Studio Details
Tuition
Contact me for 2023-2024 Tuition Rates
Tuition is a set rate, the same each month, averaged out across the teaching weeks of the term.
Please note that tuition is non-refundable. A $15 late fee will be applied to your account if tuition is late.
Tuition rates will be updated once a year, to reflect cost of living changes.
Flex/Bonus Weeks:
Five (5) flex weeks are built into the 10-month teaching term. This means that your tuition covers 33 lessons over a 38-week available lesson period. Both the student and the teacher may utilize the flex weeks as needed throughout the term and can be used if you have a conflict or are ill. You may cancel, or I may cancel for various reasons. If neither of us needs to cancel any, wonderful! Any flex weeks not used by the end of the term can be attended by the student free of charge.
Studio Commitment:
Studio commitment is for one August-May term or summer session at a time. Singing, like learning an instrument or a sport, is a skill that takes time, commitment, and diligent practice over many months to develop. Please understand that I am a working musician and I plan my work life around you/your student’s scheduled lesson. It is very difficult for me to fill lesson spots if students drop mid-semester. I require one month’s notice (by the 5th of the month) should you decide to suspend lessons (therefore if you wanted to end lessons in December, I would need to know by November 5th). Students who wish to withdraw from lessons before the end of the semester and who do not give 30 days’ notice will be charged a $75 early withdrawal fee. Once an initial lesson time is determined I will always plan on seeing a student at that time unless I have been notified otherwise. I will not send reminder emails or check in if a student does not show up on time. Please set phone reminders for yourself if you tend to forget. Fons has a reminder option you can use to get emails or text reminders.
Students in summer term receive priority scheduling for the fall, including in-demand afternoon weekday spots.
Additional non-tuition expenses:
Recital fees: Approximately $45 per student per recital (typically 2 recitals per year), to cover venue rental and recital pianist.
Theory workbook and sight-reading workbook: All students will purchase a theory workbook and sight-reading workbook to use in lessons, appropriate to their experience level and needs.
Vocal repertoire books: All students will purchase vocal repertoire books or individual pieces as needed. Plan on purchasing approximately 2-3 new books per calendar year, depending on student needs and interests. Advanced students and students with very specific repertoire interests will purchase more music. Please know that the sheet music you might find online for free is often uploaded illegally and/or is uploaded at poor image resolution and can be full of errors. Thank you in advance for planning on purchasing music that will be useful to you for your entire life and that supports the composers and music publishers who make it available to us.
Outside festivals and adjudications: Additional (optional) performance opportunities such as Solo/Ensemble have separate fees that are typically paid by the student/family to the organizing body.
Tuition is a set rate, the same each month, averaged out across the teaching weeks of the term.
Please note that tuition is non-refundable. A $15 late fee will be applied to your account if tuition is late.
Tuition rates will be updated once a year, to reflect cost of living changes.
Flex/Bonus Weeks:
Five (5) flex weeks are built into the 10-month teaching term. This means that your tuition covers 33 lessons over a 38-week available lesson period. Both the student and the teacher may utilize the flex weeks as needed throughout the term and can be used if you have a conflict or are ill. You may cancel, or I may cancel for various reasons. If neither of us needs to cancel any, wonderful! Any flex weeks not used by the end of the term can be attended by the student free of charge.
Studio Commitment:
Studio commitment is for one August-May term or summer session at a time. Singing, like learning an instrument or a sport, is a skill that takes time, commitment, and diligent practice over many months to develop. Please understand that I am a working musician and I plan my work life around you/your student’s scheduled lesson. It is very difficult for me to fill lesson spots if students drop mid-semester. I require one month’s notice (by the 5th of the month) should you decide to suspend lessons (therefore if you wanted to end lessons in December, I would need to know by November 5th). Students who wish to withdraw from lessons before the end of the semester and who do not give 30 days’ notice will be charged a $75 early withdrawal fee. Once an initial lesson time is determined I will always plan on seeing a student at that time unless I have been notified otherwise. I will not send reminder emails or check in if a student does not show up on time. Please set phone reminders for yourself if you tend to forget. Fons has a reminder option you can use to get emails or text reminders.
