Congratulations on starting your musical journey with piano lessons! I hope you will find that music will enrich your life and provide enjoyment that you will benefit from for the rest of your life! Music also offers cognitive, social, physical, emotional, and academic benefits! Not only are you learning an instrument, but music also:

       - contributes to cognitive development

       - helps reduce stress in children and adults

       - improves speech, reading, IQ, working memory, creativity and 

       - studies have shown that elementary school students had 20% improvement in standardized English and math tests!

The Damon Piano Studio offers private, one-on-one piano lessons to students of all ages and skill levels. Not only are students learning how to play the piano, but they are also taught how to read music, technique, music theory, music history, sight-reading, ear-training, transposition, improvisation, composition, and listening skills. Each student receives a curriculum and repertoire customized to their individual needs and musical goals. 

Students are able to receive one 30 minute, 45 minute, or 60 minute lesson per week. The day and time of the lesson will occur when the student and teacher both are available between Monday and Friday. Once the student signs up for lessons, their lesson time will be reserved just for them for the rest of the semester, unless otherwise discussed. 

Practice

Students are required to practice outside of their lesson. This is essential if the student wishes to make progress. Parents are strongly encouraged to be active participants in practice at home, and to provide support and encouragement for the student in all endeavors.

Tuition

30 minute lesson: $25 per lesson

45 minute lesson: $37.50 per lesson

60 minute lesson: $50 per lesson

Tuition is paid on either a semester or monthly basis. If the student wishes to pay for an entire semester, tuition is due at the first lesson. Students will also receive a free lesson if they wish to pay for the entire semester. If the student wishes to pay a month at a time, tuition is due on the first day of the month, which covers the lessons for that month. Tuition will be prorated if a student wishes to start lessons after a semester has begun.

Invoices will be sent out by email a week before tuition is due. There is an option to pay by credit card through the invoice, but I will accept other methods of payment as well. I accept cash, credit card, PayPal, or checks made out to The Damon Piano Studio. Failure to pay tuition on time will result in the termination of lessons.

Where does my tuition go?

Your tuition covers much more than meets the eye!

• Time spent with the student

• Time spent in preparation for the student: trips to the music store, lesson planning, bookkeeping, development of curriculum, etc. Studies have shown that for every hour enrolled in piano lessons, you are investing in at least 2 hours of the teachers time!

• Your teacher's training and experience

• Recital costs and preparations

• Professional organization memberships: Breanna is a member of the Columbine Music Teachers Association (columbinemusicteachers.org)

• Professional journals: these publications assist teachers in keeping current on new teaching materials and trends

• Studio expenses: copying, computer software, professional website, incentive programs, instruments, tunings, and repairs

• Property taxes, self-employment taxes, insurance, retirement: as an independent music teacher, I have no corporation to assist in providing health and life insurance by matching funds

• Continuing education: lessons, classes, and conferences that keeps my teaching current and of high quality

(adapted from Wendy Stevens' brochure)

Make-up Lessons

Make-up lessons are offered to students if they have an emergency or are ill. If the teacher has an emergency, is ill, or needs to cancel for professional commitments, the lesson will be made up. Make-up lessons are only given if the student notifies the teacher the day before their scheduled lesson. Lessons cancelled the day of, or if the student simply does not show, a make-up lesson will not be given. Tuition will not be refunded for any missed lessons. Make-up lessons will occur at an agreed upon time between the student and the teacher. 

Piano in the Home

A piano in the home is essential if the student wishes to make progress in their piano study. Ideally the piano would be located in a quiet, well-lit area, away from distractions like the television or computer. 

Wondering whether to purchase an electric or an acoustic piano? There are benefits for each! Here is a list of items to look for in either type of piano:

Electric Piano:

- 88 keys (full keyboard)

- weighted keys: essential to develop proper technique and avoid bad habits

- dynamic capabilities: the ability to play keys either soft or loud depending on how much arm weight is used

- damper pedal: this pedal (usually the far right pedal, but sometimes the only pedal on electrics) allows sound to sustain even after the key is no longer pressed

- proper keyboard stand: permanently attached is recommended, but if not the stand would ideally adjust so the student can always have the piano at the correct height

- proper adjustable keyboard bench: many students try using a dining room or office chair, but a piano bench is essential if the student wants to play with proper body and hand position. This helps avoid injury and the development of bad habits. An adjustable bench is essential in order for the student to grow and still have the correct position.

Acoustic Piano (Recommended)

- an in-tune piano is essential: piano tuning is one of the only maintenance requirements of an acoustic piano. Many people are deterred from purchasing an acoustic piano because of maintenance, but it actually only requires a once-a-year- tune up! This prevents other major repairs like broken strings or cracks in the body. Hiring a professional piano tuner is essential. 

- when looking at pianos, make sure there are no broken strings or cracks to the body: while some repairs are really pretty affordable, some can render the piano untunable and unusable. It is best to ask a professional piano tuner or repairman. 

- proper adjustable keyboard bench: see above

While usually a large purchase, a nice piano in the home is an investment. Acoustic pianos, especially, retain their value very well and some even increase in value! Whichever direction you choose to go in, always play a piano before purchasing. You may discover you do not like the tone it is producing, or maybe the action is too hard. You would never buy a home or car without examining it in person and a piano is no different!