1. Why are lessons only 50 minutes for a 1 hour slot and 25 minutes for a half hour slot?

In the state of CA, there is what is called a business hour. To insure each student receives the maximum amount of instructional time, we allot you 50 minutes of instructional time in a one hour slot and 25 minutes instructional time in a half hour slot. This is standard practice in all types of lessons, coaching and any specialized business where there is a change in clients for each session.

2. What is the normal cancellation policy?

The normal cancellation procedure is 48 hours notice the business day before start of your lesson time. If I am contacted before this 48 hour window, the lesson can be rescheduled. This allows me to schedule someone in your slot if you decide to cancel before the 48 hour period. This is standard business practice and allows the studio to maintain ongoing clients throughout our working hours.

3. Should I bring music?

Yes, you should always bring “sheet music” if at all possible. This allows for both the instructor and student to review details and stop and start as needed. It also is a fantastic way for the student to learn about music. Even with today’s technology, it’s not fair for either party to read from phones. This takes away from the lesson time and doesn’t allow the student to gain the most out of the lesson. If you do bring tracks, they should either be on a cd or on your playing device. You should have links marked ahead of time such as youtube tracks and have the lyrics printed out before you come to your lesson.

More time is wasted searching for music online during the lesson than any other thing. It also makes the student dependent on internet connection among other variables which take away from the lesson time you have paid for. You are there to sing and all preparation made ahead of time increases the value of your lesson.

4. Should parents sit in on lessons?

This is always a hard conversation to have but in general, it’s best that the parents NOT be in the room. If your child is young and nervous, especially at their first few lessons, it’s completely expected and appreciated that the parent stays. But after a few lessons, the child ALWAYS learns more by being there with the teacher. If your child is a minor, you should remain on the premises. However, you may sit right outside the door within a few feet and still hear what is going on. Especially teenagers entering the critical age of 11-15, that is probably the most important time for parents to step out of the room and allow their children a little space to learn. They are so self-conscious at that age and tend to focus more if they are not being watched and corrected by their parents.

5. Should I record my lesson?

Absolutely, you should always record your lesson. You will be amazed at how much you missed in the moment. When you listen back, you’ll be able to pick up on things you missed while singing and see your progress. Also, it allows you to have an updated “work out” so to speak for each week.

The easiest and most popular way to record these days is to record with your phone, tablet or computer. Later, you can review and sing along with it either in the car or at home.

6. Why are lessons to be completed within the calendar year?

Each year I close out the books for accounting and tax purposes. Each student should schedule all paid lessons upon purchase and complete all paid scheduled lessons by December 31st of that year.

7. Should I let the teacher know when I arrive?

Yes, when it’s time for your lesson, please come to the door and even knock lightly to let me know you are there and then wait outside the door. Sometimes I will keep teaching if I see that the following student is late and hasn’t arrived yet.

8. Should I set up lessons and correspond with the studio via text?

No. Why? Because I keep very detailed records of every transaction, phone call and email. I keep everything! Text is not suitable for this kind of record keeping. I do this because it’s important for us to maintain the most professional environment and run a proficient studio and again allow you to be a part of a great experience from beginning to end.

9. What kind of music should I sing?

You should sing what you love. If you really don’t know where to start, I can guide you with a few suggestions. However, especially for the younger generation, you should find music you like to listen to and start there. It’s most important that you sing what makes you happy to sing. I can work with any style to help you develop a strong, flexible voice. Half of the lesson is spent doing vocal exercises which help to build strength, correct problem areas and give you routines to follow on your own. The other half is spent allowing you to implement these techniques into song.

One more thing. If you are first starting out, guys should pick songs sung by guys and girls should pick songs sung by girls. Why? Because most likely they will fit your range more easily. It’s not a bad thing to pick the opposite sex/range for you to sing. However, it’s takes away from your lesson time having to adjust the songs, transpose, etc…..

10. Online Lesson Info

Since March, 2020 I have been teaching online exclusively. This will continue until a vaccine for Covid-19 is widely available.

While singing online is not the same as in person, I find that it can be a very productive environment to work on your voice. While you don’t get the benefit of singing in a reverberant space with an acoustic piano, you do get to hear your voice right next to mine. This proximity helps you to dial in the voice quality you want to achieve in a methodical way.

There are several platforms that work well for online lessons including Zoom and Skype. Both will record the lesson for future practice use.

I recommend using a separate device like an iPhone or Smart Phone for playing your accompaniment.

It is also a good idea to wear headphones so that the sound of my voice and piano do not feedback into your computer microphone.

More info to come for Skype, Facebook Messenger and Loopback Audio