Students in summer term receive priority scheduling for the fall, including in-demand afternoon weekday spots.
Additional non-tuition expenses:
Recital fees: Approximately $45 per student per recital (typically 2 recitals per year), to cover venue rental and recital pianist.
Theory workbook and sight-reading workbook: All students will purchase a theory workbook and sight-reading workbook to use in lessons, appropriate to their experience level and needs.
Vocal repertoire books: All students will purchase vocal repertoire books or individual pieces as needed. Plan on purchasing approximately 2-3 new books per calendar year, depending on student needs and interests. Advanced students and students with very specific repertoire interests will purchase more music. Please know that the sheet music you might find online for free is often uploaded illegally and/or is uploaded at poor image resolution and can be full of errors. Thank you in advance for planning on purchasing music that will be useful to you for your entire life and that supports the composers and music publishers who make it available to us.
Outside festivals and adjudications: Additional (optional) performance opportunities such as Solo/Ensemble have separate fees that are typically paid by the student/family to the organizing body.
Absences & Cancellations
Make-Up Lesson Policy:
In order to best serve my students and provide the highest level of service to my families, I do not offer makeup lessons. A no-makeup policy allows me to give every student the energy and instruction they deserve since I will now be able to spend appropriate time planning lessons instead of making up lessons. Tuition covers a certain number of lessons in a given session and allows for up to five missed lessons (flex weeks). Please be assured that your tuition is always working for you/your child as I spend a great deal of time outside of lessons choosing repertoire, making learning materials, planning, attending competitions, etc. So, even if you have to miss a lesson and cannot use the alternatives offered, you don’t have to worry about receiving less for your tuition. You’ll be receiving more energy, enthusiasm, and a more successful lesson every week since I will have the appropriate time. Students are always welcome to send a video via Marco Polo app or their Google Drive folder should they want to check in the week of a missed lesson.
Missed Lessons:
Because specific times are set aside for specific students, a student who does not attend a lesson will simply miss the benefit of that lesson. I will then use that time or other times to plan for the student’s progress, locate materials, etc. Please be assured that your tuition pays for far more than the time spent with you/your child. There are no refunds, discounts, or makeups given unless I am unable to teach the promised number of lessons.
Changing Lesson Times:
Please give Dr. Neher as much notice as possible (at least 30 days) if you need to switch your lesson time. Schedules are very full and it is difficult to accommodate requests, so more notice means more time to find a good switch.
In order to best serve my students and provide the highest level of service to my families, I do not offer makeup lessons. A no-makeup policy allows me to give every student the energy and instruction they deserve since I will now be able to spend appropriate time planning lessons instead of making up lessons. Tuition covers a certain number of lessons in a given session and allows for up to five missed lessons (flex weeks). Please be assured that your tuition is always working for you/your child as I spend a great deal of time outside of lessons choosing repertoire, making learning materials, planning, attending competitions, etc. So, even if you have to miss a lesson and cannot use the alternatives offered, you don’t have to worry about receiving less for your tuition. You’ll be receiving more energy, enthusiasm, and a more successful lesson every week since I will have the appropriate time. Students are always welcome to send a video via Marco Polo app or their Google Drive folder should they want to check in the week of a missed lesson.
Missed Lessons:
Because specific times are set aside for specific students, a student who does not attend a lesson will simply miss the benefit of that lesson. I will then use that time or other times to plan for the student’s progress, locate materials, etc. Please be assured that your tuition pays for far more than the time spent with you/your child. There are no refunds, discounts, or makeups given unless I am unable to teach the promised number of lessons.
Changing Lesson Times:
Please give Dr. Neher as much notice as possible (at least 30 days) if you need to switch your lesson time. Schedules are very full and it is difficult to accommodate requests, so more notice means more time to find a good switch.
More Information
Communication:
I will send information and announcements to students and parents via email so please check your email regularly. Please contact me with any questions via my contact form, email: lisanehermusic (at) gmail (dot) com, or phone/text (number given out at lessons).
Music:
I will assign songs for you to work on. Please let me know if you have specific songs or styles you are interested in singing! I love to work on music that you care deeply about! Feel free to bring music, audition selections, or exercises from choir/show choir/musical theatre productions, etc. I am always happy to work on these with students!
