Piano

Pianos

Does the school provide pianos?

YES!! Students will play on keyboards here on campus. While we do not teach on pianos, students will have access to the in studio grand piano upon request.

Is there a supply fee?


There is no supply fee for this class, although donations are greatly appreciated!!

Do students need a piano or keyboard at home?

If possible, YES. It always helps to be able to practice at home as well. However, this is not a requirement to be enrolled in class.

Does the school accept supply donations?

Yes! We accept supplies or cash donations year round, and share them with students who may not have the ability to aquire them on their own.





Typical Program

Details:

  • This is a semester course

  • Students work on keyboards

  • There is an emphasis on notation, rhythm and melody

DURING THE FIRST TWO WEEKS STUDENTS ARE ASSESSED AND THEN PLACED INTO GROUPS.

Beginning Students work directly from the provided piano book. Emphasis is on melody and some chord playing. Students will also be given the opportunity to explore song choices outside of the book. This is the group for the very beginner, students who have not experienced written music, or played instruments in the past.

Intermediate Students also work directly from the provided piano book but typically move faster and reach the end of the book by the end of semester. This group is geared toward the students who have prior experience with written music and playing piano.

Advanced Students are typically self-directed and will form a semester plan with the instructor to ensure continued exploration of new works.

Grading Policy

Northshore School District has adopted a "no zero" policy. There are no grades lower than "40%" at this time.

CHECKPOINTS (80% of Overall Grade)

There are roughly six checkpoints during the semester. Students will choose several songs from their group list and play them for the instructor for a grade.

PERFORMANCE (20% of Overall Grade)

There will be two performances in front of the class on the grand piano.

LATEWORK

I accept late work in both categories, but I do take points off for being late. Students are given ample time to achieve these goalposts. However, it is important to note that if students need more time on any assignment, and approach me in advance, I will often waive the late grade.