students who wish to have more one-on-one time, 1 hour lessons are also available for $160/month. We require a minimum commitment of one month (either 4 or 5 lessons). See the Payments and Cancellation page for more information.
PAYMENT
Payment is due on the 1st of each month. Students are required to pay for the month of lessons in advance. New students who join on a date other than the 1st will be charged a prorated amount due at their first lesson.
PAYMENT METHODS
We accept Credit/Debit Card, Check or Cash. Payment must be received on or before the 1st of the month.
FAQ
How often/long should my child practice?
I recommend practicing at least 10-15 minutes each day for beginners. Advanced students will find that those needs increase with time. Nothing ever improves without practice!
How old should my child be to start piano lessons?
This is a question that piano teachers hear a lot. Like languages and many other things, the earlier the child starts, the more fluent he or she will become. With that said, there are some things I like to see that make it easier for the child to get started and feel successful.
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- They should be able to count from 1-10 and recognize the numbers 1-10 on the printed page.
- They should be able to recite and recognize the letters A-G
- They should be able to do basic addition (2+2=4).
Most children between 6 and 7 years old are ready to start lessons, but I have also started working with students as young as 4 in the Little Mozart program. Reach out to me and we can discuss whether your young beginner might be a good fit!
What if my child has special needs?
As the parent of a child on the Autism spectrum, I understand that all children are unique. I have no problem working with children who struggle in a normal classroom setting or even have trouble sitting for extended periods. I’m willing to give it a shot! Sometimes music is just the thing that kiddo needs to center and self-soothe.