Private Lessons: I customize the lesson to fit the students age, interests and ability. Beginning students start with a 30-minute lesson. I offer longer lessons based on the student's needs and progress at an additional cost.

Monthly Tuition: $27 per 30 to 35-minute lesson ($100 per month) and $33 per 40 to 45-minute lesson ($120 per month). During the school year, lesson tuition is paid in averaged monthly installments and are the same amount each month regardless of the number of scheduled lessons each month. (Number of lessons x price per lesson divided by 9 months.) You will have the same monthly payment whether there are two, three, four or five lessons in a month. Tuition in the summer months is paid per lesson at the beginning of the month.

Your tuition pays for much more than just the time I spend in one-on-one instruction with your child. It pays for the time I spend during the lesson as well as planning for your child outside the lesson. It also includes personalized song selection for your child, researching new music for my studio, staying current on webinars and classes about new or different ways to teach and engage piano students, extra coaching lessons prior to festivals and recitals, recital planning and preparation, and student incentives and prizes. Please be assured that your tuition is always working for your child, both during and outside of lesson times.

Tuition for the month is due by the first of the month. You will receive an invoice via a website generated email the last week of each month showing the tuition due for the upcoming month. Please use Venmo, check or cash for payments to help us reduce bank fees. (Venmo: Houston-Hill-2 and Lisa-Hill-118.) 

If tuition is not paid by the 10th of each month, a late fee of $10 per student will be added to the following month's invoice.

Registration fee: A registration fee of $25 per student will be included in your August invoice. The registration fee covers the cost of printing, student binders, most supplemental music purchases and practice incentive treats. 

Summer lessons: 

During the summer months, attendance at a minimum of 5 lessons is required to reserve your place for the next school year. Please schedule your lessons as 

consecutively as possible.

Recital Fees: Students are expected to participate in fall and spring recitals. Recital fees may be charged to cover the cost of printing recital programs and invitations, paper goods, recital music, and refreshments that I provide.

Music Books and Materials: Students are provided with a studio binder and dividers. Rather than requiring parents to purchase supplemental materials, I loan much of the music to students from my own music library. This gives me access to a wider variety of music and saves you the hassle of storage. When a method or theory book is needed to be purchased, I will send an Amazon link for the book. You may purchase from other music sites, but I find the shipping fees are higher. Please show respect for music books and materials and keep them in good condition. Please bring your binder and music books to each lesson!  

Absence: To qualify for a make-up lesson, please notify me by text or email at least 24-hours in advance or as soon as you are aware of a conflict that will cause an absence. At the teacher's discretion, a makeup lesson may be provided in cases of illness, school event conflicts, and family vacations. The makeup lesson may be in the form of a longer lesson, extra recital/festival coaching time, or an extra lesson on Saturday or a school holiday. 

Student Commitment: Practice is such an important part of progress and sitting down with me for 30-minutes each week alone is just not enough to develop a lasting skill. Please make sure your student has the time and commitment to practice during the week. Good progress is made when a student practices a minimum of 10 to 20 minutes per day, 5 days per week. I turn away new students each year because of limited space, so please help your student understand that taking lessons is both a privilege and a responsibility. 

Practice Expectations:  Learning to play the piano is an ongoing endeavor, which requires dedication and discipline on the part of the student. Piano study is a partnership between student, parent, and teacher. The lesson is a very small part of the week. It is the responsibility of the student and the parent to see that the remainder of the week is productive.

Parents should work with their child to establish a routine. Students are encouraged to keep a practice record, and to work toward musical goals rather than simply counting minutes. It is consistent, efficient, and daily practice that leads to the satisfaction and joy of steady progress towards solid musicianship. Although the quality of the time is most important, I suggest the following guidelines for daily practice with a goal of five days per week:

  • 5-8 years old: 10-20 minutes
  • 9-11 years old: 20-30 minutes
  • 2-15 years old: 30-40 minutes
  • 16 and older: 45-60 minutes

Instrument: For practice between lessons, students must have access to an acoustic piano or full-sized digital keyboard with piano action, a music stand and a sustain pedal.

Performance Opportunities: Students are encouraged to perform at every opportunity. An “Entertainer” award will be given for performances at school, church, or other events. Students are also encouraged, but not required, to participate in festivals offered through my membership in two music teacher associations. Information will be provided regarding these opportunities throughout the school year. 

Studio etiquette: No gum, food, or drink is allowed in the studio. Cell phones must be turned to silent and kept in the student’s bag. Parents are welcome to attend any lesson to observe. Siblings are also welcome, provided they are quiet and do not distract from the lesson. Please arrive no more than 10 minutes early or late to avoid interrupting prior or subsequent lessons.

Media Release: By taking lessons with us, permission to post photos of students participating in piano or singing activities is granted to media forms including, but not limited to, our website, Facebook, and my YouTube channel. Only the first names of students will be posted.

Music Associations: I am a member of the Utah Music Teacher Association, Music Teachers National Association and Utah Federation of Music Clubs. My membership makes it possible for me to give motivated students opportunities for performance at festivals*, where additional learning occurs through the critiques from their judges. Success at festivals is determined largely by the amount of effort put into preparation. Students who participate should be in the habit of practicing 5-7 days a week.

Communication: Feel free to email or text me at any time about what is happening with your child or to ask questions. If you'd like to have a phone conversation, please email or text me to set up a time for that to happen.

2023-2024 Hill Music Studio Schedule-at-a-Glance:

Fall semester is August 17 - December 16.

Fall break is October 17 - 19.

Spring semester is January 6 - May 17.

Summer lessons begin on June 2.

Fall recital dates are December 7th and 9th.
Fall group classes are on October 29 and 30.

Utah Federation of Music Club Solo Festival* is Feb 27 - March 1.

Spring break is March 31- April 5.

Spring recital dates will be the third weekend of May. The dates will be scheduled in November.

Summer lessons begin on June 2.

Holidays and breaks:

  • Labor Day weekend
  • Halloween
  • Fall break 
  • Thanksgiving break: Wednesday through Saturday
  • Christmas break: the last two weeks of December and first week of January
  • Martin Luther King Day (students choose to attend on MLK day or Presidents' Day) 
  • Presidents’ Day (students choose to attend on MLK day or Presidents' Day)
  • Spring Break
  • Studio break: the last two weeks of May


The “Keys” to Success at the Piano

  • Have a “Can Do” attitude
  • Consistently attend lessons
  • Make practicing a habit
  • Practice at a thinking tempo (slow speed) until the song is mastered
  • Practice early in the week to remember what is taught at the lesson
  • Practice all songs assigned, not just the easy ones
  • Perform at every opportunity - the best cure for stage fright
  • Make music part of your life! 

Lesson termination: Students may be asked to discontinue lessons at the end of a semester if they have an excessive number of absences or unprepared lessons. Lessons may also be terminated for unpaid tuition, or behavior or attitude issues.

*A festival is a non-competitive event in which students generally perform two memorized pieces privately for a judge. Students are judged on memory, technique, pedaling, articulation, rhythm, dynamics, and musical interpretation. The ratings are Superior, Excellent, and Satisfactory.