Lessons:
Lessons are a weekly 30 or 60-minute time slot within the following teaching schedule.
A lesson consists of instruction on piano (this is for adult/homeschool students who can take lessons during daytime hours) or percussion instruments (keyboards, snare drum, timpani, drumset, tambourine, triangle, congas, and much more!). Specific curriculum details can be found on the “Percussion Lessons” and “Piano Lessons” pages of this website. Group lessons are a wonderful opportunity to make music with peers and learn from one another. We will enjoy fun rhythmic activities, music theory/history lessons, explore new instruments, play together, and perform for one another.
2024-2025 Schedule Details:
Start Date: Week of September 2
End Dates: Week of May 27
Group Lesson Weeks: (to be scheduled on Mondays or Thursdays) October 21, December 16, winter/spring dates TBD
No Lesson Weeks: November 25, December 23, December 30, March 24
Spring Concert: TBD
- Daytime lessons (i.e. morning before school or before 3:30pm) are available to adult and homeschool students on an individual basis.
- After-school lessons time slots are limited, please contact Cindy to learn about availability. For after-school students, there will be six group lessons scheduled in place of private lessons for the specified weeks.
A lesson consists of instruction on piano (this is for adult/homeschool students who can take lessons during daytime hours) or percussion instruments (keyboards, snare drum, timpani, drumset, tambourine, triangle, congas, and much more!). Specific curriculum details can be found on the “Percussion Lessons” and “Piano Lessons” pages of this website. Group lessons are a wonderful opportunity to make music with peers and learn from one another. We will enjoy fun rhythmic activities, music theory/history lessons, explore new instruments, play together, and perform for one another.
2024-2025 Schedule Details:
Start Date: Week of September 2
End Dates: Week of May 27
Group Lesson Weeks: (to be scheduled on Mondays or Thursdays) October 21, December 16, winter/spring dates TBD
No Lesson Weeks: November 25, December 23, December 30, March 24
Spring Concert: TBD
Tuition:
Please note tuition notes below are for AFTER-SCHOOL STUDENTS. Adults, please contact [email protected] for tuition rates.
Tuition for 30-minute lessons will be $130/month or $245 for 60-minute lessons from September-May. This tuition rate covers time spent with the student in individual and group lessons, time spent preparing unique lesson plans for each student, bookkeeping and administrative work, curriculum development, 25 years of teaching experience and continued professional development, spring concert preparation, programs, facilities rental, studio expenses, and more.
Lesson materials will be purchased separately as needed.
Payment is due on the first of each month via automatic payment (connecting a credit card or checking account) through the My Music Staff system. Each student/family will be connected with the My Music Staff system upon confirmation of lessons. If you prefer not to enroll in automatic payment, a check for a semester of tuition will be due September 1 and January 1.
The first payment of the year will include a $15 technology fee (reduced from $20) that helps cover the cost of apps, online programs and more that we will use throughout the year.
Tuition for 30-minute lessons will be $130/month or $245 for 60-minute lessons from September-May. This tuition rate covers time spent with the student in individual and group lessons, time spent preparing unique lesson plans for each student, bookkeeping and administrative work, curriculum development, 25 years of teaching experience and continued professional development, spring concert preparation, programs, facilities rental, studio expenses, and more.
Lesson materials will be purchased separately as needed.
Payment is due on the first of each month via automatic payment (connecting a credit card or checking account) through the My Music Staff system. Each student/family will be connected with the My Music Staff system upon confirmation of lessons. If you prefer not to enroll in automatic payment, a check for a semester of tuition will be due September 1 and January 1.
The first payment of the year will include a $15 technology fee (reduced from $20) that helps cover the cost of apps, online programs and more that we will use throughout the year.
Attendance:
Because each person has a reserved weekly lesson time, my teaching schedule is full, I work a handful of part-time jobs and I need to honor time put aside for my family, there will be no make-ups for missed lessons. Should I need to cancel, we will find a time to reschedule or the lesson will be refunded.
