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Charleston Piano Lessons
Private Piano/Keyboard Instruction

Dan McCurry
843.442.4338
CharlestonPianoLessons@gmail.com

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Teaching Philosophy

My teaching philosophy is to stimulate the student by creating a positive learning environment where the student feels capable and not intimidated. I consider myself to be a piano coach, not a piano drill sergeant. In my lessons, I stress the development of good habits and understanding the music. I want to see that each student improves and can see this improvement.

In addition to teaching a basic piano curriculum, I also give lessons in special topic areas such as jazz, contemporary music, songwriting, composing, arranging, and theory.

I am a member of MTNA (Music Teachers National Association), SCMTA (South Carolina Music Teachers Association) and CMTA (Charleston Music Teachers Association). Being a member of these organizations benefits my students by allowing them to participate in various auditions, recitals, and competitions affiliated with the associations.

I schedule Fall and Spring recitals to give my students an opportunity to perform and see others perform. Participation will be voluntary, though I do encourage performing because the experience of sharing music with others is positive and rewarding.

***I teach students as young as 5 through adults - beginner & intermediate levels - special topics.***

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Dan McCurry

Is from Charleston. Started playing piano at age 9 & picked up violin at age 10 & trumpet at age 11. Performed in numerous All-County & All-Region Bands, as well as regional music camps & honor groups such as Charleston Youth Symphony Orchestra & Na Fidleiri. Played piano in the jazz big band at Stratford High School for 4 yrs. Graduated from Stratford High School 3rd in his class in the Spring 2004 & attended College of Charleston to study music, studying with Tommy Gill for 3 yrs in jazz piano, performing in jazz combos as well as playing in the College of Charleston Pep Band for all 4 yrs on trumpet. Graduated Cum Laude with departmental honors in December 2007 with a Bachelor's in Music Theory and Composition. Has been performing locally & regionally with various groups for several years now. Has toured with Run Dan Run from Mississippi to Massachusetts, released a full-length album with this group, & continues to tour & record with this group as well various other projects. Has been teaching private piano lessons since 2007 & enjoys sharing his knowledge & experience with others through teaching.

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Tuition / Locations

I offer 2 convenient lesson options: In-Home lessons in Mount Pleasant or Home-Studio lessons in my personal studio downtown.

Home-Studio: $80 = 1 month of weekly 1/2 hr. lessons ($20/lesson)
Downtown Charleston // Charleston, SC 29401

In-Home: $100 = 1 month of weekly 1/2 hr. lessons ($25/lesson)

Mount Pleasant, 29464 & 29466

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GENERAL LESSON POLICY GUIDELINES
(Please Download the policy statement which applies to the lesson option you are considering as it is more detailed. The guidelines listed below are just a brief overview.)

Click to Download IN-HOME PIANO LESSONS POLICY STATEMENT

Click to Download HOME-STUDIO PIANO LESSONS POLICY STATEMENT

Payment

• Tuition is due at the LAST lesson of each month for the following month in full.
• Tuition reserves your lesson time & the teacher.

Registration & Supplies Fee

• This yearly fee of $20 per student is due prior to the start of lessons.

• This fee covers all necessary student materials supplied by the teacher such as lesson books, music folder, music copies, etc. This fee DOES NOT include a metronome, any piano transcription or “pop” music books, or any other materials that are not a part of the regular curriculum.

Absences & Cancellations

• CREDIT WILL NOT BE GIVEN FOR ABSENCES & CANCELLATIONS.
• If you must cancel a lesson, the teacher needs to be notified atleast 24 hours in advance. Notification by email or phone is acceptable. Notification less than 24 hours in advance must be made by phone.
• If the teacher must cancel the lesson, you will be informed in advance and will receive credit.
• Make-up lessons typically are not possible due to the teacher’s schedule and travel routes. Any make-up lessons will be scheduled at the teacher's convenience.
• The teacher does not assume financial responsibility for any missed lessons on the student’s part. Illness, sports, extracurricular activities, field trips, appointments, emergencies, etc. will not be credited.
• The teacher assumes full financial responsibility for any missed lessons on the teacher’s part (illness, appointments, emergencies, etc.). The student will be credited for any teacher absence or cancellation.
• The teacher reserves the right to credit any student or schedule a make-up lesson.

