Strike The Right Note

I have an initial interview at no charge and no obligation, to assess the student's needs, goals, and abilities. I then go over a general review of what the student can expect, and what they need to do at home. I provide them with extensive resources at no charge to supplement their work. Once lessons begin, we meet for half an hour each week to assess their progress and build on what they have accomplished.

I have a premed degree which included training in body mechanics and muscle function, and a Master of Music degree in voice with a minor in piano and a specialization in music before 1750. I have a career in opera that dates back to 1988 and includes performances in a dozen countries, and I have done much original research into optimizing both learning techniques and science of sound production for both piano and voice.

Lessons are $40 per half-hour with a three-month minimum requirement. Discounts may apply for referrals or more than one member of the same immediate family taking lessons. In addition, I have a few work-study positions available.

Two weeks after I started taking music lessons, the other students in the class were coming to me instead of the teacher for help. The next semester the school hired me to tutor students privately and after that, I had a waiting list of students.

I have worked with students as young as four, and as old as 88. I take any student, regardless of talent, age, experience, as long as they are willing to put in the work. I have students who have modest goals and students who want to be professional classical musicians. Anyone can learn to sing or play well!

I loved performing for a select group of entertainers at the Festival OFF in Avignon, France, after hours!

Have a clear idea of your goals to start out with. It's okay for those goals to change as you go along. Then make sure your teacher is going to help you achieve those goals in a reasonable amount of time, and for a reasonable investment of money and effort. Your teacher should be transparent with you about how long it will take for them to help you realize your goals. And if something isn't working, don't stay with the same teacher!

This is such a long answer I had to write and publish a book about it! Basically there are about twenty-five questions you need to ask a prospective teacher. (You can see my own answers to those questions in an interview published on my YouTube channel.)