FAQ
(Frequently Asked Questions)
Where do you Teach?
I teach in my home, which is located in the Emerald Forest neighborhood of Wellington, FL. I also teach in a few of my student’s homes.
What do I need to begin?
For piano, you will need an acoustic piano in your home, there are also electronic instruments that are acceptable, and I can give you guidance on which will best suit your needs. The important part is that they must have "hammer weighted" keys. This is necessary to build the student's finger strength. We are working out muscles here and they need weight to get stronger just like any muscle in the body.
For voice, I still recommend some sort of keyboard instrument in your home to assist with learning new lines. If you are taking voice lessons in your own home, you'll need an instrument just like a piano student would need.
For guitar, you will need a steel six string guitar appropriate for the student's size, I can guide you in purchasing an economical but good quality instrument if you don't have one already.
All students will need a blank notebook to keep track of weekly assignments and to log practice time.
For all lessons, you will need method books and sheet music which I will assign when we begin. They may be purchased at local music stores or ordered on the internet. For your convenience, I am also happy to pick up books and sheet music for you and add it to your next invoice.
What are your rates?
Beginning in February 2022, lessons will be $145 per month for one half-hour lesson per week, based on 44 half hour sessions (42 lessons and 2 recitals) at $36.25 each, divided by 11 months. I accept payment by cash, check and credit/debit cards. Keep in mind that every student occupies a space in my schedule which I hold open just for them.
I also travel to teach a limited number of students in their own homes.
A discount of 10% will apply for siblings taking back to back lessons.
Do you teach during the summer, Christmas, ETC.?
I do teach lessons during the summer according to the regular schedule, with the exception that no lessons will occur during the month of July, and you will not receive an invoice for July. We all need a break, however, a 12 week interruption of lessons invariably causes the student to lose hard won progress made during the school year. Additionally, the studio is closed for the week of Thanksgiving, two weeks during Christmas/New Year, and one week during the spring.
Do students play in recitals or competitions?
Students are required to play at 2 recitals per year. One will be held in December and one in late May. These events give students an opportunity to hear one another play and also for parents and students to get to know one another. In May all students will receive certificates and those who excel will receive special recognition.
In the future, through the Music Teachers National Association, students who have reached a certain level will have opportunities to participate in both competitive and non competitive auditions and receive feedback from adjudicators who always hear things differently than their parents or even their regular teacher.
ARE YOU TEACHING DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC?
The answer is YES! I tailoring protocols according to vaccination status and changing levels of community spread.
Policies
By paying your first invoice you are understood to agree to the following (so read carefully)
Tuition will be invoiced via email each month seven days before the first day of the month when invoices will be due. If you prefer to pay by check, please send it to the last lesson of the month prior to the first day of the month.
If tuition is not paid on or before the first of each month, a grace period until the students first lesson is granted, after the first lesson of the month, a $25 late fee will apply.
Participation will be expected in two Recitals per year one in Winter and one in Spring.
Farrar Music Studio reserves the right to use pictures and videos taken during lessons and/or recitals on it's social media and website for marketing purposes. (email me if you feel strongly about opting out of this)
Lessons cancelled by the student or parents more than 24 hours in advance will be eligible for make ups. Lessons cancelled less than 24 hours in advance are not guaranteed to be made up, but will be made up as my schedule allows.
Normally, lessons missed for family vacations, etc, will be made up, rather than credited.
Multiple week absences will be handled on a case by case basis.