Location, Location, Location!
I am based in Northampton, Massachusetts and teach throughout the Pioneer Valley (Northampton/Greenfield/
I’m also happy to teach at your home/school/office. For that I need to request a slightly higher fee depending on scheduling and travel.
Scheduling
I am flexible with the schedule, but I do ask that we book as many lessons as far into the future as is mutually comfortable. I find that scheduling a month’s worth of lessons into the future helps to secure a stable routine, and saves a lot of scheduling work for both of us. Weekly lessons are ideal; otherwise as consistent as possible. My performing and touring schedule may require occasional adjustments, but I assure you I’ll change times as rarely as possible and never without ample warning, which leads us to the…
Fully Reciprocal Rescheduling Policy
As interdependent people, each of us with a complex schedule, we will both hold to the same code: If I need to reschedule, I will endeavor to be timely with my requests. If I need to cancel within 24 hours (or if I double book) I will give a lesson for no charge.
Likewise, students are asked to give as much advance notice as possible of their need to reschedule a lesson, the bare minimum being 24 hours. If a cancellation/ rescheduling must occur within that timeframe the lesson must be paid for.
On both sides exceptions will be made in exceptional cases, such as illness, emergency, or extreme weather.
Payment
Lessons are available on a sliding scale. The bottom end of the scale is reserved for students who most need it.
Hour-long in-house lessons in the greater Boston area are $75–$100 (most people pay $80-$85). In Northampton, the scale for lessons at my studio is $55–$80 (most people pay $60-65). If I come to you, the price includes my travel time at the hourly rate.
Lessons are to be paid for either in advance or at the lesson.
Laverne is very friendly and surprisingly easy to herd. People who are allergic to cats tell me she is a mild one.