About
Teaching Philosophy
My teaching philosophy is to stimulate the student by creating a positive learning environment where the student feels capable and not intimidated. I consider myself to be a piano coach, not a piano drill sergeant. In my lessons, I stress the development of good habits and understanding the music. I want to see that each student improves and can see this improvement.
I am an active member of MTNA (Music Teachers National Association), SCMTA (South Carolina Music Teachers Association), CMTA (Charleston Music Teachers Association), NGPT (National Guild of Piano Teachers), NFMC (National Federation of Music Clubs), SCFMC (South Carolina Federation of Music Clubs), CMC (Charleston Music Club), and SCPFA (South Carolina Piano Festival Association). Being a member of these organizations benefits my students by allowing them to participate in various auditions, recitals, and competitions affiliated with the associations.
I host Fall and Spring recitals every year to give my students an opportunity to perform and see others perform. Participation is voluntary, though I do encourage performing because the experience of sharing music with others is positive and rewarding.
Teacher Bio: Dan McCurry
I am from Charleston, South Carolina. I started playing piano at age 9, picked up violin at age 10, and trumpet at age 11. I performed in numerous All-County and All-Region Bands, as well as regional music camps and honor groups such as Charleston Youth Symphony Orchestra and Na Fidleiri. I played piano in the jazz band at Stratford High School for 4 years, and graduated from Stratford High School 3rd in my class in the Spring 2004. I attended College of Charleston to study music, studying with Tommy Gill for 3 years in jazz piano, performing in jazz combos as well as playing in the College of Charleston Pep Band for all 4 years on trumpet. I graduated Cum Laude with departmental honors in December 2007 with a Bachelor’s in Music Theory and Composition. I have been performing locally and regionally with various groups for over a decade now. I've toured with Run Dan Run from Mississippi to Massachusetts, released two full-length albums with this group, and continue to tour and record with this group as well various other projects. I have been teaching private piano lessons since 2007 and enjoy sharing my knowledge and experience with others through teaching.
Tuition
Tuition: These rates are for half hour lessons in the student’s home.
*Note: The Virtual Lesson Rate is $35 per half hour lesson.
Students per Household
First Student – $50 per lesson
Second Student – $35 per lesson
Third Student – $35 per lesson
Fourth Student – $35 per lesson
Monthly Total
$200 per month
$340 per month
$480 per month
$620 per month
Policies
Please refer to the above policy statement which covers all policies throughout the current Lesson Year (August 2024 through August 2025). Below are highlights from the current policy statement.
Holiday Breaks
During the School Term (Monday, August 19th, 2024 – Friday, May 23, 2025) the teacher will observe the Charleston County School District holiday break schedule (with the exception of Election Day which is not observed).
Labor Day: Monday, September 2nd
Halloween: Thursday, October 31st
Thanksgiving Break: Monday, November 25th – Friday, November 29th
Winter Break: Monday, December 23rd – Friday, January 3rd
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: Monday, January 20th
Presidents Day: Monday, February 17th
Spring Break: Monday, April 14th – Monday, April 21st
Memorial Day: Monday, May 26th
No other breaks will be observed (this includes teacher workdays, birthdays, family vacation, school field trips, etc.) during the School Term.
During the Summer Term (June – August) lessons are conducted on a per-lesson basis (and not a fixed tuition basis) to accommodate vacations, etc.
Scheduling
Scheduling is done at the start of the School Year in routes. Lessons in certain areas may only be available on certain days of the week.
Requests for a new time may or may not be honored. The teacher will make every reasonable effort to accommodate but cannot guarantee any change in scheduling due to the inconvenience it may place on other families.
Scheduling during the Summer Semester will be on a “by-the-month, per-lesson” basis. Details regarding lesson availability will be announced prior to the start of the Summer Term.
Payment
Tuition is due at the last lesson of each month for the following month in full.
Tuition reserves your lesson time and the teacher.
Registration Fee
The yearly Registration Fee of $100 per student covers student materials as well as participation in the teacher’s Fall and Spring Recitals and Masterclasses (if applicable).
Student materials supplied by the teacher will cover piano music books, a music folder, sheet music, etc. This fee does not include pop music books, a metronome, or any other materials that are not a part of the regular curriculum.
Participation in the Fall & Spring Recitals as well as any Masterclasses (if applicable) is optional. There will be a deadline to confirm participation.
For current students, this fee will be requested at the end of the School Term to reserve a spot in the upcoming School Term. This fee is refundable if schedules do not align or lessons do not resume.
For new students, this fee will be requested at the start of lessons and will apply to the current or upcoming School Term depending on which term lessons begin.
Absences & Cancellations
CREDIT WILL NOT BE GIVEN FOR ABSENCES & CANCELLATIONS.
