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So
you think you want to play the harp?...
© Foto Saez,
I am a harp teacher. I enjoy performing as a soloist or as a member of an ensemble, and I like arranging and writing my own music... but I love teaching! During my time as a student, I was blessed with some amazing harp teachers that helped me develop into the harpist I always knew I wanted to be. I have received amazing support and encouragement from them, and they have taught me invaluable lessons that I now try to share with all my students.I have taught students of all ages: from the 4 year old to the grandmother who will not reveal her age... No two lessons are the same, I design individual lesson plans, based on each student's needs and technical ability. I am starting a harp studio in Westchester County, so if you are thinking of taking harp lessons, feel free to contact me.
To read some of my students' comments, scroll down to the bottom of this page.
I can be reached at (914) 437-5047 or via email at harpbmr@yahoo.com
If you would like to learn more about my Harp studio, read below.
HOURLY
FEE: $60.00 The fee is always due at the end of each lesson. Longer
lessons are available at a different rate. Shorter lessons are not offered,
unless the student is 12 years old, or younger. In that case 2 short weekly
lessons are preferred. These rates are non-negotiable. As a general rule, I
like to meet my students once a week, every week. But many of my current
students are adults, and they are not able to come for lessons once a week,
because of family or work obligations. I try to be as flexible as possible, and
I always try my best to accommodate everyone.
AVAILABILITY: I am available for
teaching on weeknights, from 6:30 until 8:30 in the evening, and on weekends
from
LESSON CANCELLATIONS: If/when you must cancel a lesson, try to call 48 hours in advance. Please understand that I reserve an hour for each student, when a student cancels without giving me ample warning I end up wasting a full hour, as well as the time that I spent preparing lesson plans and music for that particular lesson. I know many teachers who charge for the lost time, but I only charge for my teaching time. Please be considerate when canceling. I know that the weather doesn't always cooperate, and that emergencies can arise at any time... but you get the idea. I will reschedule that lesson as soon as possible at a time that is convenient for all.
TARDINESS: As a general rule I like to schedule as many as 3-4 students back to back. Please try to make the effort to arrive on time. I may have somebody coming in after your lesson, and that student does not deserve to be kept waiting because you came in late. A few minutes will not upset my class schedule tremendously, but 15-20 minutes will. If you are late, and I have another student coming after you, your lesson will be shortened. Also, if you arrive before your lesson time, I may be teaching someone else, and your arrival may disturb the rhythm of the lesson. I will always try to start and to stop at the right time so as not to keep other students waiting, or to prevent you from getting to your next engagements.
LESSON
REQUIREMENTS:
Notebook or binder for lesson assignments and comments
Assigned music and books of exercises as required by me in our lessons
A harp journal, or a practice log
A cassette, if you would like to record our lessons (strongly encouraged)
You must also have a tuner, a metronome, and pencils and erasers, but you do not need to bring them to class.
MASTER CLASSES: There will be several master classes offered each year. A master class is a 2-3 hour-long session, which usually takes place on a Saturday morning. Typically the format includes a lecture on an interesting topic, a discussion in which all the students participate, and a short lesson, with comments from the harp teacher and all the fellow harpists. Sometimes a student is asked to present a well-researched paper, or to talk about a certain topic of interest. This kind of setting helps tremendously in building performance skills, but it also helps develop many other skills that are crucial to a good performer: aural skills, critical thinking, exposure to new repertoire, etc. I expect my students to attend these master classes, and they can attend a master class instead of a regular, weekly lesson.
STUDIO RECITALS:
There will be 1 studio recital every year.
All my harp students must participate in this event. Attendance is MANDATORY.
The recitals take place in a public, central location in
PERFORMANCES: I strongly encourage all my students to start performing in public settings as soon as they are ready for it. That includes paying jobs. However, you may want to check with me first to make sure you can handle the repertoire required, or that you have enough repertoire. Also ask me about "tips" on performing in different settings, ongoing rates... I will try my best to give you referrals and find you opportunities to perform in our community.
This
website is still under construction, so please bear with me as I learn how to
create and edit web documents... For right now, I am giving you links to 2
documents I use regularly in my lessons: Advice
for students came out of a Master class lecture I did a number of years
ago, while teaching at the
If you need additional information, or if you can think of other
topics you would like me to write about in this page, email
me.
You can also reach me by phone at (914) 437-5047
" Beatriz is the most
wonderful teacher. She really takes the time and pays attention to the smallest
of details. She makes you feel like you can conquer the world. Her master
classes are very powerful and I have attended 4 and have found something new at
each one of them. Her private lessons are even more powerful because her focus
on you is complete. I highly recommend Beatriz Martin -Ruiz as a teacher and
performer. " Barb K.
". . .after our lesson on Saturday, I woke up Sunday morning at
4 am and was thinking about octaves - pluck, dampen, place - I realized
even though I was still in bed, I had my left arm up in the air -
plucking, dampening, and then placing. I finally got up and in the
semi-darkness - without my glasses (no less) I sat at the harp and
practiced my octaves!!! Now is that inspiration or what!!!!!!!"
Dorothy B.
"You've been such a
wonderful teacher and have really seemed to understand my style of playing,
composing, etc. I am sad that you are moving to
"I'm sad to be losing such a great teacher as you." Pat C.
Last updated 04/12/2007
by Bea