2021-2022 Policies & Procedures
General Information ~ Weekly private lessons will be given in 30-minute sessions. A calendar will be provided on the back of the student’s piano binder indicating the weeks that no lessons will be held due to holidays/non- school days or teacher's unavailability.
Practice ~ Students are expected to develop a routine of practicing. I expect each student to come to his/her lesson prepared to learn, which means that they have practiced during the week. They should also remember to bring all their music books with them to their lesson. I understand that there will be times when minimal practice is all that can be achieved due to family/school events, but this should be the exception, not the rule. The teacher cannot advance them until they master the concept that is being worked on. Their music lessons develop on previously learned concepts and if they don’t practice, they won’t learn and advance. If a student consistently comes to lessons unprepared, an email or letter will be sent to parents. If this behavior becomes a habit, then a discussion with the parents will be made to determine if the student will continue with lessons.
Materials ~ It is recommended that students use some type of tote bag to carry books to and from lessons. The students will be given a piano binder at their first lesson, which will be used to keep track of assigned pieces and practice suggestions/goals for each week. The teacher will obtain all needed books and materials for the students and once the teacher has been reimbursed for the purchase, the students will be given their books.
Tuition and Payment ~ The tuition for the 2021-2022 school year will be a flat rate per month, for the months of September 2021 thru May 2022. You may also pay for the whole school year at the beginning of September, or divide the tuition in half and pay in September and in January. Some months may have five lessons and some only three but will average out over the nine months. If paid monthly, then tuition is due by the first lesson of each month. If not paid by the 15th of the month, an additional $10.00 late fee will be due for that month. The tuition compensates me for my time, as well as expenses for two recitals, materials I make and give to my students, new music that I loan to students to play for variety, etc. If your student is not able to attend during any given month for any reason, you still owe tuition for that month. Your student has a specific spot during each week of the month and to hold that spot, tuition must be paid whether they attend or not.
Summer Months ~ During the summer months of June and July, lessons will continue if you choose. More information will be given near the end of the school year regarding summer lessons.
Makeup Lessons ~ Due to the teacher’s limited availability, makeup lessons cannot be guaranteed. However, if an absence arises due to unforeseen situations such as sickness or a family emergency, the teacher will try to schedule a makeup lesson. Please let the teacher know as soon as possible if a lesson is going to be missed.
Parent Participation ~ Parents are encouraged to be supportive and active participants in practice at home. Parents are also more than welcome to attend and quietly observe any lesson. Please encourage practice time and praise your child often as you listen to them play.
Studio Events ~ Each year, the studio schedules up to two recitals for the students and their families. These are provided at no extra cost. Performing in a formal recital setting is an exciting opportunity for students to showcase their hard work and improvement over the year in the presence of their family and friends. My students may also participate in National Federation Association or Junior Festival. This program involves additional cost and is voluntary. More information is given to individual students as they reach the levels needed to participate in these events.
Discontinuing Lessons ~ Every student decides to stop taking lessons at some point. Ideally, this decision is made thoughtfully with plenty of discussion between the parents and the student so that lessons can cease with a positive sense of closure. For this reason, the teacher asks for one month’s notice prior to discontinuing lessons. However, the teacher respects the student’s right to end lessons at any time. Note: At the discretion of the teacher, students may be asked to discontinue lessons at any time if they have unpaid tuition, an excess amount of absences/unprepared lessons, or if they show a lack of interest.