This page is primarily intended to answer business questions for prospective students and parents.

Location, Location, Location!

I'm always happy to offer private lessons at my home studio in Davis Square in Somerville, MA, an easy

4-minute walk from the Davis Square T station (also a 7-minute walk from the Porter Square T station).  A parking pass is available to students.  Plus, I’ll show you where there are often free parking spots right in Davis Square!

I'm willing to consider house calls, but for that I need to request a slightly higher fee depending on scheduling and travel.  I may be able to arrange coming to a student's school (during study periods, lunches, or band), especially if at least a couple of classmates are interested - put me in touch with the music teacher/ band director.

Scheduling

I am fundamentally flexible with the schedule, but I do ask that students that we schedule as many lessons as far into the future as is comfortably possible for them to do.  I find that scheduling a month’s worth of lessons into the future helps to secure a stable routine, and it 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 or emergency.

Payment

Lessons are available on a sliding scale.  The bottom end of the scale is reserved for students who need it. 

Hour lessons are $45 to $60.  

Half-hour lessons are $26 to $30 and are only recommended for students who have extreme difficulty with attention span.  It is asked that these lessons be scheduled weekly at a consistent time.

Lessons are to be paid for either in advance or at the lesson. 

A portion of every lesson payment you make will be used to feed Laverne and keep her healthy.

Surprisingly, the cats are actually quite easily herded into an area where they will not distract from your lessons.  They are entirely friendly.  People who are allergic to cats tell me these cats are mild. If you are extremely allergic, darn- we’ll have to meet away from my place.   

Here’s Rocko hanging out on a box of speakers next to an amp.  You’ll be paying for his food and medical too.