THE LAB

Frequently Asked Questions

Who do you teach?
The Lab offers private piano instruction for children ages 6+ and adults, from complete beginners through more experienced players. No previous musical experience is necessary.

When are lessons offered?
Private 30 minute lessons. Students are assigned a regular weekly lesson time that remains theirs as long as they maintain their enrollment.

Because the teaching schedule is intentionally limited, new enrollment is opened periodically as availability allows.

How much are lessons?
Individual lessons are $40 per 30-minute lesson.

Monthly enrollment is $150 prepaid and includes up to four lessons that month. Monthly enrollment also reserves your dedicated weekly lesson time.

Can I pay week-to-week?
New students may begin at the individual $40 lesson rate. After two months, monthly enrollment is required to retain a dedicated weekly time.

Because availability is limited, students who remain pay-as-you-go cannot be guaranteed an ongoing reserved time.

When is tuition due?
Monthly tuition is due on the first of each month and must be received at least 24 hours before the first scheduled lesson of the month to retain the student's enrollment and reserved time.

Payments are accepted through Venmo and Zelle.

What happens if we need to miss a lesson?
Life happens! With at least 24 hours' notice by text or email, students may request one make-up lesson per month.

Wednesday evenings are our designated make-up window. Make-ups are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed. If a make-up cannot be accommodated, the missed lesson is forfeited and is not refundable.

Cancellations received less than 24 hours before the scheduled lesson are not eligible for a make-up or refund.

Where are lessons held?
Lessons are taught from Roger's home studio in Wendell Falls, NC.

Parents are welcome to stay during their child's lesson or may drop off and return at the scheduled end of the lesson. A comfortable living room is available for parents and siblings who choose to stay. We simply ask everyone to remain quiet and non-disruptive while lessons are in progress.

Students and accompanying family members should remain in the designated lesson/waiting areas of our home.

Can siblings come along?
Yes. Up to two siblings may accompany a student as long as they can remain quiet and non-disruptive during the lesson.

Can students bring food or drinks?
Because lessons take place in our home and around musical equipment, outside food and drinks are not permitted. Closed water bottles are welcome.

A restroom is available for students and accompanying family members.

What does a student need to have at home?
Every student needs access to an instrument for regular practice.

For beginners, a keyboard with at least 49 keys is sufficient during the first year of study. As students progress, a full-size, weighted keyboard or acoustic piano will generally be required. Roger will make recommendations based on each student's individual progress.

Do I need to buy books or other materials?
Yes. Roger will recommend appropriate books, sheet music and other learning materials based on each student's level and goals. Purchase links will typically be sent by text.

Metronomes, apps and other supplemental tools may also be recommended throughout instruction, with an emphasis on free options whenever practical.

What should students bring to each lesson?
Students should arrive each week with all assigned books and music, a notebook/notepad and a pencil.

Having the proper materials is essential to making productive use of lesson time.

How much should students practice?
Consistent daily practice is an important part of studying at The Lab. Students should plan for approximately 30–60 minutes of total practice each day.

That does not mean sitting at the piano for an uninterrupted hour! Short, focused practice sessions are often far more productive. For younger students, three 10-minute sessions—or even several focused 5-minute sessions throughout the day—can be an excellent approach.

Consistency matters far more than cramming an hour of practice in the night before a lesson.

What if a student isn't practicing?
Learning an instrument requires commitment outside of the weekly lesson. Roger understands that some weeks are busier than others, but students are expected to make a consistent effort toward their assignments and arrive prepared to build on the previous week's work.

Repeated lack of preparation, forgotten materials or lack of engagement may result in a conversation with the student and/or parent and, when necessary, reconsideration of continued enrollment.

What will I/my child learn?
Roger teaches a variety of musical styles built upon a strong classical foundation.

Students learn how to navigate the keyboard, read music, understand music theory, develop healthy technique and recognize the patterns and structures that make music work. Depending on the student's interests and goals, instruction may also include improvisation, composition, chords, contemporary music and performance preparation.

Students follow a structured learning method while also having opportunities to work on music they're genuinely excited to play.

Do you teach music theory?
Absolutely. Understanding why music works is an important part of becoming an independent musician rather than simply learning how to reproduce notes from a page.

Theory is incorporated naturally into lessons and may become a larger part of instruction depending on the student's age, level and goals.

Can students work on music they choose themselves?
Yes—and it's encouraged.

Roger's approach combines what a student wants to learn with what they need to learn in order to reach their goals. Students may bring songs, styles, composers or musical ideas they're interested in exploring alongside their structured curriculum.

Do you prepare students for performances, auditions, competitions or exams?
Yes. Students can receive preparation for school performances, auditions, competitions, examinations and other musical opportunities when appropriate.

Does The Lab have recitals?
Yes. The goal is to offer at least one recital each year, with additional performance opportunities potentially offered based on student progress and interest.

Participation is optional but strongly encouraged. Some performance opportunities may carry a small participation fee, which will always be communicated in advance.

Can parents record during lessons?
Yes. Parents are welcome to record portions of their child's lesson when it is useful for practice and learning at home.

The Lab may also occasionally record lesson or performance material for educational purposes. Parents will be given separate opportunities to opt in to educational recording and to the public/promotional use of their child's photo or video.

Public use is always optional. When permission is granted for a minor's image or video to be used in promoting The Lab, only the student's first name will be used.

What if we need to take a break from lessons?
A short pause of up to two weeks can generally be accommodated. Because recurring lesson times are limited, longer pauses may require releasing the student's reserved time so it can be offered to someone on the waitlist.

How do we discontinue lessons?
The Lab requires at least 14 days' written notice when ending enrollment. Tuition and lesson payments already made are nonrefundable.

The Lab also reserves the right to discontinue enrollment when necessary due to chronic absences, nonpayment, repeated lack of preparation or commitment, disruptive behavior, or other circumstances that make continued instruction unproductive.

What is The Lab's teaching philosophy?
Learning music should be joyful—but the benefits extend far beyond learning notes on a page.

The pursuit of musicianship develops discipline, dedication, problem-solving, pattern recognition, the ability to follow direction and the patience to be comfortable being a beginner before becoming proficient.

At The Lab, the goal isn't simply to teach students how to play songs. It's to help them understand music, develop meaningful skills and discover what they're capable of creating with them.

How do I get started?
Enrollment opens periodically based on Roger's teaching availability and openings in the existing student schedule.

When a spot becomes available, we'll find a Sunday time that works, complete the enrollment information and Studio Policies acknowledgment, and get right into making music. The first lesson is a regular 30-minute lesson at $40.