Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
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Welcome! Once you’ve finished browsing the site, head on over to book a free 20-minute consultation where we can talk more about your learning goals, answer any questions you might have, and schedule your first lesson.
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Lessons usually begin with a recap of last week’s material, a review of your week’s progress, and addressing any questions that may have come up. You can then expect to play music together and learn goal-specific techniques/theory, all while being challenged and having fun.
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I offer a free virtual consultation for interested students to meet me, get a feel for my teaching style, and decide if you would like to get started. It can typically take a few lessons to understand if we’re the right student/teacher fit for your needs and I’m happy to provide referrals for other trusted local teachers if you prefer.
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Lessons are scheduled in a fixed and recurring time slot and we will schedule your lessons during our initial consultation or via email/text. If you need to make any permanent changes to your schedule, we can discuss shifts via email, text, or during an upcoming lesson.
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Yes! I can accommodate up to 3 students at one time for an added fee, however, most families schedule back-to-back lessons for multiple students so that each student can have dedicated 1-on-1 learning.
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I love working with students who are brand new to music lessons and we will structure your learning in a way that meets you where you are, starting with the basics and advancing alongside your evolving skills.
Lessons & The Studio
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I typically see students weekly - I’ve found that this level of consistency tends to be necessary to support the learning process and to keep students engaged with their evolving practice. I reserve a handful of slots for students who need bi-weekly lessons due to financial or scheduling barriers.
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Lessons take place at my fully equipped music studio in the Cully neighborhood of NE Portland or virtually for out-of-town students.
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Absolutely! There is plenty of seating space in the studio for parents or other guests to join during lessons.
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The studio is fully equipped with everything you need for a successful lesson, so no need to lug your own piano or drumset. Most students who are taking lessons for portable instruments, like guitar, prefer to bring their own.
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I have everything you need to learn during your lesson, and I can provide guidance on purchasing your first instrument so that you can practice in between lessons.
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As a rule of thumb, there is no such thing as too much practice! In order to experience the full benefits of private music lessons, students will need to practice between sessions. I can provide guidance about what cadence of practice will help you achieve your goals.
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Plan to arrive promptly at your scheduled start time. If you’re early, there is a covered outdoor waiting space or you can choose to wait in your car until your lesson.
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There is ample free street parking in front of the studio space on NE 57th Ave.
Payment & Policies
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I offer monthly tuition where students pay for lessons at the beginning of each month. I accept cash, check, Venmo, and Zelle.
If this payment structure doesn’t work for you, let me know and we can discuss alternative options.
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Missed lessons do not roll over to future months, but often I’m able to accommodate rescheduling as needed within a current tuition cycle. If you know in advance about travel or other scheduling conflicts, let me know in advance and we may be able to adjust your monthly tuition for those impacted periods.
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I ask that students let me know as soon as possible if they need to cancel or reschedule a lesson. I require 24 hours notice via text, phone, or email for canceling or rescheduling lessons. For late cancellations or no-shows, I am typically unable to accommodate rescheduling.
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I typically recommend that students be at least 6 years old to begin to experience the benefit of private music lessons. I see students of all ages and it’s never too late to become a musician!