I realize there may be a great deal of regional variability in the responses to my question, but I will ask anyway.

I have been taking voice lessons for the last six months, with some notable progress (in other words: from BAD to decent)

After my last session, my instructor informed me he is raising his fee. I had been paying $30 for a half-hour, the new rate will be $40. Although I believe I have an excellent teacher, I feel his new rate is excessive. For that matter I had been told his old rate was high - but I didn't mind since I felt I was learning a lot, and improving as well.

Certainly an instuctor's qualifications, education, and experience would determine a basis for fees. In this case, he has a B.S., and Masters, in Musicolgy from a major university, was the front man for a renowned band in his collegiate days, and has been teaching privately for 3 years.

I would be interested in hearing from any music instructors, or from other sudents, as to what a fair rate would be.