Studio Expectations 

Congratulations on your decision to sign your child up for private music education and on gifting your child this priceless gift!  When a family enrolls, keep in mind the enrollment is for the full academic year. Successful and productive piano lessons consist of a three-way relationship and trust between teacher, parent(s), and the student. A few consistent responsibilities shared between the three parties are-

  1. The teacher’s role is to support, nurture, and to educate the student and parent.

  2. Students will regularly work on assignments at home during the week and come ready to lessons with materials prepared.

  3. Parents are to actively support and observe the entire process.   Involved parents can show their encouragement and support to their children through listening, learning, taking notes or recording the lessons. The recorded lesson minutes are a beneficial reference for the parents while providing hands on approach at home to support their children with good practice habits and strategies.

Parent Role

Without parental involvement in piano lessons, the child will have a hard time succeeding in piano.  I strongly encourage one parent to attend weekly lessons.

Please have a notebook handy to take notes. If a parent cannot attend the weekly lesson, either the teacher will record part of the lesson or the parent may leave a recording device to record the lesson.

For students, having a parent attend lessons greatly motivates and helps the student with daily practice at home. For older students, support and encouragement at home shows the student that you are involved and interested.  Only then, you will be giving your child a lifelong gift!

Materials, Instrument, and Maintenance

Piano

Students must have a good quality upright piano for practice at home.  If you need help renting an acoustic piano, or buying a used piano, please feel free to speak with me about it. 

Bench

Students must have an adjustable piano bench.  The height of a piano bench is very important.  A student’s arms should be at the same height as or slightly above the keyboard, as proper technique cannot be developed if the student sits too low.

Foot Stool/Pedal Extender

Proper foot stool is important as good technique begins with having the student’s feet grounded firmly on a supportive surface.  I will go over with each student how to achieve proper support.

Metronome & Notebook

Students are required to keep a quality metronome (digital or with a dial), notebook, and a binder to keep track of their assignments. I will be happy to guide students on what to purchase.

Online Lesson Equipment

In the event a student or teacher is unable to do in-person lesson due to an illness, quarantine, or inclement weather/fire season, students must be prepared to participate in a lesson online.  Students will need a mobile device, tablet, or webcam with audio connected to a computer with a profile view of the piano keyboard and student’s hands.  Please develop a plan in advance so you know how to set up the necessary devices or equipment if an online lesson is required on short notice.

Lighting

A lamp placed on the top of the piano or a floor lamp will allow students to see clearly in all conditions.

Music

I usually refer parents to purchase new books through Amazon or sheetmuscplus.com  Tuition does not cover supplementary sheet music, rhythm packets, or theory books.

Tuning

Tuning twice a year is needed for acoustic pianos.  I will be more than happy to recommend the tuner I use for my pianos.  

Performance Opportunities

Students will have several performance opportunities in the academic year to celebrate their progress.   Students will have an opportunity to perform in formal studio class recitals as well as smaller size recitals where I group students in similar levels.  There will be a small participation fee to participate in studio recitals.  This fee helps cover printing costs, venue rental costs, refreshment, and prizes.   

I also offer performing opportunities organized by professional music organizations such as the Music Teachers' Association of California (MTAC, Alameda County Branch), and the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA, Santa Clara chapter).  The recitals organized by MTAC and MTNA are open to all teaching studios in the chapters.  These recitals are very good learning opportunities for students to perform in and to learn from other students.  Students will be selected to perform in the public recitals.

There is a participation fee for applying to perform in either a MTNA and MTAC public recital.

Teaching Sessions

The studio teaching schedule is divided into 4 sessions for year 2023-2024:

  • Fall Session 2023: August 21-December 21

  • Winter Session 2024: January 8-March 31

  • Spring Session 2024: April 1-June 9

  • Summer Session 2024: June 24-Jul 31

Please see the calendar for holidays and studio closures.  The studio follows the Alameda Unified School District calendar.