Frequently Asked Questions
Voice lessons can provide a wide range of benefits for anyone who wants to improve their singing abilities/ confidence. Here are some of the key advantages of taking voice lessons with me: 1. Improved Vocal Control: With regular practice and guidance, you can learn to control your voice and produce a more consistent sound. This can help you to hit the right notes and create a more pleasing tone. This is also good for people who present a lot. 2. Increased Range: By working with me, you can learn to expand your vocal range and hit high notes that you never thought possible. 3. Improved Breath Control: Proper breathing techniques are essential for singing, and I can help you to develop better breath control to enhance your performances. 4. Enhanced Confidence: As you gain more control over your voice and improve your singing skills, you'll likely feel more confident and comfortable performing and presenting in front of others. 5. Stronger Performance Skills: Voice lessons can also help you to develop stronger performance skills, including stage presence, mic technique, and more. Overall, voice lessons with me can help you to become a more skilled and confident singer, whether you're a beginner or an experienced vocalist. Contact me today to schedule your first lesson!
I accept students of all levels and ages! No matter where you are in your musical journey, I am here to help! My goal is to foster a love of music in my students whether they are working on becoming a professional or taking these lessons to have fun.
Things to consider before taking lessons:
Do you have a goal in mind? Are you learning for fun, performance, or professional development? Knowing your goal helps shape your lessons.
Can you commit time to practice? Regular practice (even 15–30 minutes 2-3 times a week at least) is key to progress. If you do not have the time to practice at the minimum 2-3 times a week, progress will be slower.
Do you have the right equipment? Instruments are required by the first month of taking piano, guitar and ukulele lessons. You must be practicing with your instrument between lessons. I can recommend places to get these instruments and you can sometimes find them for cheap/ more affordable prices on Facebook marketplace.
Are you ready to learn and receive feedback? Lessons require patience, openness to correction, and willingness to improve gradually. I am nice, but I will tell you if you are not doing something correctly. Learning takes time!
Do you have a budget? Consider lesson fees, materials (books, sheet music), and any additional equipment needed.
Are you excited to start? Motivation is one of the most important factors for success!
If you answered “yes” to most of these, you’re ready to begin your musical journey!
Have a little one interested in music?
I usually recommend starting “traditional” lessons around age 7 and up, but it really depends on the child and their maturity!
Children are generally ready for lessons if they:
Can focus for 15–30 minutes without parent intervention.
Have the motor skills to hold or play an instrument.
Can read words for voice lessons.
Understand the commitment to practicing during the week.
Can follow directions and stay on task during lessons.
Can manage frustration, show patience, and stay motivated.
Are socially ready to interact politely with the teacher.
What are your expectations for lessons? Younger students are still developing focus, motor skills, and consistency. At this stage, lessons are most valuable for building confidence, enjoying music, and creating a positive foundation for future growth, rather than aiming for rapid advancement.
You get out what you put in, like going to the gym! Students who practice consistently will grow faster, while inconsistent practice may result in slower progress.
Parents who actively help their children practice and support their musical progress have a much greater impact on their growth than those who do not.
Lesson Options: I also offer 30-minute lessons split between two subjects or instruments (e.g., 15 minutes voice and 15 minutes piano). This keeps lessons engaging and fast-paced without feeling overwhelming for young students.
I prefer monthly payments, as this allows us to plan for makeup lessons in case of illness or emergencies. If I need to cancel and cannot reschedule, I will offer a makeup lesson or provide a lesson credit or reimbursement.
If there’s a month where either of us has frequent conflicts, we can switch to weekly payments as needed.
Payment is preferred at the beginning of the month if paying monthly or the beginning of the lesson if paying weekly. I’m pretty flexible, but I do prefer cash. I also accept Venmo, Zelle, and checks.
I’m also a Step Up for Students provider, so if you're using scholarship funds, I’m happy to work with you to apply them toward your lessons.
Voice lessons: I will provide vocal music for you, but I highly recommend purchasing your own copies to start building a personal music library.
Piano, Ukulele, and Guitar Lessons: You’ll need to bring your own lesson book. If you’ve taken lessons before, we’ll continue with the materials you already have, or I’ll suggest appropriate ones. Any additional music will be provided by me! I suggest a binder for extra sheets and a practice journal (any kind of notebook works.)
What You’re Responsible For:
A reliable internet connection (for online lessons).
Your music, complete with your notes, and a pencil or stylus.
Organized sheet music/ handouts in afolder or binder.
A practice journal noting what you practiced/ we worked on in the lesson and any questions you had during the week.
Water (especially for voice lessons).
Being in a space where you feel comfortable singing out, moving around, and taking artistic risks.
Audio recording is encouraged so you can review the lesson while practicing!
Before Each Lesson, Please Be Prepared With:
Your music and materials.
Questions that came up during your practice.
Ideas on what you’d like to improve.
A positive, ready-to-learn attitude!
Optional, But Helpful to Have:
Your own original sheet music from a music store or online source (great for building your library!).
A keyboard, piano, pitch pipe, or other instrument to help find your starting notes for non piano lessons.
A recording device (for practice, lessons, or audition videos).
Vocal health tools: like throat coat tea, a vocal steamer, etc. (We can chat more about these in lessons!)
I understand that unforeseen circumstances may arise, but to ensure that our lessons run smoothly, I have a few policies in place.
I allow no more than three unexcused absences, late cancellations, or late arrivals. If you have more than three, you will be asked to leave my studio. If you need to cancel a lesson, please notify me at least 24 hours in advance.
Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the lesson will be subject to a cancellation fee equal to the cost of the lesson at the teacher’s discretion.
This allows me to schedule other students who may be waiting for a time slot.
If you have any questions or concerns about my policies, please don't hesitate to ask.
· Lessons must be in a space that is comfortable for the student to make music and safely make mistakes.
· Lessons should take place in a space where parents or guardians can see and hear. Between lessons parents are encouraged to remind students to practice, assist them if needed, and reach out to me with any questions during practice.
· Lessons must be in a distraction free environment, no tv playing, toys, video games, or loud conversations in the lesson area.
· Siblings and pets should be kept in a separate area during the lesson not to distract the student.
· Lesson areas should be set up before my arrival with all the materials ready. (Ex: Lesson books, practice journal, sheet music in a binder and other materials)
· Doors to the studio room will always be kept open so parents can always see and hear what is going on.
· Parents/ guardians must be in my studio for the duration of the lesson to support musical progress
· Parents/ guardians and siblings can sit in the studio futon/ chair or my living room dining table.
· Do not have loud conversations or play loud videos during lessons.
· Siblings and other children must be supervised at all times and not touch my belongings. They will be asked to leave the studio room if they are being distracting.
As a music instructor, I offer a variety of non-voice classes, including music theory, ukulele, piano, guitar, introduction to music, audition preparation, and role preparation. Students are welcome to combine two subjects into a single one-hour or half hour lesson slot. I recommend focusing on maximum 2 instruments/ subjects at a time.
Since two or more hours of lessons can be a lot in one sitting, I recommend spreading the lessons across different days of the week or rotating weekly.
For adults, I recommend either switching subjects weekly during an hour-long lesson or splitting the lesson into 30 minutes for each instrument. For children, I suggest 15 minutes per instrument in the same lesson or alternating 30-minute lessons for each instrument week by week.
Feel free to contact me for more information about class options and pricing!
There are no lessons on major holidays, but I’m generally available to teach during school breaks if you’re around. I typically follow the MCSD school calendar for breaks and observed holidays. If you’ll be out of town during those times, no worries, just let me know in advance! I have many summer students, but the lesson schedule is flexible and up to you, as long as we’re both in town.