Please contact me for current lesson fee schedule.
If you start after the first week of the month, I can pro-rate your fees and wouldn't charge you for the whole month. Lesson fees are due the first week of every month, at your lesson. There is a $5.00 late fee if the fee is paid after the first week.
Students need to be four or five years old, depending on their level of maturity. And adult students are very welcome; no one is "too young or too old to Twinkle."
All sorts of combinations are possible: the parent(s) may want a lesson, and any number of children may take both piano and a stringed instrument. Family members and friends are welcome to observe lessons, and I have plenty of toys for children to play with while they're here. They just must play quietly and pick up their toys before they leave.
Yes; some teachers insist on the parent buying a piano, but I don't feel that way. I think the action on a keyboard is actually easier for the younger student, though if lessons are continued after a year, parents need to look into purchase of a piano.
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Yes; I do this frequently, though the underlying technical and theoretical principles are the same in all styles of playing. Everyone gets a thorough grounding in music theory and music reading.
I don't do that, but if you want that—particularly for a child three to four years old—if you will call me, I'll give you a referral to a lady here in town who does that.
I don't do that, I'm sorry. I find that lessons taken on this basis are not very productive. However, if you just want a coaching for some specific event, I would be happy to schedule that for you. Sometimes a student is just really wanting coaching for some specific audition, and misunderstandings can arise. Just be specific about what you want. My fee for coaching is $40.00 an hour.
I'm an eclectic teacher, and use what I think is most effective: Suzuki with the little ones and Suzuki plus more traditional works, the older the student is. I think I may teach more music theory and history than many teachers do; thus the requirement of a three-ring, loose leaf notebook for handouts and notes. I send new students links to the books and materials they will need (Suzuki books and CDs). To students who have studied before: I can determine what books you may need after your first lesson.
To older string students who have only studied in public school: Even at my advanced level, if I were to go to a new violin professor in university, they would start me again using their own methodologies. So you will probably need to do that, too, though your progress may be faster than someone who has not studied at all. Patience is particularly required when private lessons are started later on, but the rewards are substantial.
As mentioned, my students are not required to buy a violin from me, but I do have instruments available at very reasonable prices. My policy is that if a student wishes to upgrade, or when students need a larger size, they will be credited with the full amount they originally payed, less any costs associated with repairs or bow rehair, if needed.
Violins come in "fractional sizes" (4/4, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, even a tiny 1/32). The 4/4 is full size, suitable for nearly all adults. The 7/8 size is rather rare, and only available in the more expensive instruments. It is frequently used by adults who are very petite. [Please see:
Rosalia Violin Outfit available in 7/8]
Violas: While violins come in fractional sizes, violas are measured in inches (17", 16 1/2", 16", 15", 14", 13", 12"). For students changing from violin to viola, or adding viola after studying violin, the 14" viola is approximately the same size as a full size violin. Many violists start on violin. [Please see our
Peccard Student Viola Outfit]
The 16" is the usual adult size. Any size above the 16" may be difficult to handle for young people and is probably not recommended. Viola length is measured in centimeters in Europe (41cm, 41.5cm and 42cm), and there is no exact standard with respect to size. Many professional violists play a 17" viola; Michael Tree (of the
Guarneri Quartet), Bruno Giuranna, Gerard Coussè. [See discussion on Maestronet]
Trade-In Policy: For local purchases in our studio, all instruments may be traded in for an upgrade with respect to size and/or quality, with a 100% trade-in, less any repairs or string changes. Instruments may also be sold back to the studio, at cost.
I am a studio musician with two university degrees in violin performance and conducting (Rice and North Texas). I have extensive experience as an orchestral and chamber music player; I have been playing the violin and piano for 50 years. I have done doctoral work in composition (Tech) and continue to work as a composer and writer in string pedagogy. I've been cited several times in the periodicals Strad and Strings and am involved in Connexions, which is an open source project based at Rice University. Please see my résumé for further information. Also see: Publications List.
Please contact customer service prior to ordering to determine current availability of the 7/8 size
Luthier normally open Mon-Fri exclusive of holidays
