Studio Setup

My studio is a room in my home.

I have two cats who are kept out of the studio during lessons. For severe allergy sufferers, it won’t matter where the cats are or how much I’ve dusted. If you’ve got a major cat allergy, you may want to consider mobile lessons instead.

I rent out the two spare bedrooms in my home, generally to senior citizens. You may see them coming and going, or you may hear them talking on the phone or watching a TV elsewhere in the house. This is OK. They will not interrupt the lessons.

Studio Rules

These are the ground rules in my studio that help ensure a safe, pleasant place to learn.

1. No smoking in or around my home.

2. Given that there are up to two other people besides me using the garage and driveway, if you come for an evening lesson please park across the street so as to not block my tenants from coming or going. Otherwise just park on the left side of the driveway.

3. Parents of minor students have the right to watch the lessons and are always welcome in my studio. My living room has a full unobstructed view of the studio area. The last 5 minutes of the lesson are for questions and answers, so if there's something you'd like to ask or if you want to discuss your child's progress, please do. If you prefer not to watch the lesson, that's OK too but please come to the door when you pick up your child so I can make sure he or she goes home with the right person.

4. Your lesson will start on time even if you’re not there. Please be on time or even five to ten minutes early.

5. If you arrive early and I'm teaching, I can't open the door but please come in and have a seat while I finish with the current student.

6. If you’re the parent of a student and prefer to drop your child off for lessons, he or she must be picked up promptly after the lesson. If I have a gig or mobile lesson immediately after the lesson, I cannot leave a student unattended in my house. He or she will have to wait for you outside.

7. Students must arrive prepared, with their instruments and their required equipment. I consider a lack of preparation, or lack of practice, to be equivalent to a no-show.

8. Please feel free to use the restroom or to get a drink of water or tea.

9. Please do not touch any instrument except your own unless I invite you to do so. Some of the instruments you see are in various stages of repair and may be delicate.

10. If you have a sibling or friend who is also my student and have lessons immediately after each other, you may watch each other’s lessons. You may not bring spectators who are not students or family members (parents and guardians are always welcome).

11. Teaching takes all my concentration and I cannot be responsible for children besides the student. If you are the parent and elect to bring other children besides the student to the lesson, you are welcome to do so but please ensure the other child sits quietly during the lesson.

12. Persons who arrive under the influence of controlled substances such as alcohol or illegal drugs, or persons who use foul language or threatening behavior, will be asked to leave and never return. There will be no refund of any prepaid lessons for students dismissed for substance abuse, offensive language, or threatening behavior.

There is such a thing as a crash and burn offense for which there are no second chances. For details please see this link.