THE GOAL
For students to learn the discipline, language, and joy of making music at the piano in a supportive, one-on-one learning environment. In order to provide the most effective teaching possible, the following policies have been established below.
ACCEPTING STUDENTS
If you enjoy music enough and can devote the attention that’s needed to develop into your “personal best,” lessons are for you! With that said, serious music study can be challenging and requires work – mentally, physically, and even emotionally – as is the case with any activity that asks students to meet their highest potential.
An audition/interview/trial lesson is required for a first meeting, with a fee of $40. Upon acceptance/enrollment, the audition fee can be credited toward your first month of lessons. Please also see the ‘Addendum’ section below.
LESSON RATE & PAYMENT
The lesson rate covers the time spent with each student, as well as time spent preparing for lessons.
Students may opt for weekly 30, 45, or 60-minute private lessons, depending on age/level. For recital prep or consultation, a longer lesson time may be appropriate.
Payment is due monthly at the first lesson of each month. Please check your calendars for the correct number of lessons/weeks in the month. Teacher and student/parent will also connect to determine possible conflicts or scheduling issues for the subsequent month(s).
Payment can be made via cash, check (made to “Kyle Johnson”), Venmo.
Current lesson rates (as of January 2026):
| 30 minutes | $57.50 per lesson |
| 45 minutes | $82.50 per lesson |
| 60 minutes | $107.50 per lesson |
|
75+ minutes or Single Lesson |
Inquire |
Student books and materials are not included in the lesson fee. Students will periodically be asked to purchase music and supplies. The teacher will provide specific information on items needed and how to purchase them. If this poses a challenge – financial or otherwise – please reach out.
PRACTICE EXPECTATIONS
It goes without saying that students must have a good quality instrument at home to practice on.
Routine (daily) practice is expected and required for progress. Parents should ensure their child includes piano practice in their daily routine and should generally provide encouragement for the student to stay on task at the piano.
For some students, timed practice increments are enough (“45 minutes a day”); for others, a goal-oriented approach is appropriate (“I’ll practice until I can comfortably play through two full pages of music”).
With that said, below are the guidelines that will ensure success:
- Elementary-age: 30 minutes daily, 5-6 days per week
- Middle school age: 45 minutes daily, 5-6 days per week
- High school age: 60 minutes minimum, 5-6 days per week.
- Adults: 45 minutes daily, 5-6 days per week
You may be thinking: ‘I’m not sure my child has that much time’ or ‘I’m not sure they can stay focused for that many minutes per day.’ In that case, it may be best to wait another year or two for formal lessons, or find a teacher with a different approach.
As a weekly assignment, I give students a lot of material to cover – enough that meeting the guidelines shouldn’t be an issue. A consistent practice-time commitment is the surest way to lead to success at the piano. The most successful students schedule their practice time as part of their day-to-day life.
Parents and students are encouraged to communicate via email throughout the week regarding questions over assignments or practice, issues at home, etc. Students are also encouraged to write notes and/or questions about their practicing in their lesson notebook.
TERMINATION OF LESSONS
It is expected that students give their best effort at committing to lessons for an extended amount of time. If for any reason the parent/student decides to terminate lessons, 3 weeks of advanced notice is requested. Lesson fees that have been paid are not refundable for lessons forfeited.
Regrettably, the teacher will have to dismiss a student if any of the circumstances occur: unpaid lesson payments, an excessive number of absences, uncooperative attitude, or if the student demonstrates a lack of consistent practice and/or is continually unprepared for lessons.
ATTENDANCE & MISSED LESSON POLICY
Lesson payments reserve an exclusive weekly time for the student.
Any lesson that the teacher has to cancel will either be (1) made up, or (2) credited with advance notice.
Students who are ill and/or contagious should not come to lessons. Illness can spread very quickly with an instrument that is shared by many people throughout the week.
Please arrive on time for your lesson. If you arrive late, we are not able to extend the lesson beyond the scheduled time.
If a student misses a lesson without prior notice (“no show”), the lesson fee will not be refunded or credited. Make-up lessons may be provided for excused absences (such as illness) if notice is given at least 24 hours before the lesson. If you cancel less than 24 hours before a scheduled lesson, there will be no refunds nor payment credits given to the student for rescheduling.
Make-up lessons (for excused absences or teacher cancellation) will be scheduled at a mutually convenient time within the same month – preferably the same week.
OTHER
All students need some form of a notebook (a cheap, spiral bound notebook is fine) so the teacher can write notes during the lesson and list the material the student should practice for the coming week. Students should get in the habit of reading through their notebook at home after each lesson, as a reminder of what they are to work on.
Parents/family of young children (and/or beginner students) should observe most or all lessons, for the purpose of helping their child practice at home. Otherwise, parents can feel free to wait in the living room while the lesson is going on. For more tips for parents, I recommend Nancy Breth’s page, “How You Can Help Your Child to Practice”: https://brethstudio.net/2018/01/17/how-parents-can-help-children-to-practice/
Performance opportunities are a regular part of piano study, including recitals and events – some hosted by the Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association. Stay tuned! Students are also encouraged to be willing to play for events they may personally be involved in (such as a school talent/variety show, choir practice, etc.).
Open communication is vital for a successful learning experience. Please feel free to discuss any concerns, goals, or preferences with the teacher.
I look forward to getting to know you through music making.
If music training is new to you and you’re not sure where to begin, I wrote the following informational articles that may be of help. I also recommend closely reviewing the studio policies above.
Testimonials
