Dear Parents and Students of Luck Studios,
 
Hello!  I hope you are all doing well and getting ready for the wild adventure that will be this school year!  Here at the studio my husband is busily preparing to teach elementary Art online while I research and read up on new techniques and methods for teaching online Music. 
 
Speaking of which, I have attached the new studio policy and the registration forms to this email (available online on the Policy and Registration page).  To help students get the most out of their lessons, please take a few minutes to read through the policy and refamiliarize yourself with its points.  You will also see a few changes or additions which I will outline here to make them easier to find in the document:
 
Registration Forms & Payments:
Registration forms are due back by Friday, September 4th.  There are two copies of the form attached.  The PDF form can be printed and filled out by hand.  Then you may scan and email it, mail it, or even take a photo and send it back by text.  The Word copy of the form can be filled out in Microsoft Word, saved and emailed back or printed and mailed. 
 
Registration fees and music account deposits are due with the attached forms.  It is completely okay to include these fees with your first payment in September as all one check.  Simply indicate that you are doing so on the registration form or by sending me an email.
 
Online Lessons:
We are going to continue online-only lessons until Winter Break (December 21st).  At that point I will reassess where things stand and whether we can return to in-person lessons safely.  While moving online has been challenging, I am also excited that we are learning how to use the resource of online lessons!
 
Lesson Scheduling:
After giving it a lot of thought, I have decided to wait until Monday, September 14th to start lessons.  On a normal year, with Labor Day coming so late, I would have started that Tuesday (the 9th), but with school classes beginning that week for most students (and because I have a bit of an “inside” view of the public school operations because of my husband’s work) there is a potential that will be a fairly stressful week for people.  I do not want to add to that stress!  It will be better to start the following week when students have had at least a few days to assimilate how the new school schedule will work. I have still scheduled 39 teaching weeks in the year with breaks occurring at Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring and Summer.
 
With that in mind, I want to say that I understand schedules and needs will change periodically this year, some in unpredictable ways.  I will do all I can to accommodate those changes and needs as they arise.  If you have a scheduling conflict with your lesson time or need to change that time entirely please let me know as soon as you can!  I will work with you to find a time that works. 
 
And last but not least on this topic, I will be making some changes to the schedule overall which may impact the start time of student’s lessons for those who prefer the same lesson time as last year.  Previously it worked well to have students lessons scheduled back-to-back but this is no longer the case.  With online lessons I need to leave space between them so that I can finish and send a student’s assignment sheet while the information is still fresh in my mind and be fully ready and attentive for the next student’s lesson.   Furthermore, when we return to in-person lessons I need to assume that I will have to have time between each student to clean and disinfect all of the studio surfaces and to allow one student to leave before another arrives.  To facilitate this I will be placing at least fifteen minutes between each lesson.  To help me find a lesson time that will work for you, please fill out the Lesson Day and Time section of the registration form with as much information as you can.  Thank you!
 
Tuition Payment Options:
You will notice that in addition to the monthly, quarterly, and per-lesson payment options available last year I have included a 10-month payment option.  This provides two payment-free months in the summer (July & August) and is more cost-effective than the 12-month option last year.  I have included a chart in the policy that shows both the payment amount for each group and what that payment equates to per lesson so that you can compare the options easily.  Fewer payments equates to less time spent processing payments, so discounts are included for that reason.  I am happy to answer any questions you have about the different payment schedules! 
 
PayPal Payment Fee:
After looking at several options for online or credit card payments I have decided PayPal still makes the most sense for the studio.  PayPal charges a fee for every transaction, but is far less than the expense incurred to have a credit card reader at a small business the size of Luck Studios.  While I am happy to provide the PayPal option as needed, I highly encourage payments by check or cash – while these require a little leg work on both your part and mine, they also incur the least additional expense of the different options.  I would prefer to keep tuition down for as many of you as possible than to pay an outside company to process credit cards. 
 
Music Accounts:
Statements will be sent out later today via email.  If you do not get a copy of your music account statement please let me know.
 
