Musical Melodies with Mandy

About Musical Melodies with Mandy

My Background: I am an Florida A&M; University graduate. I have my A.A. in Music Peformance, B.S. in Health Information Managamanet, and Pursuing my M.P.H. I attended Florida A&M; University on a Full music scholarship focusing in Classical Piano, and Clarinet.

Location and studio:
My studio is located @ 445 Windy Hill Road. Marietta GA Room 123. It will be a 2 story tan commercial building. I teach on a (3) pianos, 1 beginner, 1 intermediate, and 1 piano tuned for woodwind instruments.

Tuition and Lessons:
Tuition for weekly 1 hour lessons for the 2008/2009 school year is $80 per month ($72 per month for the 2nd and 3rd child in the same family) payable on or before the first lesson of each four month period. Please pay by check, cash, or money.

There are no deductions or refunds for missed lessons except for protracted/long-term illness. I will try to schedule a "make-up" lesson for students who notify me in advance that they will not be attending their lesson if there are extenuating circumstances (illness or an extraordinary scheduling conflict) for the missed lesson. Also, I am usually happy to teach an extra "free" lesson during school holiday weeks (Christmas, Spring Break, etc.) but it is up to the student/parent to request the extra lesson.

There is no extra charge for recitals (which are held once or twice per year).
Most of the student's piano music will be purchased by the student. Some will be loaned to students. Please take good care of music and return when done!
Practice Environment:
1. Your piano must be in good working condition. All the keys and pedals must work. Ideally, a piano should be serviced (tuned) twice a year. Once a year is a minimum. Please maintain your piano! It will make a big difference in how much your child enjoys piano. I can recommend a piano technician or you can look in the yellow pages. Love your piano! Electric keyboards or organs are not an adequate substitute for piano practicing!

2. Your child must be able to practice in a place that is comfortable (clean and warm) and without distractions. If your piano is in the major "traffic" area of your home then either move it or encourage family members (including yourself!) to stay clear during scheduled practice times (unless you are assisting your young child's learning).

Age:
In general I will take any grade beyond the first grade and any level of adult. There are teachers who will teach at grades lower than 2nd but I prefer to start at about the same time children are reading sentences (and are able to sit in one place for 30 minutes!). At times I have taken students who are beginning first grade, but they generally need extra attention and support from a parent.

Practicing:
1. Students are expected to practice 5-6 days each week. I encourage each student to take one day off each week from practicing. The "sabbath principle" applies to practicing and homework too!
2. Beginning students should practice 25 minutes each practice day. This can be done at one sitting or in two shorter sessions each day. A regular schedule (time slot) works best.
3. Most students will also do theory (written) work which is important to your child's musical development. It's a good idea to do this in pencil!
4. Students are expected to work on their lessons and assignments during scheduled practice times. After lesson work is done students may improvise, "play around," or sight read new music on the piano. I encourage this type of creative exploration but I think it should be done within the discipline of learning their lessons. I am also more than happy to help young students who are interested in writing music. We cherish creativity!
5. It would be normal for a student to not play each assigned piece every day. Generally, a student might work on 1/2 to 1/3 of the work assigned on a given day. Or, if a student is working on scales he might do half of them each practice.

Recitals:
Generally, we hold a year-end graduation type recital in early or mid June. Students are generally expected to learn and memorize 2-3 songs to perform for other students and family. This is an important part of the musical process: learning to share and perform before others.

Openings:
I am currently teaching Wed.-Sundays. I have a handful of openings and will do my best to schedule your student. Though not always possible, I try to schedule families together if they wish. And former students get schedule preferences over newer ones.