Studio Policy 2015-2016
Lesson Format
Lessons are offered in either 45 or 60 minute time slots. The last 15 minutes of each lesson will overlap with the next student. During that overlapping time, the student will work on completing theory assignments or other supplemental material such as sight reading, computer lab, ear training, music history, or composition. It may also be used as time to learn duets with the student who also shares that overlapping time slot, if levels permit.
Tuition
Monthly tuition fees of $108.00 (45 minute lesson) or $149.00 (60 minute lesson) are due the first scheduled lesson of each month, regardless of whether the student attends the lesson. The tuition fee remains fixed regardless of the number of lessons taught during the month. Music and materials are an additional expense. There will be an additional $10 late fee added if tuition is not paid on time. Tuition may increase at the beginning of the school year. Please remember that payment is for time scheduled, not lessons received. Termination of lessons will require a two-week notice and any tuition that has already been paid for that month will not be refunded. If lessons are terminated at the start of a new month, payment for those two weeks is still required. This will give me the time necessary to fill that time slot.
Missed Lessons
Each month I will designate one Friday as a make-up day. This day will be reserved only for students who have missed their lesson due to illness. In an effort to keep my family and me healthy, as well as have the most effective lesson possible, it is usually a good idea to reschedule if the student was sick enough to miss school. It is the parent’s responsibility to schedule the make-up lesson and if a make-up lesson is missed or cancelled, it cannot be rescheduled. Friday make-up lessons will be either a group or private lesson, depending on the need that month.
I will create a student roster at the beginning of each school year with the names, phone numbers, and the lesson times of each student. If you need to miss a lesson for any reason other than sickness (school activities, sports, dance, vacations, ect…) you can arrange to exchange lesson times with another student. It is your responsibility to do this and I won’t need to be involved in this process. I will need you to let me know that you have traded times and who will be coming instead so that I will know who to plan for. If you prefer not to be included on the list, that is fine and I will be happy to leave your name off, but please be aware that you will not be able to have any make-up lessons for any scheduling conflict, other than sickness.
Lessons missed due to teacher cancellation will be made up at your convenience, or credited to next month’s tuition. Due to the nature of the setting, missed group classes cannot be made up, regardless of the reason. Refunds cannot be made for lessons that are cancelled or missed by the student.
Calendar
Lessons will be held during the school year and throughout the summer. Each student will have 36 lessons, which include both private and group settings, over the 9 month school year (September- May). There will also be one additional week scheduled in case I have to cancel a full week of lessons due to illness/emergency in my family. This extra lesson is on top of the 36 lessons included in your tuition, therefore allowing me a week to cancel without having to do makeup lessons. If we don’t end up needing this “sick” week, I will cancel lessons a week early at the end of the school year. I will not teach during Thanksgiving and Christmas vacations as well as some national and school holidays.
In the summer, students are required to attend Piano Camp, which will be held the 2nd or 3rd week of August, as well as have four additional private lessons throughout the summer. This is equal to 2 months of lessons/tuition. If it is absolutely not possible for your child to attend piano camp (family reunion, girls camp, ect…) you may have the option of scheduling 8 private lessons throughout the summer, therefore still getting in the 2 months of lessons/tuition. All students are required to participate in the summer program. As summer approaches, I will be in contact with you to arrange which weeks work best for you. Calendars will be given out at the beginning of the school year and summer, and while they are subject to change, please hang on to them so you have all the dates for the year available.
Recitals/Activities
Each year we will have a Spring Recital, as well as participating in a performance evaluation event. As part of my studio, students should plan to participate in these events. Group classes/Performance classes will be held often during the school year and will take the place of private lessons that week. These classes are mandatory and make-up lessons will not be given if not attended. Tuition will not be refunded for classes that are not attended. The dates of these classes will be given at the beginning of the school year so that you may plan your calendars accordingly. I also encourage students to attend school and community recitals/concerts as often as possible.
Lesson Etiquette
Hands should be clean and nails trimmed. Gum chewing is not allowed during lessons. If you have multiple children coming to lessons at the same time, please make sure that they each have something to occupy their time (i.e. book, homework), when it is not their turn, so they are not disruptive during their sibling’s lesson. There may be occasions when I need to take a short break to care for my children. When this occurs, I will give the student a short practicing assignment so the time is productive and well spent. Please arrive to lessons on time. If you are going to be late, please be considerate of my time and call to let me know when you will be coming.
Practicing
“Practice Makes Perfect!” The only way a student can learn and progress is by practicing on a daily basis. Each student will be expected to practice daily, using the material that is covered in the weekly lesson. The amount of practice time that is expected will vary from student to student. There is an incentive program for those who accomplish their practicing and lesson goals. Please try to help your child practice consistently, rather than one or two days of bulk practicing.
Materials
Materials will vary between each student and the level they are on. Each student is expected to have a 3-ring binder, with lined paper in it. This is for me to write the student’s weekly goals and to hold other handouts/charts that may be given. Each student also needs to have a metronome and a set of flashcards. If you are unsure of the kind to get, please let me know. I will let you know when new books or materials are needed, and you will be responsible for getting these items.
Piano
It is very important that each student have a piano in their home. Electronic pianos, however convenient they may be, can be damaging to the student’s technique, make mastering pieces difficult, and as a result are not good instruments to learn on. Please try to avoid using these, and if you are using one, please let me know. Please keep your piano tuned regularly.
