Pat Merkle
(614) 446-2013
[email protected]
SPRING RECITAL
May 18, 2019
CURRENT STUDENTS, PLEASE NOTE:
NO LESSONS:
AUG. 19--SEPT. 2
Fall times begin Sept. 3
Lesson Fees and Studio Policies
Rates & Payment
60 minute lessons: $44 per lesson
45 minute lessons: $33 per lesson
30 minute lessons: $22 per lesson
15-20 minute lessons: $17 per lesson
Payment is on a monthly basis with payment made at the 1st lesson of the month. Cash or checks (made out to Pat Merkle) are accepted. A $10 late fee is charged if payment is not received by the date of the 2nd scheduled lesson of the month (regardless of whether you ended up taking that lesson--please mail payment if necessary).
Cancellations & Make-up Lessons
If you need to cancel a lesson:
• Please let me know as soon as you can, preferably within 24 hours.
• If I have an open time slot before the next week’s lesson that suits your schedule, we can do a make-up lesson.
• If there is no workable alternative before the next week’s lesson and we must skip the lesson, you will be expected to pay for the missed lesson.
* Please keep in mind that currently my schedule is very full and finding extra slots can be tricky.
If I need to cancel a lesson:
• I will let you know as soon as possible, preferably within 24 hours.
• If I have an another available time before the next week’s lesson that suits your schedule, we can do a make-up lesson.
• If there is no workable alternative before the next week’s lesson and we must skip the lesson, I will credit you the following month for the missed lesson.
Holidays & School Breaks
Holidays:
* If your regularly scheduled lesson falls on a holiday that I am taking off from teaching, and I have an open time slot before the next lesson that suits your schedule we can do a makeup lesson if you wish.
* If your regularly scheduled lesson falls on a holiday that I am taking off from teaching and there is no workable alternative before your next lesson or you do not wish to make up the lesson, you will not be charged for the missed lesson.
* Please note that I generally teach on no-school days such as COTA Day, MLK Day & the like.
School break weeks:
* If I am in town over break, I will teach lessons (except for major holidays).
* It might be possible to switch to times earlier in the day &/or a different day of the week; we can work out details as the break approaches.
* All other policies regarding cancellations & payment apply.
Summer
* You will have the option to change your lesson day/time at the beginning of the summer. I generally offer a number of daytime and late afternoon/early evening slots. We will re-negotiate schedules as the start of school nears.
• In general, the previous cancellation/make-up policies apply. If you know your family will miss 4 or more lessons due to summer travel or other conflicts, please talk to me well in advance so we can work out an acceptable arrangement.
• I often have families ask about taking the summer off from lessons due to travel, camps, or just wanting to have a more relaxed summer. While I do understand, I recommend avoiding taking a summer break if possible. Progress is slow and steady and a big break generally results in some regression of skills. Even with the best of intentions, practice without regular lessons is likely to be minimal, so your best bet is to keep up the lessons. We will work around conflicts as best we can. At a minimum, please consider committing to 4 lessons throughout the summer.
General Information
My Goals
My goals are to help students:
• learn to fluently read treble and bass clef notes
• learn to read and accurately play rhythms occurring in their music
• learn to use dynamic range, phrasing, etc. to play “musically”
• learn proper technique (correct hand position, fingering, finger independence, etc.)
• learn how to sight read music
• experience musical styles including classical, jazz, ragtime, blues, Broadway, and pop
• learn some music history (particularly regarding classical music & composers)
• learn how to practice effectively
• enjoy playing the piano and continue with their studies as long as possible
Teaching Materials & Style
• I use the Faber & Faber series for most students, but sometimes use the “Music for Little Mozarts” series for very young students.
• I supplement these books with other pieces/books of interest to the student. I may suggest something from a pop or Broadway book, for example, or a student might bring in a piece he/ she wants to learn.
• I introduce technical exercises such as “Dozen a Day” &/or scales and arpeggios appropriate to the student’s ability when I believe he/she is ready for them.
• I occasionally use games or flashcards to reinforce theory concepts & note learning.
• I emphasize playing pieces well over playing “hard” pieces just to play them. That said, if a student wants to tackle an especially challenging piece, we will work on it together.
• I make suggestions in terms of amount of daily/weekly practice time, but I don’t make demands. I realize that families have a lot going on in addition to piano lessons. Also, I am keen to keep students studying piano as long as possible. So it’s important to find that balance between practicing enough to make progress, but not demanding so much that the student chooses to quit. (See "Practice Tips".)
Recitals
I host an informal party/recital at my home in December. There is a more formal recital and reception in the spring (usually May) at a local church.
Students younger than age 18 are expected to perform at recitals, if at all possible. Adult students are encouraged to participate but are not required to do so. Informal sharing times for adults only may also be offered.
