Policies & Rates

The following is a very basic summary of my lesson policies. I've tried to include the information that I think will be most helpful for students to know prior to signing up for lessons, but not so much that it's overwhelming. If you'd like to see my policies in their entirety, check out my Lesson Policies Handbook!

Who Do I Teach?

I offer lessons on the following instruments:

  • Clarinet - Beginner, Intermediate, and College/Audition Prep
  • Flute & Saxophone - Beginner, Intermediate
  • Trumpet & Trombone - Beginner

All students are welcome, including students who are homeschooled as well as students with disabilities.

I recommend students be at least 8 years old before signing up for lessons, but I am willing to assess younger children for lessons on a case-by-case basis. There is no maximum age limit when it comes to learning an instrument—adults are welcome!

I travel to you for lessons! For this reason, all in-person lessons must be within 20 miles of Lemoyne, Pennsylvania. Online lessons are available regardless of location, however I much much much prefer lessons to be in-person. I highly suggest choosing in-person lessons whenever possible!

Rates & Payment

I offer 30-minute or 60-minute lessons, one lesson per week, four lessons per month, at the following rates:

  • Beginner lessons:
    • 30-Minutes: $120 per month / $30 per lesson
    • 60-Minutes: $200 per month / $50 per lesson
  • Intermediate lessons:
    • 30-Minutes: $140 per month / $35 per lesson
    • 60-Minutes: $240 per month / $60 per lesson
  • College/Audition Prep:
    • 30-Minutes: $160 per month / $40 per lesson
    • 60-Minutes: $280 per month / $70 per lesson

The monthly lesson fee covers…

  • One lesson per week for four weeks at your reserved day/time
    • If there is a fifth week in a month for your lesson day/time, we will not have lessons during the fifth week (unless we've arranged to use it as a makeup lesson)
    • If there are only three viable weeks for your lesson day/time, the lesson fee for that month will be prorated to reflect the change
  • Instructor prep time outside of the lesson, including
    • Time prior to the lesson, in which I prepare materials
    • Time after the lesson, in which I maintain notes about student progress
  • Initial cost of any learning materials that I specifically require for lessons
    • Includes items such as method books or sheet music
    • Does not include materials needed for instrument maintenance, such as reeds or valve oil
    • If the materials I’ve provided get lost or if they are damaged beyond use, it will be your responsibility to purchase a new copy
  • Coming Soon: a members-only section of the website full of resources for students as well as parents of beginner musicians!

Our first “lesson” is free, as it is more of a preliminary consultation than a lesson! Additionally, if you begin your official paid lessons after the first week of the month, the lesson fee for that month will be prorated to reflect the correct number of lessons.

Currently, I only accept cash or checks. Generally, I ask that lessons be paid monthly, and that each month is paid at the last lesson of the preceding month (i.e., payment for April's lessons would be due at the last lesson in March).

Necessary Materials

All Students

All students are required to have…

  • A properly-working instrument
  • A music stand
  • A pencil (not a pen/highlighter/crayon/etc)
  • A consistent practice routine

If you do not have a properly working instrument yet, please let me know that when you sign up! I do not provide instruments, but I can help you find one that is adequate for your ability level.

Online Students Only

In addition to the materials listed in the section above, online students are required to have…

  • A tablet or computer (not a phone, please!) able to access the following:
    • Stable internet
    • A Zoom account (the free version is fine!)
    • A printer (preferably able to print during the lesson; at least able to print before the next lesson)
  • An instrument tuner
  • Page markers (i.e., Post-It Notes or sticky tabs)

What to Expect

What to expect in a normal lesson depends on the length of the lesson as well as your ability level and goals.

Generally, we begin with a warmup, followed by a review of what you've been practicing since your last lesson. Perfection is not expected during this review, however it is expected for you to be able to show progress indicating that you've practiced the materials assigned during the previous lesson.

Our lessons are tailored to each individual student, so after our review, it could go a number of ways depending on how much time we have and what goals we are trying to achieve!

Our first lesson is more of a consultation than an actual lesson. For students who are under 18, I require an adult parent/guardian to attend the start of the first lesson. During this time, my goals are to ensure all parties involved are on the same page and to learn information about you that will help me prepare suitable instruction. During this first lesson, we will review and sign the current Lesson Policies Handbook, you will fill out a brief questionnaire (if you have not filled it out already), I will confirm your current ability level, and we will work on a practice schedule.

For students under 18, a parent/guardian must be present in the household for all lessons (both in-person and online). Parents/guardians are not required to sit directly in on lessons, but they are welcome to as long as their presence is not disruptive to the lesson. The more involvement families have in a student’s musical journey, the more that student will excel, however that doesn’t look the same for every family or student! Some younger students benefit greatly from having a family member actively present, while other students feel shy and would be hindered by having a family member sit in. That will be something we can discuss as a team!

Reschedules & Cancellations

Student Cancellation

As the student, it is your responsibility to inform me, as soon as possible, of any lessons you will be unable to attend. For day-of cancellations, such as in the event of illness, please give at least 3 hours notice. Cancellations occurring within 3 hours of the lesson will result in forfeiting the lesson without refund or credit and without a makeup lesson. If adequate notice of at least 3 hours has been provided, I will make every effort to schedule a makeup lesson at a day/time that is suitable for everyone!

Please also let me know as soon as possible if you will be late to a lesson. Lessons will not be extended to account for missed time. If you do not arrive within 15 minutes of your scheduled time and you haven't reached out to me to let me know you’ll be late, the lesson will be considered canceled without adequate notice.

The safety of my students is very important, and that includes keeping everyone healthy (including myself)! If you have been displaying notable illness symptoms (i.e., sore throat, throwing up) or if you stayed home from school/work due to illness within the past 24 hours, please let me know at least 3 hours prior to the start of the lesson. If you are sick but still feel like you are able to have a lesson, then depending on my travel schedule for that day, we might be able to have your lesson online at your normal day/time. However, if I arrive to an in-person lesson only to learn that you have been sick, I reserve the right to end that lesson.

Refunds/credit will not be given for lessons missed by students, regardless of whether the lesson is able to be rescheduled.

Instructor Cancellation

I will notify students of any instructor absences as soon as I am able. For day-of cancellations, I will do my best to give at least three hours notice.

Regardless of the reason for cancellation, I will make every effort to find an alternative. If I must cancel lessons due to unsafe driving conditions or a case of the sniffles, we might have the option to move the lesson online at its normal day/time. If an online lesson is not possible, I will make every effort to schedule a makeup lesson at a day/time that is suitable for everyone.

In the event that I must fully cancel a lesson and we cannot find a suitable day/time to schedule a makeup lesson, a credit will be applied to the following month’s lesson fee.