Payment
Tuition is due on the first of each month. Paying at the start of the month keeps things simple and lets us focus on lessons rather than bookkeeping.
Zelle is preferred, and cash and checks are also gladly accepted.
Lessons & Pricing
Weekly lessons, tailored to each student
Every student is different, so every lesson is a little different too. Here is what you can expect.
Ages
All ages — 3 to 85
Rate
$30 / half hour
Cadence
Weekly, private
Recitals
Two per year
What lessons look like
Lessons are private and one-on-one, held weekly so that steady progress can take root. We begin with warm-ups and fundamentals, work through new material at a comfortable pace, and finish with the pieces a student is excited to play. I meet each student exactly where they are — a first-time beginner and a returning adult will have very different lessons, and that is exactly as it should be.
Ages welcome
I happily teach students of all ages, from 3 to 85. Young children, school students, teens, and adults are all welcome. If you have wondered whether you or your child is “too young” or “too old” to start — you are neither.
Lesson length & pricing
Lessons are $30 per half hour, and longer lessons are available for students who are ready for more. Most students begin with a weekly half-hour lesson; as skills and stamina grow, many move up to a longer session. We can talk through the right fit when you reach out.
When lessons are held
Lessons are typically held Tuesday through Friday, from 2:00 to 7:00 in the afternoon and early evening. Homeschool families can often arrange earlier daytime times. Saturdays are available only by special arrangement, and I do not hold lessons on Sundays. Because every family’s schedule is different, the best lesson time is set by mutual agreement when you reach out.
The Texas State Theory test
Younger students can take the annual Texas State Theory test, which strengthens their understanding of how music actually works and sometimes brings medals and special recognition. Learning theory also lays the groundwork for bigger things down the road — improvising music of their own, and one day perhaps even composing it.
Two recitals a year
Students perform in two recitals each year for friends and family. Recitals are warm, encouraging occasions — a chance to celebrate progress, build confidence, and share the fruit of months of practice with the people who love them most.
♪ A limited number of new-student openings are available right now.
Openings fill as students join, so if you are considering lessons, reaching out early is the surest way to find a spot that fits your schedule.
Studio policies
A few simple policies, kept warm and fair
These policies keep the studio running smoothly so that every lesson can stay focused on the music.
Absences & make-ups
I truly do not want any student to miss a lesson — momentum matters. If you know you will be away, please schedule the absence in advance so that I can arrange a make-up lesson for you.
A little notice makes all the difference. When we plan ahead together, no lesson has to be lost.
Practice expectations
Steady practice is where real progress happens. I ask students to aim for about 30 minutes of practice a day.
Younger students may split that into two 15-minute sessions, and advanced students will often want to practice longer. Consistency matters far more than marathon sessions.
The parent-student partnership
The students who flourish almost always have two things: a little daily practice and a parent who cheers them on. About thirty minutes a day is the sweet spot — enough to build real skill, gentle enough to stay joyful.
Here is something worth knowing ahead of time: almost every student hits a stretch where they want to quit. It is completely normal. The children who push through that stretch — usually because a parent kept encouraging them — come out the other side with a skill that lasts a lifetime. Parents who cheerlead through the hard weeks give their child a genuine gift.
And it gets easier. Once a student can play music they recognize and love, practice stops feeling like a duty and starts feeling like a delight. That is the reward waiting on the other side of the effort — and it is worth every minute.
“A parent's encouragement through the hard weeks is often the difference between a student who quits and a student who plays for the rest of their life.”
Let's find the right fit
Tell me the student's age and a little about their experience, and I will recommend a starting point and lesson length. There is no pressure — just a friendly conversation.
Contact Judy