Question 1

Who can have lessons?

Accepted Answer

Whether you're a beginner or an advanced student, a child, teenager, or an aged pensioner, whether you want to learn seriously, or just for fun, anyone can have lessons!

Question 2

How old do you have to be to learn?

Accepted Answer

Although there are exceptions, I take one-to-one piano students from the age of 7. At this stage they generally have the skills to read, write, and work independently.

Question 3

How long is each lesson, and how often?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the student! Each lesson is tailored to suit the student's needs and goals, however, below is a standard guide:
 
Younger beginners usually have 30-minute lessons once to twice a week.
 
Intermediate students, older beginners, those taking exams and/or elective music classes at school have 60-minute weekly lessons.

Advanced students, students working towards tertiary music studies, students enrolled in HSC Music 2, Music Extension, and/or preparing for work as a professional musician have at least a 60-minute lesson each week.

Question 4

What time slots do you have free?

Accepted Answer

That varies, so please contact for up to date availability.

Question 5

Do you travel to student's homes for tuition?

Accepted Answer

No, all lessons are held at our beautiful studio. To assist student's learning the studio has an acoustic piano and is fully equipped with up-to-date resources and a generous music library.

Question 6

Do you do exams?

Accepted Answer

Yes, for those students who wish to do so, I am happy to enter them for exams.
 
However, I prefer not to enter students for exams, especially in their early years as my practice is to teach over and above syllabus requirements. I also find that focus on regular exams slows the general progress of students. I prefer to wait until students are at an intermediate to early advanced level when detailed focus on specific repertoire is more beneficial.
 
I also have many students who choose to play purely for pleasure. These students are never pressured to sit exams.

Question 7

My child wants to learn music, how involved should I be?

Accepted Answer

It is important to be involved in your child’s music education. At a minimum, guardians need to provide encouragement, peruse the practice journal, assist, and remind students to pack their books on lesson days.
 
Most students will need reminders to practice, especially throughout their first year of lessons, or until independent study habits are established.
 
Younger children will need their practice closely supervised to help them progress more surely. Parents of young children are particularly encouraged to attend their child’s lessons. In this way, you may understand my methods for teaching them and follow up with home practice in a similar way.
 
Teens often interact more freely and comfortably without the presence of parents or other family members. If I feel this is the case, I will discuss it with the parent.

Generally the need for parental help will phase out as students become older and advance in level of ability, personal responsibility, and intrinsic motivation. It is not necessary for a parent to be a musician in order to assist their child.

Question 8

How often do I practice and for how long?

Accepted Answer

The short answer is as often as you can, and until your goals are met!
Though we value quality over quantity. I teach students to plan their practice and to set and achieve their goals.
 
Younger students will need parental supervision until practice habits are established. Guardians can support their child’s practice by helping to establish a routine and by actively listening to their child play. 
 
It is not necessary to set a timer for the practice sessions. It is more important that time at the piano is focused, strategic, and enjoyable. Students who are required to practice repetitively for a predetermined number of minutes can become emotionally disconnected from their playing.

For musicianship and confidence to develop, one must be heard and be comfortable with hearing themselves play. Practice done on a digital instrument with headphones or the volume turned down is a lonely experience. As is a piano closed away in another room, or part of the house.
 
In addition to regular structured practice, it is an important part of a student’s musical development to have unstructured time to explore the keyboard and discover the sounds they like. This is the musical equivalent to giving a child blank paper and a box of crayons. It is important that students feel safe to be creative.
 
When students don’t practice, they don’t progress, and this leads to boredom. If I feel that a pointless situation is developing, I may recommend that lessons be stopped until the student or family has more time to commit.

Question 9

Will we need our own instrument at home?

Accepted Answer

Yes, there are a variety of options available for those wanting to learn the piano. I would recommend an acoustic over a digital piano and am happy to discuss recommendations. 
 
Students who practise on electronic keyboards soon develop stiffness in their wrists and upper bodies, and are not able to develop pianistic technique, artistic nuance, or tone quality. It is not recommended to play on an electric keyboard long term. 
 
However, digital pianos are more convenient and appropriate for many families. As always, some instruments are better than others. At the very least, please ensure that the digital piano you choose has a full-size keyboard (88 keys), is fully weighted with touch-sensitive keys, and has a fixed sustaining pedal.

Question 10

How much are lessons?

Accepted Answer

A full list of our packages are available on the About Lessons page.
 
If your needs are outside the scope of the listed packages, we can discuss options to suit you.
 
Other teachers, and professional musicians interested in tuition, please contact directly for a tailored package.

Question 11

How do I pay for my lesson fees?

Accepted Answer

Payments can be made by cash or electronic bank transfer. Cash payments must be in exact change in a clearly marked envelope.
 
Please note that no cash is kept on the premises.

Question 12

What is the policy on cancellations?

Accepted Answer

As a courtesy to me, other students, and parents, please let me know as soon as possible if you need to reschedule a lesson. This means that someone else, in a similar position, may be able to use that time.

A minimum of 24 hours' notice is required to reschedule a lesson. Lessons cancelled with notice by either party will be rescheduled at a mutually agreeable time within the term. If this is not possible a video/online lesson will be offered within the term. 
 
Lessons cancelled without notice will not be rescheduled.

Question 13

What are your qualifications?

Accepted Answer

I studied at the Sydney Conservatorium High School and continued to the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where I graduated with a Bachelor of Music. I furthered my education and obtained a Masters of Music by research in piano pedagogy at the same university, and am a professional composer and performing artist.
 
I regularly attend local, national, and international conferences to stay well-informed of current advancements and trends in music education and piano pedagogy.
 
Playing the piano requires the co-ordination of the whole body and I believe music is therapeutic. So, I extended my development into becoming a qualified Rainbow Kids Yoga instructor.
 
Working With Children Check #: WWC0821417E

Question 14

What opportunities for performing are available?

Accepted Answer

Informal Piano Parties are held throughout the year before exams, HSC performances, or just for fun. This allows students to perform and jam with one another. Student workshops and masterclasses are offered on an as-needed basis.
 
School-aged students are encouraged to take up as many performing opportunities at school as possible. Advanced and/or older students can compete in eisteddfods, and audition for local productions.
 
We perform at a local retirement village towards the end of the year and all students are encouraged to perform for their family and friends regularly. 
 
In general, all students are encouraged to perform for family and friends semi-regularly, in both formal and informal settings.

About Studio Teacher and Founder:

Claudia Rapisarda