Dare to dream

  So how does the studio and the virtual lessons work, and what do you need?

Well, first off I use Zoom for the lessons. If I have a student unfamiliar with Zoom I walk them through it before we start the lessons. In order to realize effective lessons I recommend an internet connection with minimum 50Mbs upload and download. You can test your internet connection through an internet speed test, I commonly use Ookla - https://www.speedtest.net/ . Generally you will want a pure fibre connection all the way to your home as this provides reliable speed independent of your neighbours’ activities and with pure fibre you will likely easily get the recommended 50Mbps. However, sometimes pure fibre is not available, and often getting the 50Mbps outside of pure fibre is not possible. So, in these situations, the minimum that will allow for an effective learning experience is 25Mbps, upload and download (and be careful of the advertisements, typically the “fast” rate advertised applies only to download, and we need the upload as well, so do the speedtest, and phone in to ask your service provider specifically about upload speed if you are needing to upgrade!). 

I run payments by semester, the fall semester goes September through to the end of January, the winter semester runs from February through to the end of June. I also offer lessons in the summer, both for my regular students as well as any students wishing to just do as set of summer lessons. 

Lesson rates are commensurate with those recommended by ARMTA. 

Lesson times generally run from 30 minutes to 1 hour, dependent upon age and level. With the virtual lessons I can also run 15 minute lessons multiple times a week for younger students with shorter attention spans. The minimum weekly time period for lesson time is 30 minutes.

I teach from ages 5 and up, including older adults; I have experience in the entire age range from 4 to 75.

As far as equipment goes, the student first off needs an instrument. An actual (acoustic) piano is best. A keyboard can “make do”, typically for older adults, but is not the recommended even there. This recommendation for a real piano holds even, and especially, for young students - the lack of an acoustic piano impedes the development of finger strength as well as ear required to truly develop one’s playing ability as well as musicality. Weighted keyboards can mitigate the negative effects a bit, but not entirely. Previously used pianos are a good alternative to new, or for those “trying” the experience. 

The student also needs to have access to a printer in order to print out their lesson notes and any other materials, such as music or theory homework – this is a requirement – as well as a binder to keep all these materials in. They also need a device with a microphone and speaker, or such attached, so as to realize the lessons. I strongly recommend a screen size of at least 10”. If possible, hooking up an old t.v. screen for the video display is great, but tablets or laptop screens work fine also. I have had students use phones before, but the small screen size adds considerable challenge to the learning environment. Younger students would not be able to realize effective lessons with this arrangement. There also needs to be a physical arrangement to support handsfree support of the both the video and display devices so the student and myself can receive our videos without hands-on involvement by the student. 

For students under 12 there must be a responsible older person, over the age of 16, present within the lesson building during the lesson. For students 8 and under a responsible adult, who is the person who will be supervising practicing periods, must be actively present at the lessons and able to engage as directed by myself, with possible exceptions for experienced students.

There is expectation for the supervising adult to ensure the student’s personal scheduling so as to support daily practicing. This is the supervising adult’s responsibility up to at least age 12 for the student. Children are not developmentally capable, especially in our current busy times, to reliably manage scheduling without scaffolding until they are at least 12.  Without practicing there will be no progress, which leads to frustration on the part of both the student and myself.  So, practicing is essential.  For those students over age 12 but without experience in applying scheduling skills there is expectation there will be support and involvement from the supervising adult in this area. 

Those are the basics, that's not intimidating at all, right!  Actually pretty straightforward.  But any questions or concerns of course we can chat, and feel free to reach out on any questions on the material I have presented here, or on anything else!  I am always happy to chat!

Ms. Erika

erika.gomez@musicaldreamspianostudio.ca

1-403-472-8405