ABOUT THE TEACHER
My name is Eric Foster-Whiddon. I am a husband and a father of 4 children (that’s why my blog is called “Foster-Whiddons Everywhere!”). I am 30 years old, a minister and a graphic designer on the weekends. I began playing guitar when I was 15 and played very actively in bands for six years. Though I do not have a music degree (yet), I have acquired a reasonable amount of formal training through classes in both high school and college. I love music theory and enjoy watching the lights come on for an aspiring musician!
CLASS OFFERINGS
I offer private lessons in:
- beginning, early and upper intermediate acoustic guitar
- beginning, early and upper intermediate electric guitar
- beginning and early intermediate bass guitar (electric)
- beginning drums
I offer group lessons in:
- beginning, early intermediate and upper intermediate guitar
- “A Song in Six” beginning adult guitar (6 lessons, $60)
Don’t see a class you want? Ask! If you’re looking for beginner-level lessons, I can often learn a new instrument quickly and take a beginner along with me. If I simply cannot teach the instrument you want to learn, I probably know someone who can!
CLASS DETAILS
I offer weekly private & small group music lessons. Private lessons are 30 minutes long; group lessons are 45 minutes long. I will consider longer lessons but do not prefer them (see Teaching Philosophy below).
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
When starting lessons, students want to play songs… not learn theory! With this in mind, I start my students with the basic skills that are necessary to get a song below their belt as quickly as possible (this is the purpose of “A Song in Six,” my beginning adult guitar class). If this happens and the student continues to take lessons, I will begin to integrate music theory into the class in the context of songs and assignments. Music lessons need to be fun first, then informative.
I believe in private lessons that are long enough to evaluate previous assignments and introduce new material without torturing the student’s attention span. Most students cannot absorb more than 15-20 minutes of new material before they need to go home and start solo practice. I restrict the enrollment in my group lessons to six students so each student can get a few minutes of individual attention from the instructor without making the class time too long.
I am very patient with students and pace lessons by the individual. I will, however, push students to a reasonable degree so they continue advancing in their skills. I have taught kindergarten students and senior citizens; I will teach as slowly and as long as the student (and parent) can endure if measurable progress is happening. If the student is not progressing or does not seem to possess the basic skills or learning potential to play his/her instrument, I will notify the parent. Parents can track their student’s progress on this Web site and by reading monthly progress reports written at the bottom of their invoice.
TUITION PRICING
Private 30-minute lesson @ Eric’s home studio (Norman Park): $65 per month
Private 30-minute lesson @ Colquitt County Arts Center (Moultrie): $75 per month
Group 45-minute lesson @ Colquitt County Arts Center (6 students max): $50 per month
“A Song in Six” 60-minute beginner adult guitar class @ Colquitt County Arts Center: $60 for six lesson course
RESCHEDULING & CANCELLATIONS:
Your lesson will be scheduled with your instructor. This will be your lesson time every week (regardless of holidays or school system breaks) unless prior arrangements are made otherwise. In the event of cancellation with 24-hour notice, reasonable effort will be made to reschedule. The lesson must be rescheduled to occur within two weeks of the missed lesson according to the instructor’s available time. If this is not possible, the cancellation will simply be a missed lesson. Exceptions to the cancellation policy are not given for any reason – tuition pays for the reservation of a weekly lesson slot, not just the actual instruction that happens during that time. If a month includes a fifth lesson, the extra lesson is taught with no extra charge and is “banked” for use in case of cancellations by the student or on account of holidays. Imago Music will make note of banked lessons.
PAYMENT & REFUNDS
Tuition payment is due at the first lesson or by the 10th of the month (whichever is earliest) and is non-refundable. Tuition not paid by the 10th accrues a 10% fee. Lessons that are cancelled and cannot be rescheduled will not be deducted from the following month’s tuition. Returned checks will be charged a $30 NSF fee. Tuition may be paid by check or cash. If lessons are taught at Eric’s home studio, make checks to Hyphen Enterprises. If lesson are taught at the Colquitt County Arts Center, make checks to CCAC and put “Eric F-W lessons” on the memo line. Arts Center tuition can be paid via Eric or to the CCAC front office; however, it is still due on the first lesson or by the 10th of the month, whichever is earliest. Imago Music will send monthly invoices by email unless otherwise requested.