Discontinuation of Lessons

• Payments made will not be refunded should the student choose to discontinue.
• The teacher must be notified of the discontinuation of lessons atleast TWO WEEKS in advance so that the teacher can coordinate his teaching schedule.
• The teacher reserves the right to discontinue teaching any student. In this event, lessons will be discontinued after last paid lesson has been given.

Holiday Breaks

• During the School Term (Sunday, August 21st, 2011 - Saturday, May 26th, 2012) the teacher will observe the Charleston County School District holiday break schedule.

Labor Day Weekend // Sunday, September 4th – Monday, September 5th

Thanksgiving Break // Monday, November 21st - Sunday, November 27th

Winter Break // Sunday, December 18th - Monday, January 2nd

Spring Break // Sunday, April 8th – Saturday, April 14th

• No other holidays or breaks will be observed (this includes teacher workdays, birthdays, family vacation, school field trips, etc.) during the School Term.

• During the Summer (Sunday, May 27th, 2012 - August TBA 2012) a different break schedule and policy terms will apply to allow for family and teacher breaks.

Scheduling

• Scheduling is done by the month.
• The teacher will consolidate his schedule every month.
• Requests for a new time may or may not be honored. The teacher will make every reasonable effort to accommodate but cannot guarantee any change in scheduling due to the possible inconvenience it may place on other students.
• Generally, changes in schedule will occur at the start of a new month so as not to disrupt any scheduled month.

Required Lesson Materials

• Music, assignment folder, pencil, & metronome are required at every lesson!
• The student may bring music into the lesson provided the teacher deem it of the appropriate level for the student.

Piano Maintenance and Setup

• The piano should be tuned every 6-12 months and be mechanically sound.
• When not playing the piano, the lid should be closed to protect the keys.
• A bench of the appropriate height for the student at the piano should be provided.
• A footstool for the young student to rest his/her feet to maintain the proper balance at the piano should be provided.
• The piano room should be well-lit. An appropriate piano lamp is recommended.
• The piano room should be free of distractions. TVs, toys, siblings, etc. are generally not a good atmosphere for the study of music.
• Food & drink should never be present on or near the piano. Accidents can lead to costly repairs and possibly irreversible damage.
• The piano should be placed away from windows, outside doorways, outside walls, and air vents. Frequent changes in temperature will cause the piano to go out of tune quickly. The piano is best situated along an inside wall away from any air vents.
• Keep heavy items and décor off of the piano. Only music, pencils, metronome, & a piano lamp should be allowed to rest on the piano.
• If you notice a problem with your piano, have that problem addressed promptly, otherwise this problem might cause more problems and repairs may be costly.
• An in-tune piano is a joy to play and listen to. An out-of-tune piano can be both painful and difficult to play as well as unpleasant to listen to.

• Recommended Piano Tuner & Technician:

Nick Miller (843) 209-7605
nick@nickmillerpianoservice.com
www.NickMillerPianoService.com

Keyboard Maintenance and Setup

• The keyboard should be of the appropriate size (61-keys or more with full size keys) and mechanically sound.
• An appropriate keyboard stand should be provided.
• An appropriate music stand should be provided (most keyboards have a built in or attachable stand, some do not and will need a separate music stand).
• A sustain pedal should be provided (some smaller keyboards may not have this option).
• A keyboard bench of the appropriate height for the student at the piano should be provided.
• A footstool for the young student to rest his/her feet to maintain proper balance at the keyboard should be provided.
• The keyboard room should be well-lit. Any appropriate piano lamp is recommended.
• The keyboard room should be free of distractions. TVs, toys, siblings, etc. are generally not a good atmosphere for the study of music.
• Food & drink should never be present on or near the keyboard. Accidents can lead to costly repairs and possibly irreversible damage. Electrical shock is also a risk.