Hello! I am very happy to welcome you/your child to my studio. Please read the following policies carefully, as they contain very important information. If you are interested in starting, please fill out the Lesson Interest Form here. I look forward to teaching you! 

 

Overview: 

I teach lessons weekly during the traditional school year from late-August to early June. These typically last about 22-30 minutes, or half of a class period. It is best to take lessons consistently throughout the entire year to maintain technique and efficiency.

 

Lesson costs*: 

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Rates are based on each ISD. Here is the current rate:

• Denton ISD:

  • Middle schools: $20 per 22-minute lesson 

  • High schools: $22 per 30-minute lesson 

• Lewisville ISD: ​

  • Middle schools: ​$20 per 22-minute lesson 

  • High school: $24 per 30-minute lesson 

• Northwest ISD: 

  • Middle and High schools: $25 per lesson ​

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*If you are in need of financial assistance, please let me AND your student's band directors know prior to starting lessons. 

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Payment plan:​

Payments are due on the 1st of each month and will vary based on weeks per month. An invoice will be sent a few days prior via email/text. 

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Payment options:

• Cash/Check

• Paypal*

• Venmo*

• Zelle

*Can include optional G&S fee if desired 

 

IMPORTANT: No lessons will occur until payment is received. If the balance remains unpaid for over three days, I will communicate with the school director and lessons for the remaining month/quarter may be cancelled. 

 

Locations: 

Lessons will take place at school during band or before/after the school day. Please be aware that this may have increased scheduling difficulties and will require more organization on the student’s/parent’s part.

 

Holidays/Breaks: 

The ISD calendar determines long holiday breaks. These breaks will not include lessons unless I am providing specific make-up slots. 

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• Thanksgiving Break (November) 

• Winter break (December-January) 

• Spring break (March) 

• Summer break (June-August, summer lessons are TBD) 

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For single-day holidays, there are no lessons. Single-day holidays include the following: 

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• Labor Day (September) 

• Indigenous People’s Day (October) 

• Veteran’s Day (November) 

• Martin Luther King Day (January) 

• Memorial Day (May) 

• Any other single student holiday on the ISD calendar. 

 

MyMusicStaff 

All lesson information will be displayed on MyMusicStaff. After you register and schedule a lesson time, students/parents will be sent a login email to their respective portals. This will allow you to see all lesson times and notes, receive reminders, view billing/invoices, and sign up for makeup slots. Please check this portal often for important information and updates. 

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Virtual/Zoom Lessons* 

Virtual lessons are always an option if that is more convenient for the student. I have had great success with long-term virtual students and every musician can have a beneficial experience with online teaching. Make-up lessons will be virtual using Zoom unless specified otherwise. Please use a desktop computer or laptop when having a virtual lesson for the best results.  

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Most video-calling services are unfriendly to instrument sounds and will drown them out, making virtual lessons almost impossible. Luckily, Zoom has created the option for all sounds to come through the microphone and will allow us to hear each other play.  See below for specific technology instructions for proper audio. Please go through these instructions PRIOR to a Zoom lesson to ensure our time is productive! 

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1. Sign into the Zoom app via desktop onto the main startup page. You are not able to do these instructions/features on a phone or tablet.  

2. Click on your profile picture in the top right corner, then select "Settings"

3. Select "Audio" on the left side menu 

4. Under "Audio Profile", select "Original sound for musicians" and make sure that "High-fidelity music mode" is checked.

5. Uncheck "Echo cancellation" and "Stereo audio"  

6. When logged into a meeting, you should now see "Original sound for musicians: Off" in the top left corner of the screen. To turn it on, simply click the text. For virtual lessons, please make sure that it is turned ON.  

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Additional instructions/pictures can be found here

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*If you are unable to have virtual lessons due to a lack of resources at home (wifi, laptop, quiet environment, etc.) please let me know prior to confirming lessons.