Materials:
Sheet music/song books
3-ring binder with all vocal exercise handouts and any non-bound music
Notebook to write down assignments or paper in your 3-ring binder to write down assignments
Theory and sight-singing workbooks
Pencil
Laptop/cellphone/recording device to record vocal exercises, your song, etc.
Studio Recitals:
Performing is an important part of learning to sing and a fun way to share your hard work with friends and family! Studio recitals are held 1-2 times a year. Students are expected to participate unless they have a scheduling conflict. It is normal to feel nervous about performing, but my students always tell me they are glad they performed! Thank you in advance for encouraging and expecting your student to sing on recitals. Students performing in the recital will pay a recital fee (typically $45) to cover recital expenses (pianist, venue, program printing, etc).
Be aware:
Dr. Lisa Neher Voice Studio cannot be held responsible for personal injuries or any damage to/loss of your property that might occur on site.
I will send information and announcements to students and parents via email so please check your email regularly. Please contact me with any questions via my contact form, email: lisanehermusic (at) gmail (dot) com, or phone/text (number given out at lessons).
Music:
I will assign songs for you to work on. Please let me know if you have specific songs or styles you are interested in singing! I love to work on music that you care deeply about! Feel free to bring music, audition selections, or exercises from choir/show choir/musical theatre productions, etc. I am always happy to work on these with students!
Materials:
Sheet music/song books
3-ring binder with all vocal exercise handouts and any non-bound music
Notebook to write down assignments or paper in your 3-ring binder to write down assignments
Theory and sight-singing workbooks
Pencil
Laptop/cellphone/recording device to record vocal exercises, your song, etc.
Studio Recitals:
Performing is an important part of learning to sing and a fun way to share your hard work with friends and family! Studio recitals are held 1-2 times a year. Students are expected to participate unless they have a scheduling conflict. It is normal to feel nervous about performing, but my students always tell me they are glad they performed! Thank you in advance for encouraging and expecting your student to sing on recitals. Students performing in the recital will pay a recital fee (typically $45) to cover recital expenses (pianist, venue, program printing, etc).
Be aware:
Dr. Lisa Neher Voice Studio cannot be held responsible for personal injuries or any damage to/loss of your property that might occur on site.
Practice Guidelines
Beginning students: 30 min/day, 4-6 days/week
Intermediate students: 45 min/day, 5-6 days/week
Advanced students: 60 min/day, 5-6 days/week
Always take one day off/week to rest your voice. This should be a day when you do not have a major choir rehearsal or other vocal event like a loud party or other noisy event.
Practice is expected and essential if students are to see improvement. The more committed you are to practicing, the sooner you will notice progress and the faster you will move through repertoire! Students often need help from parents to set aside practice time and focus on practicing.
It helps to schedule a practice time at the same time every day, so that it becomes part of your usual routine. Sometimes it helps to split your practice into two shorter sessions.
If your voice starts to feel tired, like you are getting hoarse, it is time to stop singing for the day. You can spend the rest of your practice time doing silent activities such as listening, researching your piece, writing in counts, and doing theory work.
Use a practice chart to record the amount of time you spend practicing and what you did.
What should I do when I practice?
Begin with 10-15 minutes of vocal warmups and technique exercises, focusing on the elements we discussed in your last lesson. These exercises build muscle memory and form good habits that you will carry with you into all of your singing. Pay attention to posture, breath, comfort, and ease as you warmup. Notice what you hear and what you feel.
Spend 5-10 minutes on your theory and/or sight-singing assignments.
Spend 15-25 or more minutes on your vocal repertoire (songs). Divide your time between your songs, or focus on one song one day with a quick review of your 2nd song, and then the next day focus on the 2nd song with a brief review of your 1st song.
Intermediate students: 45 min/day, 5-6 days/week
Advanced students: 60 min/day, 5-6 days/week
Always take one day off/week to rest your voice. This should be a day when you do not have a major choir rehearsal or other vocal event like a loud party or other noisy event.
Practice is expected and essential if students are to see improvement. The more committed you are to practicing, the sooner you will notice progress and the faster you will move through repertoire! Students often need help from parents to set aside practice time and focus on practicing.
