Piano

Twila is a Virginia girl who grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Thank goodness Fort Worth has lots of trees! She received a BA in piano performance at Hollins University. Getting her MA in piano pedagogy at Southern Methodist University brought her to Texas. She had an assistantship in their famed Piano Preparatory. She was so impressed that she wanted to share what she had learned.

Growing piano students from age 5 through high school are her favorite thing. Many of her students have participated in festivals, and have received high ratings and become all state winners. Many have received medals in theory and participated in recitals, as well.

Performing is an important part of her life. She is a member of the Allegro Piano Quartet, Arlington Heights United Methodist Chancel Choir, and substitute organist for church services. She also performs solo at many Woman’s Club and church concerts. She is District Chairman for the National Federation of Music Clubs that sponsors a Junior Festival of over 400 participants, and a member of the Music Teachers National Association where she is director of one of the ensemble teams.

She believes playing an instrument and singing is a gift that everyone should receive!

PAYMENT POLICY

Registration at AHMA is for the school year. For your convenience, a nine-month payment plan is available. Our automated payment system withdraws a monthly payment from your account or charges your credit card on the 2nd of each month (September through May) or once a semester. Early withdrawal before the end of a semester does not terminate responsibility for payment of tuition. (See withdrawal policy below.)

WITHDRAWAL POLICY

A 30-day notice is required for early withdrawal. One of the two following conditions will apply: (1) Refunds for withdrawal from classes during the semester will be limited to the tuition for remaining classes minus four week’s tuition. (2) For those making payments in quarters, one payment will be due upon withdrawal.

MAKE-UP LESSON POLICY

Musikgarten – Because these young students need the security of having class with the same group of students each week, class lessons missed cannot be made up during another class. No refunds or credits will be given for missed class lessons. Private lessons may not be made up except in the case of illness or emergency, and then only if we are notified by 2:00 PM the day of the lesson to be missed. To cancel a private lesson call your teacher at 817-731-2612. Leave a message if he/she is unavailable. No refunds or credits will be given for missed class lessons or un-rescheduled private lessons. No makeup lessons will be given after the next AHMA school session starts. Please remember that tuition purchases instruction time, training and experience. Your lesson time is reserved for you even if you don’t use it.

Parent Participation

Parental supervised practice is of utmost importance! Parents are partners in the learning process. Gentle encouragement is needed for the student to feel the delight of successful learning. It is very important that a student feel successful at the tasks he or she is attempting. Please encourage daily practice. Younger children should not be expected to do all of their practicing alone. Sing songs together, practice rhythm and note reading exercises together, practice the assigned pieces together. Try to set aside the same time every day for practice sessions, and make it a goal to practice each piece multiple times each day. Practice time is rewarded through our Practice Points program. Students can receive small prizes throughout the year, and end-of-year awards are also given out.

BAD WEATHER POLICY

Bad weather closing of AHMA will coincide with Fort Worth ISD. Information on school closings is available from radio/TV. Due to scheduling difficulties, bad weather days cannot be made up.

Special instructions:

Students and parents arriving early should enter through the front entrance and wait for their class in the waiting room (foyer). Parking is available in front and behind the school. Please do not park in the driveway! This blocks students and parents who wish to park in back from entering and exiting.