Referrals:
Your referrals are an honor to me and are my very best means of finding new students and growing the studio!  I currently have a few openings and am looking for 2 or 3 new students for this fall.  You always have my permission to send the studio address, email address, and phone number to anyone you know who might be interested in lessons (or even send along this email to them with the policy).  If you refer a family to the studio and they register for lessons you will receive a two-lesson “Thank you!” discount off your next tuition payment. 
 
I am looking forward to all the musical adventures with students this year!  As always, if you have any questions or concerns I am available by phone, text or email anytime.
 
Thank you for sticking with me through this long-ish email and for your continued support and all you do to make Luck Studios a great studio!
 
-Samantha Luck
 
[email protected]
757-817-6532

This fall marks my 27th year of teaching piano!  I have greatly appreciated the incredibly rewarding opportunity to connect with so many of you over of the years. It is thrilling to watch students as they develop musical skills that will enhance their quality of life and bring joy to them and others!

I keep up to date with new ideas, concepts, and teaching techniques as they evolve (ever faster, it seems!) and carefully select the ones that are best for my students.  I am excited to share with you several improvements I am adding to the studio this coming year.

Introducing Piano Maestro!
          This summer I discovered an amazing iPad program, Piano Maestro.  The program has so much to offer for students of every age and level of technique! Initial trials in the studio have shown me that students are having fun with it while also learning. It’s a win-win!  Piano Maestro is a music-teaching program where a student plays a song as it scrolls across the screen.  The iPad listens to the student and measures their progress on the song, giving useful and encouraging feedback but to the student it has the feel of a video game where the piano is the controller.  Currently I am using the version that gives my students access to the program at the studio only.  In the fall, I will begin offering the version of Piano Maestro that gives students full access at home on their iPad, at a cost of $2 per month.  This will allow students 24/7 access to the program to practice/play at home.  I will be able to monitor their practicing progress and assign them lessons during the week.  Participation in the at-home version will be optional and requires the student to have an iPad, but I highly recommend it!  Piano Maestro has already proven to be a great motivational tool in the studio and I believe it will be even better when the students can use the program at home as well!

Introducing Class Dojo!
          In order to enhance communication about lessons with students and parents, I’m introducing Class Dojo to the studio - some of you may be familiar with it from school classrooms. This will allow me to keep in touch with students and parents regarding student progress and behavior on a weekly basis.  I have begun to set up the program and will add parents soon.  Look for a link sometime in September so you can begin receiving lesson and progress reports.

Additional Lesson Time!
          One of the things I noted this year as I reviewed lessons and student progress was how much the students in 45-minute lessons benefitted from the additional 15 minutes of lesson time each week. Whether working at the piano, the table, or the computer, students who experienced extra lesson time made more consistent progress with fewer frustrations. This was true both at the lesson and during their practice time at home. The extra time also allowed me to visit with the students and get to know each of them better, instead of having to jump right into the lesson materials. This in turn improved the student/teacher rapport, as well as made it easier for me to research and select music that motivated and encouraged.
          After observing the benefits of this additional 15 minutes of instruction, I have decided to shift all students to 45-minute lessons this coming year. Students will now receive 3 hours of instructional time per month, instead of 2 hours. This will include an increase in cost for those who have been in 30-minute lessons, but will also mean students will receive two additional lessons worth of time per month.  The extra time will be used to help the student better understand how to approach practicing during the week and to work with the new programs.  My additional hope is that this will help reduce the anxiety some students have about lessons and practicing, which in turn may help them to stay enrolled in lessons!

Options for At-Home Help and Make-up Lessons!
          I now have an updated iPad, and therefore have access to FaceTime, Messenger Video Chat and Skype.  While I do not think it is the most ideal way to hold lessons on a regular basis, I would like to try using these platforms when a student is unable to make it to the studio for a lesson or if the student needs some additional help during the week.  For example, if the student has been sick and should stay home but could tolerate a short internet lesson, we can hold that lesson online.  Or if a student has a question or needs encouragement between lessons we can schedule a short online chat to get them back on track.

