Piano Press - Vintage Site

Elizabeth C. Axford, M.A. has provided both private and group lessons since 1984 in her Del Mar, La Jolla, and Miami, FL studios, in music store studios, private homes, and public and private school classrooms. Her students have ranged from the very beginner (3-4 years) to the senior citizen, from the hobbyist to the professional recording artist. With a long list of alumni, her students have successfully performed in recitals, showcases, talent shows, festivals and competitions, auditioned for and received parts in musical theatre and opera productions, become college music majors, and pursued professional recording careers. Many of her students have successfully completed the Music Teachers Association of California (MTAC) Certificate of Merit (CM) program for piano and/or voice.

Elizabeth has worked with local public high schools to help students acquire independent study credit towards graduation as well as home school students and students with special needs. Internships for course credit are available for college-level students. By providing a comprehensive music program, her students learn general musicianship as well as proficiency on the instrument.

Students are encouraged to participate in annual spring and holiday recitals and any of the below-mentioned programs and festivals. Those students not interested in performing may elect not to do so. 

Students are regularly encouraged to memorize pieces and receive special reward stickers on their incentive charts when they do. This helps students prepare for performing by memory at recitals and other events.

Students' assignments are clearly marked with the date of the lesson in pencil or pen on the pages to be practiced, with a paper clip, and/or in an assignment notebook. Theory assignments are done both in the lesson and as homework, and should be done in pencil. 

Students should practice every day, going through the new lesson material first, then spending time reviewing/memorizing previously learned pieces. Each lesson is designed to include technique, scales, warm-ups, finger exercises, teaching pieces, performances pieces, sight-reading, theory, and ear training. Students may at any time request to learn pieces or songs of interest to them. 

High school and home school students may apply for independent study credit through their counselor. Students may use their lesson time to prepare for professional auditions. 

As an active member of the Music Teachers Association of California (MTAC) Northern San Diego Branch since 2004, Ms. Axford's interested and eligible students may participate in the following programs and festivals:

• Bach/Baroque Festival
• Branch Honors Recital
• Certificate of Merit
• Composers Today
• Duet Festival
• Popular/Contemporary Festival
• Romantic Festival
• Senior Scholarship Program
• Sonata/Sonatina Festival
• VOCE Competition
• Youth Musicales

Lesson Studio Mission Statement

Learning to play the piano and/or sing plays an important role in a child's development, not just as a means of learning performance repertoire, but also as a means of nurturing the student.

Students have different strengths, interests, and learning styles. All these things are considered when choosing an appropriate curriculum and lesson materials for each individual student. Aspiring musicians are encouraged to develop musical artistry and personal expression in addition to the achievement of musical skills and knowledge.

Our responsibilities include helping students develop an appreciation for all styles of music, providing musical challenges, a music education, and performance opportunities, and preparing young students for college music departments as music majors and non-majors and/or professional performing careers.

Lesson Tuition

Lessons are billed by the trimester.

The three 16-week trimesters per year are:

January-April (I)

May-August (II)

September-December (III)

Please call or text 619-884-1401 or e-mail lizaxford@pianopress.com for current tuition rates per Trimester.

Lesson tuition may be paid in full, or in two or four equal installments:

Option I: Lesson tuition paid in full is due the first lesson of the trimester.

Option II: Lesson tuition paid in two equal installments is due the first lesson of the first and third months of the trimester (January/March or May/July or September/November).

Option III: Lesson tuition paid in four equal installments is due the first lesson of each four-week session.

Books and lesson materials are billed separately.

All checks for lessons should be made payable to Elizabeth C. Axford or Piano Press.

Lesson Studio Policy

All cancellations require 24 hours notice minimum if a make-up lesson is to be rescheduled. Please call or text (619) 884-1401 to cancel or reschedule or e-mail lizaxford@pianopress.com

If 24 hours notice is not given, the student forfeits the lesson.

Please do not send students to their lesson if they are sick. Make-ups for illness will be arranged when time is available.

Students are allowed two make-ups per trimester at an alternate time slot only. The regular lesson time may not be used for make-up lessons (unless doubled, e.g., from a half-hour to an hour lesson).

If there are more than two absences in any trimester, make-ups will be arranged if time and space permit, however the teacher is not obligated.

All make-ups must be done in the same trimester as the absence.

There are no make-ups of make-ups.

All payments for lessons are due the first lesson of each four-week session. A statement will be sent home the week prior to the due date.

Lessons are billed at a flat fee for a minimum of one month (four weeks).

Payment is due in full for the month for the weekly standing appointment, regardless of cancellations.

The time and space are being reserved for the student, for which the teacher is paying rent on a weekly basis. This policy establishes a student/teacher commitment of good faith, and enables the teacher to pay studio rental fees on time each week.

Partial payments of any amount less than the amount due are not accepted.

Pro-rating is only done upon starting lessons for the first time (new students) or stopping lessons and giving up your time slot.

A 30-day cancellation notice is required when discontinuing lessons for any reason.

Any unpaid tuition will result in the loss of your time slot.

Credit or refunds are not given for missed lessons.

Students should arrive no sooner than 5 minutes prior to their lesson time and be picked up no later than 5 minutes after their lesson ends.

Only students and/or siblings with a scheduled lesson time should be in the studio at the time of their lesson(s). We are not responsible for friends, relatives, pets, etc.