Parent Involvement
A major key to the student’s success is involvement and encouragement from their parents. I expect the parents to be involved in their child’s practicing as often as possible. Parents are invited to attend their child’s lesson, as long as their presence does not interrupt the lesson. That I might better understand the student’s needs, I hope to maintain a close working relationship with the parents. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Lesson Format
Lessons are offered in either 45 or 60 minute time slots. The last 15 minutes of each lesson will overlap with the next student. During that overlapping time, the student will work on completing theory assignments or other supplemental material such as sight reading, computer lab, ear training, music history, or composition. It may also be used as time to learn duets with the student who also shares that overlapping time slot, if levels permit.
Tuition
Monthly tuition fees of $108.00 (45 minute lesson) or $149.00 (60 minute lesson) are due the first scheduled lesson of each month, regardless of whether the student attends the lesson. The tuition fee remains fixed regardless of the number of lessons taught during the month. Music and materials are an additional expense. There will be an additional $10 late fee added if tuition is not paid on time. Tuition may increase at the beginning of the school year. Please remember that payment is for time scheduled, not lessons received. Termination of lessons will require a two-week notice and any tuition that has already been paid for that month will not be refunded. If lessons are terminated at the start of a new month, payment for those two weeks is still required. This will give me the time necessary to fill that time slot.
Missed Lessons
Each month I will designate one Friday as a make-up day. This day will be reserved only for students who have missed their lesson due to illness. In an effort to keep my family and me healthy, as well as have the most effective lesson possible, it is usually a good idea to reschedule if the student was sick enough to miss school. It is the parent’s responsibility to schedule the make-up lesson and if a make-up lesson is missed or cancelled, it cannot be rescheduled. Friday make-up lessons will be either a group or private lesson, depending on the need that month.
I will create a student roster at the beginning of each school year with the names, phone numbers, and the lesson times of each student. If you need to miss a lesson for any reason other than sickness (school activities, sports, dance, vacations, ect…) you can arrange to exchange lesson times with another student. It is your responsibility to do this and I won’t need to be involved in this process. I will need you to let me know that you have traded times and who will be coming instead so that I will know who to plan for. If you prefer not to be included on the list, that is fine and I will be happy to leave your name off, but please be aware that you will not be able to have any make-up lessons for any scheduling conflict, other than sickness.
Lessons missed due to teacher cancellation will be made up at your convenience, or credited to next month’s tuition. Due to the nature of the setting, missed group classes cannot be made up, regardless of the reason. Refunds cannot be made for lessons that are cancelled or missed by the student.
Calendar
Lessons will be held during the school year and throughout the summer. Each student will have 36 lessons, which include both private and group settings, over the 9 month school year (September- May). There will also be one additional week scheduled in case I have to cancel a full week of lessons due to illness/emergency in my family. This extra lesson is on top of the 36 lessons included in your tuition, therefore allowing me a week to cancel without having to do makeup lessons. If we don’t end up needing this “sick” week, I will cancel lessons a week early at the end of the school year. I will not teach during Thanksgiving and Christmas vacations as well as some national and school holidays.
In the summer, students are required to attend Piano Camp, which will be held the 2nd or 3rd week of August, as well as have four additional private lessons throughout the summer. This is equal to 2 months of lessons/tuition. If it is absolutely not possible for your child to attend piano camp (family reunion, girls camp, ect…) you may have the option of scheduling 8 private lessons throughout the summer, therefore still getting in the 2 months of lessons/tuition. All students are required to participate in the summer program. As summer approaches, I will be in contact with you to arrange which weeks work best for you. Calendars will be given out at the beginning of the school year and summer, and while they are subject to change, please hang on to them so you have all the dates for the year available.
Recitals/Activities
Each year we will have a Spring Recital, as well as participating in a performance evaluation event. As part of my studio, students should plan to participate in these events. Group classes/Performance classes will be held often during the school year and will take the place of private lessons that week. These classes are mandatory and make-up lessons will not be given if not attended. Tuition will not be refunded for classes that are not attended. The dates of these classes will be given at the beginning of the school year so that you may plan your calendars accordingly. I also encourage students to attend school and community recitals/concerts as often as possible.
Lesson Etiquette
Hands should be clean and nails trimmed. Gum chewing is not allowed during lessons. If you have multiple children coming to lessons at the same time, please make sure that they each have something to occupy their time (i.e. book, homework), when it is not their turn, so they are not disruptive during their sibling’s lesson. There may be occasions when I need to take a short break to care for my children. When this occurs, I will give the student a short practicing assignment so the time is productive and well spent. Please arrive to lessons on time. If you are going to be late, please be considerate of my time and call to let me know when you will be coming.
Practicing
“Practice Makes Perfect!” The only way a student can learn and progress is by practicing on a daily basis. Each student will be expected to practice daily, using the material that is covered in the weekly lesson. The amount of practice time that is expected will vary from student to student. There is an incentive program for those who accomplish their practicing and lesson goals. Please try to help your child practice consistently, rather than one or two days of bulk practicing.
Materials
Materials will vary between each student and the level they are on. Each student is expected to have a 3-ring binder, with lined paper in it. This is for me to write the student’s weekly goals and to hold other handouts/charts that may be given. Each student also needs to have a metronome and a set of flashcards. If you are unsure of the kind to get, please let me know. I will let you know when new books or materials are needed, and you will be responsible for getting these items.
Piano
It is very important that each student have a piano in their home. Electronic pianos, however convenient they may be, can be damaging to the student’s technique, make mastering pieces difficult, and as a result are not good instruments to learn on. Please try to avoid using these, and if you are using one, please let me know. Please keep your piano tuned regularly.
Parent Involvement
A major key to the student’s success is involvement and encouragement from their parents. I expect the parents to be involved in their child’s practicing as often as possible. Parents are invited to attend their child’s lesson, as long as their presence does not interrupt the lesson. That I might better understand the student’s needs, I hope to maintain a close working relationship with the parents. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
