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The first trial lesson is free of charge (approx. 45 minutes).
For weekly lessons at my home studio, the fees are £35 per 30-minute lesson or £55 per 1-hour lesson
For lessons at the student's home, the value of the fee increases depending on the commuting and transport costs involved
The Teacher will charge for any scheduled lessons the student does not attend unless the student or parent gives the Teacher at least 24 hours written notice.
I offer discounts for longer lessons, additional weekly lessons, and for the siblings of current pupils.
Lessons will be given weekly according to the UK academic calendar (which takes into account half terms, bank holidays, and standard school holidays). However, there will always be flexibility for those wanting a lesson outside this calendar, and I'll do my best to accommodate the student's request.
Lessons are scheduled at a mutually agreed-upon date and time when the student begins them (usually after the first trial lesson) and at the commencement of each academic year after that.
If a student or parent would like to change their lesson coordinates mid-year, this can always be talked about, and I'll do my best to accommodate the request.
Lessons can take place at my home studio. This ensures that the student works on a tuned acoustic piano and that I have all the necessary resources at my disposal. Lessons can also take place at the student's home, provided there is an appropriate instrument.
The lesson duration is one hour. However, this is never fixed, as depending on the student's energy and the amount and type of repertoire the student is working on, the lesson can be extended for an additional time, e.g., 30 minutes. This is always at the discretion of the teacher and at no additional cost to the student or parent.
Students, or their parents, are responsible for arriving on time at their lessons.
Students, or their parents, are allowed to reschedule/cancel a lesson, having given at least 24 hours’ written notice. When this is the case, the students, or their parents, may choose between (i) receiving a replacement lesson or (ii) receiving a refund of the lesson fee. The same options are given when the Teacher has to cancel a lesson.
During the lessons, I will set realistic goals for the student for the next lesson to ensure constant progress. The only way to attain these goals is simple: practice, consistent and conscious practice. In my opinion, ideally, students should practice at least 4-5 days a week for at least 30 minutes (each day of practice) to make progress. However, more important than a specific amount of time is the quality of the practice pianists spend working on their instrument. Students should practice long enough to complete their weekly goals and assignments. In this regard, I will do my best to keep the student motivated, committed, disciplined and with an overall positive attitude throughout his or her studies.
Especially with children, it is essential to have strong parental support. All three people – student, parents, and teacher – should work together to keep stability in practice and to help maintain a meaningful and gratifying experience for the student.
To be able to practice daily, students will need to have access to an appropriate keyboard/piano. Although a full-size (88-key) acoustic grand or upright piano is preferred, a digital piano with weighted action is an excellent alternative. I'm ready to help students find a suitable first instrument or upgrade their current one.
The moment of daily practice should be conducted in a silent environment free from everyday distractions (cell phones, TV, other people's conversations). As the greatest skill of a musician comes from his ability to listen and react to the sound he/she produces, students should aim to be in a silent environment such that the only sounds they listen to are the ones coming out from their instrument. A silent environment will keep you focused, aware and engaged.
Additionally, throughout the term, students will be given the opportunity to perform at recitals and other public events and may also be invited to participate in formal assessments and competitions. These occasions can be very essential to maintain motivation at its highest and to build up a strong self-confidence, which will be immensely beneficial in every aspect of a student’s life.
As a Member of the Independent Society of Musicians, I adhere to the following policies:
Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy and Code of Practice.