Stephanie Nesseth Studio is once again accepting new students. Check the schedule at the bottom of this page to reserve a spot now!
Biography...
Stephanie began formal music lessons at age 5. She first performed professionally at age 12. She studied jazz organ, pipe organ and classical piano by the age of 15. She was the assistant music director and accompanist at St. Peter’s UCC, as well as a member of the vocal and bell choirs. In high school, she decided she wanted to play and teach music as a career. At Blue Valley North high school she was a member of the Chorale and Chamber choirs, as well as the jazz band.
She majored in music at the University of Kansas and was a member of the Chamber Choir and Collegium Musicum. The thrill of her college career was singing Mozart’s Requiem at Carnegie Hall.
After graduating in 1998, she began teaching and playing in Kansas City. By 2001, her studio had grown to more than 30 students per week and she was playing with rock and R&B groups in town, as well as playing for weddings and accompanying. Her students have performed for Starlight Theatre, Theatre in the Park, KU Piano Camp and other productions. In 2003 she moved to southern Spain where she taught and played at several clubs in nearby towns. Her band won a competition and they played for a crowd of more than 1,000 and were heard on Armed Forces, Europe radio and television.
Since returning to the States, she has continued teaching privately and in the public schools. In June 2007, she moved to Topeka with her husband, daughter and 2 dogs. She is looking forward to getting involved in the musical community!
Philosophy...
- Provide individualized instruction. I evaluate each student during the first few lessons to find out what they have learned, what they need to learn and what their particular interests are. I allow intermediate and advanced students to work on at least one song of their choice per unit. Voice students learn the basics of singing applying the concepts to a variety of song styles.
- Think outside the box. I have taught students with exceptionalities within my studio and in the public schools. I believe all students can learn music, but not all students learn the same way or at the same rate. I enjoy the challenge of finding new ways to teach a concept.
- Music education is a partnership. Parents are encouraged to get involved in their children’s music lessons and are always welcome in the lesson as long as their presence is not distracting to the student. Students ‘teach’ concepts learned in lesson to family members since teaching solidifies understanding. I have found that students with strong support from family members stick with lessons longer and progress faster than those students without support. I am happy to provide help with practice incentives and rewards and I urge students to call or email with questions about their lesson during the week.
- Lessons should be positive and fun! I know that students have hundreds of choices for activities, and I’m glad that you’re considering piano and/or voice lessons! Although music does require practice and dedication (like any activity), I strive to make learning fun by utilizing music software for learning and composition. I also host studio parties and recitals so that students can meet one another, socialize and play together.
Pricing...
- Four individual, 30 minute lessons (piano or voice)- $60 ($15/lesson)
- Four individual, 60 minute lessons (piano or voice)- $120 ($30/lesson)
- Four group lessons, 60 minutes (voice only, max. 3 students)- $120 (as low as $10 per person per lesson)
Studio Policies...
Age Restrictions
Piano lessons for ages 6-106. *Students who are 5 years old will be considered if they have studied previously or are academically and socially ready.
Voice lessons for ages 9-109. *Students who are 8 years old will be considered if they have studied voice or another instrument for one year.
Supplies Needed For Each Lesson
Piano students
- Spiral notebook
- Pencil
- Lesson book
Voice students
- Spiral notebook
- Pencil
- Bottle of water
- Lesson book and/or accompaniment CD
Tools of the trade needed at home
Piano students
- A keyboard instrument with full-sized keys, preferable weighted, ( Intermediate and advanced students must have daily access to an acoustic or digital piano with full-sized, weighted keys).
- Metronome (small, inexpensive ones are fine)
- A place to practice with few distractions
- All lesson materials
- Small, hand-held tape recorder (optional)
Voice students
- Keyboard instrument, guitar or pitch pipe
- CD player
- A place to practice with few distractions
- All lesson materials
- Small, hand-held tape recorder (optional)
Scheduling
Refer to the availability calendar for open times for lessons. You may schedule a 30 minute or 60 minute lesson. As a rule, beginners should schedule a 30 minute lesson; intermediate and advanced students should schedule a 60 minute lesson. Lessons are given once a week. Extra lessons can be scheduled if necessary depending on availability. The time you sign up for is yours once payment is received.
Attendance
Attending each music lesson is very important to your music education. If you will be unable to attend a lesson, please call within 24 hours of your lesson time to cancel. This will be considered an excused absence. You will be given the option to make up the missed lesson or apply a one-lesson credit to your account. In the event of a sudden illness or emergency, exceptions will be made. You will be allowed 2 excused absences per semester. Any additional absences cannot be made up or credited. An unexcused absence will be given if you do not attend a lesson and do not call to cancel within 24 hours. No credits or make-up options will be given. If a student receives more than 2 unexcused absences within a semester, their lessons may be cancelled.
Billing
Lessons may be purchased in groups of four, or one month at a time. Payment is due by the first lesson of each month. For your convenience, you may make a payment on this secure website - either a onetime or recurring charge. Or, you may pay by check or cash. In the event of a returned check or insufficient funds, your account will be charged $30. If payment has not been received by the second lesson in the month, your time slot will be forfeited and you will not receive lessons until the account has been paid in full.
Cancellation of Lessons
If for any reason you would like to discontinue lessons, please let me know at least 2 weeks in advance. If two weeks notice is given, a full refund of any remaining tuition will be given. If one week of notice is given, half of any remaining tuition will be given. No refunds will be given with less than one week notice.
Availability...
In the following table, times with a green background are available. Times with a yellow background are pending and times with a red background are not available. When you sign up for a time, it will become pending. You will have 3 days to make payment, either via this secure Web site, or in person.
If you fail to make payment within 3 days, the time slot will become available again. If a slot you want is pending, you may sign up on a waiting list for that spot, in case it becomes available again.
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2:00 | 2:00 | 2:00 | 2:00 | 2:00 |
| 2:30 | 2:30 | 2:30 | 2:30 | 2:30 |
| 3:00 | 3:00 | 3:00 | 3:00 | 3:00 |
| 3:30 | 3:30 | 3:30 | 3:30 | 3:30 |
| 4:00 | 4:00 | 4:00 | 4:00 | 4:00 |
| 4:30 | 4:30 | 4:30 | 4:30 | 4:30 |
| 5:00 | 5:00 | 5:00 | 5:00 | 5:00 |
| 5:30 | 5:30 | 5:30 | 5:30 | 5:30 |
| 6:00 | 6:00 | 6:00 | 6:00 | 6:00 |
| 6:30 | 6:30 | 6:30 | 6:30 | 6:30 |
| 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 |
| 7:30 | 7:30 | 7:30 | 7:30 | 7:30 |
| 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 |