Welcome to my piano studio! I’m so happy you’re here! If you want to enroll your child in piano or harp lessons, I'd love for us to get started building those skills that can help your child enjoy music for a lifetime! Please take a few minutes to read the following information so you and your child know what to expect in piano lessons, and so you can get the most out of your time in my studio. If you have questions not covered in this guide, let me know and I’ll be happy to answer them. I’m looking forward to helping your children work towards meeting their musical goals!
Who may enroll:
Students in kindergarten and above may enroll in piano lessons, depending on their readiness.
• Lessons are 30 or 45 minutes weekly.
Enrollment will be considered after a personal audition (mini-lesson) with the student to assess the child’s readiness for piano lessons, and meeting with the parents to chat about piano lesson expectations.
Submitting the online enrollment form (new students only), enrollment fee, pricing & payment guide, and lesson request form by June 15 reserves your child’s place in my studio for the upcoming year.
What will I or my child learn?
Lessons are taught in a positive and encouraging environment and are tailored specifically to each student's individual needs and goals.
These personalized lessons include a variety of musical styles and activities, including:
How much should my child practice?
A regular time should be set aside each day for practice to become a daily habit and to consistently reinforce concepts and avoid cramming the day before the lesson.
Music Lesson FAQs--Answers to Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. Do I need to have any musical experience to take lessons with Michelle?
A. It’s not necessary to have prior music background before embarking on your harp lessons. If you have never taken up an instrument before, Michelle will teach you harp technique and how to read music, too. It’s a plus if you have some past musical experience, because you’ll already know the rudiments of reading sheet music.
Q. Is the harp difficult to learn?
A. The harp is no harder to learn than any other instrument. If you really want to learn and you put time into practice, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you’ll advance. It’s all about motivation.
Q. Do you have a referral program?
A. Yes, we do! Here is more information.
Q. Do I need to own a harp to learn to play?
A. You don’t need to buy a harp before you have your first lesson with Michelle—She can rent a harp to you if you do not have your own. She uses Aoyama harps as rentals.
Note: Michelle only rents harps to students who are taking lessons from her in person. If you are taking online lessons from Michelle, you’ll need to have your own harp.
Q. When should I start harp / piano lessons?
A. Any time.
Q. Does Michelle teach children as well as adults?
A. Michelle generally teaches from ages 10 and up. Because of the use of required technology, the minimum age to start independent online lessons is at least 10 years old. Students will need to be able to view their assignments online and operate their own equipment. If your child is younger than 10, parental assistance is required to help assist with equipment.
Q. Do you need to learn piano lessons before taking the harp?
A. Piano lessons are not a prerequisite for harp lessons.
Q. What does Michelle Teach?
A. Michelle takes your goals and musical experience into consideration before designing your learning path. Her lessons are always one-on-one and are not taught in a group fashion so that you can learn at your own pace. In this way, Michelle protects you from getting discouraged by comparing your progress with others. Of course, parents are always welcome to sit on in their child’s lesson.
Here is what Michelle can help you learn:
• Proper hand technique
• Sight reading skills
• Improvisation skills
• Music theory
• Repertoire building-Learning Celtic, Classical, Renaissance, Folk, and all kinds of tunes
• Arranging music for the harp
• Accompaniment skills
• Performance skills
And much more!
Q. What is Michelle’s musical training and experience?
A. Michelle received her formal music education at the Trinity Western University, Langley, BC. She has also studied at the Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto, The Associated Boards of the Royal School of Music, London & Trinity College in London
Q. Where do I go for lessons?
A. For your convenience, Michelle teaches lessons online! Using your webcam and a secure connection, you can connect with Michelle for harp lessons on Zoom, Rock out Loud & FaceTime, and other Internet video chatting software. Of course, you'll need to have your own harp for online lessons.
Q. Do I need a piano/harp?
A. Yes. You will need something to practice on. You can use a keyboard at first if you have one laying around, but it won’t last very long. You will do much better with a full-size (88 keys) electric piano or a regular piano. Locally, Long and McQuade & Tom Lee Music are good places to go try some out and ask questions. If you’re looking for a bargain, check craigslist. I often help students with the process of purchasing a piano, especially used, so please feel free to ask. I also have harps available for rent.
Q. What are lessons like?
A. Usually students do some combination of the following: play old songs, learn new songs, play theory games (it gets wild!), theory, ear training, work towards practice prizes.
Q. How often are lessons?
A. Lessons are once per week unless otherwise specified.
Who may enroll:
Students in kindergarten and above may enroll in piano lessons, depending on their readiness.
• Lessons are 30 or 45 minutes weekly.
Enrollment will be considered after a personal audition (mini-lesson) with the student to assess the child’s readiness for piano lessons, and meeting with the parents to chat about piano lesson expectations.
- Enrollment applies to the entire studio calendar year (September through June).
- New students may enroll at any time during the year, and tuition will be prorated to reflect the number of lessons the student will receive.
- Parents complete and digitally sign an online enrollment form (new students only) and submit the $50 yearly enrollment fee.
Submitting the online enrollment form (new students only), enrollment fee, pricing & payment guide, and lesson request form by June 15 reserves your child’s place in my studio for the upcoming year.
