My Teaching Philosophy
I believe that the ideal situation for learning to play a musical instrument is threefold:
1) Every student needs to have a good private teacher.
The teacher also needs to be a good performer. During lessons students learn the proper methods for playing an instrument,
how to read musical notation, and the correct way to perform music of different styles.
2) Every student must establish a good daily practice routine.
Beginning level students should practice at least 20-30 minutes, intermediate level students 30-45 minutes and advanced level
students 45-60 minutes or more each day.
3) Every student should play in some kind of ensemble such
as a school band or orchestra. This provides an opportunity to put into practice all of the ideas and techniques learned
in private lessons. It also lets the student experience the joy of making live music with others.
Lesson Structure and Content
Each private lesson is 30 minutes in length. Lessons usually begin with a short warm-up
followed by a few scales and arpeggios. The remainder of the lesson deals with an etude or a page from a method book
and then a solo or a piece of band/orchestra music.
For beginning level students, more time is spent on method books and rudiments. For advanced
students, more time is spent on etudes and solos. When time permits, the teacher and student will play a duet.
Besides being fun, this smallest of ensembles fosters good sight reading skills.
My Teaching Schedule
Antioch Music I teach at the Antioch Music Store on:
Monday (3-9), Thursday (3-9), Friday (3-9) and Saturday (10-3).
Home I teach out of my home on:
Tuesday (3-9) and Wednesday (3-9).
I do not teach on Sunday.
My Lesson Policy and Fees
Each student shall take a 30 minute lesson weekly at an assigned time. Lesson fees are
on a monthly basis. Students are expected to prepay for a month of lessons on the first lesson day of
each month. This reserves a weekly time slot for the student for that month.
No refunds will be given for missed lessons and missed lessons will not be rescheduled.
If the teacher has to miss a lesson due to a rehearsal or concert, the lesson fee for that lesson will be carried over into
the next month.
Lessons fees are set at the beginning of each school year and remain intact for that year.
The current lesson fee will be given out along with other pertinent information at the time a student initially signs up for
a lesson time.
To Sign Up for Lessons
To sign up for private lessons you may phone me at:
816-781-5324
For further information you may also contact me at:
