Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why study piano?
Piano opens up a whole world of beauty and inner enchantment only known to the
performer, and to a lesser degree to the listener. Music nurtures the soul, mind
& spirit through its marvelous language of touching inner feelings of
humanity. There are many practical benefits accruing from piano instruction. Did
you know that by studying piano, you are not only learning to play a musical
instrument, but also expanding your brain capacity, learning better coordination
and motor skills, attaining higher self-esteem, learning a higher appreciation
of the arts, learning how to interact better with others, tapping into a greater
emotional outlet and learning greater self discipline. There is development of
muscular coordination, increased confidence, reasoning ability & problem
solving.
Science & math grades are reasons to be vastly improved as well as school performance in general. Children who study piano score higher on their SAT's. Preschoolers with musical intervention show nearly a 50% boost in spatial IQ! A recent study of 78 preschoolers found that learning to play the piano enhances the abstract-reasoning skills needed for learning math and science. The children in the study were divided into four group: the first received the piano keyboard lessons; the second group - singing lessons; the third, computer lessons; and the fourth, no training. The children who were taught piano performed 34 percent higher on "thinking" tasks, such as puzzle solving, than the children in the other groups. These benefits play into your life every day and will stay with you for the rest of your life. Top
2. Aren't private lessons better than group lessons?
All children genuinely want to learn to play an instrument, but all too often
their initial enthusiasm quickly fades, and they become resistant to practice,
or attending lessons. A group lesson format helps children through this
difficult starting-up phase by making music study a social activity rather than
a solitary pursuit. Group teaching is probably the most enjoyable way to get
into music. Each lesson provides a diversity of musical experiences: playing
piano, playing theory games, singing the melodies and harmonies, utilizing the
magnetic white board, playing rhythm instruments, learning accompanying skills,
ensemble playing, reading and writing music� What I noticed is the percentage
of quitting is much lower of kids who are taking group lessons, not PRIVATE.
Also, in the group kids are more responsible then in a private class. They don't
want to be behind the other kids. They practice more at home. Develop
relationships with peers who also play piano helps keep students in the piano
experience. Top
3. How many students in a group class?
Classes are with a minimum of 3 students and a maximum of 7. ( I have 7 digital
pianos for students and one regular piano for the teacher) Top
4. How is Harmony Road Music Course different?
This program based on the belief that every child is musical. From birth to age
seven children can participate without pressure to perform, as they are
encouraged to explore, express and discover. The curriculum is based on child
development and age appropriate learning through music. Harmony Road offers more
that just "piano lessons," since it provides a holistic approach to
music learning including creative movement, singing, keyboard playing, ear
training, music theory, rhythm ensemble, music vocabulary, note reading,
composing improvising and so much more, all in a creative and nurturing
atmosphere!
Since Harmony Road is keyboard based, it is more comprehensive than Kindermusik� or Music for Tots�. By the 5 months of a 5-year-old's first year in Harmony Road, students will be reading music off the grand staff (bass C through treble G) and playing beginning level piano music. Harmony Road incorporates the rhythm and movement of Orff and Dalcroze,the solfege singing of Kodaly and the child centered learning approach of Montessori. Its founder, Jan Keyser, has taken a layered, age-specific approach to programming, developed over many years with Yamaha as a teaching specialist. In 1980 she created and began teaching the Harmony Road program in Portland, Oregon where 600 students enjoy her musical guidance today. Currently there are 120 Harmony Road locations in the United States as well as Britain, New Zealand, Holland and Canada. The program boasts 98% retention over four years in nearly all locations. Lessons are based on the time tested Harmony Road triangle �parent, child and trained Harmony Road teacher. Top
5. What is your school policy?
Punctuality Please arrive a bit early to get settled in, as the
teacher will begin on time. If your late there will be no additional time at the
end of a lesson, as other students may be waiting. Please, turn off your cell
phones during the lesson. Notification of inability to attend a lesson is
courtesy to the teacher but does not excuse tuition payment. If one student
attend 45 min. group class, the lesson will be 30 min., if two students attend
45 min. class , the lesson will be 40 min. If one student attends 30 min group
class, the lesson will be 25 min.
Parental Involvement Ensuring
students maintain accountability in completing all assigned lesson materials
is essential. To guarantee consistent progress and continued derivation of joy
from the instrument, students should treat their commitment to the piano
responsibly.