MAKE-UP LESSONS WILL NOT BE GIVEN FOR ABSENCES AND CANCELLATIONS.
If you must cancel a lesson, please notify the teacher either by text/phone or email. Notification less
than 24 hours in advance must be made by text/phone.
If the teacher must cancel the lesson for any reason, the student will receive credit.
INCLEMENT WEATHER CLAUSE: If public school is cancelled on the scheduled lesson day due to inclement weather, the lesson will be canceled as well and the student will receive credit for the lesson.
The teacher does not assume financial responsibility for any missed lessons on the student’s part. Illness, sports, extracurricular activities, field trips, appointments, emergencies, etc. will not be credited.
The teacher assumes full financial responsibility for any missed lessons on the teacher’s part (illness, appointments, emergencies, etc.). The student will be credited for any teacher absence or cancellation.
Performance Opportunities for Students
Wednesday, September 11th, 2024
MTNA State Composition Competition
Details available at MTNA’s website
Submission Deadline: Wednesday, September 11th, 2024 at 3pm EST
Registration Fee: Varies Based on Division of Student
*Open to students from 1st through 12th grade (plus “Young Artist” through 26 years old).
**Winner advances to Southeast Regional round and from there to the National round.
Friday, November 1st, 2024
Piano Inspires Kids Magazine “Winter Issue” Cover Design Contest
Details available at Piano Inspire’s Kids Magazine
Artwork must reflect theme of Music & Nature.
Friday, November 8th, 2024
Piano Guild Composition Contest
Details available at Piano Guild’s Website
Registration Fee: Varies ($20-40)
*Compositions must include piano. No limit on number of submissions.
Saturday, November 9th, 2024
Charleston Sonatina Performance & Composition^ Festival
at Charleston Academy of Music
342 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29403
Details available at Charleston Sonatina Festival
Registration Fee: $20 per student
Registration Deadline: TBA
^Composition Deadline: Sunday, November 10th at 9am EST
*Must perform and/or write a Sonatina. Composition submitted via email.
**Winners invited to perform / have composition debuted at Honors Recital.
Sunday, November 17th, 2024 at 3pm
CMTA Ensemble Recital
at North Charleston United Methodist Church
1125 E Montague Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405
Details available at CMTA’s Website
Registration Fee: $0 for performers ($5 ticket price for attendees)
*Open to students of all ages, levels, & instrumentations! Ensembles can be with teacher and/or peers.
Friday, December 6th, 2024 at 330pm, 430pm, & 530pm
Ashley Hall Piano Recitals*
at Ashley Hall Recital Hall
172 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403
*Only available to students in the Ashley Hall Private Music Lessons Program.
**Thursday, December 5th at 530pm is another option. I will not be present at this one, only Friday times.
Sunday, December 15th, 2024 at 3pm
Fall Piano Recital
at Circular Church
150 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401
Registration Deadline: Friday, November 15th, 2024
*Open to my Ashley Hall students if space permits (participation fee will apply)
Friday, January 10th, 2025
NFMC National Music Week Essay Contest
Details available at NFMC’s Website
Theme for 2025 Essay: “Music is…unstoppable”
Registration Fee: $0
*Open to Grades 7th through 12th.
**State winner gets $75 and possibly published in Junior Keynotes Magazine.
Saturday, February 1st, 2025
NFMC Angie Greer Music In Poetry Award Contest
Details available at NFMC’s Website
Registration Fee: $5 (plus $13 Student Membership)
*Open to students ages 18 & under.
**Region winner gets $100 and possibly published in Junior Keynotes Magazine.
—TO BE UPDATED!—
Friday, January 19th, 2024 from 4-6pm
Masterclass with Dr. Sarah Masterson
at Charleston County School of the Arts
5109 W Enterprise St B, North Charleston, SC 29405
Details available at CMTA’S website
Registration Deadline: Friday, January 12th, 2024
*For Intermediate / Advanced Level Students.
Friday, January 26th, 2024 at 3-5pm
Masterclass with Mike Springer
at Parkside Church
43 Moultrie Street, Charleston, SC 29403
*For Intermediate / Advanced Level Students.
Note: Mike will be giving a free solo piano recital at Parkside at 7pm.
Saturday, January 27th, 2024 from 10am-1pm
SCMTA Composition Workshop with composer Mike Springer
at Fox Music House
4248 Dorchester Rd, North Charleston, SC 29405
Details available at SCMTA’S website
Registration Deadline: Friday, January 12th, 2024
*Featuring a student composition masterclass.
Thursday, February 1st, 2024
South Carolina NFMC Composition Competition
Details available at NFMC
Registration Fee: $25
*Open to students through ages 18 and under.
