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Location

Q:  What health precautions are you taking in your studios?
A:  Please click here to read our health & safety protocols.

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Q:  Where are you located?

A:  Click here to see a complete listing of our locations. 

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Q:  Do you travel to homes for lessons?  

A: Yes! We do offer home lessons on a case-by-case basis and for an additional travel fee (based on time & distance). 

Tuition

Q: What are your rates?

A: The average beginner is going to start with tuition amounts of between $110-135 per month, but tuition packages will vary depending upon several factors. This includes whether or not you are enrolling family members together, lesson frequency, group vs. private lessons, etc. It is best to contact us so that we can discuss your needs and the type of lesson package you are looking for. 

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Q:  What is included in tuition?

A:  We are proud to include more benefits and "freebies" in our tuition than any other studio!  This includes but is not limited to: special music arrangements upon request, unique teaching tools, games, resources, events, and much more!

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Q: What is flat rate tuition?

A: Flat-Rate Tuition (adopted by professional studios worldwide) is calculated by looking at our annual calendar, and all payments are divided equally each month as a result (whether you end up with 3, 4, or 5 lessons in that given month, it all evens out in the end). Weeks in which there are no lessons during the year (e.g., Thanksgiving, Spring Break, etc.) are not a part of the tuition package, and thus, do not require makeups.

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Q: When is tuition due?

A: Tuition is due on the 25th of each month for the following month.

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Q: Can I pay for one lesson at a time?

A: Although we encourage all students to maintain weekly scheduled lessons, we do offer "Pay-as-you-go" plans, which come at a higher price point. We'll be happy to provide more information about this upon request.

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Q: What should I do if I would like to shorten or lengthen my current lesson time?

A: Simply reach out to us and let us know! We will update the schedule, and your new lesson time will be effective immediately. As a reminder, we have 20-min., 30-min., 45-min., & 60-min. lessons.

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Q: Does Piano Lab require me to sign and maintain a contract in order to take lessons?

A: You are free to cancel your lessons at any time and for any reason. Our only request is that you do so two weeks in advance, barring emergencies. This eliminates the problem of your paying for lessons you don’t intend to have while also aiding in the budgeting process for the studios.

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Billing & Payments

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Q: Are there any scholarships available?

A: At this time, the scholarship funds we offer are for piano students only.  We will update this notice as soon as we have additional opportunities for other instruments as well. This year, we had four past students who obtained substantial scholarship funds through an application process that happens in the Spring each year. It is both need and merit-based. We will be happy to let you know more about this and other scholarship opportunities out there, both local and national.  Students are eligible to apply for scholarships after 1 year of study.

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Q: How do I pay my bill?

A: Tuition can be paid by check, or electronically by logging into your account. You can also make a one-time online card payment using this link. 

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Q: Do you offer discounts?

A: We do! Please contact us for any current specials. There are also year-round sibling/family discounts, as well as discounts for first responders, teachers, and military families.

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Rescheduling Lessons

Q: What happens if I can't make it to my lesson?

A: Click here to view our cancellation policy.

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Q: How do I go about rescheduling a missed lesson?

A: Click here to view several options for making up lost time.

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Q: What is your inclement weather policy?

A: We want everyone to be safe and to assess the weather carefully! Click here to view our full inclement weather policy.

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Resources

Q: Do I need a piano at home in order to take piano lessons?

A: It is important to have easy access to a piano to practice on between weekly lessons (whether at home or elsewhere). For the long term, piano students should have at least a full-size (88 weighted keys) digital or acoustic piano available for regular practice.  You can start lessons without one, but you can’t continue for long without something suitable on which to practice. Please feel free to ask us for guidance or assistance in this area.

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Q: What kind of piano should I buy?

A: Please email us with any questions, and we will work with you to find the best instrument to suit your needs. For the moment, I can tell you that if you are planning to purchase a digital keyboard, it needs to be 88 keys and fully weighted.

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Q: Can I acquire a piano from you?

A: The answer is both yes and no. We have the ability to help out our students temporarily with instruments while they search for a permanent one, and we can refer you to both new & used instruments that we know are for sale. Simply contact us for more information. 

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Q: What are some helpful apps for learning music?

A: We Love Piano Maestro, Rhythm Cat, & NoteWorks for starters.  Stay tuned for more as we add others!

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Q:  What should I expect from a music lesson?

A:  Click here to view the relevant section of our Studio Policy & Guidelines

General Questions

Q:  How do I check in with questions in general?

