Welcome...
Music is a crucial yet often overlooked part of life. Music unlocks portions of the brain dealing with mathematics, reasoning and languages. It unlocks the soul to find expression and a voice, setting the building blocks for self-esteem and future success in life.
I earned my bachelor's degree in music from Adrian College, a private college in southern Michigan, and completed my graduate studies at Denver Seminary. I have been teaching private music lessons since 1998, with students ranging in age from four to over seventy years old. I have experience working with children and adults with specialized needs as well, including learning disabilities, ESL, Down Syndrome and Autism.
I offer private lessons in beginner, intermediate and advanced piano, beginner and intermediate violin, and music theory and analysis. I have a passion for music theory, and love teaching these building blocks of a successful musical experience to students both familiar with and new to music. My hope is that after lessons together students can honestly say that they have a deeper love and understanding of music, music theory, and playing their instrument of choice, as well as being inspired and challenged to study it further.
Lesson Policy
I offer lessons in beginner, intermediate and advanced piano and beginner and intermediate violin. Lessons are offered at a rate of $100 per month, which includes a half an hour lesson each week. These rates apply for four or five week months (i.e., if your lessons are scheduled for Tuesdays, the rates are the same whether there are four or five Tuesdays in the month). Hour-long lessons or two half-hour lessons each week are also available at $200 per month. You will receive an invoice in the mail at the beginning of the month with payment expected by the 15th of the same month. Lessons are held at my home, which is located near I-25 and I-225 in Denver. I will consider traveling to students' homes for lessons on an individual basis, and do charge a commute fee of $10/month per family.
Because lessons are a weekly time commitment for both the student and the instructor, I require 24-hour notice of cancellation. If you notify me 24 hours in advance, I will willingly try to reschedule your lesson for a time convenient for both of us. However, if less than 24 hours notice is given or you do not come to a lesson, no adjustment will be given to the monthly rate, the possible exception being in the case of emergencies. I hold myself to the same commitment, and will do my best to give you 24 hours notice if I cannot make the lesson. In the case that I do not make it to a lesson or give less than 24 hours notice, I will give you the option of rescheduling or receiving a refund for that lesson at the rate of $25 for half an hour. If the student does not arrive within fifteen minutes of the beginning of the lesson time, it will be considered a missed lesson with applicable penalties. This is because at least a full half-hour lesson time is required for it to be of benefit to the student. Again, I hold myself to the same commitment that I am asking of you.
Contact Information
If you are interested in more information or would like to schedule your first lesson, please contact me at courtney_pickford@yahoo.com. Please use "Music Lessons" for the subject line and include your name, contact information, how you found this website, and basic information on the student in your email. I will contact you as soon as possible. Thank you!
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