Incentive Program!
          To help defer some of the increase in cost I am offering an incentive program to all students for the coming year.  Your referrals are how the studio grows and stays healthy so that I can offer new and exciting opportunities for Luck Studios students!  When you refer someone to the studio, please let them know to give me your name.  If the family you referred signs up for lessons and pay their first month tuition you will receive a discount of half-off your next month’s tuition!  There are business cards and posters available at the studio and you are welcome to take as many as you need.  Thank you so much for your referrals!

          As always, I am willing to speak with you if you have any questions or concerns. Also, parents are always welcome to attend a lesson to see what the student and I are working on and check on their progress.  Please feel free to contact me by phone, email, or text any time!  I am looking forward to a GREAT year of lessons!!

Fall lessons will begin on Monday, September 10th.  Registration forms and fees are due for all continuing students by August 31st in order to guarantee your same lesson day and time as last year. I will send out lesson confirmations as soon as I am able to get the schedule finished, hopefully no later than September 6th!

I hope you all have a great start to the school year and I will see you soon!

-Mrs. Luck

I'm looking forward to the new studio year that will start in a few weeks! We are scheduled to begin lessons on Tuesday, September 5th.  I will continue to teach in Williamsburg on Mondays and in Newport News on Tuesdays through Thursdays this year.  We have several exciting events coming up that students can participate in:

Piano Olympics - will be held the first weekend of October in Newport News and Williamsburg

Fall Masquerade Recital - will be in Ewell Hall at William and Mary on Sunday, October 29th.

The Studio Holiday Party - Friday, December 15th in Newport News

National Federated Festival - First two weekends of March

Studio Spring Awards Recital - also at Ewell Hall on Sunday, May 20th

Hello Students and Parents!

Welcome to Fall Lessons!  I am excited to see so many returning students and also all the new students that have joined the studio in the past few weeks!  I think this is going to be a great year for music-making!

The students at the group lesson chose to have a practicing contest where they can collect up beads based on the days per week they practice.  They will be able to take the beads home and use them in whatever creations they like.  I will be giving students more information about this contest over the next week and soon we will see the bead collections on the wall of the studio!

October 1st is our next Group Lesson.  It will be held at the studio location in Newport News from 10:30 - 11:30 AM.  I hope to see many students there.  The lesson will include some performance practice as students prepare for the recital at the end of the month.

I now have confirmation that our recital is scheduled for Ewell Hall at William & Mary on October 30th (Sunday) at 2:30 pm.  Students are welcome and encouraged to come in costume.  Many students have already begun to work on their pieces for the recital, so be listening for spooky music in their practicing!

The first city-wide event of the year is Piano Olympics which will be held on November 5th (Newport News) and 6th (Williamsburg).  This is an evaluation event where students play scales, chords and arpeggios for an adjudicator.  They receive comments and points for their efforts.  There is a small fee to enter the event.  For more information please talk to Mrs. Luck.

And then we will start Holiday and Festival music!

The recital video is online!   I have created a new page under the Parents section to store the videos, so you can find them there.  I also uploaded more photos today, though it seems Mr. Luck has hidden the latest recital photos from me somewhere on the computer.  :)  I will have him show me where they are so I can get them posted as soon as possible.

Next week is Thanksgiving Break, and then we will resume lessons as we head into the holiday season.  The Studio Holiday Party is coming up on Friday, December 18th, so hold that date on your calendar.  It is one of the most fun events we have in the year!

Following that, most of the students will be preparing for Federated Festival in late-February.  Those that are playing in festival already have at least one of their pieces, so please encourage students to practice!

The new school year is in full-swing and so are the lessons at Luck Studios.  We are starting off the year with a sticker-chart practicing contest.  The students at the group lesson last Saturday decided as a group on the rules and particulars of the contest.  You can find more information about it here.

The Fall Masquerade Recital is only a few weeks away.  I am still looking for a location, so I cannot quite confirm the day/time yet, but hope to in the next few days.  I am looking for a place that can host us on Sunday, October 25th.

Let me know if there is anything I can do to make the start of lessons smoother this year.  Your comments and ideas help make this studio great!

Thanks!

-Samantha Luck