Lessons
Piano Lessons
Piano lessons are available for beginner through early advanced, beginning age 6 and older. Lessons address the fundamental aspects of playing piano through the use of proper technique and music theory. Students will learn a variety of music styles including classical, popular, jazz, and blues. Lessons occur once a week, every week.
Required Materials: Must have access to a fully functional and well-tuned piano or full-sized weighted keyboard or digital piano for daily practice. Students should bring their music method books and repertoire to each lesson. Additional materials (piano book bag, metronomes, music, flash cards) may also be recommended.
Practice Expectations: A student’s progress is determined by dedicated practice, not by simply attending lessons. Ideally, students should practice at least 4-5 days a week. Specific amounts of practice time are not assigned to each student. Instead, students should practice long enough to complete their weekly assignment.
Flute Lessons
Flute lessons are available for 8 years and older. Lessons will address the fundamental aspects of playing flute through proper technique and music theory. For beginner students, it’s important to know that making a sound on the flute can be difficult in the beginning and to be ready for a little time getting used to blowing into the flute. Don’t let that discourage you though. Every instrument has difficulties.
( Yes! I teach adult flute lessons too! It is never too late to start learning, and I’m happy to help former flute students find their sound again.)
Required Materials: Must have a fully functional flute. If you don’t have a flute and you’re interested in purchasing one, I’m happy to assist. Students should bring their music method books and repertoire to each lesson. Additional materials( Notebook, pencil, flashcards) may also be recommended.
Practice Expectations: A student’s progress is determined by dedicated practice, not by simply attending lessons. Ideally, students should practice at least 4-5 days a week. Specific amounts of practice time are not assigned to each student. Instead, students should practice long enough to complete their weekly assignment.
Voice Lessons
Voice lessons are available for ages 12 and older. Younger students who are interested in singing will receive a mixture of voice and piano lessons. I teach a wide variety of genres including musical theatre, jazz, contemporary, classical, opera, and pop/rock. (And yes… lessons are available for college students and adults!)
On music experience: It is best if students are able to read music or have experience playing another instrument, preferably piano. Students who cannot read music may require additional music theory materials.
Voice lessons focus on a variety of music styles to promote the development of proper breathing, resonance, and tone production, in addition to performance style and interpretation. Lessons occur once a week, every week
Required Materials: Students should have access to an acoustic piano or small keyboard for practice purposes. Voice students must bring a 3-ring binder, current music repertoire, and a bottle of water to each lesson. Recording devices, such as iDevices, smart phones, small audio recorders, or USB flash drives are strongly recommended.
Practice Expectations: Voice students are expected to practice enough to reach their lesson goals each week. Practice should focus on both vocalises and repertoire; voice students must memorize their repertoire.
French Horn Lessons
French Horn lessons are available for 10 years and older. Lessons will address the fundamental aspects of playing French Horn through proper technique and music theory.
( Yes! Adult French horn lessons are available too! It is never too late to start learning!)
Required Materials: Must have a fully functional French Horn. If you don’t have a French horn and you’re interested in purchasing one, we will be happy to assist. Students should bring their music method books and repertoire to each lesson. Additional materials( Notebook, pencil, flashcards) may also be recommended.
Practice Expectations: A student’s progress is determined by dedicated practice, not by simply attending lessons. Ideally, students should practice at least 4-5 days a week. Specific amounts of practice time are not assigned to each student. Instead, students should practice long enough to complete their weekly assignment.
Our Teachers
Michel Dew
CEO Of Dew Music Studio
Teaches: Piano, Flute, Voice
About
Michel Dew is the definition of an entrepreneurial artist. Freelance flautist, songwriter, and educator, she graduated cum laude from the Boston Conservatory in 2013 with a Bachelors of Music in Flute Performance. In addition to flute, she studied piano, voice, and pedagogy. Her teachers include renowned players Geralyn Coticone, Ann Bobo, Jeff Zook, Rhonda Larson, Kazuo Tokito, and Ervin Monroe. She has performed in masterclasses with notable musicians Marianne Gedigian, James Galway, Joseph Silverstein, Rhonda Larson, Amy Porter, and Michel Debost.