It helps to schedule a practice time at the same time every day, so that it becomes part of your usual routine. Sometimes it helps to split your practice into two shorter sessions.
If your voice starts to feel tired, like you are getting hoarse, it is time to stop singing for the day. You can spend the rest of your practice time doing silent activities such as listening, researching your piece, writing in counts, and doing theory work.
Use a practice chart to record the amount of time you spend practicing and what you did.
What should I do when I practice?
Begin with 10-15 minutes of vocal warmups and technique exercises, focusing on the elements we discussed in your last lesson. These exercises build muscle memory and form good habits that you will carry with you into all of your singing. Pay attention to posture, breath, comfort, and ease as you warmup. Notice what you hear and what you feel.
Spend 5-10 minutes on your theory and/or sight-singing assignments.
Spend 15-25 or more minutes on your vocal repertoire (songs). Divide your time between your songs, or focus on one song one day with a quick review of your 2nd song, and then the next day focus on the 2nd song with a brief review of your 1st song.
Elements of Learning a Song
- Read the text out loud. Think about what the lyrics/text of the song means. Look up any words you don’t know and write the definition in the score next to the word. Look up any pronunciations you don’t know. Write your text down on notebook paper. If your piece is in a foreign language, practice speaking the foreign language and the translation, using a recording from your lessons. Write your translation in the music.
- Listen to recordings of your song on YouTube. Listen to different people sing and notice what you like and what you don’t like about their performance. Listen to a recording we made in your lesson of your song. This helps get the tune in your head. Notice what the form of the song is. Does the tune come back? Is there a chorus that repeats? Make notes of these sections in your music.
- Research your piece by looking up the composer and poet online. What were/are these artists interested in conveying? What were/are their lives like? Do you think that influences the music you are singing? If your piece is from a musical or opera, what is the overall story of that show? Who is your character? What just happened to your character that prompts them to sing this song?
- Identify the time signature of the music and write in your counts. Identify the key signature of the music and write in the note names or solfege syllables for your part. You can do this in small chunks if you want, 1 page or so at a time.
- Working in small chunks (4-8 measures at a time), speak the rhythm of your part on “ta.” Keep the beat by tapping your foot, tapping your hand against your thigh, or using a metronome. Repeat until you get the rhythm correct, then speak the words in rhythm.
- Sing the notes of that same small chunk of music on solfege or a neutral syllable like “la.” You can get your starting note using a pitch pipe or pitch pipe app, or from a piano or other musical instrument that you play. You can sing along to a recording we made in your lesson or along to YouTube if that helps. Once you feel good about the notes, add the words in.
- As you practice, notice how it feels to sing this chunk of music. Are there any notes that are less comfortable to hit? Think back to your technique work and what we did in our last lesson. Can you apply these ideas to make your singing more easy and beautiful? Think about your breath, the space in your mouth (use a mirror to watch it), your posture, your resonance. Still having challenges? Circle the spot and make a note in your notebook so you can ask me about it at your next lesson!
- Notice any dynamic markings (piano, forte, etc) and expressive markings in that chunk of music. It can help to highlight these with a marker or crayon. Practice the passage again with these in mind.
- Move onto another small chunk of music, and once you feel comfortable with it, connect it with the previous chunk you learned.
- After a few days (for easy pieces) or a week or two (for challenging pieces), you will be able to sing through the entire piece! Sing through the piece with a pencil in hand and circle any spots that are still tricky or where you make mistakes. Then go focus your practice on those spots.
- Think about the mood and emotion you want to convey in the piece. What do you want your face to do when you sing? Are there places were you need to look at something in the song (up at the sun, down at a flower, etc)? Where could you plan a gesture or a step to help tell the story? Plan these, write them in your music, and practice them.
- Once you have been singing a piece accurately for several days, begin to memorize the piece, in small chunks of 4-8 measures or 1 page at a time. Ask a family member or friend to hold your music while you sing and circle any spots where you made mistakes so you can review them. You can also record yourself then play it back and follow along in the music, noting any mistakes or challenging spots.
- HAVE FUN! Every few days (or every day!), take some time to sing a piece you already know or a favorite song from a musical or album or composer you like, just for the joy of it!