TOPS

Our first Autumn Recital is happening on November 12 6pm at Gale Center. I look forward to meeting all of your families. This is the time to showcase all of your musical progress. Remember to wear sunday best.

Teresa’s Piano Studio Policy
&
Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to my studio! I am happy you want to enrich your family and home with piano music. The building blocks students learn with me will help your child enjoy music for a lifetime. My goal is to unlock the musical potential within each student. Lessons will be tailored to the individual student. Fundamental musical concepts will be established to help the student become a confident player and musician. Learning to play piano requires work and dedicated practice. Not only will your child learn to play an instrument and read music, but lifelong skills will be gained such as discipline, perseverance, self-confidence and poise.

Take a few minutes to read my studio information, in order to get the most out of your inverstment. If you have questions let me know. I look forward to helping your child(ren) work towards meeting their musical goals.

Tuition Rates and Fees:

Tuition is billed as a flat rate of $120 per month and includes four weekly 45-minute lessons. With a flat rate, tuition remains the same each month and is calculated on a 4-week month. This means that tuition is applied to 48-weeks per calendar year. The remaining 4 weeks will be applied toward making up missed lessons, holidays, etc. Tuition rates and fees may change yearly, advance notice of at least one month will be given for any changes. Tuition covers far more than the time spent during lessons. It also covers studio expenses, maintenance and regular tuning of the piano, curriculum development, teaching resources and materials, planning/preparing student recitals, continuing professional education, teacher association fees, etc.

You are welcomed and encouraged to observe the lesson with your child, as long as your presence is not a distraction. The length of lessons is determined by the student’s attention span as well as their skill level, and will be adjusted as needed, i.e. many intermediate and advanced students need 60 minute lessons.

Scheduling and Payments:

Tuition is due on the day of the first lesson of each month and goes towards tuition for the current month. Tuition payment locks in lessons for the student and is based on enrollment, not attendance, and reserves your student’s exclusive lesson time. Payment is non-refundable. I accept Venmo, cash, check. Overdue fee of $25 will be charged for late payments.

Missed Lessons:

Please give at least 6 hours advance notice for missed lessons and I will try to reschedule based on availability. Any lesson missed by me will be made up or credited back to you.

Please feel free to email, text or call me. If you need to miss a lesson, please notify me as soon as possible. I am happy to discuss your child’s progress and answer any questions you might have!

Frequently Asked Questions

Who may enroll?

Students in kindergarten and above are best suited for private instruction. Lessons are typically 45 minutes, advanced students may require 60 minutes. I offer private individual lessons in my studio. Two yearly recitals will be scheduled typically in the Spring and Fall. Students will be encouraged to participate in the yearly Achievement in Music program in conjunction with Utah Music Teachers Association. Students will be encouraged to participate in additional festivals and performances according to their abilities.

What kind of piano do we need?

An acoustic piano is highly preferred. The sound and touch cannot be replicated by a digital instrument. I recommend piano tuning at least once a year, twice yearly is best. A digital piano can be used if the keys are weighted and touch-sensitive. This is very important for development of the student’s playing technique and finger and hand strength. I’d be happy to recommend my piano technician/tuner for your piano.

A digital piano is acceptable if it meets the following requirements:
88 keys
Touch sensitive
Weighted keys
Sustain/Damper pedals
Bench with an appropriate height

Location of your piano is very important to the student as it will help to promote consistent practice. Place your piano strategically in a place that is comfortable and in view of your child regularly, and in a place with as few distractions as possible. A metronome may be helpful and can be purchased or downloaded as an app. Students will be playing along with audio tracks. I will send you links to these files.

What will my student learn?

Lessons will be taught in a positive and encouraging environment, tailored specifically to each student’s individual needs. I will be teaching a variety of ways. My methods have been carefully selected and include:
Reading Music Notation
Auditory Development and Ear Training
Rote Music Playing
Improvisation skills, Composition
Theory
Performance prep and recitals
Sight Reading Development
Strong focus on Technique w/healthy and safe hand position to reduce injuries

How much should my student practice?

Parental support is essential to the child’s progress. Your child’s interest in playing and piano practice will not be consistent. To be successful, you will need to be consistent in your encouragement and commitment to music lessons and practice. Parents of young students should actively participate during lessons and at-home practice. For children under 10 years of age, parents should supervise and observe at-home practice, making sure your child completes each assignment. Your involvement in practice at home will help your child progress to a point where they become more disciplined independent practicers.

Recording parts of the lesson will be very helpful during practice. Please have your child review the recording within 2 days after the lesson, this helps with memory retention. I will email or text links to audio files to help your child with their songs. If there is anything your child does not understand between lessons, let me know I will try to help.

A regular scheduled time should be set aside each day for practice to become a daily habit. This helps to consistently reinforce concepts learned during the weekly lesson. Students should avoid cramming before a lesson. Treat practicing piano like other homework and expect it to be done daily. Unprepared lessons cost the same as prepared ones. Get the most out of your financial investment by having prepared students for each lesson. Practice strategies will change as your student develops. In the beginning, the focus will not be time spent at the piano, but daily consistent practice. After the student has developed daily habits, the focus will be on quantity of time spent at the piano. Once a student gets to intermediate levels, practice will be geared toward focus on specific needs (scales, technique, etc) as well as quantity of time spent.

Weekly attendance

Parents are encouraged to attend lessons with beginning players and younger children. Please be prompt and prepared for each weekly lesson. Late arrivals may not receive the full scheduled lesson time. Students who are sick should not come to lessons. Missed lessons can be made up during the year, based on availability, and in months that have an extra week. Be sure the student comes with clean hands and fingernails trimmed.

Recitals and Performances

Performance is part of the learning experience. Students will participate in 2 yearly piano recitals. They will usually occur in the spring and late fall. Dress code is as follows: Sunday best is best, knees must be covered when sitting. Please avoid flip flops, sweatshirts, sneakers, hoodies, short skirts.

There are many opportunities to perform and to participate in festivals and competitions. I highly encourage my students to participate in these additional musical activities. Yearly participation in Achievement in Music (Music Achievement) is strongly encouraged. Sponsored by Utah Music Teachers Association UTMA, this yearly assessment is a good time to showcase progress the student has made in the past year. Highly motivated students will have the ability to participate in festivals and competitions. This is one of the fun parts of being a musician and many friendships can be made by participating in these events.

Discontinuing Lessons

The decision to end lessons will be made with careful consideration. Communication will be important for any issues that may come up ie. failure to progress, lack of motivation, inappropriate behavior, excessive absences. For any reason, if you must stop lessons, please give as much notice as possible, 30 days is encouraged.


I have received, read and understand the above guidelines to receive instruction.

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Student(s) Signature Date

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Parent/Guardian Signature Date

Media Consent - Parent hereby consents to and authorizes Teresa Oldham Piano Studio to capture and use video/audio recordings photos of my child(ren) and/or his/her musical performance or quoted statements in print, electronic, or online media, for educational and promotional purposes only, and without any compensation to me or my child(ren). Students will not be personally identified without further parental permission.

I, __________________________________________ , agree with the Media Consent as presented above.

______________________________________________________________________________ ________________
Parent/Guardian Signature Date

Effective June 16, 2021

[email protected]
435-650-2490 (preferred form of communication)
3319 Copper Point Court
South Jordan, UT 84095

Lessons will begin next month on THURSDAYS. More information coming! Message me or text if you are interested - name and age of student and time of availability. Lessons will be 45 minutes each week. Monthly tuition is $120. I will be following COVID safety protocols, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces. Questions? message me!