Emily Young offers 30-minute, 45-minute, and 60-minute private lessons to students based on their level and age. As the student progresses, she will consider extending the lesson time to ensure there is enough time to work on all the necessary material for effective progress. She teaches all levels of piano to students ranging from preschool age to senior adults.
Students are expected to arrive for their weekly lessons on time, whether in-person or on a FaceTime call (usually due to illness). Emily is not responsible for making up time for students who arrive late to lessons. Students are expected to be picked up promptly after lessons as she is not responsible for the students before or after the lesson time. Additionally, please note that the speed limit in this neighborhood is 25 mph, so plan accordingly to arrive on time. We aim to keep our neighbors happy and maintain a welcoming atmosphere in this neighborhood. Thank you!
Please note that only ONE makeup lesson is guaranteed per semester. Only missed lessons that are notified 24 hours in advance or those due to circumstances approved on a case-by-case basis by the teacher will be rescheduled. All other missed lessons will not be guaranteed for makeup and will not be refunded, regardless of notification. In the event that the teacher misses lessons due to illness, professional development conferences, or vacation, a rescheduled lesson tailored to your schedule will be provided.
Tuition is due by the 7th of each month. For the 2024-2025 year, each 30-minute lesson costs $160 per month, each 45-minute lesson costs $235 per month, and each 60-minute lesson costs $310 per month. This cost mostly covers all the following things, so there are NO additional fees each semester: semester registration, recitals, professional development for the teacher, printing, and other teaching materials. Tuition can be paid via Zelle (7048076826), Venmo (@Ethan-Young-29) cash or check (to Emily Young), however the preferred method of payment is with Zelle. A late fee of $10 is added to the monthly tuition if paid after the 7th of each month. Lessons will be paused until payment is received. A tuition increase may occur depending on inflation.
Students pay the same amount each month, regardless of whether the month has four or five weeks. The teacher typically takes a week off in the summer, a week off for Thanksgiving, and a week off for Christmas, as there are approximately three months of the year with five weeks. Year-long lessons are necessary to retain your preferred time slot with your teacher. Enrolling in lessons throughout the summer will secure you a place in the studio for the upcoming school year, as Emily's schedule is limited. Choosing not to take lessons in the summer also poses the risk of losing your spot in the studio for the following school year.
Students are encouraged to practice daily and arrive prepared for lessons. Typically, for a beginner student, I recommend practicing for four to five days for around 30 minutes each session. Depending on the student's age and skill level, it is advised that students work with their teacher and parents to create a practice plan at the start of each semester and keep a log of their practice sessions throughout the semester. At home, students should have a well-tuned and well-maintained piano, positioned in an area of the house that fosters focus and effective practice. Parental involvement is crucial to a student's progress, as it is your responsibility to promote daily practice and stay informed about your child's progress by communicating with the teacher and making adjustments as needed. For young beginners aged 4 to 8, parents are strongly recommended to sit with their child, supervise daily practice, and attend lessons if possible. For more advanced students, parents should support effective practice habits and regularly listen to their child during practice sessions at home, particularly when preparing for performances. Additionally, parents are encouraged to check in a few minutes before the end of each lesson for a weekly progress report. At the teacher's discretion, lessons may be discontinued if there is a lack of quality practice for three consecutive weeks.
Students are required to purchase their own method books and any other supplementary materials recommended by the teacher. Amazon is a great and affordable source for purchasing books. Occasionally, Emily may have used books available for direct repurchase through her. My teaching philosophy supports learning materials that are primarily classically driven to establish a solid foundation of musical ability, as well as supplementing with music chosen by the student. A notebook of some sort is required to jot down notes during the lesson to take home as a reminder of practice goals throughout the week. It is the student's responsibility to bring all the required materials to lessons each week.
There are numerous performance opportunities throughout the year. I strongly believe in performing because it helps encourage progress. Most years, we have a Halloween recital or a Christmas recital, an end-of-the-school-year recital in the spring, and multiple performance opportunities at the local nursing home. Unless otherwise noted, high-quality performances and memorization are required for most of these performance opportunities.
There may be videos or photos taken at performances or lessons to be shared on our studio website. Please share with Emily if you would not want your photo/video taken and shared.
Emily Young welcomes open communication between teachers, parents, and students as she believes that progress relies on the participation of all three parties supporting and encouraging one another. Please feel free to email, text, or call Emily with questions or concerns. If parents do not regularly attend lessons with students, Emily will send out a short progress text to parents from time to time.
In respect to themselves, their peers, and their teacher, students are expected to show respect and kindness to those around them as well as to the materials and instruments used during lessons. Please ensure hands are washed prior to lessons, fingernails are cut for good technique, and refrain from chewing gum or eating during each lesson. Lastly, come to each lesson with a positive attitude, ready to learn and create music together.
Students are expected to commit for an entire semester so it is only appropriate to terminate lessons at the end of the semester. However, for extenuating circumstances, please contact Emily.
To contact me with any questions regarding More than Music please fill out our contact form. Also, please feel free to reach out to me via text, call, or email with any questions, concerns, or suggestions regarding these policies or your child’s progress. I look forward to working with you in this exciting journey of music making!