Why study privately?

For those who intend to pursue advanced studies in voice and/or a professional setting music literacy is of utmost importance.  For the participant ages 8-18 this is demonstrated in building the skills needed to successfully pass the Florida All-State Choir Testing, including: advanced sight-reading, theory, ear-training, and choral singing.  We acknowledge our public school magnet programs and encourage our students to prepare for the entrance auditions, which would include a solo selection from Twenty-Four Italian Songs and Arias or appropriate Music Theater repertoire for that avenue of voice.

The voice is always treated delicately and carefully no matter the age of the student.  However, special care is given to students who are younger.  Unlike studios that refuse to teach any vocal student under the age of 12, we believe that if students are auditioning semi professionally and professionally for children’s roles, they should be properly trained and guided.  While we encourage all younger students to join the Ruth Eckerd Hall Children’s Choir as a first step, private instruction is sometimes required for audition preparation.

Piano Instruction-available for ages 4 years and up:

We teach the essential skills for promoting a lifelong love of music and playing the piano:
- internalize basic rhythms and pulse
- read music
- understand the basic elements of music theory, form and harmony
- respond to interpretative elements of the composition to express the emotional character of the music
- communicate with the music
- work independently
- solve problems
- perform with physical ease and technical efficiency both individually and with others in a variety of settings

Violin Studies-available for ages 4 years and up:

Students will benefit from brief history and overview of the string instruments , the ability to recognize parts of the violin, the bow, proper violin posture(techniques of the right and left hands), proper care and maintenance of instrument. Private violin lessons include music theory as a musical notation of rhythm, melody and sight reading. The students will have the opportunity to explore and become familiar with music of different periods and genres for the age- appropriate repertoire.

Upon request:
In addition, we provide instruction in areas of harp, guitar, brass instruments and percussion.

Performance/Spring Juries:
Participants have an opportunity to perform in appropriate level recitals. Twice a year, we offer a beginning/intermediate recital, a high school age recital, and an adult opera recital. The high school age students perform for a jury panel of private instructors in their specified area as a preparation for college juries.  Recommendations are made by the panel in areas of technique and performance to better prepare the student for the upcoming spring recital.

Please call the Registrar's office at (727)-712-2706 to enroll and assess your desired lesson.

The registrar will set up a test lesson with one of our instructors. This is to ensure the right match between the student and instructor- this is imperative in an individual lesson setting to ensure the best results.

Immediately following the test lesson you will either enroll to begin study or arrange for another test lesson.

Private Lesson Fees and Policies
Lessons may be purchased in multiples of 4 (e.g., 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, etc.)
Lesson fees are as follows:
$22.50-$27.00 for 30 minutes
$33.75-$38.75 for 45 minutes
$45.00-$50.00 for 60 minutes

(Some instructors’ fees may be higher. Please call the Registrars’ Office at (727) 712-2706 for details.)

We accept credit or debit cards. For your convenience, automatic payment for private lessons is available. Lessons will not be provided without payment.

Private Lesson Cancellation Policy: All cancellations must be made no less than 24 hours prior to the lesson to receive a makeup lesson (which will be scheduled at the discretion of the teacher). If a student misses a lesson without notifying a Registrar in advance, a lesson fee will be charged. Private vocal and piano lessons are encouraged for all Vocal Track/musical theater students.

Fall & Winter/Spring Private Lesson Recital Dates
High School Recitals:
Friday, December 12, 7:30 pm
Friday, May 15, 7:30 pm

Beginning/Intermediate Piano Recitals:
Saturday, December 13, 11:00 am
Saturday, May 16, 11:00 am

Beginning/Intermediate Vocal & Violin Recitals:
Saturday, December 13, 2:00 pm
Saturday, May 16, 2:00 pm

Adult Recitals:
Saturday, December 13, 5:00 pm
Saturday, May 16, 5:00 pm

Private Lesson Faculty
(click on a name for more information)

Edward Crader- Vocal
Talia Dillahey - Piano
Mary Fitzpatrick - Adult Acting
Luba Geyer - Violin and Viola
Rosalia Maresca -Vocal and Piano
Dr. Susan Robinson - Vocal and Piano
Peggy Sheffield - Acting On Camera and Stage