Frequently Asked Questions
.....New procedures for 2025.....
How Much Do Lessons Cost?
Your first lesson, a 30-minute trial session, is $49. This gives you an opportunity to experience how the lessons work and decide if you’d like to continue.
If you choose to commit to a 9-week term after your trial, the cost is $441 for the term (less the $49 you’ve already paid for the trial lesson). This flat rate applies to continuing students and includes:
-Up to 9 private lessons.
-Ongoing support via email, phone, or text between lessons.
-The option to send recordings for detailed feedback on pieces you're working on.
-3 Mini Term Assessments
-A personalized learning program tailored to your goals.
-Access to a dedicated online learning portal, where you’ll find piano accompaniments and backing tracks for the pieces you're learning, exercises and lesson notes, recordings to help you track your progress.
*Note: if you wish to have longer lessons, for example 45 minutes or 1 hour, the flat rate for the term would be:
45 mins=$ 661.50
1 Hour=$882
This structure ensures you have comprehensive support and resources to make the most of your learning experience.
For more information see FAQ 'What Do My Tuition Costs Cover'
What If I Join Half Way Through The Term?
Your term fee will be calculated by how many weeks are left in the term. For example, if you join on week 3 (have your first trial lesson on a day in week 3), you will be invoiced for weeks 4-9 upfront (6 weeks=$49x6=$294).
Do I Need My Own Flute For My Trial Lesson?
Yes. If you do not yet have your own flute, the recommended flute to hire/buy is the Yamaha YFL 222 series. If you're unsure about your commitment to on going learning, it is recommended to hire a flute for 3 months first. You can do this here:
https://sizemusicrental.com.au/instrument-rental/instrument/flute/ OR here: https://www.musicorp.com.au/flutes/
Do You Do Makeup Lessons?
No. In place of a lesson that you may have missed for any reason, you will be issued an e-assignment for that lesson. This could consist of completing a music theory sheet, a video or audio recording project, listening task, aural test or researching new pieces of music you would like to learn, a written assignment as to why you prefer one flute recording over another flute recording etc. Your assignment will be assessed and detailed written or video/audio feedback will be given before your next lesson. The task/s given will be in alignment with your customised learning plan.
What If My Regular Lesson Falls On A Public Holiday?
You will be issued an e-assignment for that day which will be assessed and be given feedback before your next lesson.
How do I Submit Video Or Audio Recordings For E-assignments?
You can simply record audio or video from a smart device, and send via text message, or if the file is too large, upload to Google Drive and send the link from it, or use the web app Loom for free, and send the link to Liz to view.
Do You Have Regular Assessments During The Term?
I am always assessing your progress each lesson and guiding you where you can improve. However, in a learning term there are three points in time which encourages structure to your learning. While nothing is set in absolute stone, these benchmarks are particularly useful for students/parents who want an objective measure as to how they are progressing. The elements that will be looked at for assessment weeks are:
Week 3: 2 Major Scales, 2 Minor Scales and associated arpeggios by memory + 1 chromatic scale + performance of 1 study, either performed within the lesson, or submitted via video.
Week 6: 2 Major Scales, 2 Minor Scales and associated arpeggios by memory + 1 chromatic scale + performance of a selected piece of music with accompaniment either performed within the lesson, or submitted via video.
Week 9: 2 Major Scales, 2 Minor Scales and associated arpeggios by memory + 1 chromatic scale + performance of 2 contrasting pieces with accompaniment either performed within the lesson, or submitted via video.
Each assessment must contain different scales and different pieces so that by the end of the term you will have completed:
-1 study
-3 pieces
-12 scales
-12 arpeggios
-3 Chromatic scales commencing on different starting notes
Does Everyone Do The Same Assessment?
No. Assessments are customised to your stage of development, but are based on the above criteria. But for absolute beginners, the assessment will be more simplified. For example, it may be as simple as playing 5 notes up and back to demonstrate fluidity in fingering and sound control. Think of assessments more like 'benchmarks' to aim for within a lesson. They are a guide only. If you desire more formal assessments, it is recommended to sit for external exams such as the Australian Music Examination Board, of which I can definitely help you prepare for, and have done so for multiple students.
What is the Minimum Age You Teach?
8 Years old.
Do You Have Concerts For Students?
Yes. At least twice per year.
Do Students Have To Do External Exams?
No, but I do encourage it. You can choose to do AMEB, Trinity or ABRSM
Do You Offer Zoom Lessons?
Yes. Whether you are travelling, or the traffic is terrible on a given day, or you're unwell and want to prevent the spread of infection or you live elsewhere in the world, zoom lessons are an option. Technologies other than zoom also available.
Where Can You Hire A Flute?
You can hire a flute here:
https://sizemusicrental.com.au/instrument-rental/instrument/flute/ OR here: https://www.musicorp.com.au/flutes/
Do You Teach Adults?
Yes! I love teaching adults.
Do you offer longer than 30 minute lessons?
Yes, get in touch to discuss availability.
Do You Offer Casual Lessons Only?
Yes, but this is subject to availability on the booking calendar. You will need to individually book and pay for each lesson from the booking calendar as you want them.
What Do My Tuition Costs Cover?
Apart from being offered a weekly private lesson, there are many other things that go on behind the scenes that Liz does which contributes to your learning. These include:
-Finding backing tracks for your music
-Slowing the speed down of certain backing tracks via software if they are too fast for you
-Uploading and synching your music to SoundSlice for easier learning and a deeper understanding of notation and rhythm and how your part fits with the accompaniment
-Recording videos for you so you can hear how certain pieces of music sound and play along with them
-Listening to your submitted videos/audios in order to to give you detailed feedback
-Writing letters of recommendation for private school scholarships when requested
-Submitting the paper work for your exams
-Adding to and maintaining your customised Online Learning Portal
-Finding recordings for you to listen to
-Responding to your text messages/phone calls between lessons
-Guiding you on competition pieces
-Creating green screen video projects with you if you choose (editing the videos outside of your lessons so you have something to keep forever as a memory of your flute playing days)
-Developing Technical Exercises: Creating or selecting exercises to target specific technical challenges, such as finger speed, tone, or intonation, customised to individual challenges.
-Organising end of semester concerts
-Organising holiday ensemble programs and finding/editing appropriate music for them
-Marking and responding to your assessments that occur on week 3, 6 and 9 of the term
-Researching appropriate new music to suit your goals and to strengthen the weak links you may have to develop in certain areas of your playing
-Creating e-Assignments for you which are customised to your development and specific goals as a player
Can I Have More Than 9 Lessons Per Term?
Yes, but the additional lesson/s will need to be booked and paid for as casual lessons from the booking calendar, and this is subject to what is available on the booking calendar.
What If I Fail My Assessments?
You will be given multiple chances to succeed, as learning an instrument is often a '2 steps forward and 1 step backwards' process. However, if after 3 terms you are consistently under performing, it may be time to reassess why you want to learn the flute. I am less interested in 'talent' and more interested in 'effort'. The assessments are not being implemented to scare you-it is more to give you a goal to work towards and ensure the best learning outcome for you, which means you can enjoy your flute even more. Learning an instrument is often seen as just a fun 'creative' thing to do, but in order to get to the fun and the creative part, basic skills must be achieved first, otherwise it is neither fun nor creative!
Do You Offer Lessons During School Holidays?
At certain times within the school holidays, yes. These lessons can be booked via the booking calendar.
