Getting Started
Step One: Contact me
email: elianayi@yahoo.com
cell: (512) 963-5802
I'm excited to meet you! Please reach me through my cellphone or email. I will arrange a time to call you and answer any questions you might have.
Step Two: Arrange an Interview
First visit and interview is free!
This initial interview allows us to meet each other. If you are enrolling your child, we can also meet and get to know each other. I will give a lesson to demonstrate my teaching and ensure that everything is a good match. I will also explain my studio policy, my practice requirements, and expectations.
Step Three: Five-week trial period
I want all my students to be comfortable and to feel welcome in my studio. Signing up for piano lessons is a big commitment and I don't want parents or students regretting their choice. At the end of the first five weeks, we reconvene and reflect on all the growth that happened. This also gives parents an opportunity to give me feedback on how piano lessons are going outside of my studio (if I am not being given weekly feedback already) and for students to voice their experience in a safe, structured space. If there are any adjustments that need to be made, they can be made officially here (though I hope to react well before then). It is very important to me that all parties (myself, parents, students) are receiving the experience that they deserve.
Step Four: Welcome to my studio!
By now, practice habits are established and the student and their family is fully integrated into my studio. Welcome and let's make music together!
Attendance Policy
School year
I follow both Plano ISD and Allen ISD
Students (including adult students) are expected to attend piano lessons weekly during the school year with the exception of holidays. Attendance is key in my studio as students with many absences will find themselves repeating prior lessons and making little progress.
Planned Absences
Family trips, school events, sports, vacations, traveling, etc.
It is a courtesy to inform me of any planned absences as soon as you know of them so that I can plan curriculum accordingly. The earlier you tell me, the more flexible and accommodating I can be. I am NOT OBLIGATED to offer a make-up credit when students choose to skip a lesson. The reason being, I reserve a time in my studio for you and if a student does not attend that lesson, I will use that time to administrate my business and plan curriculum for that student and my entire studio benefits as a whole.
If you are planning an extended absence, please let me know ASAP and we will work with each other to create a good schedule.
Summer Vacation
Summer vacation starts and ends the same week as Plano ISD or Allen ISD (depending on what is more convenient for you). During summer I ask my students to schedule at least 3 lessons with me to reserve their spot for the next year.
Summer lessons are more flexible and I can schedule on a week-by-week basis.
Fridays 7pm-9pm
Other days TBD each month
Several times a month and on a few holidays throughout the year, I reserve time for all students who desire make-up lessons for any missed lesson, even last-minute absences or No-Shows! You can even use this time to schedule lessons you are planning to miss in the future. You must schedule with me 24 hours prior in order to claim this time.
Unplanned Absences
Illness, accidents, emergencies
I am NOT OBLIGATED to offer make-up lessons for unplanned absences. I am sympathetic to unexpected events and understand life does not always go smoothly. Please communicate to me whenever anything happens and we will reach a solution together. I provide pre-arranged make-up times that my families can sign up for at their convenience.
Tardiness
I do not extend my lesson to accommodate a student's late arrival because this affects the next student's schedule. I understand that traffic is an issue and getting around DFW is always a struggle. If you are late, please do not rush and drive safely. I will wait for you throughout your entire lesson time.
Discontinuation due to excessive tardiness/absences
If tardiness and absences are such an issue that they are hindering the student's progress, I will give the student three warnings of this issue and offer multiple solutions before recommending the student be dismissed from my studio.
Make-up Days
Payment Policy
Billing
Beginning of every month
Invoices are sent at the beginning of the month directly to your email. This will include all scheduled lessons, materials, books, event fees, etc. You will be notified of each item and given a reminder if you forget to pay. There is no late fee if you fail to pay on time, but repeated failure of payment or excessive late payments will result in dismissal from my studio. I do not give discount rates for my students. If you are having financial difficulty, or are in need of charitable opportunities, please contact me and I can give you resources and advice. Everyone deserve access to the arts.
All lessons are scheduled using Google Calendar. Please refer to the calendar for any upcoming events, holidays, make-up days, etc. I am always reachable by phone or email for any scheduling concerns. If, for any reason, I have to cancel a lesson, I will always let you know weeks in advance and provide an ideal make-up time for you.
Method of Payment
Cash, check, Venmo, and Zelle bank transfer.
Practice Requirement - Everyone MUST practice! (But how do we make it FUN???)
Yes, practice CAN be fun! But most importantly, it can be fulfilling and enriching, like a good work-out or accomplishing a difficult task. Here is my strategy for motivating my students to practice (in a world of smartphones, demanding academics, video games, and busy schedules).
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Tailored curriculum - no two students are alike. Even siblings must be treated as unique individuals. I use different methods and books and music with every student I encounter.
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Hand-picked repertoire - I prioritize giving my students music they want to play, as well as music that will broaden their horizons. Pieces are leveled appropriately so that students are not unhealthily challenged or bored.
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Positive encouragement, honest feedback, clear communication - my students deserve respect and the truth. They deserve to tell me what they like and what they don't like about their lessons. They will feel like I am listening to them and respecting their boundaries. I will also explain my teaching strategies and why I want things to go a certain way in interest of my students' growth and well-being.
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Clear goals - I give my students performance opportunities and group lessons so that they have tangible goals to work for and they feel like everything they do in lessons has a purpose. I don't leave goals vague (it's not about 'pleasing me' or 'for your own good') and am receptive to what a student's personal goals may be as well.
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Community support - I provide group lessons for students to share their music in an encouraging, educational environment. I am constantly seeking performance opportunities outside my studio and guest artist masterclasses that will widen the music world for my students.
How much practice?
Practice time varies depending on the student's capacity, schedule, age, level, goals, and physical health.
All students must practice at least 4-5 days a week to make meaningful progress with their lessons. If this cannot be done, I will discuss with the student and family of how to accomplish this task or meet the requirements to their best ability. Students who do not meet practice requirements will find themselves falling behind in lessons and develop frustrated feelings with piano.
Quality of practice matters too. A student can practice inefficiently for 5 hours and learn nothing. In lessons, I teach students how to practice efficiently and thoughtfully to save time and stress.
In general, beginners practice 15-30 minutes a day, intermediate students practice 30-60 minutes a day, students preparing for conservatory practice 1.5 hours or more a day. If this cannot be accomplished, then perhaps a student is too busy to have piano lessons as a part of their schedule. There are many ways to integrate music into daily life, it does not necessarily have to be through classical training. I can provide guidance and options to help you get the experience you are looking for.
What piano do I buy?
The quality of instrument is very important for a student's daily practice, even when they are young and just beginning piano. I require all my students to buy a grand piano or high quality acoustic upright. There are many piano brands that sell excellent pianos at a range of prices. I can answer any questions you have and help you find a good piano that also adheres to your budget.
Pianos are a very expensive investment, so students and families may want to take time to find the right piano. I am okay with a digital piano being a substitute for the first year of lessons, but I highly encourage students to buy an acoustic piano as soon as possible and skip the step of buying a digital keyboard which is also an expensive purchase.
Other equipment may be a practical purchase for the student such as pedal boxes and a bench with adjustable height. I prioritize physical health and correct posture while playing to prevent injury and fatigue so these items may be necessary.
My goal is to provide the best music education and learning environment for my students with the means that they have. I always explain why an expense is worth your investment and give you plenty of time to plan out your purcahses.