Frequently Asked Questions
If your question is not answered in this FAQ please feel free to use the form on the contact page to send your question(s) via email.
Q: Do you teach at people’s houses? A: Generally, I do not. I have a studio in North Seattle and in Ballard. Teaching at my studio allows me to have access to all of the materials I may need during a lesson. I customize teaching materials according to the needs and goals of each individual student. This allows me to make good use of the face-to-face time I have with students and deliver high quality instruction. That said, sometimes special circumstances arise in which it makes more sense to see a student for a lesson at their home for a limited time.
Q: How much are private lessons? A: Please visit the Lessons Page for complete information about lessons fees.
Q: Do you offer financial scholarships? A: I accept a limited number of students who meet the criteria for tuition assistance through the Music Link Foundation. If you feel you or your child meet the requirements after having reviewed the information at the Music Link site please contact this studio to find out how to register as a Music Link student.
Q: Do you have a written studio policy? A: Yes. A written copy of the studio policies and procedures are provided to students at registration and at pre-registration interviews. To schedule a pre-registration interview please call the studio or fill out the form on the Contact Page.
Q: Do you have a teaching philosophy? A: Yes. Please visit the Philosophy Page of this website for this information.
Q: What teaching experience do you have? A: I have maintained a successful private studio practice for over 25 years teaching piano, guitar, voice, music theory and composition to youth and adults. I taught private lessons in guitar and a beginning guitar class at Shoreline Community College and was a substitute teacher for Whittier Heights Elementary instrumental music classes. I also conducted musical theater workshops in a variety of public elementary schools throughout northern California as a musician with the Theater of All Possibilities.
Q: Do you regularly evaluate student progress? A: Yes. Part of the mission of this studio is to align with the Washington State Standards for Music. This studio offers both formal and informal opportunities for assessment. Assessments for adult learners is configured based on their personal musical goals. I will design a realistic curriculum that supports achieving those goals.
Q: What instructional materials do you use? A: I use a variety of printed, audio, and visual materials that are either created by me, or compiled by me, from already existing sources that I have reviewed and determined are of high quality and would be useful to my students. I also utilize both acoustic and electric instruments depending on a particular teaching-learning situation.
Q: What kinds of music do you teach? A: The studio curriculum incorporates the spectrum of American music genres (i.e., blues, jazz, rock, folk, etc.) as well as world, western classical, and other western genres of music that meet the needs and interests of students.
Q: Do you offer group lessons? A: Yes. Please visit the Lessons Page for details.
Q: Do you require students to perform in studio recitals during the year? A: I encourage and invite students to participate in performance opportunities because it is an important part of musical development. It is not required, however.
Q: Do you offer other performance opportunities for your students, such as festivals and competitions? A: Yes. Students will have many opportunities to perform at studio recitals and events throughout the year. I also keep students and their families informed of other community events in which they might be interested in participating.
Q: Do you use technology in your studio, such as computers, music software, and digital keyboards? A: Yes. Today’s technology provides an unprecedented opportunity that was not available to earlier generations to acquire musical skills. Both acoustic and electronic instruments are utilized in the studio. In addition to traditional music learning tools like the acoustic piano and acoustic guitar, I sometimes incorporate the use of computers, music learning software, and digital keyboards to enhance learning where it seems appropriate.
Q: How much practice time do you require each day? A: Individual music students have different needs with regard to practice. I care more about the quality of a student’s practice rather than the quantity. I will make recommendations for practice depending on each student’s unique needs, abilities, and goals. However, music is no different than any other subject area. It’s simple – the more focused time put in, the bigger the pay off. For young learners consistent lessons and practice are important. For those who are preparing for competition-level playing, or who are contemplating a professional career in music — focused, regular practice is essential to get the most out of your lessons.
Q: What do you expect of your students? A: First, music is a journey. It can both elate and challenge. While it requires a good deal of discipline, I believe it should be a joyous experience. I ask that students be open to exploring their possibilities with music, that they be patient with themselves, and strive to understand that the acquisition of musical skill, like any other skill, does not happen over night. It is an active, on-going process. I ask that students celebrate their accomplishments along the way, no matter how small they perceive them to be. If students follow this advice, I assure them – as there is a lot of magic in music – that someday they will be surprised at just how far they have come.
Q: What do you expect of parents/guardians? A: Support at home is critical to the success of any child’s educational pursuits. Speaking as a parent who currently has children taking private music lessons, I expect the same thing of other parents/guardians as I do of myself — to provide 1) an appropriate instrument, 2) a consistent place to practice that is free from distractions, and 3) a consistent time when help is available from a parent or guardian if needed. These things are important for adult learners as well.
I provide free coaching and offer free workshops to the parents or guardians of currently enrolled students so they can learn how to better support their child, tween, or teen during their musical journey.