piano lessons

lessons are available

*45-minute lesson minimum; fee dependent on location, contact instructor for more information

calendar (adult students)

Lessons are given year round. There is some flexibility for your work schedule and planned vacations. Please see the Studio Policy for complete information.

calendar (school-aged students)

summer session 2009

Tuesday, June 1 - Friday, July 31
9 lesson weeks total.*
*Students are expected to attend lessons for all the weeks they are in town.

Please contact the instructor for rates and times.

school year, 2009-2010

Tuesday, September 1, 2009 - Saturday, June 5, 2010
36 lessons
The school year comprises 2 semesters.

fall/winter semester

Tuesday, September 1, 2009 - Saturday, January 23, 2010
18 lesson weeks
No lessons weeks of Thanksgiving (Nov. 23-29) and Winter Holiday (Dec. 21-Jan. 3)
Winter Holiday Piano Party, December TBA

winter/spring semester

Tuesday, January 26 - Saturday, June 5, 2010
18 lesson weeks
No lesson school vacation week (Mar. 29-Apr. 2)
Annual Spring Recital, May/June TBA

The complete Calendar is on the website and available for download.

tuition (adult students)

Adult students are charged by the quarter (10 lessons per quarter). Tuition is prorated for students joining after a quarter is in session.

in-studio lessons

10 30-minute lessons - $300
10 45-minute lessons - $450
10 60-minute lessons - $600

in-home lessons

Please contact the instructor for rates and times.

Tuition (school-aged students)

Tuition is charged by the semester for school-aged students, with 3 payment plans available (see below). Tuition is prorated for students joining once a semester is in session.

Payment schedule (30-minute lessons):

payment schedule (45-minute lessons):

payment schedule (60-minute lessons):

Please double all amounts for 30-minute lessons listed above.

Please see the Studio Policy for complete information.

Frequently Asked Questions About Piano Study for Children

girl playing pianoMy child is seven years old and a total beginner. Is s/he ready for piano lessons?

I would generally say absolutely! However, I do schedule a "meet and greet" interview with the student, before committing to a semester of lessons, to assess student readiness and willingness to begin piano study. Children can be as young as 4 or 5, or as old as 7 or 8, to begin lessons.

How much will my child be required to practice?

For most young beginners, I start them anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes per day, depending on age and ability, and increase the minutes over a few weeks until the child is practicing 30 minutes per day, 5 days per week, which could take several months. What is most important at first, is not how much time, but rather, developing the habit of daily practice.

We've only got a keyboard, not a piano. Is this sufficient?

Unfortunately, no. It is important for students to have an acoustic piano to practice on. The action, that is, how the keys feel when they are fully depressed, is completely different on a keyboard versus a piano, not to mention the sound, and the response from the instrument. As well, pedaling of pieces, which begins quite early on in lessons, is really impossible to do properly on any keyboard other than an acoustic piano.

What if my child can't keep the lesson appointment because of a soccer game or a similar after-school activity? Do you offer make-ups?

There are no makeups for missed lessons due to other school activities. When you sign up for lessons, you reserve a timeslot every week in my schedule for your child's lessons. Please see the policy page for specific information about missed lessons.

Frequently Asked Questions About Piano Study for Adults

adult playing pianoI'm retired but have always wanted to play the piano. Is it too late?

It's never too late to play a musical instrument, especially the piano. It's one of the easier instruments to learn, as long as you are self-motivated and disciplined, and are willing to practice each day (if it's more than an hour, you will be a piano player!). Plan on one to three years of study to start seeing real results, if you are a complete beginner. If you studied as a child, you'll begin to see results right away.

I travel a lot and can't make it to a regular lesson but still really want to study piano. Is this possible?

Most often, yes. I can be somewhat flexible in scheduling when the lesson is not during the "prime-time hours" of teaching, which is between 2:00 and 6:00 pm Tuesday through Friday (I don't teach on Mondays).

Lessons for adult students are geared toward each student's individual game plan. Some students want to learn only the classical repertoire, while others are more interested in studying jazz harmony and improvisation to be able to play "standards." Many want a combination of the two, and other genres of music as well. Some students pursue studies in theory and composition; I also accommodate those needs and desires.

Lessons are offered in my Delray Beach studio (30, 45, or 60 minutes) or in the student's home for 45 minutes, usually once a week, but twice a week is also available. Please contact me for rates and times available.