Our Philosophy

​Piano Instruction Has Meaningful Value and Purpose

• Learning to play a musical instrument is directly connected to many aspects that make us truly human and unique; our thoughts, emotions, vulnerability, creativity, to name a few.
• The piano is like no other instrument — a complete musical buffet, with the capacity to combine harmony and melody in infinite combinations; to portray all of music theory on its keyboard; to challenge the individual as far as the mind, body and spirit will go; to provide an outlet for the most profound human emotions.
• All students, from the youngest beginner to the advanced high school student and avocational adult, can attain technical and musical mastery at the piano.

Progress requires positive effort from student and family

• There is a direct correlation between what the student invests and what the student achieves. When the teacher expects greater commitment and work from the student, the student reaps lifelong rewards.
• Given the multi-sensory nature of piano instruction, consistent daily practice (or 5-6 days per week) is ideal for all learners.
• The learning process for younger children relies heavily on parental and family commitment.  The teacher and parent must communicate about practice expectations, and parents should trust and reinforce these expectations in the home, and set up a positive environment for best piano practices.    ​

Our teachers are committed to fostering continuous improvement for all students

• Each student possesses a particular physical, artistic and cognitive skill set for learning, sometimes referred to as a “learning style.”  The teacher must recognize, respect and build upon the individual’s learning style.
• The teacher must prepare individual lesson plans that adapt to the individual’s current skill set and challenge them toward continuous growth and improvement. Every single piano lesson should be a challenging, enriching, fun and passionate learning journey for both the student and the teacher.
• Every single piano lesson should include fundamental components of a well-rounded piano education:  theory, technique, listening, sight-reading, and repertoire.
• Our goal is for students to become life-long musicians, learners, and music-lovers.  The average piano student in the US studies piano for 2.3 years.  PWPA’s average student length of study is 6+ years, and we seek to foster and maintain relationships with students that encourage long-term study.

Studio Policies

​SCHEDULING
Lessons are offered Monday through Friday during after-school hours until 8:30p.m. Saturday lessons are also available from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Summer lesson times vary, but are generally Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. During the summer term, we require a minimum of 6 scheduled summer lessons in order to hold your spot for the upcoming Fall term.

SEMESTER COMMITMENT
Because we have limited spots available and we turn away students at the beginning of each semester, we require your commitment for a minimum of one semester when you sign up for lessons. This commitment is essential to ensure a successful learning experience. 

PAYMENT
Tuition for lessons is billed at the first of each month from August to June. The tuition for summer lessons will be billed in June and will include all summer lessons whether taken in June, July, or early August. Payment may be made by credit card, check, Venmo, Apple Cash, or Zelle.

HOME PRACTICE IS REQUIRED
Students should commit to consistent practice sessions between lessons. The recommended practice time for each student will vary, but the teacher will require the appropriate length of time per day for practice, or total minutes per week, and will stress the goals to be accomplished between lessons. Families should set policies that help instill good practice habits between lessons. Students will be asked to write down their practice time each day on the weekly assignment sheet, and parents should sign-off or initial for parental approval. 

MATERIALS
Teachers will select the lesson books and materials appropriate for each student and purchase them in advance. Your invoice will reflect the cost of any new books and materials (cost only—we do not add on an extra charge). Students should arrive at each lesson prepared with the necessary music and assignment notebook. 

TECHNIQUE
Instructors in our studio teach proper technique from the very first lesson. This will require that students keep their fingernails trimmed so that fingertips are free to access the piano keys. Students will be asked to come to lessons without long fingernails, or may be asked to trim them at the start of the lesson. 

RECITALS
Students are encouraged to share their gift of music by attending performance classes, recitals, and special theory classes or reviews when they are scheduled.  At recitals, all student performers are expected to be present for the entire recital. The goal is for performers to be an audience for the other performers, including those at the beginning and end of the recitals. If your student is unable to be present for the duration of the event, please choose a different performance opportunity. In most of our recital venues, food and drink is not allowed, so please plan accordingly.

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​CANCELLATIONS & MAKE-UPS
Payment is required for all scheduled lessons for each month, and we cannot offer a credit or a make-up for missed lessons unless we cancel the lesson due to our illness or conflict. If your student needs to miss a scheduled lesson due to a conflict, travel, or illness, payment is still required since our teachers have set aside that time for teaching.  Each student will be allowed one make-up lesson per semester for a lesson missed with at least 24 hours notice.   

This make-up lesson must be completed within 2 weeks of the missed lesson or the make-up will be forfeited.  The make-up lesson comes in two options:  

• Option 1:  Your teacher may make themselves available for a make-up by ZOOM at an agreed-upon time.
• Option 2:  Your teacher may ask you to send videos of your student’s practice session, and/or scanned copies of any theory homework, and the teacher will provide written or video feedback on both.​

​ACOUSTIC OR DIGITAL PIANO REQUIRED
We require that all students have access at home to a quality acoustic piano, or, alternatively, a quality digital piano that has all 88 keys that are weighted and touch-sensitive.  As students progress into intermediate or early advanced level, we will recommend an upgrade to a higher quality acoustic piano.

PARENT ATTENDANCE/DROP-OFF & PICK-UP
Parent attendance at lessons is welcomed and encouraged.  We believe that parents are partners with us in helping your student succeed.  Exactly how a parent can be of the most help to their student is unique to each student/family, and teachers will guide parents accordingly.  Our waiting room is a suitable option for many parents and siblings.   We request that all guests in the studio follow a “library voice” protocol when entering and exiting for lessons, and be mindful that other lessons are taking place in other studios.   

Parents or other drivers should plan to pick up students timely at the end of lessons.  If teachers have to wait for a parent to arrive at the end of a lesson day, the family will be assessed a fee for “late pick-up” at the rate of $25.00 per 15 minute interval.