FaQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Where can I rent a violin?

Answer: I recommend the Palmer Violin Shop in Rogers, AR. I send all of my students to Ray Palmer and he always does an amazing job! Link to his website: https://www.palmerviolins.com/ 

Question: Why don't you teach kids who are younger than 11 years old?

Answer: When teachers get their teaching degrees, there are separate degrees for different age groups of children (most notably elementary education and secondary education). This is because each teacher has an age group that they enjoy teaching. I love teaching kids who are 11 and older. I do not enjoy teaching kids who are 10 and younger. I am very firm about this rule.

Question: My child is extremely bright and very smart. They are very mature for their age and promise to be the best student ever, however, they are not 11 years old yet. Can I sign them up for lessons anyways?

Answer: No. There are no exceptions

Question: May I bring something to eat or drink while my child is having their lesson?

Answer: Sure! Please don't make a mess. You are not allowed to rinse anything out in my sink or keep anything in my kitchen (including the refrigerator).

Question: Can I pay you for lessons weekly or monthly?

Answer: No. I do not offer weekly or monthly payment plans. I realize that paying upfront can be an issue for some people. Life is busy and crazy. If you are struggling to pay for lessons up front, please let me know and we can work out a solution together.

Question: I'm an adult who would like to pick up the violin, but I'm nervous about being able to spend enough time practicing and preparing for my lessons. Would you recommend I start anyways?

Answer: Absolutely! When you are an adult beginner, there is no "pace" you have to keep up with. My younger students have to keep up with the speed at which they learn things in their orchestra class. As an adult, you can take as much time as you want learning the basics. I am here to work with you at whatever speed you would like to go and with whatever time you have to put towards the violin.

Question: Is it possible to be admitted from the waitlist in the middle of a semester?

Answer: Yes! I occasionally have students who move or get injured and can't take lessons anymore in the middle of a semester. If this happens, I may reach out to you and ask if you would like to take their spot once they leave.

Question: If we sign up for a semester of lessons and decide half-way through that we don't want to continue, is quitting early an option?

Answer: No. When you sign up for a semester of lessons, you are committed all the way till the end. There are no refunds if you decide you don't want lessons anymore. When I notice that a student is having a hard time, we have a conversation and figure out a way to make things work together. We can slow down the pace of learning or change the goal and trajectory of the lessons to be more in line with whatever is going to be most helpful for them.

Question: I want to take lessons but I don't want to perform in any recitals. Can I do that?

Answer: Well... I can't force you to do anything. You have the option to just not show up to the recital, however, I expect all of my students to perform in our studio recitals. Don't worry, everyone gets nervous and I will work with you to choose something to perform that you are guaranteed to be successful at. As a musician, performing is part of you.

Question: I just signed up but I'm on the waitlist. How long should I expect to be on the waitlist?

Answer: I admit three or four new students from the waitlist every semester. I have students who move, graduate, or decide that they want to focus on other things in life other than music. This creates new spots each semester for waitlist students to join the studio. When you sign up and get put on the waitlist, I will message you within a few days to let you know what spot you are on the waitlist so you can know how long you might have to wait.

Question: What happens if we sign up for Fall and Spring lessons but take the Summer session off?

Answer: When a student takes any semester off (even if it's the summer semester), their spot is given to someone else. I do not "save" your spot over the summer. Just because you want a break from lessons doesn't mean I want a break from my job. If the student that replaces you during the semester you took off wants to keep doing violin lessons in the future, you won't have a spot to come back to after your break.

Question: We took a semester off but are wanting to come back into the studio for the upcoming semester. How does that work?

Answer: When I fill out my schedule for any given semester, I give priority scheduling to certain groups of people. My current students get to pick their spots first. Next, my previous students who want to sign up for lessons again after a break get to pick their spots. Lastly, I admit new students into my studio.

Question: Can I bring my other children to my child's lesson?

Answer: Sometimes parents bring multiple children to lessons. This happens mostly when a student's lesson time is right after all the kids get out of school. You are more than welcome to bring other children to your child's lesson, however, it is expected that they keep the studio policy, and behave in a way that ensures a good learning environment for your child who is taking the lesson. If you bring any additional children to a lesson, they must stay in the studio with the rest of us. They may not wait in my living room. They may not wait outside.

Question: If I bring other children to the lesson with my student, can they wait outside or in your living room during the lesson?

Answer: No. Anyone who is attending the lesson with the student must be inside the studio with the rest of us. You may not wait in my living room. You may not wait outside.

Question: We are moving halfway through the semester... can we sign up for half a semester of lessons?

Answer: Yes! I will happily teach you for half a semester. Once you leave, I will give your spot to someone on the waitlist.