Rates and Policies

Rates: $80/month for four 30 minute lessons per month. Hourly lessons and other arrangements for families with multiple students are available. Student performance in a recital or repertory class counts as a 30 minute lesson.

Payment: Payment by check or cash is due in advance at the beginning of each month. Invoices will be sent by email (or regular mail where necessary) the last week of the month.

Recitals: On a generally monthly basis, Debra holds a recital at her home for 7-10 students and their parents/guests during weekend (typically Sunday afternoons). Debra encourages students to perform in these recitals 2-3 times a year, and to memorize performance pieces when possible. Students should arrive at least 10 minutes before the recital begins. In mid-December she holds several holiday recitals to accommodate performance by all students. Each recital a student performs in counts as a 30 minute lesson.

Repertory Classes: Debra periodically holds repertory classes at her home. She invites students to these classes who have perfected a specified set of pieces that demonstrate their ability to use various phrasing and performance techniques. The size of the repertory class is limited to 2-4 students to encourage group discussion. Parents are welcome. Each repertory class a student performs in counts as a 30 minute lesson.

Contacting Debra: Debra encourages all students to contact her via email when practical as this greatly decreases interruptions during lesson times for all students. However, if it is urgent or you do not have ready access to email, please call.

Rescheduling: If you know you won’t be able to attend your regularly scheduled lesson (e.g., vacation, sport events, etc.), please let Debra know as far in advance as possible. If a student is ill and emails/calls the day of the lesson, Debra will reschedule the lesson. She normally does not reschedule lessons cancelled with less than 24 hours notice unless she can readily find another student to fill your lesson time. From time to time Debra may need to cancel your lesson and will contact you with alternative lesson times. If a student does not have 4 lessons in a calendar month due to a pre-notified absence or instructor cancellation, the lesson(s) can be rescheduled in future months, or the student can apply the lesson(s) to cover future absences.

Holidays/Vacations: Lessons will not be given on the following holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, the Friday after Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Debra also take 1-2 weeks off in December and an additional week off sometime mid-year. Lessons that fall on holidays or Debra's vacation times will be rescheduled to ensure you receive 4 lessons per month.

Parking:
Please don’t park in front of the mailbox. If you wish to park in the driveway, please park on the far left side.