As a soloist, Michel has performed professionally in Boston and in the Chicagoland area. She has participated in competitions across the United States and was honored as a finalist in the James Pappoutsakis Memorial Flute Competition. Her woodwind quintet was the winner in the Boston Conservatory Chamber Honors Competition for two consecutive years, and she is a founding member of the Kelkarna Trio, an innovative saxophone, flute, and piano ensemble in Boston. She is also a founding member of Peridiam, a Chicago-based classical/contemporary flute and horn duo.
Michel discovered a passion for songwriting while participating in a ProArts program at the Berklee College of Music. After starting her own band, she made her first professional recording at Studio 52. Her songs incorporate her classical training with her contemporary style, resulting in music that dares to be different.
To achieve her goal of bringing the joy of music to children, Michel established her first private studio in the greater Boston area in 2014. Her 15+ years of classical training, combined with a decade of professional childcare experience, provide the basis for a unique approach to her teaching style. Drawing on her expertise in child development, she tailors her lessons to each individual student. For those in school, private lessons complement school programs
Michel is currently sharing her vitality, knowledge, and love for music with students at her private studio in Schertz, TX.
Steph Smith
Teaches: Piano, Guitar, French Horn
About
Steph Smith was predestined to excel as a professional french horn player. Born into a family of musicians, she is a third-generation horn player who has inherited artistry that simply cannot be taught.
Originally from Park Ridge, Illinois, She started music lessons at the tender age of 5 on the piano where she trained for 10+ years. Steph relocated to Boston, Massachusetts in 2010 to attend the Boston Conservatory to continue her musical studies. In 2014 she graduated with a Bachelors of Music in French horn performance.
Steph’s orchestral opportunities have taken her to locations that musicians only dream about. She has performed in Boston’s Symphony Hall, Chicago’s Symphony Center, New York’s Carnegie Hall, Rotterdam’s de Doelen, and Amsterdam’s Concertgebow.
Today, Steph is the CEO of Beat V.M. LLC which is a company whose mission is to eradicate dysfunctional articulation for wind players. She has been teaching on a global scale and has presented masterclasses at conservatories and music schools ex. the Juilliard School and has been presenting seminars at international conferences.
In addition to teaching adults, Steph is passionate about sharing the gift of music with her young piano, guitar and french horn students.
DEWMUSIC STUDIO POLICIES
DewMusic Studio endeavors to provide quality music lessons by integrating a variety of teaching methods.
Students will receive private lessons. The following policies explain how DewMusic Studio runs and what is expected of students.
DewMusic Studio's teaching philosophy centers on creating dedicated music students with a life-long love of music. The policies below reflect those goals.
Registration Fees + Tuition Rates/Payments
A registration fee of $35 will be required at the beginning of every year to secure your membership in the studio. The registration fee is also applicable to new students who may join at different times during the school year. Lessons will be paid in monthly installments beginning the first lesson of every month. DewMusic Studio accepts Cash, Check, Venmo, Cashapp, Zelle, or Paypal.
Tuition Rates
| Lesson Length | Tuition Per Month |
|---|---|
| 30 Minutes | $145 |
| 30 Minutes *at your home* | $165 |
| 45 Minutes | $217 |
| 60 Minutes | $290 |
*5% Discount on multiple sibling lessons
Tuition covers the cost of:
Lesson planning and repertoire selection
Piano tuning and maintenance
Incentive programs, game materials, and technology apps.
Tuition does not include the cost of music. Students should expect to spend approximately $50 per year on repertoire.
$10 Late Fee for all payments received after the due date.
Please Note: There are no reimbursements for missed lessons and tuition is never adjusted unless the teacher cannot provide the promised number of lessons.
