Classical music should be for everyone, and there is nothing elitist about it. It was the standard music for much of the world for a long time. The commonly-accepted definition of classical music is music composed between the start of written-down music and the beginning of the 20th century. That music was composed all over the world, by all sorts of people.
Playing an instrument, classical singing, or improving your speaking voice should be for everyone.
I accept any student willing to practice. If you think you can’t afford lessons, talk to me and I will attempt to work out something with you. If you don’t speak English, you are welcome to bring an interpreter to your lessons.
There is a commonly-accepted practice among music teachers, which works the same way as most other professions.
When you book a lesson, you are paying for me to reserve my time for you and not give it to someone else. What you choose to do with that reserved time is up to you. You can nap, hang out with your friends, watch television, or whatever you want. I suggest that the best use of your time would be for you to show up for your lesson. If you cancel 24 hours in advance, or earlier, you may reschedule your lesson at a mutually convenient time at no additional charge. If you don’t show up, and don’t cancel, you do not get a free lesson. Here is an article that will help you understand the problems from a business owner’s perspective. However, if I feel that you are abusing your privilege of rescheduling appointments (over 25% on average) I may choose to rescind this privilege.
Your lessons should occur every week, at the same time each week. This is more convenient for everyone, and our bodies respond best to routine. I will accommodate lasting schedule changes to the best of my ability.
Lesson deposits are non-refundable after 72 hours. This is to comply with Texas state “buyers remorse” law which allows you to change your mind up to 72 hours after signing a contract.
Students must sign a contract with me in order to receive lessons. Contracts are legal documents, so please read them carefully, and engage the services of a reputable attorney licensed to practice law in your state if you are unsure about anything in the contract. Once you have a contract, please file it away with your other important documents so that you can refer to it whenever you want. Teaching lessons is my primary business, and I run my business just like any other responsible business owner does.
If you pay for your piano or voice lessons in cash, you will receive a receipt. While I do keep a copy, please keep track of your receipt. I cannot guarantee that my carbonless copy will remain legible forever.
Some rules:
- Don’t eat nuts (especially peanuts) the day of your lesson.
- Don’t wear perfume, cologne, aftershave, scented deodorant, hairspray, excess makeup, or clothes with strongly scented laundry detergent or fabric softener. I do my best to make my studio an allergy-friendly place; please help me keep it that way.
- You may make audio or video recordings of your lessons. However, per your non-compete agreement, these recordings are for your private use only and may not be viewed by or shared with others.
- “Pursuant to Section 30.06, Penal Code (trespass by license holder with a concealed handgun), a person licensed under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code (handgun licensing law), may not enter this property with a concealed handgun.” “Conforme a la sección 30.06
del Côdigo Penal (traspasar portando armas de fuego) personas con licencia bajo del Sub-capitulo h, Capitulo 411, Codigo de Gobierno (ley de portar armas), no deben entrar a esta propiedad portando un arma de fuego.”
I know carrying is important to some of you, but I could never forgive myself if a child got injured or injured someone in a moment of inattention. A private piano studio in a residence, in daylight, is highly unlikely to be the scene of a crime, and your car is only a few feet away. In addition, carrying is normally prohibited in educational institutions, including private institutions. You don’t want me to have to raise my rates because I have to buy extra insurance. Please respect my wishes and leave your weapon in the car. - “Pursuant to Section 30.07, Penal Code (trespass by license holder with an openly carried handgun), a person licensed under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code (handgun licensing law), may not enter this property with a handgun that is carried openly.” “De conformidad con el Artículo 30.07 del Código Penal de Texas (sobre el ingreso ilícito de un individuo con licencia de portación de armas cortas exhibidas públicamente) una persona con licencia, según lo establecido en la Sección H, Capítulo 411, del Código Gubernamental de Texas (sobre la ley de expedición de licencia de armas cortas), tiene prohibido ingresar en esta propiedad con armas cortas exhibidas públicamente.”
I know carrying is important to some of you, but this is from the management of my property and I have absolutely no power to change this because I don’t own the property.