Question: Do Parents stay for lessons?
Answer: Parents are always welcome to stay for lessons and observe. This is helpful when students are practicing throughout the week as parents will be aware of what material we have covered and how the music was taught. However, parents are not required to stay. I will send home a practice plan each week, explaining what students learned and how to practice most effectively at home. There will also be videos available to watch for some songs. Question: Where do we park. Answer: Please park in the driveway or along the street, just be careful not to block in any cars. Question: Where is the studio entrance? Answer: Most days you will use the special studio entrance around the back of the house. Walk around through the lawn on the left side of the garage and come on in the back door. The studio space is located in the basement, through the covered walk-out steps. If the weather is very rainy or snowy to the point where walking through the lawn would cause a big mess, come on in the front door (no need to ring the bell or knock) and come down the stairs into the basement. (Please leave shoes in the foyer in this case.) Question: Do I have to have a piano at home? Answer: You must have some way to practice at home as regular practicing is required. An acoustic piano or full-sized digital piano (such as the Casio CDP-230s that we play on in the studio) are preferred. However, for beginners a smaller keyboard is acceptable for practicing at home for the first 6 months to 1 year. Question: How much practicing is required? Answer: Practicing is a vital part of the group piano method. I expect students to practice at least 4-5 days a week, for an appropriate amount of time depending on their age and level (10-15 minutes for beginners, 20-40 minutes for more advanced students). Most students are not self-motivated to practice and parents will have to make it a required part of the daily routine to make sure it gets done. It is worth the effort though, with regular practice they will make quick progress and will enjoy their playing more and more! Question: What should students call you? Answer: Most students call me Miss Emily. If you would prefer to have your student call me by my last name, Mrs. Mefort is ok too (Mefort rhymes with effort!) Question: What if we have to miss a class? Answer: Please text me to let me know your student will be gone. (402-617-1237). Each class covers new material in a spiral manner, so if students miss one week they will be able to catch up on any missed material when we come back around to it the next week. I am able to work with each student through the course of the lesson to make sure they are all on track. Also, the assignment sheet will summarize what we have learned and how to practice it effectively. However, if a student misses too many lessons it will be hard for him/her to keep up with the class, so please make piano class a special priority. Question: Do you offer make-up lessons? Answer: Because of the back-to-back scheduling of classes I am not able to offer make-up lessons. No refunds are available for missed classes. Please see my policy form for more details. |