I started playing piano when I was seven years old and I have never looked back. I knew from an early age that I wanted to be a musician- it is who I am. I am so privileged to be able to share my love of music with others. Listed below are my policy guidelines, followed by my schedule, which includes recital dates and group lessons.
POLICY GUIDELINES
1) Payment in full is due at the beginning of each month. 30 minute lessons are $92 a month. Each month has a different number of weeks and lessons, but you pay the same amount each month which is so simple and convenient for you. You can write out a check to me. I also accept payments through venmo. my user name is carrie-hansen-31. During the summer you pay for four lessons spread throughout june, july, and august.
2) 24 hours notice is needed to cancel a lesson which will try to be rescheduled. If less than 24 hours, or no notice is given, the lesson will not be rescheduled, except for extenuating circumstances, such as sickness.
3) Please bring ALL books to each lesson- lesson, theory, technique, performance, any other books that are being used, and the notebook. It is the student’s responsibility, not the parents, to bring these to their lesson! In some instances the piano books may need to come to school with your child if you are picking them up right after school. In the notebook, I write down important dates, and how and what to practice. It also stores stickers for good lessons! Please read the notebook so you know what your child is working on.
4) In addition to a student's 30 minute private lesson, a keyboard and computer is available before or after their lesson for up to 30 minutes. The computer games work on improvisation, composition, ear training, and note reading skills. The program Piano Maestro can be played on my computer.
5) Piano lessons foster creativity, decision-making skills, mathematical skills, and
self-expression. In order for this to happen your child needs to practice at least 10-15 minutes a day. Older students need to practice 20-30 minutes a day. These are guidelines. Some days will be more, some days less. There will be days that your child will not be able to practice, and it should be made up in the following days. It is better to practice a little every day than one hour before the lesson! In sports teams the coach expects the team to come to all the practices, not just the games. Please do not put a timer on when your child practices, or use piano practice as punishment. This does not create positive attitudes towards the piano and music. Playing piano should be a joy for your child!
6) The last week of each month is a group lesson. This takes place of the individual lesson that week. I group students based on their level and age, and the activities during the lesson reflect that. Each group lesson starts off by each student playing a song for the group. Each student then must give a compliment to the performer. By performing each month, students are not as nervous during the end of the year recital. After each student has played, we do different activities and games that revolve around a theme. Note reading, music symbols, music history, and music genres are just some of the many themes we work on. The students enjoy ending lessons with games such as music bingo, music jeopardy, and music baseball. Students love making music together in a social setting, which complements the individual lesson experience very well.
CALENDAR 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR
Group lessons:
Group A Mondays 4:00-5:30 (Koen, Greta, Inga, Anders, Hazen, Calvin, Reid
Group B Mondays 6:00-7:30 (Charlotte, Hazel, Mayla, Brooklyn, Natalie, Addy, Lily J)
Group C Tuesdays 4:00-5:30 (Joanna, Djidon, Addie, Simon, Nora, Avonlea, Kieran)
Group D Fridays 4:00-5:30 (Aria, Harper, Zoe, Jordyn, Penelope, Ossian)
September
Lessons begin Monday Sept 4th
Group lessons the week of Sept 25th
October
FCMTA recital Friday Oct 13th 7:00 Trinity Lutheran Church
Group lessons the week of Oct 23th
Halloween Recital Saturday Oct 28th 2:00 Rigden Farm Senior Living
November
FCMTA Recital Friday Nov 3rd 7:00pm Trinity Lutheran Church
Piano Festival Sat Nov 11th at Front Range Community College
Group lessons the week of Nov 27
December
Holiday Perform a thon Saturday Dec 9th Barnes and Noble
Studio Recital Friday December 22nd 6:00 and 7:15 Trinity Lutheran Church
Group lessons the week of Dec 18th (Friday's group lesson will be on the 15th)
No lessons Dec 25- Jan 5th
January
Lessons resume Jan 3rd
Group lessons the week of Jan 24th
February
Group Lessons The week of Feb 21
March
STAD (Student Achievement Day) Saturday March 5th
No lessons the week of March 14th- Spring Break!
Group lessons The week of March 28
April
Group lessons The week of April 25
May
Spring Recital Friday May 20th 7:00 pm Trinity Lutheran Church
Group lessons The week of May 23rd
No lessons week of May 30