Piano lessons are like a triangle—it takes 3 sides to make a successful experience. The teacher, student, and parent must all work together to ensure cooperation and communication between all.
Teacher's Pledge
Mrs. Libero will provide a positive and enthusiastic atmosphere for learning, and will offer many performance and enriching activities. She will continue to further her teaching skills and music knowledge by belonging to professional organizations, attending workshops, reading professional publications, and engaging in other activities leading to professional growth. Mrs. Libero will encourage a feeling of success at each student’s individual rate of learning and guide each student towards musical independence with a balanced program of theory, technique, ear-training, sight-reading, and performance opportunities. She will make piano as fun and entertaining as possible!
POST PANDEMIC POLICY: only as needed, or in case of illness in family. Virtual lessons will be available as needed for student illness or exposure.
All students will wear masks during lessons. Mrs. Libero will also be masked and will begin each lesson with sanitizer use for student, teacher, and both the piano keyboard and the adjustable bench surfaces.
Student's Pledge
The student will arrive at each lesson punctually, well-prepared, and with all necessary materials. Arriving five minutes late means the lesson is five minutes shorter; the time slot is reserved not the number of minutes.
In order to progress satisfactorily, the student will practice daily in the most productive way possible. If questions arise, the student will make notes and be sure to ask the teacher questions during lessons. In addition to group classes and recitals, students will participate in a variety of recitals, festivals, and church or school functions for which they are prepared.
Parent's Pledge
Parents will encourage progress! Attending lessons is encouraged for beginners—please check your child's notebook weekly for pertinent information. Support is a must for a child's musical growth. To help develop self-discipline and good practice habits, parents will set aside a regular time for practice each day (this can be done all at once or divided into two or more daily practice sessions). Younger children especially need help with their practicing. The parent will provide a piano in the best possible condition (most keyboards are not appropriate), a metronome, and a place that allows quiet and uninterrupted practice, and one free from interruptions (family, friends, TV, computer or phone). Parents will be financially responsible and pay tuition on time—late payments result in late fees.
For questions regarding tuition, your account, or your child's progress, please email clibero@verizon.net. Be helpful, interested and supportive!
Practice time
Taking piano lessons is also giving to piano lessons. The more one gives, the more one gets! Parental support with commitment and encouragement are essential. Please work together with your child to schedule a daily practice time (the time of day may vary during the week), and insist that practice is done each day. Try to avoid interruptions during the practice session—daily practice time should equal lesson time. Third year students and beyond should be practicing an hour daily in order to maintain repertoire and still achieve steady progress. Please offer praise and encourage impromptu performances!
Performances
There are several opportunities for performance during the year. All youth students are expected to perform at both studio recitals. Out of courtesy to other performers, plan to stay for the entire recital. This teaches respect toward the efforts of all performers to listen to the achievements of others, and to expand and broaden their knowledge of repertoire. Recital duration is approximately 1 hour.
Materials Needed for Successful Lessons
Tools:
Piano - preferably acoustic, tuned at least once a year
Metronome - can be purchased through studio discount
Music - organized and easy to find
Supplies:
3-ring binder with dividers - to store assignment sheets and technique handouts
Pencils - to have at the piano and in tote bag
Tote bag - for keeping current music in one place and available for travel to lessons
Habits:
Trimmed fingernails - must be short and maintained at all times for good technique
Practice area - needs a music rack and should be well-lit
Music Lending Library
The lending library adds variety to student repertoire. The music and CDs available will be supplementary only. All students will be required to own their own method books and literature. This library will give students access to a broader selection of music for reading and listening. Students may check music or CDs out as often as desired, but they must be returned in good condition. The cost of lost or damaged music or CDs will be deducted from the music fee account.
Makeup Lessons, Cancelled Lessons, and Swap List
No payment credit will be provided for missed lessons. Each student will be allowed a total of one make-up lesson during the school year if schedules permit. Make-up lessons are only offered for personal illness. If your child is sick or has another conflict, cancel the lesson only after you have tried to swap times with another student. Please use the swap list for any unavoidable conflict, i.e. your student has a sporting event, doctor's appointment, birthday party, etc. Please do not request an alternate time in the schedule to accommodate extracurricular activities. Lessons will be taught during snow days; make-ups due to weather will only be offered in extreme cases. Be sure to choose a lesson time and day with which you feel confident that you will have no other conflicts.
For students requesting Monday lesson times, please note that there will be lessons scheduled on all Monday holidays and all FCPS teacher work days. If Mondays are best for your schedule—and holidays are a conflict—please use the swap list to trade. In the unusual event of Mrs. Libero canceling a lesson, she will gladly reschedule a makeup lesson at the earliest possible time.
The swap list enables families to reschedule lessons independently, in order to exchange lesson times if a conflict arises. When using the swap list, the family exchanging the lesson must notify Mrs. Libero. No credits are given for lessons the student chooses to miss.
Students are expected to continue lessons for the entire academic year (see the Tuition & Fees page). Please discuss any unusual circumstances that might require stopping lessons prior to the end of the academic year (e.g., moving out of town) with Mrs. Libero as soon as possible.