Studio Policy

Above all music is for pleasure.
The rewards of piano lessons include personal growth and discipline,

creative expression, complex problem solving a step at a time,

social and performance skills, brain development, and the exhilaration of doing beautiful things.




Attendance
Regular lessons are essential.

There are no make ups for missed lessons, except for extended illness.

You may trade lessons times among students.

There are no lessons during extended public school holidays
Lessons do continue on single day holidays.
Practical Success Plan
Satisfying piano playing only develops with daily practice.

Plan and protect a set time every day, free from distractions.  

Parents’ involvement is important.
Diligently follow the directions in your assignment.

Watch for improvement, and celebrate what you learn!

Opportunities Available in My Studio

National Guild Auditions: annual playing of 1 to 20 memorized pieces
Certificate of Merit annual state testing program:

Performance, theory, ear training, sightreading and technique.

Incremental levels 1 through 10 (university level music and theory).
Music Teachers Assoication of California performances;
 Baroque Festival, Branch Honors, Convention, Composers Today.

West Coast Ragtime Festival.
All styles of music are welcome in this studio
        from classical to pop; folk to jazz;  vocal, gospel and musicals.
Composition and improvisation, playing by ear are encouraged too.

Lessons and Financial Arrangements
 

Beginning students take weekly 30 minute lessons 

Later, students take 45 to 60 minute lessons. Daily practice equals the lesson time.Monthly tuition is due in advance, the first of each month, September through May.  
June and July payments are adjusted by the number of lessons received. August is vacation.
Music is usually available at the studio, and the charge is added to the tuition.Optional Guild and MTAC recitals, Certificate of Merit, workshops and theory classes have various entry fees.

About Alice McKinley


Continuous study (first public performance, 5 years old)

Performance in school, choral accompanying, orchestral, ensemble, church settings.
BA in Music, Applied Piano, CSUS;
MA in Music History, CSUS;

BA in English and Secondary Education, University of Washington.

Training in Columbia University’s Pace Method of Musicianship and Group instruction.

Training in Taubman method of movement.
Teaching since 1975.

Active member of Music Teachers’ Assoc, California and National Guild of Piano Teachers

Approved judge for Certificate of Merit Evaluations and MTAC competitions
Mrs. McKinley lives with her husband in Carmichael and is blessed with four adult children and five grandchildren.

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