Private Theory and Composition Lessons

Studio Policies Summary

These lessons focus on theory, composition, or some combination of the two. Please communicate your musical goals with us well in advance, especially if any exam preparation is involved.

Theory. In a one-on-one setting, we will build on your strengths and address your weaknesses, helping you develop a powerful musical fluency. These tutoring sessions can be tailored to fit the requirements of all levels of ABRSM, AP, RCM, or CM theory and musicianship curricula, making excellent preparation for examinations.

Composition. We will help you hear new details in music you love and then incorporate those details into your own creations. We will be in your corner throughout the composition process, and we will help fill in skills that will allow you to reach your goals.

Technical Requirements

• Computer, laptop or desktop
• Stable broadband internet access
• Webcam
• Speakers or headphones
• Microphone, or headphones with a built-in microphone
• Scanner or scanner app
• Printer or tablet and stylus
• Metronome or metronome app
• Staff paper and pencil

Schedule

Lessons will meet over a video platform, and scheduling arrangements will be made with the teacher. A regular lesson time is required for all students.

Software

We will use some or all of the following applications:

• Soundtrap for Education, a digital audio workstation
• Zoom for video conferencing
• Pencil Spaces for whiteboard and video conferencing
• Discord for communication for students 13 and over
• Synthase applications for music education
• Flat for Education

All of these can be used in-browser, and some have an optional downloadable component. Zoom has limited capability in the browser and the Zoom desktop app is highly recommended where possible. None of them require a separate purchase.

Other websites and platforms may be engaged if needed, and we will use our discretion to make sure that they are safe and appropriate for our students.

Cancellation and Makeup Policy

We expect students and families to communicate clearly if there will be any deviations from their scheduled lesson times. A make-up credit is given for cancellations with at least 24 hours notice or in case of emergency, pending the teacher's availability. All makeup credits expire within 30 days.

Payment Policies

• The rate is $90 per 55-minute lesson.
• Fees are pre-paid in packages of four lessons, billed through Fons.
• As soon as a package is depleted, you are automatically re-billed for your next set of lessons. You can always log in to fons.app to see your current balance and scheduled lessons, and update your saved information.
• If you would like to stop lessons, you must let your teacher know before the last lesson of a package. We will not be able to hold your slot in the studio after you have stopped lessons.

Lesson Preparation

Lesson time is valuable to everyone, so we ask that students are prepared with all of the listed technical requirements ready at the beginning of every lesson, including printed staff paper and pencil, as well as easy access to any materials that the student worked on over the week. Please send any files before the lesson and make sure they are in a format that your teacher can open.

Students with Disabilities

We welcome students with disabilities and will do our best to accommodate student needs. Please communicate any needs with us as soon as possible before the start of class.

Community Standards

Our classes and communities cultivate a community of trust, respect, and mutual support, and we welcome students of all races, ethnicities, genders, abilities, and sexual orientations. We will not tolerate hate speech, bullying, or sexual harassment.

All communication in online platforms must be kind, courteous, and appropriate for an educational setting. No objectionable, offensive, insensitive, or graphic content will be allowed, and we have a right to remove any posts from our community channels.