Prospective and new students should know that I view the commitment to lessons a priority. That means fitting daily practice into busy family schedules. After our initial meeting together or trial lesson/audition, we commit to a full-year of lessons in my studio. Parents help foster this. Students who are serious about success on their instrument and have a love of playing, performing and practicing do best in my studio.
Interested in starting private lessons with me? We can arrange a date to meet. This meeting is free of charge. Younger students come with their parents to meet me and discuss my program. Older students come for a mini, trial lesson (10-15 min) and play a short audition on a piece they have played recently or an orchestral piece they have learned. If you are ready to do a full-length, trial lesson, we can arrange that too and those are charged at my going rate. Hopefully, we then have a good fit for a successful partnership and a mutual understanding and the lessons begin!
Please understand that I often have a waiting list for spots, so please call to check availability.
"Is the Code Studio a good match for me?" (A student/family compatibility quiz)
__ I do/will do my best to fit some amount of practicing in every day or nearly every day.
__ I value playing an instrument as a means to enhance both academic and artistic development.
__ I strive to take challenges especially when they help me develop confidence and self-esteem.
__ I make/will make time for participation in an orchestra or an ensemble.
__ It is my goal to eventually become a member of the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony.
__ I enjoy listening to music and attending concerts.
__ I enjoy performing and sharing the love of music.
If you answered "yes" to 5-7 questions, you will make a good fit in my studio!
Each student should bring a notebook (or small music staff book) to record weekly assignments and lesson notes.
Recording devices can also be useful lesson tools.
Parents of the youngest students are required to attend the lessons and take notes. Parents of 3rd and 4th graders encouraged to sit in and observe lessons. As the student reaches middle school age, parents are welcome to observe occasional lessons, however a stronger student-teacher bond is created when parents are not always present.
Parents can be helpful advocates for success. Please help remind your child to practice each day.
I like to keep my neighbors happy and safe. Remember I live on a residential street. Please drive slowly and be on the lookout for kids at play. Please do not park in the driveway.
Animal allergies? We have dog named Holly. She is not to leave the house, so if she happens to escape as you enter, please let us know. We will have her gated off most of the time.