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Cancellations/Schedule Changes: 

Almost all absences must be given at least 24 hours in advance to be excused for make-up credit. This includes appointments, school commitments, or any other events known ahead of time. If given less than 24 hours, it will be billed and there will not be makeup credit given unless the following reasons occur: 

• Illness: If you/your child is sick, please let me know at least 2 hours in advance of the lesson. Any later will result in an unexcused/billed absence. Do not come/play if you are feeling unwell to avoid spreading any germs.  

• Weather: If there is weather that is unsafe to travel in, you will receive a makeup credit OR a virtual lesson may also take place. 

• Emergencies: Unexpected things happen. In the case of an emergency, please inform me at your earliest convenience and we will go from there. 

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In-School activities/changes: If you have in-school lessons, it is your responsibility to communicate all school events that may alter your schedule. This includes state-wide testing, AP tests, UIL, class changes, pep rallies/assemblies, early releases/half days, field trips, etc. I do my best to communicate with band directors but please be sure to reschedule these yourself. If not notified 24 hours prior, any lessons missed due to these events will result in a billed/unexcused absence. If there is a sudden schedule change overnight or not communicated ahead of time by the school, please let me know as soon as possible and you will receive a make-up credit. 

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Teacher absences: In the event that I need to reschedule due to sickness/performances/rehearsals, I will inform you and make those arrangements well ahead of time. I will do my best to have any make-up lessons from my absence take place in-person. If a make-up lesson is not possible, I can either credit the lesson for the following month or reimburse. 

 

Lesson changes:  Lessons times may vary per semester, depending on my class schedule. I will reach out ahead of time if I expect any conflicts. 

 

Continued Absences: If a student has two absences in a row (excused or unexcused), I will reach out to further discuss the continuation of lessons/scheduling. A third absence will result in the immediate cancellation of the semester's lessons. 

 

Lesson Discontinuation: If you wish to discontinue lessons, please inform me one week before the 1st of the month and fill out the Lesson Discontinuation Form here. If that deadline is not met, you will be billed for the next month. If billed, you may choose to continue lessons for that month and discontinue the following month. 
 

Makeup lessons: 

It is the student's/parent's responsibility to sign up for make-up lessons through MyMusicStaff.  I will typically block time on the last week of the month for makeup lessons and available slots will be shown on the portal. Please only schedule through MyMusicStaff unless you are unavailable or all slots are taken. If needed, I will do makeup lessons during holiday breaks to accommodate an influx of excused absences. This a reminder that all make-up lessons will be virtual unless specified and students must remember to bring materials home from school. Makeup credit must also be used within two months of the absence. If unused, they will be removed and the original absence will be billed. You may not reschedule the make-up lessons you sign up for. 

 

Diversity and Inclusion Policy:

I strive for my studio to be inclusive and welcoming to ALL students. Bullying or hurtful actions of any kind will not be tolerated and may result in further discussion/action. Thank you for being understanding and contributing to a healthy and inclusive learning environment. 

 

Practicing: 

Every art form requires work. By taking lessons, you are also committing to practice time. Please dedicate at least 25-30 minutes each day to practicing your materials. Coming prepared is an essential part of lessons and will maximize our time together. Here are examples of what we will work on: 

• Fundamentals: This includes short exercises to improve overall technique on the clarinet such as long tones, scales, articulation, key signatures, rhythm, etc. 

• Etudes: These are short, unaccompanied pieces that focus on the elements of fundamentals. Popular etudes are written by Hyacinthe Klose, David Hite, and Cyrille Rose. 

• Repertoire: These are longer works for solo clarinet/clarinet and piano and are typically more challenging. Famous composers include Camille Saint-Saens, Theresa Martin, C.M von Weber, Francis Poulenc, and Johannes Brahms. 

• Band music/audition repertoire: Although I don’t focus on band music during lessons, please feel free to bring specific pieces that you need extra help with. Audition materials for band, Region, All-State, and Solo/Ensemble will be incorporated into the lesson. 

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Lesson Reports: 

For students in school, individual lesson reports will be given to parents at the end of each semester. These reports are not based on playing level or ability. They are determined by attendance, practice habits, behavior, and overall improvement. 

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