2023-2024 Studio Policies and Piano Syllabus

trillsandglissandospiano@gmail.com

www.glissandospiano.com

There is nothing more satisfying than to sit down with an instrument and be able to make music. It is a skill that so many desire to have and choose to start, but few finish. Why is that? Why does it seem like such a good idea to learn an instrument, only to find that quitting is easier than learning it? It is because it takes a lot of time and serious commitment to really learn a musical instrument well. At Trills and Glissandos Piano Studio (T&G Piano Studio), I believe that anyone can learn to play the piano, but learning how to play well requires so much more, which is why T&G Piano Studio is more than just weekly piano lessons. It is composer studies, listening assignments, studio classes and recitals, music theory, sightreading, technique assignments, ear training, workshops, master classes, and many other musically-educating practices. I believe that to learn how to play the piano well, a pianist needs to learn everything they can about the instrument and the people who composed and created for it. I have high expectations of my students and require them to follow through with practicing, assignments, and all else this studio offers. At T&G Piano Studio, piano study is not a once-a-week commitment. It is an everyday endeavor with goals and assignments to help your pianist become more than just “someone who took lessons when they were a kid.” This is an investment that is meant to give each pianist the necessary skills to be a lifelong musician.

T&G Piano Studio recognizes that everyone comes from different backgrounds and experiences. Growth comes from listening to each other and being able to see a perspective that might differ from one’s own. We encourage anyone and everyone who might have even the smallest desire to learn to play the piano to be a part of our studio. Music truly is a universal language, and we encourage an open and inclusive mindset as we study, learn, and discuss music together. 

New Student Audition/Interview

Hopeful Students and parents of Trills and Glissandos Piano Studio must attend an initial audition/interview. The purpose of this practice is to assess the student’s level of playing, knowledge of music, behavior, personality, and interest.  It is also an opportunity for me to speak with the prospective students and parents about studio expectations and answer any questions that both the parents and students might have. This is a friendly, stress-free process.

Please note: Because Trills and Glissandos is a small studio and offers only a few lesson positions, the skill level of the student isn’t as focused on as is the desire to learn.  It is important to understand that Trills and Glissandos Piano Studio reserves the right to not accept a student if there is any indication of disinterest or hesitation about any of the outlined policies and/or expectations. If you or your pianist have any hesitations about their ability to commit and follow through with all that is expected and outlined in the following policies, this may not be the piano studio for them.

Trills and Glissandos Curriculum

Philosophy: T&G values each pianist’s time and does not believe in wasting practice minutes on superfluous assignments, therefore, only materials that will be most beneficial will be assigned. 

  • Scales and Scale Skills
    1. Chords, chord progressions, arpeggios, major/minor scales, etc.
  • Technique
    1. We will use Hanon/Faber to learn the gestures for proper form.
  • Repertoire
    1. We study from the Great Masters (Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, etc). We will also occasionally throw in show tunes, some pop songs, duets, and other songs for fun. 
  • Sight Reading and Ear Training
  • Composer Studies and Listening Assignments
  • Studio Classes
  • Music Theory 
    1. Theory Week. The last week of every month will be Theory Week. We will not be working on repertoire that week. I will use the lesson to make sure each student is caught up and understands the concepts being taught.
    2. Music Theory Maniac Club. To be inducted into this club, pianists will have theory assignments above and beyond their regular theory assignments. This club is optional. Pianists who do meet the qualifications will earn a club t-shirt and have Theory Maniac meetings. At these meetings, we go get a treat and then come back to the studio and play theory games.

Schedule and Tuition Structure

Philosophy: T&G Studio’s schedule and tuition is structured after the manner of a college course. We believe that a weekly-basis, or even a monthly-basis structure, does not create a long-term mindset. We want lessons to be thought of as necessary tool for acquiring a life-long skill rather than a momentary hobby.

T&G Piano Studio provides an all-inclusive tuition. It covers the cost of the pianist’s private lesson, studio classes, master class and workshop fees, guest artist fees, recital costs, cost of awards and extras, etc.

