Study with Candace

Private Lesson Studio Policies

Expectations

Thank you for your interest in studying with me. I offer a comfortable learning environment that focuses on building the foundations of horn playing, learning concepts and how to apply them to practice and performance, music skills, and finding enjoyment in the playing of music. For my students, I expect that you come with a commitment to learning the horn, to setting goals each week and following through. To come prepared to lessons, this means having practiced your music daily, and if applicable, listened to performances of the music. Each student learns at a different pace, if you are having a hard time with a particular exercise, continue practicing, we can address issues more easily in your next lesson after you have made a good effort. Lessons are designed to teach the individual, and each week new goals will be set for the next lesson. Students are also expected to remember to bring their music, a lesson notebook, pencil, and horn to each lesson. To best facilitate this process, the following are my procedures and policies, updated as of August 24, 2019.

Communication

  • Communication between student, parent, and teacher is the key to our success together.
  • E-mail is the best way to reach me. My email address is cnn.corno@gmail.com.
  • I do not use any social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) for teaching or professional purposes.

Attendance

Students are expected to attend all lessons (scheduled no less than once every other week). Lessons are a weekly commitment. In order to progress consistently, please prioritize your attendance at lessons and avoid scheduling appointments that conflict. 

Arrival/Departure

Each student must arrive on time for their lesson. Please arrive 5 minutes before the actual start time so that you are able to get your music and horn out be ready to go when you enter the lesson room.

Absences

Your lesson is time reserved for you, whether you are there or not. Prepaid lessons/tuition will not be discounted or refunded for missed lessons. If illness or injury has occurred, a 24-hour notice is required to inform me of your absence. But I understand that there are extenuating circumstances, and we can discuss on a case by case basis, just please talk to me directly as soon as possible. Please do not come to your scheduled lesson if your child is ill and/or contagious.

Make-up lessons

If an absence is unavoidable, students may reschedule up to 3 lessons per semester as long as 24 hours’ notice is given prior to the absence. Lessons missed beyond 3 will be forfeited. Please reach out to me if it looks like you will need to make up more than 3 lessons, we can discuss details and find an alternative solution. If you have to miss a lesson, and you provide me with more than 24 hours’ notice, I will make every effort to find time for a make-up lesson. I will provide a make up lesson day or two near the end of the semester, before Winter break. 

Tardiness

Students arriving late to their lessons will be allowed to stay for the remainder of their allotted lesson time. Because of how lessons are scheduled, I am only able to teach you during your lesson time, and not past your time.   

Teacher absence

While there are distinct advantages to studying with an active performer, there will be some weeks that I will miss. You will not be charged for those weeks. If I have to miss a lesson that is scheduled due to illness or emergency performance work, I WILL make up the lesson time. Please pay close attention to your monthly invoice and/or online calendar for these dates. Students will not be charged for lessons missed by the teacher.

Holidays

I am sometimes able to teach on holidays, and you will be notified when invoiced. If you will not be available, you can opt out without penalty, as long as 24 hours notice is given. The monthly invoice will reflect the inclusion of holidays as lesson days.

Weather

In the event of inclement weather, and you are unable to travel to the studio, lessons can be taught online via Zoom depending on your preference.  This can be addressed as these weather events occur.

Costs

Lesson fees are due by the next lesson after receiving an invoice, payable either Venmo (preferred) or by cash, or check.  Alternative arrangements may be considered on an individual basis.* I reserve my time for you,  whether or not you attend your lesson.

My rates are:
30 minutes $30
45 minutes $45
60 minutes $60

RISD and DISD kids, your rates vary, please reach out to myself or your band director for rates. 

*If there is a financial concern, please reach out directly to the band director for potential scholarships available. If you just need to break up the payments, please address me directly so that we can work out an arrangement. 

Required Materials

The required materials for private lessons will be determined in their first lesson, after skill level and needs are determined. At this point there will be at least one method book, and if applicable, solo repertoire. For performances, due to copyright laws, students cannot perform from photocopies, so the purchase of some music will be required. As your student progresses, more music will be required, but with the large amount of music in the public domain, I will use that as a music source as needed. I currently use Recipe for Success by Houghton & Nye, and Marvin C. Howe method books, but can be flexible if a student already owns another book that is not associated with large group band books. 

Instrument 

I expect each student to have an instrument and for it to be in good working condition. I discuss with students how to care for and handle the horn so that it stays in good working order. However, as with all machines, horns need regular maintenance (oiling rotors, greasing slides, yearly cleaning), and occasionally break down, despite the most meticulous of owners. I cannot make major repairs to horns, but I can help diagnose any horn problems and fix what I am qualified to do, but will help find a repair person when one is needed.

Questions and Concerns

If you have an issue with anything regarding lessons, please tell me. I do not know there is a problem until I am made aware of it. I will make every effort to help correct any issue. Additionally, parents/guardians are always welcome to sit in on all or part of a lesson to see what their student is working on and how they are progressing.