Q.  Who should take class piano?
       A.  Students who are new to piano or who need a refresher, who enjoy and thrive in a structured class atmosphere, and who are rising 1st grade and up.
Q.  How will you know what kind of piano books I need?
      A.  All enrolled students will attend the Piano Class Orientation where each student will be evaluated individually and assigned the most suitable piano curriculum materials.  
Q.  What are the advantages to class piano over private piano?
       A.  Students will have more accountability and incentive to practice because they will see the progress that other students around them are making.  Students will also receive one-on-one coaching in every class.  In addition, students will have more guided practice time than a typical private lesson.  At-home practice is very essential, just like in private lessons.
Q.  What are the disadvantages to piano class over private lessons?
       A.  There may be fewer lesson time options than traditional private lessons. 
Q.  How far will students progress in a school year?
       A.  The class will use published piano education curricula.  Depending on the publisher, piano curricula levels correspond to about a school year per level.
Q.  How long is the class?
       A.  45 minutes, which is longer than typical half-hour private lesson.
Q.  What will students be taught?
       A.  Students will cover the same material that they would receive in a high-quality private lesson.  They will use published piano method books, fun supplementary songs, workbooks, and flashcards.  At the end of a school year, most students will complete an entire level of piano instruction.  They'll also gain more performance experience than traditional private lessons in a low pressure, supportive setting. 
Q.  Where are the classes held?
       A.  The Piano Lab is located at The House Music and Dance, on Poway Road, across from Bank of America and Poway Sushi.
Q.  Do you have any experience teaching class piano?
       A.  In fact, this is the second piano lab I have piloted.  I previously taught 40 students in a 20-keyboard piano lab at Scripps Ranch High School in a mixed level setting, beginner to advanced.
Q.  Will each student have to do the same songs, or can I learn at my own pace?
      A.  I am a very firm believer in the importance of individualized learning!  Students will not all be playing the same songs and will be allowed to progress at their own unique pace.  Likewise, students will be able to explore favorite songs that are not in their piano books when they are ready.  
Q.  What is your experience teaching piano?
       A.  I maintain my own private teaching studio and have taught piano to children and adults for over 20 years.  Please click on "About" to learn more about your instructor.
Q.  Will my child learn to read music?
      A.  Learning to read music is a main focus of piano lessons with me!  YES students will develop music literacy.  Students will learn the same fundamentals that they're expected to master in private lessons.
Q.  Will there be recitals?
       A.  Yes, students will have an informal and a formal recital, as well as performance opportunities in class for their classmates.  This means they will get more performance experience than typical of private lessons.
Q.  Is there a sign up commitment?
      A.  Students are expected to stick with piano for at least one school year, with typical holiday breaks.  Enrollment will remain open as space permits throughout the year.
Q.  What is the cost?
      A.  For month-to-month sign ups, $155 flat monthly rate.   Pre-paid fall tuition will receive a 5% discount.  Fall classes occur weekly from September 6th to December 6th.  Students will also need to purchase the provided Piano Pack (books, supporting materials, headphones) to participate, which lasts for a school year/ level. 
Q.  What about missed lessons?
     A.  If you miss a class due to illness, or plan to be absent for an upcoming class, you may attend the makeup class which will be offered each semester to all students at the discretion of the instructor.