  • There is a $100 per student registration fee/material fee, due upon acceptance in T & G Piano Studio and every year at registration in July. This registration fee not only holds your pianist’s position in T&G Piano Studio for the upcoming piano year, but it also covers the cost of your pianist’s notebook and everything included in it (or replacement notebook, colored pencils, dividers, highlighters, etc.), theory book, technique book, ear training and sightreading book, scale skills book, music bag, and anything else I believe is needed for the best possible learning. Any books, binders, and/or materials lost or ruined during the year will be the responsibility of the student and parent to replace.Please note: If the registration fee is not paid, your pianist’s position will be forfeited and given to a pianist on my waiting list. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call, text, or email me.

Lessons are held once a week for the amount of time decided upon by at the initial student interview.

The tuition structure is based on a two-semester school year schedule. The tuition is due upfront; however, I can divide the tuition amount either into two payments per semester or into 10 monthly payments for the piano year. I prefer the Venmo app for payments, but I can also accept cash or personal checks. My Venmo name is Nancy Chase @Nancy-Chase-6.  Please add the following to your calendar:

  • The fall semester starts the week of July 31st and goes to the week of December 4th.  The spring semester starts the week of January 8th and goes to the week of May 20th.
  • The fall semester will include one week off for fall break, the week of Thanksgiving, and three weeks in December/January for Christmas break; the spring semester will include one week off in March for spring break. Please check the calendar in your student portal for these dates.

The tuition schedule is as follows (this DOES NOT include the registration/materials fee):

45 Minutes Weekly – Yearly Tuition is $1450 (per semester is $725 or $145 monthly)

60 Minutes Weekly – Yearly Tuition is $1900 (per semester is $950 or $190 monthly)

Monthly payments for the semester tuition are offered as a courtesy in good faith for full payment to families where a monthly payment is easier for family budgeting purposes. Please inform T&G Studio if this you need to use this option.

Summer lessons are available upon request. 

Missed Lessons/Make-up Lessons

Philosophy: Two of our foundational principles are commitment and consistency. T&G Piano feels that pianists who make piano a priority develop traits such as taking responsibility, keeping commitments, and being considerate and thoughtful to scheduling.

Trills and Glissandos Studio is limited to very specific times and days for piano teaching, so makeup lessons will not be offered for any reason. Please remember that part of what you are paying for is my and your pianist’s exclusive reserved time. Just like what you would pay for in a college class, for a concert ticket, dance class, sports practice, etc., if it is missed, it is forfeited and cannot be made up or refunded. Asking for a makeup lesson would be asking for another 45 minutes or 60 minutes to be created elsewhere. This is not possible. Please make every effort to make it to your scheduled lesson time and day. If another activity gets planned during the piano lesson time committed to at the beginning of the year, you and your pianist will need to,

  • try to switch with another student, 
  • choose to not participate in the other activity that falls during our lesson time,
  • attend the make-up group lesson at the end of the semester,
  • do a Google Meet lesson during the regularly scheduled lesson time,
  • or forfeit that lesson. 

If it is an ongoing conflict i.e., clubs, sports, plays, etc., we can try to work out another day and/or time for lessons. The sooner we do this the better. Please understand that there is no guarantee that another day/time will be available. If this is the case, and your pianist wants to continue with the conflicting event, T&G Piano Studio reserves the right to drop the student. There will be no refunds for lessons ended in this manner.

**Because there are sometimes unforeseen things such as family emergencies and illness, I will plan one group lesson at the end of each semester that will be considered the makeup lesson for any student who wishes to attend. If your pianist misses more than one lesson, those lessons ARE NOT eligible to be made up and will be considered forfeit.**

Trills and Glissandos Piano Studio also does not make up any lesson time missed because of tardiness.   All lessons will end at their scheduled time.

Trills and Glissandos Piano Studio reserves the right to discontinue lessons if the student is consistently late or absent.

Cancellation Policy

Philosophy: T&G Studio is based on a commitment to a long-term goal. 

