Studio Policy

Teaching Philosophy:

Every child deserves to learn to play an instrument. There are numerous studies reflecting the great advantages of playing an instrument and as more and more neurological research is completed, the more it is apparent that music must remain in the core curriculum of every child’s education. 

Learning the skill needed play an instrument, read musical notation, and have a theoretical understanding of the function and structure of musical compositions is not easy and requires a great commitment on the part of the student, teacher and parents. The path, however, should be one of discovery and wonder.  Some students will regard playing the piano as recreation, and for some it will be a path towards a career in music. The beginning steps, however, are the same.  Good technique, solid reading skills, music theory, improvisation and an ongoing study of how composers fit into the history of their time will give each student a solid foundation in the art form that we call Music.

“Music expresses that which can not be put into words”  (Victor Hugo).

Lesson Structure:

Lessons are available in a live format or remotely via FaceTime or ZOOM.

Lessons will include the following:

Technique, Repertoire,  Etudes, Music Theory, Composition, Music History.

Students are to bring their music, Theory book and a notebook for taking down lesson assignments. 

Practice Policy:

Students must have an adequate instrument on which to practice.  Pianos that are not operating properly or are completely out of tune will not inspire a student to create beautiful sounds.  Likewise a small keyboard without weighted action can frustrate a young student when they come to their lessons.  If acoustic, a piano needs to be properly maintained and tuned at least once a year.  If electronic, a keyboard should have 88 weighted keys. 

Students should practice daily for the length of their lesson time (30 minute lesson = 30 minutes of daily practice). Learning to practice correctly is the foundation for a lifetime of learning anything! I will work with students on learning this very important skill and simulate this during the lesson.  Practice can take the form of thinking, observing listening, experimenting, performing, and creating. While I do not "audition" students for the studio, space is extremely limited and if students are not fulfilling practice obligations, we may need to re-evaluate their lessons.  

The Studio

My studio is in my home, but it is also my place of business. This used to be a very unique occurrence, but with more and more people working remotely more people are understanding how this works. Most people still do not have over 25 people a week coming to their house.  Due to the lessons taught to us by the Pandemic,  for the safety of the students, my family and the community at large, I have several rules outlined below.  Please read them and I ask that everyone agree to be respectful of the rules while we try and navigate the way to deal with larger health concerns. 

Parking: 

My driveway is a loop.  I ask that you either pull in all the way and park in one of the 3 spots that are available behind my car(s) parked or if dropping off/ picking up, pull all the way around the loop so that the next student can fit.  I ask that people not idle their cars and keep radios quiet in respect to my family, neighbors, and environment. 

Tuition:

This information is available upon serious lesson inquiry

Missed Lessons: 

If your child is not feeling well or has been in an environment where people have been sick, please DO NOT COME.  We can replace with a remote lesson or make up the lesson at another time.  If possible, please give 24 hours to cancel a lesson so that I can offer that time to another student for a make up time.  That said, if you pick your child up from school and they aren’t feeling well, just text, call, or e mail.  There is no refund for lessons missed without a cancellation note.  I am currently keeping a more flexible policy on cancellation as I am sometimes performing, have services to conduct, or need to visit family.  I will not charge for lessons missed due to teacher absence.  Consistency, however, is important, so aside from summer and winter breaks, students should not have long absences from lessons. 

Extra Fees:

There are recital fees which help cover venue rental and piano tuning.  I will bill these as they arise.  Festivals also have fees and they will be billed if your child chooses to participate.

Contact Information:

Valentina Shatalova

vshatalova@earthlink.net

New Paltz, N.Y. 12561

(845) 303-4465 - calls, messages, texts