Ossia Music Studio

Studio Lessons

Teaching with Tools

Teaching new learners is a joy and privilege. I love incorporating aspects of family culture, faith, and interests into music learning. My goal is to develop a love of learning music by focusing on the process of learning and making goals with specific outcomes tailored to each learner.

Differentiated, Individualized Instruction

I am curious about each learner I encounter, and I love to share my love of music with my students. Together, I work with each student and their families to develop strategies for each learner while using sound pedagogy for both voice and piano learning.

Curriculum:

  • Lessons can be traditional piano or voice lessons including regular weekly assignments and progress with expectations of practice. 
  • Lessons can alternate between voice and piano with traditional methods and practice expectations
  • Lessons can be a non-traditional exploration of composers, music history, composition, coaching on alternate instruments, musical life coaching, or jazz studies.
  • I offer speech and acting alongside musical theatre work or stand-alone coaching
  • Home School options include integrated lessons with family curriculum
  • I am more than happy to design a curriculum that appeals to all types of learners and learning styles.

Location

In-person lessons will be held at my home, 303 Augustine Way, Normal, IL 61761

2025-2026 Schedule

Upcoming Schedule Notes:  

  • Fall Semester is Saturday, September 6 to Wednesday, December 17, 2025
  • Winter Break is December 18- January 3
  • Spring Semester from Sunday, January 4- Sunday, May 24, 2026.
  • Be sure to use the Student Portal to view the schedule, cancel and reschedule lessons.
  • If you have a same day cancelation, please text!
  • Spring Recital: Sunday, April 19, 2026, 3:00 pm at Second Presbyterian Church Chapel. More details to follow.
  • There will be no lessons on the following days, please look at the Student Portal to reschedule your lesson:
    • Spring, 2026:
      • Tuesday, February 24
      • Sunday, March 15
      • March 25-March 31: Spring Vacation
      • Sunday, April 5: Easter
      • Wednesday, April 29
      • Sunday, May 10

Private Music Instruction details

  • Please quietly come in the front door and hang out in the living room (or on the bench outside if it’s nice) even if I am finishing the student before your lesson.
    • If there is another student in lesson (you’ll be able to see/ hear them), please do not knock or ring the doorbell.
    • We do have dogs who are kept in another area of the home during lessons. They do react to knocking and the doorbell.
    • Please let me know of any severe dog allergies.
  • Each week I will write assignments in a notebook to keep students accountable for their assignments and practice. Notes are also available in the student portal.
  • Practice makes making music better! It also makes for a good learning experience. Each kid will have a one-off week every now and then, but consistent, regular practice will yield the most improvement and noticeable changes. Make practice a requirement at home, and I will be sure to emphasize it during lessons. 
    • I recommend the Andante App for junior high and older students who are responsible to practice on their own.
  • Please be sure to bring your notebook to each lesson, or have one at home to write down assignments. If we have many projects going, we will use google docs to stay accountable.

Financial Responsibilities:

2025-2026 School year lessons: September 7, 2025 – May 24, 2026

  • 30 minute lesson is $30
  • 60 minute lesson is $60
  • Lessons are scheduled on the My Music Staff website, once your family is registered, I will send a link for you to create a login and password.
    • Once we determine a specific weekly lesson time, those times will be entered into the calendar.
    • Lessons are paid based on how many lessons are signed up for each month. If you have an event and need to cancel, please let me know or remove your lesson time from the calendar.
    • There will be multiple make up times and openings each week to select should you want to reschedule.
  • Payment for the month is due by the 10th of each month starting in September and ending in May. I prefer cash, checks, Zelle, or Venmo.
  • You can pay through the Student Portal using Stripe, but there is a surcharge for using credit. Please select debit as the option.
  • The portal is used for scheduling lessons and keeping track of attendance and payments.
  • If your family is experiencing a temporary financial hardship but would like to continue lessons, please let me know and we will work out an arrangement that works for your family. Financial hardship includes serious illness, loss of job, family changes, etc.

Studio Policies: 

  • If I am ill or cannot have your lesson, I will send a message as soon as possible.
  • If a student has an illness or unexpected reason to not come to lessons, you are welcome to cancel, please give 24 hours in advance if possible, and find an alternate time on the calendar that will work for your family. I will issue a makeup on your account if you have prepaid that lesson.
  • Please do not come to lessons if student is sick.
  • No refunds or make up lessons are given for forgotten lessons or no shows.