MUSIC ARTS ACADEMY
A center to train and mentor artists for the glory and work of Jesus Christ

PIANO STUDENTGeneral Information

Registration
All new and continuing students must register each year. Registration forms should be returned to:
Lake Travis United Methodist Church
Music Arts Academy
1502 RR 620 North
Austin, Texas 78734

You may download the registration form to your computer by clicking on the words "registration form" in the column on the right. It is in "pdf" format and you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print the form. If you do not already have Acrobat, you can download the program for free HERE.

Fees & Payment
A $50 (per family) non-refundable registration fee is due at the beginning of the year (August) or whenever the student registers for lessons with the Academy. Students are registering for a 10-month commitment (August – May). The registration fee will be applied to the student’s May tuition at the end of the year. Individual course fees are listed in the Course Guide.

NOTE: The registration fee must be returned with the registration form before you will be scheduled for a lesson.
Payments for lessons are made on a monthly basis and are due by the 10th of each month. (Monthly tuitions vary depending on the type and frequency of the class.)

Lesson Schedule
Lessons are scheduled during the academic year (August through May), with breaks for holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, spring break). Students are expected to pay for and attend weekly lessons.

Summer Lessons: If students wish to study during the summer months, instructors will schedule lessons on a flexible schedule, based on student and instructor availability, and students will pay just for those scheduled lessons.

Absentee Policy
Voice, Guitar, String students: call your instructor at least 24 hours in advance if you need to miss a lesson. By calling your instructor at least 24 hours in advance, you will have the opportunity to schedule a make-up lesson. A maximum of two make-up lessons are allowed per term. If you choose not to schedule a make-up lesson, payment is still due for the missed lesson.

Piano students: adhere to the “Piano Absentee Policy”, as determined by the piano instructor.

Withdrawal Policy
Students wishing to withdraw from the Academy prior to May will need to give a 30-day written notice to the Music Arts Academy administrator, Patty Highland. Payment for lessons during that 30-day period will be expected. Student’s registration fee will not be refunded. Non-attendance is not considered to be an official withdrawal and tuition will still be due.

LTUMC Music Arts Academy admits students of any race, color, or national and ethnic origin to all programs and activities made available. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color or national ethnic origin in its policies, admissions, or any other programs. Enrollment in the Music Arts Academy is not a requirement for, or a guarantee of participation in any service or ministry within LTUMC.

Questions? - Call the Music Arts Academy Administrator, Patty Highland at (512) 266-9877, extension 204 or send email to Patty at music@ltumc.org.

Class:
Instructors for 2008-2009
Cost:
Piano
Paola Perin
Paola serves as the organist/pianist here at Lake Travis UMC and works with our children’s music ministry. She has completed coursework towards a doctorate degree in piano pedagogy (piano instruction) at the University of Texas, Austin. She has taught private lessons to beginner through advanced students of all ages, and has also taught in numerous piano settings. She also plays piano and organ as the pianist/organist at Lake Travis UMC. (Sanctuary Room 3)
$30 per 1/2 hr. lesson
Piano
Meggie Young
Margaret has a Master of Music degree from Bowling Green State University in piano performance and collaborative piano and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. She is currently enrolled in the doctoral program at the University of Texas, Austin, in piano pedagogy. She has taught piano privately for several years, given master classes, and has taught group piano classes as well. For the past few years, she has studied students with disabilities in order to more effectively provide all children with meaningful musical experiences. An article discussing her research on teaching piano to children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder will be published early in 2009. (Sanctuary Room 3)
$30 per 1/2 hour lesson
Suzuki
Violin
Jill Dalley
Jill Dalley started taking private violin lessons at age seven in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She studied with David Cole and UNM professor Leonard Felberg. Additionally, she played in school orchestras and the city youth symphonies and the NM All-State orchestras. Professionally Jill plays in the Temple Symphony and the Musical Discovery Chamber Players String Quartet. Other professional appearances include the Waco Symphony, the Richardson Symphony, the Austin Civic Orchestra and the Starlight Symphony. Jill’s Suzuki training began in Little Rock with Stevi Sandven. She has continued her training with Flory Godinez of Austin. Jill is an active member of the Suzuki Association of America. (Music Room)
$TBD per month (includes weekly private lessons and bi-monthly group lessons)
Guitar
or Bass
Ed Ferguson

With over 25 years of professional experience, Ed is well versed in the styles of rock, pop, country, blues and swing. Equally at home on the acoustic or electric guitar, Ed can go from a greasy Billy Gibbons-style riff one moment, to a delicate finger-picked folk song for the next. Ed also has experience with bass guitar, playing both with country bands and rock bands. He has played both instruments for years, depending on the current band’s needs. Ed plays with a variety of bands in Austin and the surrounding communities. Ed also shares his musical gifts in worship at Lake Travis UMC and assists with the church Praise Band.

Lessons offered:
Beginner Guitar – Learn simple chords, beginning strum patters. Introduction to finger-picking. Learn simple pop songs. (Better for acoustic guitar, but electric acceptable.)
Beginner Electric Lead Guitar — Student should already have some experience with chords. Emphasis on blues, note bends, scales, finger strengthening exercises, double picking techniques, and use of distortion.
Beginner Bass — Learn basic bass techniques, such as walking bass. Learn the neck positions for all keys. Some drum machine training.
Intermediate Guitar , Intermediate Lead Guitar, and Advanced Guitar – Areas of focus to be determined according to the student’s needs. (Music Room)

$24 per 1/2 hour lesson

 

Cello
& Voice
Matt Young

Matt Young received his B.A. in cello performance and vocal performance from Luther College in Decorah, IA in 2005. He has studied cello privately under Dr. Karl Levine, Dr. Eric Kutz at Luther College, and Dr. Allen Smith at Bowling Green State University. Matt has been a member of the Luther College Symphony Orchestra, Luther College Chamber Orchestra, Bowling Green State University Orchestra, The Lima Symphony Orchestra, as well as numerous string quartets and pit orchestras. An active music theorist, Matt received his Master’s of Music in music theory from Bowling Green State University in 2007, where he was awarded Best Thesis of the Year by the school of music for his thesis Projecting Tolkien’s Musical Worlds: A Study of Musical Affect in Howard Shore’s Soundtrack to The Lord of the Rings (published by VDM – Verlag, 2007). Currently Matt is pursuing his Ph.D. in Music Theory at the University of Texas – Austin. (Music Room)

 

$24 per 1/2 hour lesson

The Music Room is located in the Sanctuary Building, to the left of the main office.

Sanctuary Room 3 is located in the Sanctuary Building, to the left of the main entry doors.