‘Hmm, I’m still not sure...’ No problem, I’ve got your FAQs covered!
1. What age groups do you teach?
2. What skill levels do you teach? What if I have zero experience?
3. Do I need to have my own instrument to take lessons?
4. How long are the lessons, and how often should I attend?
5. Where are the lessons held?
6. What is the cost of lessons, and do you offer package deals?
7. What styles of music do you teach?
8. Do you offer online lessons or only in-person sessions?
9. Can I take both singing and piano lessons, or do I need to choose one?
10. Do you prepare students for exams or competitions?
11. How do you handle cancellations or missed lessons?
12. Do you offer group lessons or only private lessons?
13. Are there performance opportunities for students?
14. What qualifications and experience do your teachers have?
15. What about transport links and parking?
16. How do I get started and book my first lesson?
1. What age groups do you teach?
I teach students from the age of 7 up to infinity. I currently have a piano student in her 80s!
2. What skill levels do you teach? What if I have zero experience?
I teach beginners to advanced for singing students and I teach beginners to intermediate for piano students. Being a complete beginner is absolutely no problem - we start from where you are!
3. Do I need to have my own instrument to take lessons?
Luckily singers come with their instrument built in, but yes, for piano lessons you must have your own piano at home. For beginners, I recommend a digital piano (I work with a digital piano in my studio, too). The piano must have all 88 keys, must have weighted keys, and at least a damper pedal. A jack for headphones is ideal to foster full support from your family for your practice routine! I recommend even singers have access to some sort of keyboard to find pitches and double-check you’re on the right path!
4. How long are the lessons, and how often should I attend?
Lessons for students aged 9 years old and up will last one hour. Musicians under this age will have a 30-minute lesson. Students progress more swiftly when they attend a lesson once a week to allow for practice time to develop muscle memory of the technique.
5. Where are the lessons held?
All lessons are held at my studio in Barnes, SW13.
6. What is the cost of lessons, and do you offer package deals?
Lessons are typically purchased as a term registration and at a significant discount from lessons purchased one at a time (which are available). You can find pricing on the SCHEDULE & TERMS page. If you want to start part-way through the term, the price is pro-rated.
7. What styles of music do you teach?
I teach all styles of music. I am trained as a classical musician and I do love classical music, but it is not the only genre of music that I play and sing and I have experience with most styles. I have never worked on heavy metal music, but hey, there’s always a first time!
8. Do you offer online lessons or only in-person sessions?
At this time I offer in-person lessons. I have offered online sessions in the past, and can adapt to online lessons for extenuating circumstances.
9. Can I take both singing and piano lessons, or do I need to choose one?
You can definitely do both! I advise that lessons for both instrument types are done every week; alternating every other week makes for a jack of all trades and a master of none. However, if you are focussed particularly on one instrument and want to develop some skills in the other instrument as a minor support of your overall musical development, we can definitely incorporate that into the lesson plan.
10. Do you prepare students for exams or competitions?
Yes, I prepare students for exams through the ABRSM and Rock School boards. I also prepare students for competitions and auditions.
11. How do you handle cancellations or missed lessons?
Cancellations for term registrants due to illness or emergency can be made up within the same term and will not be refunded. If you are not able to make up the lesson within the term the lesson will be forfeited. Term registrants who cancel a lesson for reasons other than illness or emergency will forfeit the lesson. We can plan for any expected absences at the beginning of term.
Cancellations for students who pay-as-you-go must be made at least 48 hours in advance. Pay-as-you-go cancellations for any reason within 48 hours must be paid in full.
If I need to cancel a lesson due to illness, I am committed to making up the lesson within the term.
12. Do you offer group lessons or only private lessons?
Lessons are offered on a one-to-one basis only. I don’t offer group lessons.
13. Are there performance opportunities for students?
I typically hold two performing parties a year for each the adult cohort and the kids cohort. The adult cohort is in my home and the kids cohort is held in a public venue for family and friends to attend.
14. What qualifications and experience do your teachers have?
Gina’s qualifications and experience are outlined on the ABOUT page.
15. What about transport links and parking?
I am a 6 minute walk from Barnes Bridge S\station and a 12 minute walk from Barnes station. There is free street parking after 12pm.
16. How do I get started and book my first lesson?
CONTACT ME for a free consultation which we can do in person or by video call. We can also book a full trial lesson which can be paid for separately or can go towards your term registration.