Schedule
Lessons are scheduled at a mutually agreed time when the student begins lessons, and at the beginning of each academic year thereafter.
If a student/parent wishes to change their lesson time mid-year this can be discussed on a case-by-case basis, however, this is subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed.
Missed Lessons and Swap List
Lesson times are standing appointments; a student’s lesson time is reserved for only them each week, and it is their responsibility to attend. Dance classes and sports teams do not offer reimbursements if you cannot attend a rehearsal or game – music lessons are no different. Because specific times are set aside for specific students, a student who does not attend a lesson will simply miss the benefit of that lesson unless the student/parent decides to utilize the Swap List.
The swap list is a curated list of other students’ contact information and lesson time. You can use the swap list whenever you have a conflict or if your student is sick. You can call, text/email the student and/or parent of a student whose time works better for you. Simply reach out and ask if they can swap lessons with you. Once you have confirmed your swap, please reach out to me to let me know and you’re good to go!
Please note! You may only Swap your lesson with another lesson of the same duration. 30min for 30min, 45min for 45min, etc.
Students who are ill SHOULD NOT attend lessons. If you are too sick to attend school, you are too sick to attend your lesson. Please notify the teacher ASAP if you cannot attend. The teacher will schedule a Zoom lesson if the student feels well enough. Otherwise, the student can access the Swap List and schedule their lesson for a later time in the week.
Lesson Procedures
Please arrive at least a few minutes prior to your lesson. Students are expected to bring all materials (assignment folders, music books, and otherwise) to every lesson.
Keep it Clean! ALL students are REQUIRED to wash their hands before each lesson.
Food, gum, and non-water drinks are prohibited in the studio.
Waiting Room: Please feel free to relax in the waiting room. This allows the student my full attention and vice versa. exception – Feel free to use the restroom. Well-behaved siblings are welcome in the waiting room. Do not allow children to climb/play on the furniture.
** Siblings who take lessons back-to-back are welcome to wait in the studio and silently read, draw, play on tablets, or work on homework during each other’s lessons. Please bring enough materials to stay occupied.
Contacting the Teacher Outside of Studio Hours
Questions? Need to talk? Quick questions can be handled during your lesson time, text is welcome between 8 am-8 pm Monday – Friday. Email me at any time and I'll get back to you as quickly as possible.
Practice Expectations and Instrument Requirements
How much practice is necessary?
This depends on the level and age of the student, and how fast they want to progress. The most important thing is that practice happens every day and that weekly assignments are completed. That said this is how long it will normally take to practice what I assign:
Young students and beginners: 10-20 minutes a day
Elementary students: 20-30 minutes a day
Intermediate students: 30-45 minutes a day
Advanced students: 45-60 minutes a day
Another handy guideline is that students should practice for three times their age. So a 5-year-old would practice for 15 minutes and a 10-year-old would practice for 30 minutes a day.
Parental Support is an extremely important factor in musical training. Students whose parents take an active role in their progress tend to be more enthusiastic and productive. Create a quiet space where the student can practice, and schedule a time for practice each day.
Instrument Requirements: All students (voice included) should have regular access to an acoustic piano or an 88-key modern digital piano with a weighted hammer action. The 61 key keyboards sold at most large retail stores are not satisfactory for the continued study of piano, though they will suffice for voice lessons if necessary. An acoustic piano should be kept in good working order and should be tuned at least once a year.z
Holidays / Studio Breaks / Teacher Cancellation
Please download the yearly calendar here.
Discontinuation of Lessons
Discontinuation of lessons requires a 3-week notice – This gives us time to wrap up any current projects and discuss how the student can continue to follow their music goals. This also allows me the necessary time to fill that empty lesson slot so that I can avoid a loss in income. Thank you for your consideration.
Registration and Enrollment
Classical Media
Original Songs
Location
Woodland Oaks, Schertz, TX 78154