- This nonrefundable fee covers all books and materials for the year, which I will provide, with the exception of a book bag, a metronome, and any music apps you might purchase. The enrollment fee also covers recital fees, other events, studio supplies needed for lessons, and more!
What will I or my child learn?
Lessons are taught in a positive and encouraging environment and are tailored specifically to each student's individual needs and goals.
These personalized lessons include a variety of musical styles and activities, including:
- Reading music
- Playing music from different styles, including classical, pop, country, praise and worship, jazz, and many more!
- Playing from lead sheets/chord charts/"fake" books
- Understanding music theory, sight-reading, ear training, harmonization
- Composing simple songs and using music notation software programs to print a professional-looking copy
- Using technology to enhance lessons and practice time (iPhone/iPod/iPad apps, music websites, etc.)
- Learning and reviewing through hands-on games and other activities
- Learning to practice efficiently and in a healthy way so students can become independent musicians
- Most of all, lessons are structured to encourage all students to have FUN making music!
How much should my child practice?
A regular time should be set aside each day for practice to become a daily habit and to consistently reinforce concepts and avoid cramming the day before the lesson.
- Treat practicing like other homework and expect it to be done daily. Unprepared lessons cost the same as prepared ones, but their value and enjoyment are substantially compromised!
- I stress quality practice over quantity, but the following recommendations will help your child achieve satisfactory results. Your child should practice at least 5 days a week.
- 5-7 years old: 15-25 minutes
- 8-10 years old: 25-35 minutes
- 11-14 years old: 35-45 minutes
- 15 and older: 45-60 minutes
- Customized weekly assignment sheets will be emailed to you after each lesson. Print the assignment sheet and place it in your child’s piano binder to reference during daily practice sessions.
- Students should write their practice minutes on the assignment sheet and bring it to the next lesson.
- Your child’s interest in piano will probably not be 100% consistent; but to be successful, you will need to be consistent in your encouragement and commitment to music lessons. Your child may say, “I don’t want to practice” or “I want to quit”, etc. In most cases, simply acknowledge your child’s comments, and go on with your normal routine just as you would if your child said “I don’t want to brush my teeth”.
Music Lesson FAQs--Answers to Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. Do I need to have any musical experience to take lessons with Michelle?
A. It’s not necessary to have prior music background before embarking on your harp lessons. If you have never taken up an instrument before, Michelle will teach you harp technique and how to read music, too. It’s a plus if you have some past musical experience, because you’ll already know the rudiments of reading sheet music.
Q. Is the harp difficult to learn?
A. The harp is no harder to learn than any other instrument. If you really want to learn and you put time into practice, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you’ll advance. It’s all about motivation.
Q. Do you have a referral program?
A. Yes, we do! Here is more information.
Q. Do I need to own a harp to learn to play?
A. You don’t need to buy a harp before you have your first lesson with Michelle—She can rent a harp to you if you do not have your own. She uses Aoyama harps as rentals.
Note: Michelle only rents harps to students who are taking lessons from her in person. If you are taking online lessons from Michelle, you’ll need to have your own harp.
Q. When should I start harp / piano lessons?
A. Any time.
Q. Does Michelle teach children as well as adults?
A. Michelle generally teaches from ages 10 and up. Because of the use of required technology, the minimum age to start independent online lessons is at least 10 years old. Students will need to be able to view their assignments online and operate their own equipment. If your child is younger than 10, parental assistance is required to help assist with equipment.
Q. Do you need to learn piano lessons before taking the harp?
A. Piano lessons are not a prerequisite for harp lessons.
Q. What does Michelle Teach?
A. Michelle takes your goals and musical experience into consideration before designing your learning path. Her lessons are always one-on-one and are not taught in a group fashion so that you can learn at your own pace. In this way, Michelle protects you from getting discouraged by comparing your progress with others. Of course, parents are always welcome to sit on in their child’s lesson.
Here is what Michelle can help you learn:
• Proper hand technique
• Sight reading skills
• Improvisation skills
• Music theory
• Repertoire building-Learning Celtic, Classical, Renaissance, Folk, and all kinds of tunes
• Arranging music for the harp
• Accompaniment skills
• Performance skills
And much more!
Q. What is Michelle’s musical training and experience?
A. Michelle received her formal music education at the Trinity Western University, Langley, BC. She has also studied at the Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto, The Associated Boards of the Royal School of Music, London & Trinity College in London
Q. Where do I go for lessons?
A. For your convenience, Michelle teaches lessons online! Using your webcam and a secure connection, you can connect with Michelle for harp lessons on Zoom, Rock out Loud & FaceTime, and other Internet video chatting software. Of course, you'll need to have your own harp for online lessons.
Q. Do I need a piano/harp?
A. Yes. You will need something to practice on. You can use a keyboard at first if you have one laying around, but it won’t last very long. You will do much better with a full-size (88 keys) electric piano or a regular piano. Locally, Long and McQuade & Tom Lee Music are good places to go try some out and ask questions. If you’re looking for a bargain, check craigslist. I often help students with the process of purchasing a piano, especially used, so please feel free to ask. I also have harps available for rent.
Q. What are lessons like?
A. Usually students do some combination of the following: play old songs, learn new songs, play theory games (it gets wild!), theory, ear training, work towards practice prizes.
Q. How often are lessons?
A. Lessons are once per week unless otherwise specified.
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