If your child (or you, as an adult student) is (are) experiencing performance anxiety, please let me know and we can work together to use strategies that will help minimize it. Keep in mind, though, that a bit of anxiety is a good thing as it makes us work harder to perform well!
Rates & Payment
60 minute lessons: $44 per lesson
45 minute lessons: $33 per lesson
30 minute lessons: $22 per lesson
15-20 minute lessons: $17 per lesson
Payment is on a monthly basis with payment made at the 1st lesson of the month. Cash or checks (made out to Pat Merkle) are accepted. A $10 late fee is charged if payment is not received by the date of the 2nd scheduled lesson of the month (regardless of whether you ended up taking that lesson--please mail payment if necessary).
Cancellations & Make-up Lessons
If you need to cancel a lesson:
• Please let me know as soon as you can, preferably within 24 hours.
• If I have an open time slot before the next week’s lesson that suits your schedule, we can do a make-up lesson.
• If there is no workable alternative before the next week’s lesson and we must skip the lesson, you will be expected to pay for the missed lesson.
* Please keep in mind that currently my schedule is very full and finding extra slots can be tricky.
If I need to cancel a lesson:
• I will let you know as soon as possible, preferably within 24 hours.
• If I have an another available time before the next week’s lesson that suits your schedule, we can do a make-up lesson.
• If there is no workable alternative before the next week’s lesson and we must skip the lesson, I will credit you the following month for the missed lesson.
Holidays & School Breaks
Holidays:
* If your regularly scheduled lesson falls on a holiday that I am taking off from teaching, and I have an open time slot before the next lesson that suits your schedule we can do a makeup lesson if you wish.
* If your regularly scheduled lesson falls on a holiday that I am taking off from teaching and there is no workable alternative before your next lesson or you do not wish to make up the lesson, you will not be charged for the missed lesson.
* Please note that I generally teach on no-school days such as COTA Day, MLK Day & the like.
School break weeks:
* If I am in town over break, I will teach lessons (except for major holidays).
* It might be possible to switch to times earlier in the day &/or a different day of the week; we can work out details as the break approaches.
* All other policies regarding cancellations & payment apply.
Summer
* You will have the option to change your lesson day/time at the beginning of the summer. I generally offer a number of daytime and late afternoon/early evening slots. We will re-negotiate schedules as the start of school nears.
• In general, the previous cancellation/make-up policies apply. If you know your family will miss 4 or more lessons due to summer travel or other conflicts, please talk to me well in advance so we can work out an acceptable arrangement.
• I often have families ask about taking the summer off from lessons due to travel, camps, or just wanting to have a more relaxed summer. While I do understand, I recommend avoiding taking a summer break if possible. Progress is slow and steady and a big break generally results in some regression of skills. Even with the best of intentions, practice without regular lessons is likely to be minimal, so your best bet is to keep up the lessons. We will work around conflicts as best we can. At a minimum, please consider committing to 4 lessons throughout the summer.
General Information
My Goals
My goals are to help students:
• learn to fluently read treble and bass clef notes
• learn to read and accurately play rhythms occurring in their music
• learn to use dynamic range, phrasing, etc. to play “musically”
• learn proper technique (correct hand position, fingering, finger independence, etc.)
• learn how to sight read music
• experience musical styles including classical, jazz, ragtime, blues, Broadway, and pop
• learn some music history (particularly regarding classical music & composers)
• learn how to practice effectively
• enjoy playing the piano and continue with their studies as long as possible
Teaching Materials & Style
• I use the Faber & Faber series for most students, but sometimes use the “Music for Little Mozarts” series for very young students.
• I supplement these books with other pieces/books of interest to the student. I may suggest something from a pop or Broadway book, for example, or a student might bring in a piece he/ she wants to learn.
• I introduce technical exercises such as “Dozen a Day” &/or scales and arpeggios appropriate to the student’s ability when I believe he/she is ready for them.
• I occasionally use games or flashcards to reinforce theory concepts & note learning.
• I emphasize playing pieces well over playing “hard” pieces just to play them. That said, if a student wants to tackle an especially challenging piece, we will work on it together.
• I make suggestions in terms of amount of daily/weekly practice time, but I don’t make demands. I realize that families have a lot going on in addition to piano lessons. Also, I am keen to keep students studying piano as long as possible. So it’s important to find that balance between practicing enough to make progress, but not demanding so much that the student chooses to quit. (See "Practice Tips".)
Recitals
I host an informal party/recital at my home in December. There is a more formal recital and reception in the spring (usually May) at a local church.
Students younger than age 18 are expected to perform at recitals, if at all possible. Adult students are encouraged to participate but are not required to do so. Informal sharing times for adults only may also be offered.
If your child (or you, as an adult student) is (are) experiencing performance anxiety, please let me know and we can work together to use strategies that will help minimize it. Keep in mind, though, that a bit of anxiety is a good thing as it makes us work harder to perform well!