Because I truly believe that a child's music education is a present investment in a lifetime of musical pleasure, I have set up the following policies regarding your child's musical instruction. The study of music is rewarding and enjoyable, but it is also work! It may be the first serious commitment your child has ever made. As you know, your child will be only as committed as you are. Consequently, I expect that parents will be supportive in the following ways: (1) provide a practice environment which is conducive to concentration; (2) encourage consistent practice times during the week, and provide encouragement and praise; be aware of weekly assignments and teacher expectations; (3) be on time for lessons; (4) communicate any concerns with the teacher.


Please arrive on time. If you are early, you are welcome to wait in the den. No lesson will be extended for a student who is not ready on time. Make-up lessons will normally only be given in the event of illness, and will be scheduled at my convenience. It is your responsibility to contact me with regard to a make-up lesson. If for any reason I need to cancel a lesson, I will initiate making arrangements for a mutually convenient time. A 24 hour notice should be given, when possible, for any cancelled lesson In the case of a student illness, please call no later than noon the day of the lesson. . Non-emergency cancellations, last minute cancellations and "no shows" will necessitate charging the full lesson fee for the unused time reserved for the student, and WILL NOT BE MADE UP. Performance classes throughout the year will provide opportunities for students who need make-up lesson credit.

Lesson fees are due at the first lesson of the month. A late fee of $10.00 will automatically be assessed for tuition received after the first week of each month. Bills for music are sent when the student receives new music and are payable on receipt. Entry fees for recitals, festivals, and competitions are due on receipt. Monthly fees remain the same, regardless of vacation schedules. On occasion, your child will receive 5 lessons a month depending on the calendar and there is no charge for that extra lesson.


Students should have a regular non-interrupted daily practice time on a well-tuned instrument. Younger students often need some supervised practice, along with lots of parental encouragement and positive feedback! If a student is repeatedly unprepared for lessons, the student will be placed on probationary status. I will expect improvement on a weekly basis for the following month and if improvement is not accomplished, lessons will most likely be terminated. Please be sure that your child comes to each lesson with the assignment book and all teaching materials.


During the course of the year, I will expect students to participate in recitals, performances, festivals and/or competitions depending on each student's abilities and aspirations. Two formal studio recitals are offered per year, one of them in February, and the other in June. Through the Conejo Valley Branch of the Music Teachers Association of California, several performance opportunities are also available. They include: Contemporary Music Festival, the Southern California Jr. Bach Festival, Concerto Competition ,and non-competitive recitals. The Certificate of Merit program is a comprehensive music course of music study sponsored by MTAC. This program culminates in an evaluation and theory testing day each Spring. Further information is available upon request. Parents are expected to attend and support these important aspects of music study. These experiences help to build self-esteem and self-confidence and also give students the opportunity to be exposed to other repertoire and a variety of performance abilities.

There will be one scheduled vacation throughout the year which will occur at the Christmas Break, for one week. In addition, there will be no lessons on Labor Day, Memorial Day, or Thanksgiving weekend. Please note that monthly tuition remains the same, and that on occasion your child will receive 5 lessons in a given month depending on the calendar.

Summer lessons are an important part of musical continuity. Consequently, students are required to sign up for at least six lessons over the summer. This will also provide an opportunity for extra work in areas which need special emphasis. It also allows students to get a head start on compositions which may be required for certain festivals or competitions in the fall semester. Summer lessons are required in order to guarantee placement in the studio the following fall.