 If lessons need to be permanently canceled, one month's written notice (email is fine) is required. If tuition has not been paid in full for the semester, the remaining amount will be billed. The monthly payment system is only offered in good faith of full payment for families who do not have the means to pay up front for the entire semester. Please contact Nancy with questions or concerns.

T&G Piano Studio Events

Philosophy: Music is meant to be shared! Also, having opportunities to work through hard things, such as performing publicly, helps students learn how to handle stress, anxiety, and nerves. This is a skill that will come in handy many times over. 

  • Student Recitals/Studio Classes – In these classes, pianists come together and perform the pieces they are working on. This is a performance-based class. It gives my pianists a chance to not only have several opportunities to “get nervous”, but it helps to encourage routine, quality practice. Please make sure to visit the calendar often to check dates and times. These are required attendance.
  • Recitals – We have one formal recital sponsored by T&G Piano Studio that will take place in May, and it will be the cumulative performance and awards ceremony for the year. This recital is required attendance. I will give you the date and time in advanced so you can arrange your schedule accordingly. There will also be other performance/recital opportunities provided through the music teachers associations.
  • Master Class, Workshop, or Concert – I would like to do one each semester. I will provide the who, what, when as I get the Professionals booked. These are also mandatory attendance.

Please let me know in advance if your pianist needs to miss any of these events. All dates and times will be on the website.

What I Expect from Each Student

Philosophy: T&G Studio believes that students have a better chance at being successful when they have all the tools necessary to be successful. We also feel that learning to be organized, adhering to a consistent schedule, and following through on assignments and expectations create essential qualities for school studies and future careers.

  • Each student needs a quality piano to practice on. The piano needs all 88 keys, pedals, the capability for dynamics, and it needs to be in tune.
  • Their music bag with all music materials to be brought to EVERY LESSON: scale skills book, theory book, technique book, ear training book, hymn book (if applicable), piano notebook with all provided marking implements, flashcards, etc.
  • Metronome
  • Access to a computer, smartphone, or tablet with internet connection for access to composer studies and listening assignments. Please let me know in advance if this isn’t possible.
  • Short nails and clean hands.
  • Consistent and on-time lesson attendance.
  • Attendance and participation in all mandatory Trills and Glissandos Piano Studio events.
  • Assignments, such as theory, composer studies, and listening assignments, completed and turned in as assigned.
  • Daily, scheduled practice time.
    1. A word about practice time: I have not ever required a set amount of time for my students to practice, HOWEVER, I do expect them to come to their lessons prepared. What does a prepared student look like? They have “deliberately practiced” (this means that they worked on specific rough spots and the goals we talked about at lessons) every single thing that has been assigned, if not every day, almost every day, and have met their weekly goals. Please understand that if your pianist is not making the effort required to learn their instrument, or if they are over-scheduled and aren’t able to even make the effort, they will not progress and run the risk of burn-out and discouragement. 

Website – www.glissandospiano.com

It is essential that parents check their parent portal on the website to keep up-to-date on events and student assignments.

  • When you register, you will receive an email from me with the information on how to create an account. If you did not, please let me know.
  • Please click on the T&G Pianists Only tab to find the login for the student and parent portals. This is where you will find everything: invoices, student assignments, student attendance, calendar or all events, the newsletter, etc. 

Festivals/Competitions/Evaluations

There will be performance opportunities offered through the Desert Valley Music Teachers Association (DVMTA), East Valley Music Teachers Association (EVMTA), and Arizona Music Teachers Association (ASMTA), such as Music Marathon, Ensemble, Cavalcade of Rhythm, Achievement Days, Awards in Excellence, Arizona Study Program, and many, many others. Some of these opportunities are evaluated, but they all provide fun and beneficial ways to share talent across the community. All students will be encouraged to participate in these events as they come up, however, they are not mandatory. Registration for these events needs to be paid for by the student.

 

*** Trills and Glissandos Piano Studio reserves the right to discontinue lessons with any student who chooses to not follow through with the commitments outlined in the above policies. ***

 

Thank you! I look forward to a wonderfully musical year!