A:  Though your teachers are happy to assist you at any time, we would rather save larger discussions (longer than 2-3 min.) regarding schedule changes, student progress, billing questions, etc. for outside of the lesson time (usually via email or phone if another appt. follows yours, which is generally the case) and reserve your valuable lesson time for music learning as much as possible! We are happy to receive questions at any time and are prompt to respond via email, text, or phone.

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Q:  What kinds of lessons do you offer for different age groups?

A: We have lesson offerings for Ages 3 and up, as well as Kindermusik classes for ages 0-3. Please click here for more info!

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Q: How often do I need to practice?

A:  It is recommended that all students below age 6 practice with their parents/guardians for at least 15 minutes/day, 5-6 days per week, and all students ages 6-10 have at least two (2) hours of private, scheduled practice time per week.  This breaks down to 30 minutes, four days a week (or about 24 min., 5 days/wk). This number should rise gradually along with the maturity level & increased detail & amount of a student’s music-making. This is the bare minimum for reasonable progress, but ideally, this would merely be a starting point, with some additional time thrown in “just for fun,”—to improvise, try new things, etc.  Ask your teacher for additional guidance catered specifically to your needs & circumstances.

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Q:  Do your students perform in recitals, etc.?

A: Yes, we take our students’ overall development very seriously and therefore encourage (though we don't require) all students (under age 18) to perform in at least one recital per year (there are between 4-6 options each year).  Most perform in at least two, and with active encouragement & assistance from us, they play at their schools, churches, etc.  They can also perform with other students in additional to their solo work, gaining valuable ensemble experience (piano duets, trios, chamber music with other instruments, etc.).   Our students also have the options of participating in various festivals and competitions locally and regionally.  UPDATE: During the Covid pandemic, we have been having these events online.  Stay tuned for updates as the months go by!

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Q:  What ages and levels of students are accepted?

A:  Increasingly, scientific studies are showing that the rewards of starting music earlier are numerous and growing!  Our Kindermusik classes enrich the experiences of the youngest babies & teach parents how best to nurture and interact with their little ones through all their phases of learning & development.  Learning the piano can start as early as 3 years old in small Group classes specially formulated for tiny fingers and vivid imaginations. We accept all levels – from first-time beginner up to conservatory training and audition preparation.  Contact us to learn more or click here to see our full menu of lesson offerings for all ages!

Q: Are you currently taking more students?

A: We are certainly able to accommodate more students, and if you are on a waiting list, it's generally not for too long!  We have instructors that cover a variety of needs (even vocal coaching with piano!). We have a precocious 3-yr.-old starting piano, students with special needs, and a growing number of adult amateurs in addition to the more “typical” students you might expect, just to give you an idea.  We don’t discriminate based on age or level, but on the desire of the student to learn and to enjoy their study!  As for our Conservatory Prep Program, we are taking students through audition/interview only.

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Q:  What is your teaching philosophy?  Do you use certain methods/books?

A: Our teaching philosophy encourages creativity, a true understanding of musical structure (not just playing by rote “because I said so”), and a myriad of in-house-generated supplements, games, rhythmic focus worksheets…music arrangements…the list goes on…no two students or learning styles are exactly the same.  We often get asked what “methods” and books we use.  All of the good ones–and there are quite a few! :)  Elements of Kodaly, Suzuki, Matthay & Leschetizky techniques for the piano, to name a few…Publishers we admire include Alfred’s, Faber, & Snell for overall materials…Bastien for Sight-reading specifically…but none of them contain “everything.”  

Students often come to us thinking they just want to play one style and end up loving Bach all the way to Brubeck and beyond.  Our teenagers love learning that their Mozart and Adele pieces both contain the same broken-chord progressions, for instance.  :)  Hopefully, that gives you enough of an overview.  The bottom line for all of us as instructors is this:  Every student should learn to have their own musical voice; they should learn that all good music shares similar elements (and requires the same rock-solid technique on the instrument); and the entire process should be a healthy, challenging, and fun journey of growth (both in confidence and creative expression!).

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Q:  What if I can’t study here but still want lessons in WNC?
A:  If, for whatever reason, you are not able to study music with us, I take it as my duty to try and help you to find someone to meet your needs.  In order to do that, I would need to speak with you, so in any event, feel free to get in touch!  I’ll put on my Community Music “hat,” ask you some questions regarding age, level, primary concerns, etc. and see what our greater-WNC community can do for you!  -  Kimberly C., Founding Director

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