Q&A
- What instruments do you teach?
- Do your students ever have a chance to play together or as a part of a band?
- What ages do you teach?
- When do you teach?
- Do you have recitals?
- How much does it cost to get started with lessons?
- Are there any contracts or long-term commitments required for private lessons?
- Do you offer any sibling discounts?
- Is tuition adjusted or credited when a lesson is missed?
- Do you offer make-up lessons for private lessons?
- How are lessons approached?
- How long will it take me to learn to play my instrument?
- Do I have to have my own instrument or do you have instruments available for loan or rent?
- Can I sit in and observe my child’s lessons?
- Do you teach year-round?
- For what holidays do you close the studio?
- How do I pay the tuition?
- Where are you located?
- Can we drop by sometime?
- What type of security measures do you have in place?
- What do I need to do to get started?
- What if I have additional questions?
Q: What instruments do you teach?
A: We teach private piano, voice, guitar (acoustic and electric), bass, and drum lessons.
Q: Do your students ever have a chance to play together or as a part of a band?
A: Absolutely! For those students who are interested, we have a really neat event that we host regularly (typically on Friday evenings once every month or two), called a Jam Session. In our Jam Sessions, students have the opportunity to play with other students, as a part of a band. Some of the instructional staff of Matt Burk Music Studio provides direction during these Jam Sessions, and students rotate in order to allow everyone an opportunity to perform. We provide pizza and sodas for students performing, and friends and family are welcome to attend the Jam Sessions. These are always a lot of fun and a great learning experience for students!
Q: What ages do you teach?
A: We teach children as young as age five, as well as adults of all ages! The youngest we typically begin teaching children depends on the instrument, as well as on the student (individual temperament, attention span, etc.). For piano, we typically start lessons no earlier than age five. For drums, guitar, bass and voice, we typically start lessons no earlier than age seven. If you have a child who is interested in music lessons, and you are not quite sure if they are ready, you’re welcome to come for an interview (there is no charge for this) with an instructor to discuss lessons further!
Q: When do you teach?
A: We teach Monday through Friday from approximately 2:30 pm to 9 pm, and Saturdays from approximately 9 am to 2 pm (not all of our instructors are available on Saturdays, however).
Q: Do you have recitals?
A: We have two fantastic opportunities for students to perform each spring and fall! We take a different approach than many music instructors. We want students to be confident and comfortable when they are a part of anything we do at Matt Burk Music Studio! So this means that our recitals are a little different. We actually have two options for students – one is a more traditional performance, which is our recital and the other is a little less traditional performance, which is our showcase. We typically host our recital at the McKinney Performing Arts Center and our showcase at House of Blues Dallas. These are two great venues in which students can be proud to perform for their friends and family!
In the spirit of encouraging students to feel and perform their best, students are welcome to memorize their music (of course), but are not required to do so. We encourage students to dress according to their personal preference (whether in traditional recital attire or otherwise – it is each student’s choice!). Students are not required to perform in either the recital or the showcase, but we do encourage performance – these are a great opportunity for students to show off their hard work and to be encouraged and inspired by other students as well, and they are a lot of fun!
Q: How much does it cost to get started with lessons?
A: There is a one-time enrollment fee of $50 and tuition is $130 per month for half-hour lessons, or $240 per month for full-hour lessons. Students are responsible for purchasing their own materials (books, sheet music, etc.). The cost of these materials is usually minimal. Which materials each student needs will vary depending on the instrument, the student’s skill level (whether a beginner or more advanced) when entering lessons, as well as the student’s musical goals and interests. Our instructors will advise new students of what materials are needed, as well as some places to purchase these locally; students can always shop online for these as well (e.g., amazon.com, musicnotes.com, etc.). Students are responsible for their own instruments, as well.
Q: Are there any contracts or long-term commitments required for private lessons?
A: No! At Matt Burk Music Studio, there are no contracts or long-term commitments required of students. We require only a month-to-month commitment. If a student decides to discontinue lessons, we require only two weeks notice. This notice should be emailed to the studio (info@mattburk.com). We want students to continue studying music with us because they are enjoying themselves – not because they are tied into a long-term commitment.
Q: Do you offer any sibling discounts?
A: Yes! We typically waive the $50 enrollment fee for subsequent siblings. If a student prefers to receive an ongoing discount as opposed to having this enrollment fee waived, we can offer a 5% discount for subsequent siblings on an ongoing basis. If a new student doesn’t indicate a preference, we will waive the $50 enrollment fee for the subsequent siblings.
Q: Is tuition adjusted or credited when a lesson is missed?
A: No. Tuition is a flat fee each month – this reserves a regular, weekly lesson time for each student. If we receive at least 24 hours notice that a student will miss a lesson, we will do our best to make up the lesson. However, we cannot guarantee a make-up lesson will be available that will fit each student’s schedule. Tuition is never adjusted for missed lessons.
Q: Do you offer make-up lessons for private lessons?
