FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• My child is already top of their section in band. Do they really need trumpet lessons?
  • Trumpet lessons are for any student wanting to improve in any area of the instrument. A lot of my students are advanced players who enjoy setting goals outside of the typical band class. These students enjoy learning solos for festivals, preparing audition material for district and state bands, or even pursuing college scholarships for playing trumpet.
• My child is struggling to learn trumpet. Would trumpet lessons even help?
  • Trumpet is a tough instrument to get started on and many students feel discouraged in the beginning. I have found that after starting lessons, they gain confidence in how to practice at home and improve quickly. My favorite students to work with are the ones who are struggling the most because they are the ones who get to experience the biggest improvements.
    
• Won't my child learn everything in band class? Why should we put them in something extra?
  • Band class is great! It's a time for the students to rehearse music while learning how to work as a team, blend their sounds, become leaders, and so much more. In private lessons, students learn the ins and outs of their instrument, the best techniques, and the opportunity to have their specific needs addressed. I like to compare band directors and private teachers to professional sports. The band director is the head coach and their priority is to the team, while the private teacher is the personal trainer and their priority is to each individual player.
• What makes you qualified to teach trumpet?
  • Check out my bio here! Simply put, I have a bachelor's degree in trumpet performance and 20 years teaching experience. I will also begin working on my master's degree in music in the fall of 2024.
• Do you have references?
  • Yes. You can check out my Google reviews and I can give you some professional references on request.
• Do you teach from your home? 
  • I teach from my 300-square foot home studio with private entrance. My studio is equipped with recording equipment, accompaniment software, mouthpieces and mutes to try, filing cabinets full of solos and sheet music, and seating for waiting parents.
• Why are your fees lower than the other private teachers?
  • By teaching at my home studio, I avoid many of the overhead costs of teaching at a music store or music school. I also like to keep lessons as affordable as possible so that more students have access to this resource.
• Do I have to sign up for weekly lessons or can I just come every couple weeks?
  • The best progress happens when lessons are attended each week. Bad habits can sneak in quickly and it's easiest to remedy those bad habits before they've developed into major technique issues.
• How early should we arrive to our lesson?
  • It's best to arrive a few minutes early, but plan to walk in right at your lesson time (no need to knock, the door is always open!). I block out 30-minute lesson slots and teach them back-to-back. Because of this, it's expected that students get picked up on time. You are welcome to park in the driveway. Street parking is also available.
• Should parents stay during the lesson or should we drop off and pick up?
  • Parents are welcome to stay as long as they're not a distraction to the student. I find that students do the best when given some space from their parents, but I also understand the comfort level of staying with their child. Many of my parents drop off, so I always advise that they check in with me every now and then. My door is always unlocked during lessons and parents are welcome to come and go while I'm working with their child.
    
• What if I need to miss a lesson?
  • Let me know by calling or texting me at (913) 717-8499. 24-hour notice is required with the exception of sudden illness or emergency. Check out my studio policies here for my cancellation policy.
• What if we need to change our lesson day/time?
  • No problem! I try to be as flexible as possible because I know how hectic our kids' schedules can get. Just give me a heads up and we can work out a new day/time.
• How much should my child be practicing at home?
  • Practice time will be different for each student and is dependent on many variables. I like to work with students to find the best practice plan for their specific needs, schedules, and goals.
• Should my child do hour-long lessons or 30-minute lessons?
  • Most students benefit the most from 30-minute lessons each week. I occasionally will offer some of my advanced students hour-long lessons.
• It would be more convenient if you taught at my child's school. Is that something you do?
  • Of course! If your band program has enough trumpet students interested in taking lessons, then have your band director contact me to set it up.
• Have you been background checked?
  • I've been background checked at various school districts that I've worked with and also for the adoption of my daughter.
• Do you do distanced lessons to lessen the risk of exposure to Covid?
  • No problem! Just let me know ahead of time.