Studio Guidelines: Successful, satisfying music study is dependent upon correct and consistent practice habits. In order for students, parents, and the teacher to experience success, the following are my recommendations.

• The student must have a metronome (and use it).
• Arrange a set time every day for your child to practice and insist on it being kept.
• Provide a practice setting free of distractions (sibling, TV, noise, etc.).
• Check on your child’s practice progress during the week.
• make sure your child brings all of the correct music and materials to the lesson in a music case or tote bag.
• make sure your child finishes all written assignments and is prepared for each lesson.
• Arrive on time for all lessons and pick up promptly.
• Piano students’ nails must be kept clipped short. Acrylic Nails, French Manicures etc. are not encouraged. The nails will be too long for piano, may get caught between keys, can be ripped off on rapid fingering and cause injury to student’s fingers.
• No food or drinks allowed near the pianos.

IMPORTANT: betterpracticeapp.com is to be used regularly. This is where the assignments are presented, piece by piece. As the student opens each piece, a record of practice is made.

Consistent, detailed practice is necessary in order that the student progress to their potential. Setting up a regular practice schedule is very effective. Regular daily practice is preferable to irregular but longer practice times. My recommendations for practice are:

• 1st graders -- between 15 and 30 minutes per day
• 2nd & 3rd graders -- between 30 and 40 minutes per day
• 4th & 5th graders -- at least 40 minutes per day
• 6th graders -- 40 minutes per day plus some extra
• 7th graders -- between 45 and 60 minutes per day
• 8th graders -- 1 hour per day
• 9th graders and up -- between 1 and 1 1⁄2 hours per day These are minimum times.

The more time spent in correct practice, the more progress you can expect. If there is little or no time spent practicing at home, the results are guaranteed to be unsatisfactory to you, and me, as well as causing the student to lose interest.

With the intense schedules of students today, it is possible to break the daily practice time into two sessions. Theory homework counts as practice time.

A student who has played since he/she was very young will, of course, be practicing more than these minimums.

Students: when problems arise, be sure to write yourself a note or mark them in the music, so we can work on them at the next lesson.

Parents, please encourage your student to talk to me if he/she feels unchallenged, overloaded, etc.

Parents can help in many ways. Listen carefully to your student’s practice at least once a week. Help set up practicing schedules. Remind your student as necessary. Check that fingernails are always short, etc.

There are no make-ups for missed lessons, except for instances of sudden illness or emergency. The student would have to miss more than two lessons to qualify for any make-up lessons due to the nature of the schedule. If it is necessary for me to cancel, the missed lesson will be made up if it occurs more than twice. Makeup lessons for these instances can be scheduled during the weeks of group lessons.

I welcome comments from students and parents, but please avoid lesson hours, roughly 3:30 to 9:30 PM. You can nearly always reach me between 9:30 and 10:30 PM. I do not answer the phone during a lesson. You may leave a message on the answering machine. Please note that I am much more prompt with e-mail though. I will return your call at the earliest possible time, so please specify the best time to return your call.

Additional note to calls. With the number of robocalls these days, I am very cautious of answering calls that have names, or numbers that I do not recognize. Therefore, it will be necessary to leave a message. If I get a call and there is no message, I assume that it is a robocall, advertising, or spam call. Those do NOT get return calls.

Lessons: All students will have at least a 45-minute class, once a week, except for those weeks designated as Group Lessons. This time is private and is reserved for your student only. Some students will need 1 hour, or more, a week.

Theory Class: There are summer camps offered during the summer. Emphasis on Theory and History through games, videos and research. Will include ensemble work as well. Check your e-mail for information. I highly recommend that your child attend. It will be their opportunity to review all the theory learned up to that time and a sample of the state theory test will be given. This class will enable your student to do well on the TMTA Theory test.

Performance Class: Approximately a week preceding each recital, regular classes will be suspended in lieu of performance classes. Performance classes will be as scheduled on the monthly calendar. Attendance in at least one performance class is mandatory. Dates for recital will be announced early in the fall term and early in the spring term.

Group Classes: Weeks designated as Group Lessons. It is expected that each student will have completed his/her Assigned theory lessons and World of Music assignments for these lessons. In addition, each student may have a part assigned from an ensemble/duet arrangement to perform in ensemble at these lessons. We will play games that support what they are learning in both theory and history. We will work on basic technical skills for each level. Other ‘instruments’ will be used to perform rhythm drills in ensemble. Attendance is mandatory. Please make every effort to attend the designated class by level, unless otherwise stated in the calendar.

All students play for each other and parents in Christmas and Spring Recitals. Most students (except beginners) play in Festivals and National Guild Auditions (information is separate). There are more opportunities. Parents, if you have thoughts on additional performance, please share them with me. Church and Sunday School are excellent choices.

Students or parents who regularly show a disregard for this policy will be warned, and placed on probation. If preparation for lessons are not improved, the student may be dismissed.

I will announce ahead of time when I plan to take vacation. Please see the calendar provided each year. I try to coincide with the Cy/Fair ISD schedule.