Scheduling and Attendance

• Tuition payments reserve a specific weekly time slot.

• If a student arrives late, the lesson will still conclude at the scheduled end time.

• If you won’t be able to make it to a lesson, please let me know as far in advance as possible so we can plan for your continued progress that week.

• Excessive absences, even for legitimate reasons as described below, may result in a conversation about your dedication to learning trumpet, and/or your time slot being offered to a prospective student on the waitlist.

• I will provide, as far in advance as possible, a list of days when lessons will not occur. Charges for months with fewer than four available (teacher/space) lesson weeks will be adjusted accordingly.

Cancellation, Make-Up Lessons, Discontinuing Lessons

• As I only teach one night per week, make-up lessons will not be possible.

• Months with 5 lessons will be billed at the standard rate.

• It will not be possible to give refunds for missed/canceled lessons.

• There are fixed costs, in both time and money, that I incur in relation to your time slot (and studio spot) regardless of attendance at any particular lesson.

• In the following situations, a credit toward the following month will be given:

  • If I need to cancel a lesson for any reason.

  • If the lesson location is closed at the time of your lesson (including closures due to weather).

  • In the case of respiratory illness or fever (cold, flu, COVID-19, etc.), please stay home, and let me know in advance that you can’t make it that day.

  • You were out of town attending a funeral, and notified me at least 24 hours in advance.

• Some situations are fully within your control. In these types of situations, I will not be able to extend a credit for the following month. They may include, but are not limited to:

  • Forgot your lesson

  • Double booked with another commitment

  • Didn’t want to come to your lesson

  • Forgot your trumpet at home/school/grandma’s house/back seat of a cab/etc.

  • Etc.

• The 2023 credit for teacher, health, or weather-related cancellations is

  • 30 minute lessons: $25

• One month's (paid) written notice is requested if you plan to discontinue lessons so I have time to offer your time slot to prospective students on the waitlist.

• I reserve the right to discontinue teaching you/your child at any time. If I were to do so in the middle of the month, I will issue a pro-rated refund.

Practicing

• Lesson time represents only a small amount of the time you will need to dedicate to the trumpet each week.

• Daily practice is expected. This is the actual commitment you’re making when you decide to seriously study the trumpet. Consistent, persistent practice is essential for improvement.

• Practicing for at least 30 minutes per day is recommended. Many older students should plan for an hour or more. Practicing in several shorter sessions over the course of the day is typical.

• My job as your teacher is to help you learn what to practice and how to practice it, during your daily practice time.

• Band class is not a trumpet practice session.

Parental Involvement

• Parents are welcome to attend (quietly) their child’s lesson at any time.

• Parental involvement can make or break a student’s musical education.

• Learning a new instrument is often both exciting and frustrating in turns. Please be supportive and encouraging of your child’s efforts.

• Maintaining specific practice times in your child’s schedule can help develop consistent practice habits.

Essential Equipment

• Trumpet and mouthpiece

  • Please consult with me about appropriate brands and models.

  • If you have a hand-me-down or rental instrument, we’ll start from there.

  • Marketing claims should be taken with a large grain of salt, and there’s some reading between the lines required.

  • A good rule is to never buy an instrument or mouthpiece from e.g. Amazon or Walmart, no matter how cool the paint job looks. I can point you toward some reputable sources.

  • Often a used instrument from a major brand will be a better value than a comparably priced new instrument from a budget brand.

  • A lot of people post their opinions on the internet; don’t get sucked into some random echo chamber.

• Valve oil and slide grease. Synthetic recommended, viscosity depends on valve and slide compression. For most instruments, the standard viscosities will be fine.

  • Ultra Pure

  • Hetman

  • Yamaha

• Cleaning/care kit.

• Metronome and tuner (apps are fine).

• Sheet music as assigned.

• Music stand(s)

  • Sturdy stand for home practice area

  • Folding stand for travel

• Pencil (Two would be better. Standard or mechanical, just make sure it has a good eraser.)

Pre-Lesson Paperwork

• Liability waiver

• Photo/video/audio release