Tuition
Current studio rates are $75 for a one-hour lesson in Carmel, and $95 per hour for lessons in San Francisco (alternate Saturdays). I am dedicated to giving you good results for your investment of money and time.
I believe strongly that the best, deepest, and most lasting work is achieved in lessons of an hour or more. If you are constrained by your budget, please consider taking an hour lesson every two or three weeks. Some students who drive several hours to Carmel actually take 90 minute lessons every other week.
After the first lesson, I offer a $5 per lesson discount if you pay by cash, or if you prepay four lessons by check. This discount does not apply to Saturday lessons. Saturday time slots are in great demand, and I need to charge full fee for them.
What you can expect from me
I work hard for my fee! During your lesson, you will have my full and undivided attention (I do not answer the phone during lessons.) In a safe and confidential environment, we work together to unblock your voice and give you more joy in your singing. I do not deal in sarcasm, put downs, or hidden agendas. With me, what you see is what you get!
We record your lesson an audio cassette. You take the cassette with you at the end of the lesson, and refer to it as a study aid. Periodically we make a custom "vocal workout" tape, with vocal exercises you can sing along with. These exercises are carefully tailored to your vocal needs.
Attendance
Regularity and consistency are important to your vocal progress.
Please be on time and ready to sing, with your voice lightly warmed up. I'm sorry that I do not have a waiting room or foyer at my studio in Carmel. Please knock at the time of your lesson.
I work on a tight schedule, so if you are late for a lesson we probably will not be able to extend your lesson past your scheduled time slot.
Canceling a Lesson
If you must cancel your lesson for any reason, I require at least 24 hours notice.
Of course, emergencies happen, and I always try to be understanding. If you have a last-minute emergencythat prevents you from coming to your lesson, always notify me by telephone, not by email. Please do not use email for urgent matters. I mostly read email only once daily, in the morning.
Please note that I do not answer the phone during lessons.
Acceptable excuses for missing a lesson include illness, genuine emergency, car breakdown, or being abducted in a UFO. (Please provide written documentation of UFO abduction.)
Unacceptable excuses include scheduling difficulties, conflicting appointments or rehearsals, traffic delays, and the like.
If you arrive late for a lesson because of traffic problems, I will TRY to give you your full hour (i.e. we can run a bit beyond the scheduled ending time). However my teaching schedule is usually full, and I can't bend it too much.
Payment for Missed Lessons
Please note that if you do not give me 24 hours notice, or an reasonable excuse, you are still responsible to pay for lessons that you miss.
If you are ill...
... please do not come to your lesson. For your sake as well as mine. Especially if you have a cold, flu, or other respiratory illness. If you think you are too sick to sing, please phone me right away. We can always reschedule. No lesson, audition, rehearsal, or performance is more important than your own health. And I don't want to get sick, either!
Stay Organized!
I recommend a three ring binder dedicated to your vocal repertoire, exercises, and and other material. You will use it to keep your music organized and to store your lesson and practice records and other handouts I give you.
You should also bring a cassette tape with you to each lesson to record yourself. I have a stereo cassette deck and microphone, but you may bring your own tape recorder or mini-disc recorder if you wish. You will improve much more quickly if you can listen to yourself on tape often. (Don't worry if you forget the cassette - I have a million of 'em.)
Stay Healthy!
Whatever is good for your body and mind is also good for your voice and singing. Stay healthy and physically active. Eat well, get enough rest, and try to include a program of exercise and movement in your daily routine. I highly recommend Yoga for singers. It is a wonderful way to enhance body and breath awareness, factors which are crucial to good singing.
Be sure to read my page "How to Stay Stressed" for more hints on keeping healthy!
If you find yourself experiencing vocal difficulty, doscomfort, illness, or any other problem related to your physical or emotional vocal health, please phone me! I am always on call to answer questions, give advice, and offer emotional and artistic support.
Practice Regularly
Your lessons are only one element of your total vocal program. Without regular practice, you will not make progress. I will always try to be clear about your realistic vocal goals and I will always explain how the exercises I give you will help you reach them. Its your responsibility to practice and make that happen. This is where the real improvement happens... Try to practice at least 20 minutes every day!
My Commitment to You
I promise to work as hard as you do! If you show up with regularity and consistency, if you bring your sense of adventure (and your sense of humor) to the lessons, and if you practice on a regular basis, we will do good work together, you will make progress, and I will truly do everything I can to help you on your vocal journey.
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