Skip to Content
Texas State University School of Music
FunKey Piano Project

Frequently Asked Questions

Students enrolled in lessons, must have a piano to practice on. Options include renting/buying a piano or a keyboard. An upright or a grand piano is more encouraged for successful practicing than a keyboard.

Tuition

Ten, 30-minute lessons are offered for $150. 

FunKey Piano Project ten lessons at $150 per semester. This includes private lessons, performances, and evaluation. Additional lessons can be negotiated with your teacher, at their personal pay rate. Longer lessons are available upon request. 

Lesson, Performance and Absence Policy

Lesson Policy

Parents/caregivers MUST remain in the room at all times during the lesson. Cellphones can be used for recording a lesson only, with the permission of your teacher. Writing down the instructions and homework is highly encouraged.

By the end of the registration period, a student must have an instrument with a full keyboard of 88 keys at home. Lessons will not be given unless a student has an instrument available for daily practicing. Options include renting/buying a piano or a keyboard. An upright or a grand piano is more encouraged for successful practicing than a keyboard.

Please be on time. Bring your music and any additional supplies requested by your teacher. 

Students are expected to practice daily and to come to lessons fully prepared.

Performance Policy

Concerts and evaluations are all mandatory FunKey Piano Project events. Missing one of these events without prior written permission of Dr. Rabotkina will result in the removal from the project.

All repertoire and technical exercises are to be performed by memory.

Performances and evaluations require formal attire.

Minimum requirements for the concert:

Two pieces performed without mistakes, in a steady tempo and with the understanding of dynamics, articulation and character,

Minimum requirements for the evaluation:

30-minute lessons - two major and/or minor scales and arpeggios

60-minute lessons – four major and/or minor scales and arpeggios

Absence Policy

With the exception of a sudden illness, always let the teacher know ahead of time that you will not be at the lesson.

Two (2) missed lessons are allowed during each semester with a valid excuse (see below). Lessons missed by a student are not expected to be made up by the teachers. A third missed lesson will put a student on probation and potentially result in the student’s missing the end of the semester’s concert.

A missed make up lesson will not be rescheduled. 

Lessons missed by a teacher will always be made up before the end of the semester. 

Valid Excuses:

  1. Illness

  2. Death in the family

  3. Mandatory school activity

  4. Religious holidays 

  5. Natural disaster

Music Stores

Families are responsible for buying music for the student. Options for piano purchases/rentals music scores: 

Online: amazon.com, alfred.com, sheetmusicplus.com
Austin: Strait Music Company (2428 W. Ben White Blvd, Austin, TX 78704)
San Antonio: Alamo Music (425 N. Main Avenue, San Antonio, TX 78205) and RBC Pepper Sheet Music (4415 Centerview Drive, San Antonio, TX 78228)

Examples of the sheet music for the beginners: John W. Schaum Piano Pre-A: The Green Book, The Russian School of Piano Playing, Book 1, Part II.