About Lessons
WELCOME TO THE PIANO STUDIO OF KAROL ANN BADGETT
CREATIVITY, DISCOVERY, COMMUNITY: SHARING THE ART OF GREAT MUSIC GIVES BACK TO THE WORLD AROUND US.
MEMBER: NATIONAL MUSIC TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION/STUDENT
AFFILIATE
AUSTIN DISTRICT MUSIC TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF MUSIC CLUBS
OFFERING:
Private Piano Lessons
Private Composition Lessons
Theory Tutorials
Ear Training
LOCATED IN NORTHWEST HILLS
6208 A SHADOW VALLEY DRIVE
AUSTIN, TEXAS 78731
PHONE: (512) 436-9979
CELL: (512) 699-8536
EMAIL: kamuse@austin.rr.com
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
DO I NEED A PIANO? Yes. A well-maintained, acoustic piano is best.
IS A DIGITAL KEYBOARD OK? Yes, but only if it has 88 keys, a working damper pedal, and is touch sensitive to dynamics.
HOW MUCH DO I NEED TO PRACTICE? At least five days a week for a minimum of 30 minutes.
CAN PARENTS BE PRESENT AT LESSONS? Yes. Parents are always welcome.
HOW OLD IS TOO OLD TO BEGIN? It's never too late. It is possible to begin at any age.
HOW YOUNG CAN YOU BEGIN? Five or six is a great age to begin. Knowing the alphabet and numbers are a plus.
WHAT WE LEARN
Music in many styles by the greatest composers.
Theory and Ear Training
Technique for ease and fluency in playing.
Sight-reading
Composing
Improvising
ACTIVITIES
All students participate in the Studio Recitals - one in the fall and one in the spring.
Students K-12 participate in the Texas Federated Music clubs' Junior Festival - both at the District and State levels - earning helpful critiques and certificates of merit.
Adult students have the opportunity to play for each other and hone their performing skills in small, informal groups.
NEW in 2011-2012 School Year
Students K-12 may now participate in MTNA Student Affiliate activities. These activities include festivals, competitions, theory exams and more where students perform and earn certificates of merit, medals, and beneficial critiques from qualified adjudicators. For any student interested in pursuing music at the college level, this program is highly recommended.
(Adult students may also participate in Student Affiliate activities but will receive critiques only, not ratings.)
ALSO NEW THIS SUMMER!!
Theory/Composition Intensive-June 13-17 (K-12)
PIANO LESSONS (Beginner through advanced. Ages 5 yrs. and up.)
All lessons are individual. Piano curriculum may include any or all of the following: standard classical repertoire plus 20th and 21st century classical styles and music history. Technique, sight-reading, theory, and general musicianship are an integral part of all piano instruction, including ear training and sight-singing, the elements of common practice harmony, contemporary styles, and basic improvisation. Performing is encouraged (but not required) as a connection with others and as a sharing of our art with the community around us. PRACTICING, HOWEVER, IS NON-NEGOTIABLE!
COMPOSITION LESSONS (For serious advanced students only. Requires audition/interview plus a referral from a teaching professional familiar with your work.)
Previous knowledge of music reading and writing a must. Lessons consist of review of creative projects and suggestions for development, notating musical ideas. May include basics of Finale notation as well as developing the essential skills of hand-written notation, counterpoint, harmony, basic orchestration, and arranging.
THEORY AND EAR-TRAINING TUTORIALS
Especially geared for the more advanced college bound student preparing for the music school application process and theory placement exams.
STUDIO POLICIES
Tuition is based on an hourly rate of $60 per hour. Students have a weekly private lesson for 45 minutes (Tuition: $180 per month), or 1 hour (Tuition: $240 per month) depending upon the level of advancement. RECOMMENDED FOR THE SERIOUS YOUNG STUDENT: 30 min. lessons twice a week for $240 per month.
Tuition is due in advance at the first lesson of the month. Since some months have five lessons, the fifth lesson is prorated to months with holidays e.g. Thanksgiving and Christmas. Therefore, tuition is the same for each month and everyone has the equivalent of four lessons per month.
Lessons continue year round. Extended breaks must be negotiated well in advance. Breaking for the entire summer is not recommended but should that be necessary, that should be clarified at the time lessons are begun. Breaks of more than one month basically are giving up your place in the studio and to resume lessons will require re-applying for a new space.
TERMINATION POLICY: Should a student need to terminate lessons for any reason, I require 30 days notice. That means that you will owe me for the following month's tuition. In other words, I need to know no later than the first of the month for the following month-- NOT the 10th or the 20th or the last day of the month that you will not be there the next day.
Make-up Lessons: I will make up lessons due to illness or emergencies. For other scheduling conflicts I would like at least a week's advanced notice. You will owe for the lesson regardless of whether the lesson is made up or not. Lessons missed without notice will not be made up.
Materials: method books, theory workbooks, and sheet music are extra and not included in the tuition. Materials are billed separately and will appear on a monthly statement in addition to tuition. These materials become your personal property to keep. Fees for Student Affiliate, Junior Festival, etc. are also separate.