This is a great article by Diane Hidy on things to look for to fit your family's needs
https://www.dianehidy.com/post/how-to-choose-the-best-piano-teacher-for-your-child
A list of questions to consider while searching for a teacher. There is a right fit for every family!
Occasionally, we will hear mention of 'starter teachers'. The thinking here is that the student can begin with this 'starter teacher' and then move to someone more serious if piano becomes a true love. When we receive transfer students from those studios we are looking at a not-so-short period of time of reshaping that often extends to the parents. In these instances, the students often have undeveloped or poorly-developed technique that should have been address from Day 1. Their piano foundation is often not strong or contains gaps that should have been taught early on. They have sometimes been playing music that is not pedagogically sound or using a method book that is not a great choice for that student. They have possibly not been working on the art of practicing since Day 1. Parents might have had a sense of what their role is according to the previous teacher and have a hard time reshaping how they think of their role now.
These can be frustrating things for the student, and as teachers we try to reshape over a period of time without hurting feelings or making anyone feel like they made a poor decision in the past. It is very much worth it and fulfilling when the pieces start coming together for the student, but it's not easy or quick. Sometimes these transfer students do not end up staying for a number of reasons, but one being they are spending time daily reshaping and filling foundational holes created by this 'starter teacher' when they previously might have felt like the 'top student' in that studio who then 'graduated to a serious teacher'. It is very important to have an educated, appropriate teacher from the first lesson. A background in pedagogy is a green flag, and there are many other green flags mentioned in the above articles.
Try going to a studio recital of the teachers you are looking at! I've had potential families do this and either sign up or realize they would like a studio that is different (some factors have been looking for more pop-oriented rep, or worried their child won't be able to memorize) and it's better to realize that before signing up! Any ethical teacher would be happy to help a family find the right fit, even if it is not in her studio.
Lessons are scheduled weekly and are available for 45 and 60 minutes.
Students receive 31 lessons, 2 performance classes, 2 recitals, and 7 summer lessons from June through May. June-August times are flexible to fit busy summer schedules.
All students play in 2 mandatory recitals each year, which are included in the tuition.
Imagine if you went to the gym for 9 months and made great progress, then took 3 months off. Much of that hard work goes right out the window! Piano lessons are a very similar situation. Parents can feel that their child has earned a summer-long break, but the child then is frustrated in the fall when he or she has backtracked considerably. Choosing to take time off from paying tuition results in the student losing their spot in the studio.
That said, you are still paying for the 3 summer months whether or not you attend your lessons. 7 is the best number we have come up with but it still leaves lots of room for backtracking if the student is not practicing consistently.
Tuition is a flat monthly rate and is due at the first lesson of each month. A $75 Books/Registration fee and $25 recital fee is applied at the beginning of each school year. All books, supplies, and recital costs are deducted from these fees. Festival and competition fees are separate.
All students pay a registration fee at the start of each school year (September). The fee is used to cover materials and music books throughout the year.
"Your child will progress musically only as far as their instrument will let them."
Yes, students will need a real, acoustic piano with working pedals. Pianos must be tuned at least once per year. Piano lessons don’t just teach the student to read music and keep a steady beat, but also to make beautiful music! Good pianos are available in all price ranges, with many available for free via social media.
Weighted keyboards, no matter how expensive, are no substitute for a real piano.
All pianos and 88-key keyboards are the same length, and the depth and height vary by make and model. Many people initially say a piano won’t fit and then when it is in their home suddenly the spacing works out! If you have room for an 88-key keyboard, you have room for an upright! There is not an exception to this rule for our studio.
Your tuition is buying the teacher’s time, training, and experience. Please try to keep this standing appointment. If a lesson must be missed it should be cancelled on the calendar as soon as possible. Makeup lessons are not offered, though students may swap times with other students to avoid missing a lesson altogether. This is where cancelling ASAP comes in handy in case another family is in the same situation. Lessons missed by the teacher will be credited or made up.
Each student who registers for lessons makes a commitment for the entire year (June through May). Thus, ending lessons is only appropriate at the end of May. If an exception to this policy is necessary, a month’s notice is required. If notice is not given, tuition for one month will still be owed.
Absolutely not! Have you ever heard of an adult student who regretted starting piano lessons? As with any new venture, you must be willing to put in the time. It doesn’t need to be hours every day, but an adult’s week could fly by without a single note played. Schedule in the time each day to get to the piano, attend your weekly lessons, and you will be absolutely amazed with yourself!
Students must meet all of their weekly assignments. At each lesson we will review practice techniques specific for that week and set a personal practice goal. Regular practice is absolutely essential for successful music lessons. It doesn’t matter how skilled the teacher is if the student isn’t willing to put in consistent time during the week. All students are expected to have clipped fingernails to ensure proper piano technique.
Parental support is a must for the child’s musical growth. In addition to a good instrument, students need uninterrupted practice time and encouragement. While it is important for children to develop independence they sometimes need to be reminded to practice. Leaving it completely up to the child to remember to practice daily usually results in lack of practicing and the whole experience fizzling out. Younger students might need parental help during the week to to make sure they are following their weekly assignments.
Parents should also see that their child arrives to his or her lesson on time. If a student arrives late, his or her lesson will not be extended past the scheduled time.
It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure the safe arrival and departure of their child.
We set weekly practice goals at each lesson recorded in their notebook:
•Pre-School/Kindergarten: 15 minutes x 5 days
•1st/2nd: 25 minutes x 5 days
•3rd/4th/5th: 35 minutes x 5 days
•6th/7th/8th: 45 minutes x 5 days
•High School: 60 minutes x 5 days
Many parents stress that they want their child to just ‘have fun’ with piano lessons. They aren’t pushing for their child to major in music or give solo recitals, and that is absolutely fine!! Adults beginning piano for the first time often want to play more familiar pop-oriented music. While not everyone will be a professional pianist, it is a wonderful and invaluable skill to have throughout one’s life. We learn many different styles of piano music and work to make a solid piano foundation. Creating a strong foundation enables the student to be able to learn new music independently, whatever the genre.
Though the goal may be to ‘have fun’, it is not fun for either the student or the teacher when the student arrives unprepared. Whether the student is learning standard repertoire or arranged pop songs, a consistent practice schedule is a must!
K-12 students are encouraged to participate in performance opportunities in the Saint Louis area throughout the year. Performances motivate students to practice and master their pieces. In addition to festivals and competitions we will hold at least two studio recitals per year. All K-12 students participate in recitals in November and May. Adult students may participate in very low-key events twice a year. These events are a wonderful chance for adult students to work towards a goal of preparing a piece and to meet other like-minded students.
For adult students, performing is not mandatory but attendance is encouraged.