More about Piano Lessons
Program of Instruction
Lessons are currently being held in-person in the studio--mask optional.
Students in the studio are offered instruction in classical piano repertoire, music theory, music history, sight-reading, ear-training, performance and technique. Lessons are tailored to each individual student's needs.
Beginning students will learn the fundamentals: correct hand/arm/finger positions, note-reading basics and sight-reading of simple melodies, rhythms and meters, and begin to develop the art of listening.
Intermediate students expand their knowledge of keys, harmonic progressions, musical style and history, more complex rhythms, and further develop listening skills as they fine-tune tone production to increase their artistry. Performance experience continues to expand as student interest warrants. Longer and more complex pieces from each of the historical musical styles provides the opportunity to stretch technical and musical boundaries.
Advancing students apply their knowledge of theory, structure, form, and style to selected repertoire as they explore and learn works from the vast piano repertoire. Questions of right and wrong develop into questions of interpretation, sound production and musicality. Festivals, masterclasses, competitions and workshops all provide opportunity for valuable feedback and learning.
Lessons are currently being held in-person in the studio--mask optional.
Students in the studio are offered instruction in classical piano repertoire, music theory, music history, sight-reading, ear-training, performance and technique. Lessons are tailored to each individual student's needs.
Beginning students will learn the fundamentals: correct hand/arm/finger positions, note-reading basics and sight-reading of simple melodies, rhythms and meters, and begin to develop the art of listening.
Intermediate students expand their knowledge of keys, harmonic progressions, musical style and history, more complex rhythms, and further develop listening skills as they fine-tune tone production to increase their artistry. Performance experience continues to expand as student interest warrants. Longer and more complex pieces from each of the historical musical styles provides the opportunity to stretch technical and musical boundaries.
Advancing students apply their knowledge of theory, structure, form, and style to selected repertoire as they explore and learn works from the vast piano repertoire. Questions of right and wrong develop into questions of interpretation, sound production and musicality. Festivals, masterclasses, competitions and workshops all provide opportunity for valuable feedback and learning.
Studio Policy
Studio policies help teachers clarify to students and parents their studio goals, rules and business policies. These policies eliminate ambiguity and serve as a reference guide. The following is a summary of the Hollenback Piano Studio policy. The complete studio policy is available in writing at the initial interview/audition.
Registration and Enrollment
New students are accepted year round into the studio as space is available. There is a one time non-refundable registration fee of $150.00 payable at the time of enrollment. This fee covers the short term use of loaned items; use of recording and other studio equipment; studio recital venue rentals; and studio piano tuning costs for the duration of your study in the studio.
Enrolling students reserve their placement in the studio for an entire studio year (July through June).
Re-enrollment for continuing students occurs in April for the upcoming studio year.
Lesson Schedules
July and August: Scheduling for summer lesson times begins in May. Lessons are scheduled to accommodate vacations. Students studying during the summer will have a studio lesson space reserved for the fall.
Students who plan to continue lessons in the fall and who do not schedule any summer lessons must pay their non-refundable September tuition by June 15 to reserve a studio lesson space for the upcoming academic year. This non-refundable payment will be applied to the September invoice.
September through June: Scheduling for academic year lesson times begins in July. Once September starts, it is difficult to make lesson time schedule changes. Temporary schedule changes due to sports seasons and related practice schedule conflicts, or seasonal extra-curricular activities are not able to be accommodated.
Please refer to the studio calendar for planned lesson dates.
Lesson Cancellations
If you miss or cancel a lesson for any reason, no credit or refund will be given. (Exception: During the summer session, a credit will be given for a lesson cancelled with at least one week's notice.) As a courtesy, in the event you must cancel a lesson, please leave a voice mail or send an email. Makeup lessons are available only if another student has cancelled before your next scheduled lesson. I will offer that time, but if you are unable to attend then, no other times will be offered.
If I cancel a lesson due to illness or an emergency, a makeup lesson or a credit will be offered.
Vacation Breaks
There is a scheduled break at Thanksgiving and at Christmas. In June I attend a professional development conference so there are no lessons scheduled the last 2 weeks of June. Please refer to the studio calendar for planned lesson dates. Lessons may be held during your school's scheduled mid-winter break, spring break or conference week. If you have a family vacation planned during this time, your lesson is treated as a missed lesson and there will be no credits or refunds given.
Weather Related Situations
Morning lessons with start time 9:00am or earlier are cancelled if the Kent school district has a weather-related late start situation or cancels classes due to weather. Afternoon and evening lessons are generally held but call the studio for a local update for the neighborhood. No makeup lessons or credits are available if lessons are missed due to weather conditions.
Withdrawals
It is expected that enrolled students will commit to study through June. However, if withdrawal from the studio is necessary a 60 day written notice must be given by completing a studio withdrawal form. Withdrawals are not accepted by phone, email or text. All first of the month tuition payments are due during the 60 day period, whether the student attends lessons through this period or not. The 60 day withdrawal notice period begins on the day the signed withdrawal notice is received by the studio. Withdrawals are not accepted after April 1st.
Tuition and Fees
Monthly invoices are sent home the last lesson of each month and are due at the first scheduled lesson of the next month. Prompt payment is appreciated and allows me to keep my fees reasonable. A fee of $25 will be assessed for payments received after the second week of scheduled lessons in the month or for checks returned by the bank for insufficient funds.
Tuition for July and August:
Tuition is due at the first lesson of the month for the number of lessons scheduled for that month.
Tuition for September through June:
For your convenience tuition is billed monthly and is a flat fee regardless of the number of lessons scheduled or attended in the month.