Missed Lessons If you are a class student and are going to miss a class, please call your teacher and let her know that you are going to miss a class (leave a message if you can not reach your teacher). No refunds will be made for missed lessons. Tuition is based on enrollment not attendance. If you miss a class, you still pay for it as the material is purposely repeated throughout the course. Often, missing classes for this reason will only put your child further behind, and more discouraged. If you decide to make-up the lesson privately you will be charged $10 for that lesson in addition to the missed lesson as the teacher's time must be paid for both classes. This may be arranged with the teacher and should in no way be considered an automatic service. You can have a make-up group lesson only if we have the same level class during the week. We cancel lessons in the event of heavy snow and bad roads. You will be given a courtesy call by your teacher if we are closed. Your payment for those missed lessons will go over to the next month or make up lessons will be scheduled. If you are a private student: If you do not give me notice that you will miss a class I will not schedule make-up lesson. Make-up lessons will be given under the following circumstances: in case of illness, notice must be given no later than 12 noon of lesson day, in case of schedule conflict, notice must be given no later than 24 hours in advance of lesson day. If there is less than 24-hour notice, no private make-up lesson will be scheduled but you will have option to have a make-up lesson in the group. There is no make-up lesson if you missed your private lesson make-up. You are guaranteed to have 4 lessons a month during the school year. (Every 3rd month there is a 5th lesson that is going to be like a make up for missing lessons during Christmas break and Spring break.
Holidays, School break, Summer Break We will not have lessons on Spring break (March 25th-March 30st) and Winter break(Dec.19-Jan 1). There will be no make up lessons for those days since the tuition is prorated for the whole school year. . I teach on ALL holidays except Thanksgiving(2 days break: Thursday and Friday)and Christmas. You will have an option to make up those lessons or to receive a credit for next month tuition. Lessons in June, July and August are optional but not required. During the Summer you will be charged only for lessons you attended.
Withdrawal Fifteen days prior notice is required for withdrawal from a class. Payment for that month is due.
Teacher Cancellations Missed lessons due to illness or vacation will be made-up.
Recital Students are encouraged to participate in music recitals that are twice a year. The times are : 5:30 pm. 6:45 pm and 8:00 pm.
Tuition and Fees We accept check and cash. If you would like to pay for whole year you will receive 5% off. You will receive $30 per student if you refer one and that student will take lessons at least for 3 months. Maximum discount is $30 per family. Depends on inflation monthly fee may be higher next school year. Tuition is payable by month and due on the first lesson of the month. If payment is not received on the 15th of the following month we require $5 late fee. We require $20 for returned checks. Top
6. How old should a child be to begin
music lessons?
The peak age for the development of the brain is around three years. Our
programs begin at 18 months but students can begin at any age. Our graduated age
specific programs allow each child to move at his or her own pace while being
supported by parents and the group itself.
Top
7. Do I need to buy a piano or can I use
a keyboard?
You can learn to play using a keyboard.Many of my students have done so.On the
other hand,long-term students usually purchase or rent a piano at some point in
their development. I'll explain. Keyboards have a number of advantages. They're
usually less expensive, and, unlike pianos, they don't require tuning (which
costs close to $60 and should be done at least twice a year).Keyboards also
boast a variety of instrumental sounds,and, if used with headphones, can enable
late-night practice that won't disturb others. Keyboards should have at least 60
full-sized keys. Having said all that, I recommend learning to play on a piano
whenever possible.While the electronic instruments are getting closer and closer
to duplicating the sound and feel of the piano, they still have a long way to
go.A well-maintained piano is infinitely responsive to the touch. It offers a
vehicle for truly intimate expression, much like the human voice. Top
8. How many times a week do you have a lesson?
Group students come once a week. But if you are private student and you want to
come twice a week, I will give you a 10% discount.
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9. How much should I (or my child) practice?
I prefer not to tell my students exactly how much to practice. As with any
pursuit, the level of dedication and commitment varies enormously from person to
person. Short practices a little each day work best. There will be days when
your child will not want to practice. This is normal and does not necessarily
mean that music lessons should come to an end. Discovering what works best in
the context of your own unique life story is half the fun. Try to start and end
practices with something fun. Schedule practices for a time during the day that
your child is at his/her best. Please take time to listen to the tape-they are
an integral part of the learning process! I recommend to have a special calendar
for practicing the piano. Give your child a sticker for every 15 minutes he/she
practices. If your child practice every day for a week then give double
the stickers for that week. Set up some goals and give them prize for achieving
it. (Example: earn 50 stickers in a month and receive a prize.) This is really
works. Kids like rewards. Top
10.Why do you use solfege (do, re, mi, fa...)
in your curriculum?
The physical act of singing and saying the solfege syllables is a right-brain
activity. The letter B,C,D,E and G all end in a long E sound and therefore
rhyme, making it difficult to distinguish them as different without unnatural or
non-musical emphasis. Saying, but especially singing, a sequence of of letter
names for notes is awkward. Singing a sequence of solfege syllables flow more
smoothly. Your children are learning the alphabet as it relates to their
language and are often confused to relate them to the language of music. The
solfege syllables become their musical language. If student prefer to use C,D,E
... instead of do, re, me ... I could do that as well. Top