**State winners advance to Southeast round, Regional winners advance to National round.
Saturday, February 3rd, 2024
Charleston Music Club “2024 Summer Music Study Awards”
Details available at Charleston Music Club
Registration Fee: $15 per student
Registration Deadline: Sunday, January 21st, 2024
*Auditions open for 14-18 year olds for Summer Music Study.
Saturday, February 10th, 2024 from 1030am-12pm & 1-330pm
SCMTA Songwriting Workshop with Michael Flynn (of Slow Runner)
at Fox Music House
4248 Dorchester Rd, North Charleston, SC 29405
Details available at SCMTA’S website
Registration Deadline: Friday, January 26th, 2024
*Featuring a student songwriting masterclass from 1-330pm.
Saturday, February 10th, 2024
Louise Mathis Scholarship Audition
at Charleston County School of the Arts
5109 W Enterprise St B, North Charleston, SC 29405
Details available at CMTA’S website
Registration Fee: $20
Registration Deadline: Thursday, February 1st, 2024
*Auditions open for 7th through 12th graders.
**Winners will be invited to perform in CMTA Ensemble Recital in April.
Saturday, February 17th, 2024 at 10am
Masterclass with Dr. Lorna Barker
at Fox Music House
4248 Dorchester Rd, North Charleston, SC 29405
*For Intermediate / Advanced Level Students (Two 20-minutes slots available)
Saturday, March 2nd, 2024
Achievement Day (In-Person and Virtual Options!)
at Charleston Southern University
9200 University Blvd, North Charleston, SC 29406
Details available at CMTA’s website
Registration Fee: $20 per student
Registration Deadline: Friday, February 9th, 2024
*Open to students from 1st through 12th grade.
Saturday, March 2nd, 2024
Charleston Symphony Orchestra League Scholarships
at College of Charleston
54 St Philip St, Charleston, SC 29401
Details available at CSOL
Registration Deadline: Friday, January 19th, 2024
*Open to students ages 10-18 years old for Summer Music Study or College.
Saturday, March 9th, 2024
Charleston County School of the Arts Auditions
Details available at CCSD SOA’s Website
Registration Period: Tuesday, January 23rd - Friday, February 23rd, 2024
*Auditions open to rising 6th through 12th graders for the 2024-25 School Year.
**Requirements for piano majors here.
Sunday, March 10th, 2024 at 3pm
Achievement Day Honors Recital
at James Island Presbyterian Church
1632 Fort Johnson Rd, Charleston, SC 29412
*Featuring selected students from Achievement Day.
Saturday, March 15th, 2025
Piano Inspires Kids “Movie Score” Composition Contest
Details available at Piano Inspires Kids
Registration Fee: $0
*Open to students 7 through 18 years old.
**Students must write a solo piano “Movie Score” composition for 1 of the 4 short videos. Students must submit a video performing their composition along with pdf of score.
***Winners will have their pieces published in the Summer Issue of the quarterly magazine as well as featured on-line.
Saturday, March 23rd, 2024
SCMTA District Auditions
Details available at SCMTA’s website
Registration Fee: $20 per student
Registration Deadline: Saturday, March 9th, 2024
*Open to students from 1st through 12th grade.
**Students that receive an “Outstanding” rating are invited to State Auditions.
Monday, April 1st, 2024
SCMTA Composition & Songwriting Competition
Details available at SCMTA’s Website
Registration Fee: $20 / $25 / $30 / $35 (according to age group)
*Open to students through age 26 years old.
**Any work written in the 2023-24 school year can be submitted.
Saturday, April 27th, 2024
SCMTA State Auditions
Details available at SCMTA’s website
Registration Fee: $20 per student
Registration Deadline: Monday, April 1st, 2024
*Open to students from 1st through 12th grade.
**Participation limited to “Outstanding” District Audition participants.
Sunday, April 28th, 2024 at 3pm
CMTA Ensemble Recital
at Parkside Church
43 Moultrie Street, Charleston, SC 29403
Details available at CMTA’s Website
Registration Fee: $0 for performers (donation suggested for attendees)
Registration Deadline: Sunday, April 21st, 2024
*Open to students of all ages! Ensembles can be with teacher and/or peers.
Sunday, May 5th, 2024
Seniors Recital
at Fox Music House
4248 Dorchester Rd, North Charleston, SC 29405
*Special recital featuring Class of 2024 graduating high school seniors.
Saturday, May 11th, 2024
SCMTA Composition & Songwriting Recital at 130pm
at University of South Carolina
813 Assembly St, Columbia, SC 29208
Details available at SCMTA’s website
*Featuring Winners of the SCMTA Composition & Songwriting Competition.
