About Me
Music has enriched my life. I was privileged to grow-up in a musical family in which my five siblings and I began piano lessons at an early age with a wonderful teacher and mentor. I didn't realize how fortunate I was to have such a great teacher until I won a church music contest in grade school. My self-esteem and confidence got a big boost! My commitment to my weekly piano lesson also increased to a new level. Throughout middle school, high school and college, I was motivated to participate in more recitals and contests, and to accompany vocalists, instrumentalists and choirs. Currently, I belong to two national music teacher organizations where I gain great ideas from other music educators in the area. In addition to my Fall and Spring recitals, my membership in these organizations allows me to offer my students further stage experience in organization sponsored festivals. I'm always searching for new ideas and attend music workshops and conferences to further my professional development. I enjoy playing the organ for my church and accompanying singers and choirs. Music and teaching are my passions. I strive to be the best piano teacher that I can be!
My Teaching Style includes:
- Motivating students with various styles of music to promote a positive and rewarding learning experience
- Providing supplemental music for holidays and performance opportunities, including music from the National Federation of Music Clubs
- Focusing on performance, sight-reading, and theory
- Encouraging my students to perform at every opportunity...an "Entertainer Award" is given for performances at school, at church, and at other public events
- Scheduling semi-annual recitals based on themes
- Providing monthly practice calendars, assignment sheets, and rewards for success
- Sharing my love of music with my students!
Member: Music Teachers National Association (MTNA)
Member: Utah Music Teachers Association (UMTA)
Testimonials
"I am astounded at how you have developed my children musically in the short time they have been your students. It is thrilling as their mother to see the talents their Heavenly Father gave them come forward, and I am so grateful He led me to such a gifted and trusted teacher. Your influence upon my family will be felt for generations, and I will forever be grateful to you." ̶ Nielsen, Pflugerville
“I'm so happy to have found a teacher who can inspire and challenge my kids and who takes the time to create tailor-made lessons for each child.” ̶ Bates, Pflugerville
"After all these years, I must say we will miss you terribly -- you have been a great blessing to our family and have helped our children develop their talents and gain self-confidence. You've been an excellent teacher --just the right combination of fun, strictness, encouragement, kindness, and high expectations. We know many people in Texas will benefit from your musical talents!" ̶ McKinnon, Utah
"You are such a fabulous person and teacher with such a fun and positive outlook. We are so grateful to have found you!" ̶ Woodford, Pflugerville
"One of the most important people in your life is always the one who teaches you how to use your God-given talent to make beautiful music. Your gift to us and our family can never really be repaid, but we thank you for your gift of music and patience with us." ̶ Hand, Lakeway
"Thank you for: teaching me piano, being the best teacher ever, being so cool, being a nice teacher, never running out of ideas, never running out of Halloween music, never showing you're tired, having fun with me!" ̶ Ceci
"You fill our home with the joy of music and so much more than words can express. You are truly one in a million." ̶ Montique C.
" You're the best teacher I could have asked for! I'm very lucky to have you as a friend and mentor. Thank you for everything you do and for being such a great person!" ̶ Dallin M.
Featured Student Performances
Dallin
Arushi
Teaching Philosophy
As a parent, you have many choices in private piano instruction, and too many options can make the decision difficult. I want to share what sets me apart from others. Your child will learn to play piano with the music style she/he loves! I do not follow method book lesson plans. Starting from the very first session, we tune their musical talent to Disney, boogie-woogie, contemporary, new-age, musical theater, classical, hymns and so many others. You will find me dedicated to your child’s skill development, and my regimen comes with rewards. In my 38-years of teaching, the majority of my students stay with me from kindergarten through graduation. Every single lesson is as personalized as they are. My Syracuse studio is open to a few junior music scholars. The first lesson is my treat, so give me a call and let’s meet.
Piano Studio Policy
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: $100 monthly per 30 to 35-minute lesson and $140 monthly per 40 to 45-minute lesson. Lesson fees are paid in monthly installments and are the same amount each month regardless of the number of scheduled lessons each month. You will have the same monthly payment whether there are two, three, four or five lessons in a 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, as well as any music, recital or materials fees. For your convenience, payments can be made by credit card using PayPal via a link provided at the bottom of each invoice or by Venmo, cash or check. If tuition is not paid by the 20th of each month, a late fee of $20 per student will be added to the following month's invoice.
Summer lessons:
Spring Semester includes the month of June. If students have scheduling conflicts in June, makeup lessons will be available in July. Other than makeup lessons, lessons will not be taught during the month of July. August lessons will become part of the 2024 Fall Semester.
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 and Music Teachers National Association. 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 begins on August 21
Spring semester begins on January 8
Summer break begins on July 1
Dates Lessons are Not Scheduled:
- Labor Day: September 4
- Halloween: October 31
- Fall Break (piano students only): October 19-20
- Thanksgiving Break: November 22-25
- Winter Recess: December 12-January 6
- Presidents’ Day: February 19
- Spring Break: April 1-6
- Studio break: May 20-31
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 often—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.