Do you have conflicts you know about in advance? Swap lessons! A great alternative to a missed lesson is to swap lessons with another student. Please look ahead at your calendar and send a swap request to Cindy well in advance. This works most of the time if done early enough as then I know of student conflicts and can help everyone manage them as we move through the semester. *Please look ahead to spring break schedules - the week of no lessons is in alignment with Sun Prairie Schools due to my family. If you are not in Sun Prairie schools, look ahead now and let me know so we can make other arrangements, thank you!
Daytime students, please communicate conflicts well in advance and if it is possible to reschedule, I will do my best to accommodate if I have flexibility in my schedule. A reminder that if we cannot find a rescheduled time that works for both of us then it is simply a missed lesson that you have already paid for in your tuition for the month. Last minute cancellations will not be rescheduled.
Do you have conflicts you know about in advance? Swap lessons! A great alternative to a missed lesson is to swap lessons with another student. Please look ahead at your calendar and send a swap request to Cindy well in advance. This works most of the time if done early enough as then I know of student conflicts and can help everyone manage them as we move through the semester. *Please look ahead to spring break schedules - the week of no lessons is in alignment with Sun Prairie Schools due to my family. If you are not in Sun Prairie schools, look ahead now and let me know so we can make other arrangements, thank you!
Daytime students, please communicate conflicts well in advance and if it is possible to reschedule, I will do my best to accommodate if I have flexibility in my schedule. A reminder that if we cannot find a rescheduled time that works for both of us then it is simply a missed lesson that you have already paid for in your tuition for the month. Last minute cancellations will not be rescheduled.
Inclement Weather:
Should inclement weather and/or poor driving conditions keep you from getting to your lesson, I am unable to cancel/refund your lesson. If both of our schedules allow moving to another lesson time, that is an option, though not a guarantee. A virtual lesson is available in these instances. Lessons will always occur as normal unless an email is sent stating otherwise. Please email or call if you choose not to come for your lesson.
Lesson Discontinuation:
Students in the weekly schedule commit to the academic calendar (September-May) of lessons. If there are irreconcilable challenges, a 30-day notice of discontinuation is required to allow administrative time to fill your lesson slot. Tuition will be paid through the 30-day notice.
Performances:
Performing can help students develop confidence that will carry into many areas of life in addition to simply spreading the joy of music. The spring concert is a wonderful opportunity to share our gifts of music making with family and friends. Each school-age student is expected to participate in the spring concert. Students are encouraged to participate in WSMA solo & ensemble festivals, auditions for area music ensembles, and performing at local venues (i.e. churches, coffee shops, retirement centers).
What to Bring/Have Ready:
■Music (lesson books, sheet music, ensemble music, etc.)
■Pencil and highlighters to keep in your music and/or stick bag.
■A pair of keyboard mallets and snare drum sticks.
Recommendations of appropriate materials will be made during the first few lessons and as needed throughout the year. Steve Weiss Music (steveweissmusic.com), Ward-Brodt Music (608-661-8600), and The Piano Gal Shop (608-318-2677) are reputable vendors. Please do not hesitate to inquire before purchasing materials and instruments - I am happy to help!
■Pencil and highlighters to keep in your music and/or stick bag.
■A pair of keyboard mallets and snare drum sticks.
Recommendations of appropriate materials will be made during the first few lessons and as needed throughout the year. Steve Weiss Music (steveweissmusic.com), Ward-Brodt Music (608-661-8600), and The Piano Gal Shop (608-318-2677) are reputable vendors. Please do not hesitate to inquire before purchasing materials and instruments - I am happy to help!
Practicing Expectations:
We will work together to set reasonable practice goals and help families create a plan to successfully implement those practice goals. A friendly reminder:
■ Some days will be better than others.
■ A little is always better than none.
■ The hardest part of practicing is starting.
■ Some days will be better than others.
■ A little is always better than none.
■ The hardest part of practicing is starting.
