FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
• What should we bring to our weekly lesson? A notebook (preferably not spiral bound), a pencil, any books you or your child is using in lesson, and a manuscript book if your child has one. Please make sure your child is wearing clean socks.
• When is it best to practice? Immediately following a lesson! This is when you're able to solidify the work we did in lesson so that it will be easy to access all week long!
• Do we need a piano in order to take piano lessons? Yes. You also need an adjustable bench and a footstool. These items are essential to success and satisfaction at the instrument! Please reach out to me if you need help in acquiring these essential items for piano lessons. Keyboards are not advised, as they only look like pianos and don’t have the same feel, sound, mechanism that you will learn to use, and satisfaction.
• When are Group Lessons? All students have a group lesson, which is held every sixth week in lieu of private lessons. Please contact me for your child's group class assignment and time. The calendar of group classes is part of my updated calendar online. Suzuki students at MIC or Chime may have a weekly group class either with me or another qualified Suzuki instructor. There is no makeup for a missed group class.
• Do I need to be there for my child's lesson? If your child is under the age of 12, yes. Parents may be occasionally asked to attend the lesson of an older child, and it is expected that if you're NOT in the lesson (group classes for instance) that you are no more than five minutes away from the studio. If you are not attending your child's lesson, please make sure to check his/her notebook for important information regarding expectations, congratulations, and a student's participation in upcoming events. [This applies to online lessons as well!]
• How long is a lesson? If you have signed up for a 75, 60, 45 or 30 minute lesson, you can expect the lesson to last 70, 55, 40 and 25 minutes respectively. Besides one-on-one time with your student, much time goes into planning lessons, finding motivational music for your child, researching and signing them up for contests and festivals, building recital programs, and hosting events. You are not paying by the minute. Just as practice is not measured in minutes, but is measured in accomplishments, so are lessons measured. I do not teach 30 minute lessons for non-Suzuki students or for students older than seven years of age.
• What is the point of doing an observation? I have all students come in to observe a lesson before signing up for formal lessons with me. This gives you a chance to see my teaching style and environment, it gives you a sense of the pacing and expectations, and I get a chance to meet you so that I am more prepared in our first lesson to really dive in and get you started! Suzuki beginners are required to come to at least three observations before beginning. This is very important as they get to see how everything works with another child, they get to participate in someone else's class and get a little bit of homework to do on their own as they are eased into lessons. This also gives you a chance to talk to other parents, and you only stay for as long as everyone is comfortable. The child will have been listening to the Suzuki CD already and will get to hear the repertoire she is listening to played by another child and practice her listening skills as I'll give her things to listen for, all from the comfort of your lap!
• What weeks are we on "break" from piano lessons? A regularly updated calendar is always available online. I try to nail down the schedule prior to the beginning of every quarter, though there may be the occasional update. There is a winter, spring and summer break as well as time off over Thanksgiving.
• How often will my child be performing? There are two big studio recitals every year (one in the winter, one in the summer) that are required for all my students as well as quarterly soirees. Other performance opportunities will come up for your child at school, in group classes, as well as participation in festivals and competitions. Students will perform every six weeks in group class.
• How does a performance work? Every child should be dressed appropriately for a performance (no shorts, sneakers, crocs, t-shirts, sweatpants, jeans, etc). Performers should typically arrive 20 minutes early and will be given a seat in the order in which they will perform. Performers will have access to the recital venue earlier than the audience. Performers will return to their seats after their performance and stay for the duration of the recital. For Studio Recitals, an Evite will be sent out with a reminder of the above traditions as well as a sign-up for bringing treats. Staying after the recital to graciously accept compliments and to mingle with other performers is part of the event and is expected. For a run-down of recital procedures, click here.
• We can't make it to lesson this week. What should I do? Please let me know that you can't make it. We have a swap-list for everyone who is willing to participate that you can reach out to in order to trade lessons. My schedule is not always the same, so please reach out to me first. Call or e-mail any other parent on the list that has a lesson time that you may be able to take and offer them yours. Do not send a mass e-mail. By using the swap list, and being generous if you are contacted for a swap, nobody has to miss a lesson. Lessons missed by the teacher will be made up at a mutually convenient time or credited to your account.
• What if I or my child is sick? Do not attend lesson if you are sick. We all share the same piano and space. If there is any coughing or sneezing happening for any reason, please wear a mask. Sick students will be sent home. Online lessons and the swap list are always available to you. I and the rest of the studio thank you for your thoughtfulness on this matter.
• What if I can now make it to my previously canceled lesson? Check with your teacher. Your lesson time may already have been offered to another student. If this is the case, you have forfeited your lesson time for that week.
• How do I reach you? For urgent issues (running late, missing a lesson, etc.) please text. If I am teaching, I should get your text shortly. Otherwise it is best to email me as I do not answer my phone during rehearsals or while teaching. For all inquiries and discussions that aren't addressed by my FAQs, or to contact me outside of my available hours (10am to 8pm Tuesday through Saturday) please e-mail me. Otherwise, I'll see you in lesson every week, and if you have something you want to address, please bring it up at the beginning of your child's lesson! Don't wait until the end - I might have a student immediately following you!
• My child is very interested in competition - what opportunities do you offer? In January, the Sonatina Festival for Intermediate level students is held at Roosevelt University. In April, the Savler Piano Contest for intermediate level students is held at Roosevelt University. In June, the Granquist Music Competition is held in Geneva for students of all ages and levels. These are just a few examples of the opportunities in Chicao. The Royal Conservatory of Music offers regular comprehensive assessments that I encourage your child to participate in. These are in December and May. If you are interested in your child participating in other programs that you have heard about, please let me know. Please see the studio calendar for upcoming dates of events.
• My child forgot the new material you taught him this week. What should we do? If your child is a Suzuki student, check your detailed notes from lessons. Check your phone - we often take quick videos of new material! You may try e-mailing me if it is a question that can be handled via e-mail. Otherwise, I'll see you in lesson next week!
• Should we sign up for Suzuki or Non-Suzuki lessons? This is a question that is best discussed with me in person. In my teaching, I blend methods to give each student what he needs most for success. However, the beginning of Suzuki study is very different from traditional study and it all comes down to parental involvement and how much music is going to be a part of the household. Feel free to read a little more on my expectations of beginning Suzuki students.
• How should the Suzuki repertoire listening work? If you drive often, listen to it in the car. If you sit down to meals together, listen to it in the dining room. If your kids have a play area, play it while they're playing. Listen to it daily. Between listening to the CD (passively at first…. your teacher will give you more detailed instructions later on), and you playing the piano yourself, your child will take to it quickly and practice will be easy and effective.
• How do I pay for lessons? Whether you are paying quarterly or by year, I accept checks, Zelle (see me for details) payments or cash by the first of the month. Quarterly payments are due September 1, December 1, March 1 and June 1. There is a yearly materials fee of $50 which goes towards the costs of recital space, recording, certificates and other miscellaneous but essential costs. Lessons will not proceed if payment has not been made.
• What are grounds for losing a spot in the studio? A student may lose his slot in the studio if A) he is no longer practicing, B) does not regularly attend lessons, C) the parent is unresponsive to communication with the teacher, D) the student does not attend a recital he is on the program for, E) the student is not registered for the full quarter or term, F) the student has not taken the required summer lessons. Please see my full studio policy.
• How does Fall Registration work? Please fill out the registration form online by the summer date announced on the calendar. Please include in detail all available time so that a suitable schedule may be put together that works for all families! A non-refundable deposit of $200 per family is due at this time that will be applied toward fall lessons. Signed registration and payment is due before lessons begin.