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Piano Lessons
Information and Policies
LOCATIONS:
I am now interviewing for fall 2026 lessons online and in North Wales, PA. Lessons will be held on Monday through Thursday.
MISSED LESSONS:
If a family has a conflict on the day/time of their committed lesson slot, I will use that time to send videos or recordings with updated practice suggestions. There are no make-up lessons. Students who wish to pay for additional lesson time may do so as the schedule allows. See tuition policy for more information.
RECITALS, GROUP LESSONS & COMPETITIONS:
Two recitals are scheduled each year. Group lessons and Performance Classes are held on a monthly basis (please see calendar of events). Opportunities for MTNA and GPSA events will also be available throughout the year. Many students choose to participate in area recitals with opportunities to perform in wonderful venues, like Carnegie Hall!
INSTRUMENT:
All students must have daily access to a standard and well-maintained acoustic piano. Important reasons for this include the need for students to have a closer physical connection to their sound production, as well as the fact that lessons and performances take place on acoustic pianos. If families of beginning/elementary piano students already own a digital piano and are unable to afford an acoustic piano, their digital piano must meet the following minimum specifications:
Piano keyboard must have 88 keys with graded action to reproduce the key weight and dynamic range of an acoustic piano.
Voicing must contain the “Grand Piano” setting and be stereo sampled.
Keyboard should have an ample stand to allow a proper sitting position and have functioning pedals to offer the damper and una corda (soft pedal) options.
Plans should be made to acquire an acoustic piano within one to two years of the student’s initiation of piano study.
PARENT/Guardian OBSERVATION:
Parent/Guardian attendance in lessons is a special part of the studio experience where children and their “practice person” learn together how best to achieve musical goals in practice. Adults are expected to listen attentively and take practice notes in the lessons of students under the age of thirteen. There may be times when I ask a grown-up to sit in on an older student’s lesson, especially if the student needs particular help or encouragement.
Equipment & Music:
Most students will require an adjustable bench and foot rest to allow for proper posture at the instrument. Students should purchase their own music as assigned.
PRACTICING:
Students are asked to bring a three-ring binder and all music to each lesson. Weekly practice plans are provided. It is the parent/guardian responsibility to write careful notes about each assignment. It is the student’s responsibility to carefully practice each assignment. Progress cannot be made if a student is not practicing daily- if an assignment is unclear, please contact me right away. Practice tips are always available!
CONTACT ME:
I are always available to answer practice questions and offer tips and encouragement. If canceling a lesson the same day, please call and leave a message. You may notify me by e-mail if giving more than 24 hours notice. waggonermusic@gmail.com
WITHDRAWAL:
Families enrolling in this program make a commitment to complete the studio year. Should you need to terminate lessons for emergency reasons, please inform me as soon as possible. Payment of all lessons up to that point, as well as for at least four lessons after that time, is required.
Tuition & Fees
~Please contact me directly for 2026-2027 tuition fees.
❖ Monthly tuition fees include 28 private lessons, 7 group classes, 8 performance classes, and 2 studio recitals per year.
❖ Fall registration is $50 per student and $30 for each additional student in the family.
This fee is non-refundable and due with the fall registration form.
❖ Tuition maybe paid on a monthly or yearly basis. There is a discount for paying the year in advance.
❖ Tuition is paid through the Music Maker Studio application. Please contact me directly if you need to make other arrangements.
❖ Monthly tuition for the coming month is on the first of that month. Tuition not paid before the first of the month will be subject to a $10 a week late fee. Please notify me in advance with questions.
❖ Monthly tuition has been figured based on the total number of lessons/groups in the year and divided by the nine teaching months (September-May). Tuition remains the same regardless of how many lessons are in the month (i.e. There are more lessons in April, but less in December.). Summer tuition is à la cart and based on availability.
❖ Think of tuition as “rent” to assure your time slot in the studio. Even if you cannot come, your slot is still being “rented”! If you are unable to make a lesson because of a conflict, I will use that lesson time to prepare practice videos to send for the upcoming week. There are no make-up lessons. Students who wish to pay for additional lesson time may do so as the schedule allows during group class week.
❖ In case of inclement weather, lessons will be held online. Lessons missed for illness may be made-up during group weeks as the schedule allows or I will use that time to prepare practice videos for the coming week. Same day lesson cancellations will be charged a $20 rescheduling fee (limit one per semester).
Private Studio Calendar ~ 2026-2027
For private lesson schedule detail, click here.
For performance class schedule & themes, click here .
September 7 No regular lessons
September 8 Regular Lessons Begin!
September 14 Performance Class 6:30-7:30PM online
Group Week September 28-October 1
October 12 Performance Class 6:30-7:30PM online
Group Week October 26-29
November 7-8 GPSA Piano Workshop
November 9 Performance Class
November 21 Fall Recital at All Hallow’s in Wyncote 3:30PM
November 23- Monday makeup for September
November 24-27 Thanksgiving Break
December 14 Performance Class 6:30-7:30PM online
December 21- Monday makeup for March
Christmas Break December 22-January 10
January 11- Lessons Resume
Group Week January 25-28
February 8 Performance Class 6:30-7:30PM online
Group Week February 22-25
March 8 Performance Class 6:30-7:30PM online
Group Week March 22-25
March 29 no lessons
April 3 GPSA Graduation Dress rehearsal
April 12 Performance Class 6:30-7:30PM online
April 18 GPSA Graduation Program
Group Week April 26-29
May 10 Performance Class 6:30-7:30PM online
May 21 Spring Recital St. Peter’s Church in Souderton 3:30PM
Group Week May 31-June 3
Festivals and Competitions
Dorothy Sutton Festival local- Sunday, October 18 Willow Grove, PA
Dorothy Sutton Festival State- Saturday, November 7, 2026 Elizabethtown, PA
MTNA State Competition, November 8, 2026 Elizabethtown, PA
GPSA Graduation Program- April 18, 2027 (Dress rehearsal Saturday, April 3) Settlement Music School, Germantown, PA
Bösendorfer Youth Festival- January/March 2027
Little Mozart’s International Competition- April 2027
Thanksgiving Break:
November 24-27
Christmas Break:
December 22- January 10