A: Yes! With at least 24 hours notice of an absence, we do allow make-up lessons for students. We are unable to guarantee that a make-up lesson that will accommodate a particular student’s schedule will be available, but we do our best, and we have been very successful scheduling make-up lessons. While many music studios/instructors either do not allow make-up lessons, limit make-up lessons, or charge an additional fee for make-up lessons, we take a different approach. We understand that our students keep very busy schedules, and we do our best to be as accommodating as possible, while still maintaining fairness to our other students and to our instructors. We do not charge extra for make-up lessons, nor do we limit the number of lessons a student is allowed to make up. As long as we receive at least 24 hours notice of an absence, we are happy to try to reschedule that lesson!
Because we are an appointment-based business, this 24 hours notice is very important to us. It allows our instructors to plan accordingly and makes a student’s regular lesson time available to another student who is looking to schedule a make-up lesson with adequate notice. This policy increases the likelihood that we will have a make-up lesson to offer all students who provide adequate notice.
Q: How are lessons approached?
A: At Matt Burk Music Studio, we strive to create a positive environment for all students – one where all students feel comfortable and encouraged! Our approach is to provide a solid musical foundation in a tailored manner – one that is customized to each student’s musical experience, goals, and interests. We strive to incorporate songs into the lessons as quickly as possible, in order to keep the student engaged in lessons, and we encourage an open line of communication between students (and/or parents) and our instructors, in order to be sure that we are most effectively achieving each student’s goals.
Q: How long will it take me to learn to play my instrument?
A: This is always a great question, and it depends largely on the student – specifically on how much time the student is able to commit to practicing regularly. Practice is an essential part of progress, and consistency is key. This is something that an instructor would be happy to discuss with you (as it relates to your specific musical background, goals, etc.) in an interview.
Q: Do I have to have my own instrument or do you have instruments available for loan or rent?
A: All students need to have their own instrument. The instrument certainly does not have to be an expensive one. Many of our piano students do not have an acoustic piano – rather a digital keyboard. Guitar students who are just beginning can buy a very affordable guitar to get started, and drum students only actually need a practice pad (less than $30) for the first several weeks of lessons. If you are considering lessons with Matt Burk Music Studio and would like to schedule an interview (there is no charge for this), our instructors will be happy to give you some guidance and suggestions for purchasing an instrument to get started.
Q: Can I sit in and observe my child’s lessons?
A: Of course! All parents are welcome to sit in and observe their child’s lessons, if they prefer. Parents are not required to do so, but each teaching room has plenty of space if you would like to! Parents are also welcome to wait in our comfortable waiting area, and to take advantage of free Wi-Fi, a cup of gourmet coffee, or to relax watching a family-friendly movie on our flat-screen television.
Q: Do you teach year-round?
A: Yes! We encourage students to take lessons year-round, in order to keep their momentum, and to stay in the habit of playing and practicing regularly. Statistics show that if a student “takes a break” from their musical studies, regardless of their intentions, they will likely never return.
Additionally, we find that many students are actually able to increase their practice time in the summer! Some students even begin taking lessons in a secondary instrument during the summer (for example, if he or she normally takes voice lessons, and has an interest in playing guitar, he or she may begin guitar lessons during the summer in additional to voice lessons).
Q: For what holidays do you close the studio?
A: Matt Burk Music Studio closes for the following holidays: New Years Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day. If one of these holidays falls on a Sunday, the studio will not close the following Monday. In addition, the studio is closed the entire week of Thanksgiving and the entire week of Christmas.
Q: How do I pay the tuition?
A: Tuition is paid by automatic credit card or bank draft processing. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover, and we process payments through ACH bank drafts from checking and savings accounts. We take the security of our students’ financial information very seriously and take sprecial precautions to protect this information. If a student is uncomfortable with automatic payment, we do accept payment by check if a minimum of three months’ tuition is paid in advance.
Q: Where are you located?
A: We are conveniently located in Allen at 1504 N. Greenville, Suite 100. This is just between Stacy Road and Exchange Blvd, and just east of Hwy 75. We are very close to Fairview, McKinney, Lucas, Plano, and other North Dallas suburbs. Our studio is in a one-story white brick and stone professional office building – just across from a large church (St. Jude Church). We have a large sign above our entrance that reads, “Matt Burk Music Lessons.”
Q: Can we drop by sometime?
A: You are welcome to stop by – our receptionist is typically available between 2:30 and 8 pm Monday through Friday. However, we do encourage you to schedule an appointment if you’d like the opportunity to meet with an instructor to discuss any specific questions you have about lessons. You are welcome to email us at info@mattburk.com or to call us at 972.207.9353 to set up an appointment.
Q: What type of security measures do you have in place?
A: Every instructor at Matt Burk Music Studio undergoes a criminal background check before becoming an instructor for us. Of course, we hold the highest standard for our instructors in this regard. Additionally, each teaching room has a large clear window or glass door into that room, so that the students are never alone in an isolated room with an instructor. We also have a CCTV camera in each teaching room, for an additional level of security. Students and instructors are both aware that the lessons are being recorded, and this provides an extra level of peace of mind for all parties involved.
Q: What do I need to do to get started?
A: Getting enrolled in lessons with Matt Burk Music Studio is easy! Just click here and complete our New Student Enrollment Form. We’ll be in touch with you within one business day to finalize your lesson time and start date!
Q: What if I have additional questions?
A: We would love to talk with you! Just email us at info@mattburk.com or call us at 972.207.9353 (our receptionist is available to answer phone calls between 2:30 and 8 pm). We look forward to hearing from you!