Saturday, May 11th, 2024
SCMTA State Honors Recital at 4pm
at University of South Carolina
813 Assembly St, Columbia, SC 29208
Details available at SCMTA’s website
*Featuring Winners of the SCMTA State Auditions.
Saturday, May 18th & Sunday, May 19th, 2024
Royal Conservatory of Music Examinations
at Ashley Hall
172 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403
Details available at RCM's Website
Registration Fee: Varies By Level
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, February 13th, 2024
*Open to students from 1st through 12th grade. Minimum 1-2 years of study recommended.
Sunday, May 19th, 2024 at 3pm
Spring Piano Recital
at Circular Church
150 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401
Registration Fee: $20 per student
Summer Camps
June 12th - 16th / June 16th - 30th / July 10th - 14th / July 17th - 21st
Charleston Jazz Academy “Jazz Combo” Camp
3005 West Montague Avenue, Suite 200, North Charleston, SC 29418
Details available at Charleston Jazz Academy
*Open to 7th-12th graders of all levels.
June 18th - 23rd
Furman Keyboard Institute
3300 Poinsett Hwy, Greenville SC 29613
Details available at Furman's Website
*Open to piano students 12-18 years old with at least 2 years piano study.
June 18th - 24th
Carolina Summer Music Conservatory
813 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC 29208
Details available at University of South Carolina's Website
*Open to Advanced Level 9th through 12th grade students; video submission required.
June 18th - 23rd / June 25th - 30th
SC Governor’s School “Arts Odyssey” Camp
15 University Street, Greenville, SC 29601
Details available at SC Governor's School's website
*Open to rising 8th & 9th grade students; video submission required.
June 19th - 24th / June 26th - July 1st
Charleston Southern University Summer Camps
9200 University Blvd, Charleston, SC 29406
Details available at CSU's Website
*Open to 6th through 12th grade piano students with at least 2 years piano study.
**Has band, orchestra, musical theatre, and jazz options as well.
June 23rd - August 6th
Brevard Music Center, “Composition Institute”
349 Andante Lane, Brevard, NC 28712
Details available at Brevard Music Center
*Open to students 14-29 years old; Portfolio submission required.
July 9th - 22nd
SC Governor’s School “Arts Academy” Summer Camp
15 University Street, Greenville, SC 29601
Details available at SC Governor's School's website
*Open to rising 10th grade students; video submission required.
For Extensive List of 2023 Summer Camps across the United States
Visit Musical America
Piano & Keyboard Maintenance
Piano Maintenance and Setup
The piano should be tuned every 12 months and be mechanically sound.
When not playing the piano, the lid should be closed to protect the keys.
A bench of the appropriate height for the student at the piano should be provided.
A footstool for the young student to rest his/her feet to maintain the proper balance at the piano should be provided.
The piano room should be well-lit. An appropriate piano lamp is recommended.
The piano room should be free of distractions. TVs, toys, siblings, etc. are generally not a good atmosphere for the study of music.
Food & drink should never be present on or near the piano. Accidents can lead to costly repairs and possibly irreversible damage.
The piano should be placed away from windows, outside doorways, outside walls, and air vents. Frequent changes in temperature will cause the piano to go out of tune quickly. The piano is best situated along an inside wall away from any air vents.
Keep heavy items and décor off of the piano. Only music, pencils, metronome, & a piano lamp should be allowed to rest on the piano.
If you notice a problem with your piano, have that problem addressed promptly, otherwise this problem might cause more problems and repairs may be costly.
An in-tune piano is a joy to play and listen to. An out-of-tune piano can be both painful and difficult to play as well as unpleasant to listen to.
Cleaning & disinfecting tips from Steinway can be found here.
Recommended Piano Tuner & Technician:
Joe Fike | CharlestonPianoTuner.com
(843) 559-1494 | CharlestonPianoTuner@gmail.com
Keyboard Maintenance and Setup
The keyboard should be of the appropriate size (61-keys or more with full size keys) and mechanically sound.
An appropriate keyboard stand should be provided.
An appropriate music stand should be provided (most keyboards have a built in or attachable stand, some do not and will need a separate music stand).
A sustain pedal should be provided (some smaller keyboards may not have this option).
A keyboard bench of the appropriate height for the student at the piano should be provided.
A footstool for the young student to rest his/her feet to maintain proper balance at the keyboard should be provided.
The keyboard room should be well-lit. Any appropriate piano lamp is recommended.
The keyboard room should be free of distractions. TVs, toys, siblings, etc. are generally not a good atmosphere for the study of music.
Food & drink should never be present on or near the keyboard. Accidents can lead to costly repairs and possibly irreversible damage. Electrical shock is also a risk.