Lessons
Private piano lessons are available for children and adults in the Dalton, Varnell, Cohutta, and Chatsworth areas of North Georgia. I teach at my home in Varnell several days per week, and offer lessons in Chatsworth on Mondays at Spring Place Baptist Church.
Lessons are weekly and generally last 30 minutes each. Lessons emphasize sight reading, theory, technique and improvisation. A variety of styles may be studied, including classical, sacred and popular, depending on the student's goals and abilities.
Usually, we have one recital per year. I strongly encourage everyone to play for recital, but no one is forced, and it is not required that the music be memorized.
For practice at home, an acoustic piano is best - a keyboard will have a very different feel and sound in comparison. However, an 88-key digital piano or keyboard with weighted keys and pedal will suffice for beginners.
Rates
- One time registration fee of $25
- $60/month for 30 minutes lessons
- $110/month for 1 hour lessons - individual or two family members
- $5/month discount for senior adults age 60+
Policies
Policies are in place for the benefit of everyone in the studio and provide consistency and continuity in the course of lessons. When arrangements are made to study piano, the policies must be agreed upon by both the studio and the parents (or students, if adults). A signed copy will be retained for the studio.
Fees are a flat monthly rate based on the number of lessons per year and are not lowered
for missed lessons, vacations or holidays. Lessons are year round with regularly scheduled breaks and holidays as listed on the calendar. No make up lessons will be given, so attend as many lessons as you can! Payments made after the 10th of the month are subject to a $5 late charge (unless we are scheduled to be off the first week of the month).
If lessons are canceled by the teacher other than dates listed on the calendar, a price adjustment will be made. In the case of inclement weather, we will decide case-by-case and if we cancel lessons you will be issued a credit in the following month.
Payment is due at the first lesson of each month. Books and materials are not included in lesson prices - they will be purchased by the teacher and billed to the student to be paid when the next payment is due. Payment may be made by check, cash, or online with PayPal, credit or debit card. Monthly invoices or reminders are available upon request.
Lessons continue as usual during the summer months. If you wish to take a leave of absence during the summer, your time slot cannot be guaranteed to be available when you start back. Also, much progress is lost when students do not take lessons during the summer.
The studio will take vacation periodically and these times will be announced ahead of time and posted on the calendar. You are not charged for studio vacation and holiday weeks; they have already been accounted for in the rate.