Private Instruction
Private lessons are tailored to meet the unique needs and goals of each student. These sessions provide individualized attention, ensuring steady progress and a customized learning experience. Benefits of private instruction include:
- Personalized Curriculum: Focus on the student’s individual musical interests, strengths, and areas for improvement.
- Technical Development: Emphasis on building solid technique, posture, and hand coordination to ensure a strong musical foundation.
- Sight-Reading & Ear Training: Developing skills to read music efficiently and recognize musical patterns by ear.
- Performance Preparation: Guidance on preparing for recitals, auditions, or competitions, including stage presence and performance anxiety techniques.
- Music Theory Integration: Tailored lessons that integrate theory into repertoire, ensuring a deeper understanding of the music being played.
- Consistent Feedback & Motivation: Regular evaluations and encouragement to keep students motivated and on track toward their musical goals.
Lesson Length
The ideal lesson length depends on each student’s individual needs, goals, and age. While Christina will work with each student to determine the best fit, here are some general guidelines:
- 30-Minute Lessons: Best for very young beginners (ages 4-7) who are just starting out. These lessons provide enough time to establish foundational skills without overwhelming the student.
- 45-Minute Lessons: A great option for students who are ready for more than a half-hour of focused instruction but may not yet be prepared for a full hour. This provides a balanced amount of time to dive deeper into concepts, technique, and repertoire.
- 60-Minute Lessons: Most students will benefit from an hour-long lesson, allowing ample time for technical development, musical exploration, and personalized instruction. This is ideal for beginners ages 8 and up, and all students with 1-2 years of experience.
Studio Year and Schedule
- The studio year runs August through May, with 34 scheduled weeks of private instruction.
- A detailed lesson schedule, including holidays and studio happenings, will be provided at the start of the year in August.
- A Summer Session is held in June and July.
The Studio Experience
- Two studio recitals: Christmas in December, and a themed end of year program in May.
- Monthly themed performance Groups for students to practice playing for others and learning in a group setting.
- Composer of the Month focus to encourage listening and music history education.
- Community outreach performance opportunities at a local skilled nursing facility.
- Masterclass performance opportunity with a composer.
- NFMC Festival: an adjudicated event held in February.
- Events that encourage fun and studio camaraderie like Parents Week, an annual art contest, Secret Santa, and Bring-a-Buddy Week.
Missed Lessons and Make-Ups
- If you need to miss a lesson, please provide advance notice. An attempt will be made to reschedule, but make-ups are not guaranteed.
- Students who have missed a lesson are encouraged to send recordings for feedback to keep progressing during the week missed.
- If a student is ill or experiencing transportation/logistical issues, the lesson can be conducted remotely via Zoom.
- If Christina must cancel a lesson, a make-up lesson will be offered, or a refund will be applied to the next month’s tuition.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition is flat-rate for the months of August through May, regardless of the number of lessons that occur during that month.
| Lesson Length | 30 minutes | 45 minutes | 60 minutes |
| Monthly Tuition | $140 | $210 | $280 |
- Tuition is due by the 5th of each month.
- Accepted payment methods: Cash, Check, PayPal (walldren@gmail.com), Zelle (walldren@gmail.com), and Venmo (@walldren)
- A Registration fee of $130 per student is due at the start of each studio year in August.
- Books and materials typically cost between $50-$100 per year.
Termination of Lessons
If you plan to stop lessons for any reason, please provide at least one month’s notice. Example: If January is your final month of lessons, please provide notice before January 1.
Reach out today to learn more about studying piano with Christina.