Lessons are scheduled in 30, 45 or 60 minute time blocks depending on the level of the student.
Current rates are available at the initial interview/audition.
Music for your student will be ordered and purchased by me and included in your monthly bill.
Student Event Fees
Some events have a fee associated with them. The fee goes to the organization administrating the event. There is no additional studio fee for my time supporting students at these events. Event fees will be included on the monthly bill prior to the event in order to meet registration deadlines.
Additional Information
Studio communication is primarily by email.
Daily practice is expected to ensure a student's steady progress.
Supplies Required as each lesson: a spiral notebook for lesson notes, all assigned music, handouts, theory sheets, practice information , music dictionary, and a bag to keep everything together.
Practice Instrument: Digital pianos should have 88 weighted keys and a damper pedal. Appropriate adjustable bench and music stand are needed for comfort and for developing good technique.
Acoustic pianos should be tuned regularly. Appropriate adjustable bench is also needed. Young students may also need a foot rest if they are unable to reach the ground. Please check with me for help with instrument related questions or concerns.
Studio policies help teachers clarify to students and parents their studio goals, rules and business policies. These policies eliminate ambiguity and serve as a reference guide. The following is a summary of the Hollenback Piano Studio policy. The complete studio policy is available in writing at the initial interview/audition.
Registration and Enrollment
New students are accepted year round into the studio as space is available. There is a one time non-refundable registration fee of $150.00 payable at the time of enrollment. This fee covers the short term use of loaned items; use of recording and other studio equipment; studio recital venue rentals; and studio piano tuning costs for the duration of your study in the studio.
Enrolling students reserve their placement in the studio for an entire studio year (July through June).
Re-enrollment for continuing students occurs in April for the upcoming studio year.
Lesson Schedules
July and August: Scheduling for summer lesson times begins in May. Lessons are scheduled to accommodate vacations. Students studying during the summer will have a studio lesson space reserved for the fall.
Students who plan to continue lessons in the fall and who do not schedule any summer lessons must pay their non-refundable September tuition by June 15 to reserve a studio lesson space for the upcoming academic year. This non-refundable payment will be applied to the September invoice.
September through June: Scheduling for academic year lesson times begins in July. Once September starts, it is difficult to make lesson time schedule changes. Temporary schedule changes due to sports seasons and related practice schedule conflicts, or seasonal extra-curricular activities are not able to be accommodated.
Please refer to the studio calendar for planned lesson dates.
Lesson Cancellations
If you miss or cancel a lesson for any reason, no credit or refund will be given. (Exception: During the summer session, a credit will be given for a lesson cancelled with at least one week's notice.) As a courtesy, in the event you must cancel a lesson, please leave a voice mail or send an email. Makeup lessons are available only if another student has cancelled before your next scheduled lesson. I will offer that time, but if you are unable to attend then, no other times will be offered.
If I cancel a lesson due to illness or an emergency, a makeup lesson or a credit will be offered.
Vacation Breaks
There is a scheduled break at Thanksgiving and at Christmas. In June I attend a professional development conference so there are no lessons scheduled the last 2 weeks of June. Please refer to the studio calendar for planned lesson dates. Lessons may be held during your school's scheduled mid-winter break, spring break or conference week. If you have a family vacation planned during this time, your lesson is treated as a missed lesson and there will be no credits or refunds given.
Weather Related Situations
Morning lessons with start time 9:00am or earlier are cancelled if the Kent school district has a weather-related late start situation or cancels classes due to weather. Afternoon and evening lessons are generally held but call the studio for a local update for the neighborhood. No makeup lessons or credits are available if lessons are missed due to weather conditions.
Withdrawals
It is expected that enrolled students will commit to study through June. However, if withdrawal from the studio is necessary a 60 day written notice must be given by completing a studio withdrawal form. Withdrawals are not accepted by phone, email or text. All first of the month tuition payments are due during the 60 day period, whether the student attends lessons through this period or not. The 60 day withdrawal notice period begins on the day the signed withdrawal notice is received by the studio. Withdrawals are not accepted after April 1st.
Tuition and Fees
Monthly invoices are sent home the last lesson of each month and are due at the first scheduled lesson of the next month. Prompt payment is appreciated and allows me to keep my fees reasonable. A fee of $25 will be assessed for payments received after the second week of scheduled lessons in the month or for checks returned by the bank for insufficient funds.
Tuition for July and August:
Tuition is due at the first lesson of the month for the number of lessons scheduled for that month.
Tuition for September through June:
For your convenience tuition is billed monthly and is a flat fee regardless of the number of lessons scheduled or attended in the month.
Lessons are scheduled in 30, 45 or 60 minute time blocks depending on the level of the student.
Current rates are available at the initial interview/audition.
Music for your student will be ordered and purchased by me and included in your monthly bill.
Student Event Fees
Some events have a fee associated with them. The fee goes to the organization administrating the event. There is no additional studio fee for my time supporting students at these events. Event fees will be included on the monthly bill prior to the event in order to meet registration deadlines.
Additional Information
Studio communication is primarily by email.
Daily practice is expected to ensure a student's steady progress.
Supplies Required as each lesson: a spiral notebook for lesson notes, all assigned music, handouts, theory sheets, practice information , music dictionary, and a bag to keep everything together.
Practice Instrument: Digital pianos should have 88 weighted keys and a damper pedal. Appropriate adjustable bench and music stand are needed for comfort and for developing good technique.
Acoustic pianos should be tuned regularly. Appropriate adjustable bench is also needed. Young students may also need a foot rest if they are unable to reach the ground. Please check with me for help with instrument related questions or concerns.
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