New students will be accepted into the studio conditionally for a 4-lessons trial period. At the end of the first month of piano lessons, the instructor and student's parents will decide if the student should be enrolled in the entire year program and the status of the student will be changed from conditional to permanent.
The enrollment fee $120 (one-time fee) is due upon enrollment in the studio program by the end of the first month of trial period lessons. The enrollment fee also provides access to the studio piano library throughout the year. Any damaged or lost music will be charged at current replacement cost.
Once enrolled into the studio piano course, all students attend four lessons every month for the entire school year. The piano course is held from September through the end of June. During July and August students continue taking lessons as their summer schedule allows. The regular schedule might be changed for the summer term. If students plan on taking the Syllabus exams or playing at the OMTA piano festivals in the fall, it is strongly recommended that they continue taking piano lessons through the summer months.
Tuition Payments are due at the beginning of each month (usually at the first lesson) in the same amount from September through June for the entire duration of the annual program. Please note that some months include 5 weeks of lessons. The fifth lesson will be either skipped or used as a make-up lesson if needed.
Annual Recital fee in the amount of $15 will be collected from each student at the beginning of the school year.
Important note: Parents will be responsible for remembering the lesson schedule, either the regular time or make-up time and bringing their children for the scheduled lesson. If you are not sure of the time of the piano lesson (in case the lesson was rescheduled) — please, always call to confirm and verify the time you will need to bring your child to the studio. Forgotten lessons will not be made up.
Important note: If you are dropping your child off, please pick him/her up on time, as Alena cannot be responsible for looking after the student once the lesson is over.
Make-up lessons are guaranteed only if a lesson is canceled by the teacher, in case of a family emergency, or if the lesson falls on a holiday (Ex: Christmas or Thanksgiving). In all other cases such as illness, family vacation, family or sporting events, a student will be allowed to have only one make-up lesson per month. Other missed lessons will be forfeited. If a student takes the entire month off any time from September through June, he/she gets only two makeup lessons, and the remaining two lessons will be forfeited.
If you need to reschedule a lesson, please e-mail or call at least 24 hours before the scheduled lesson. Please, understand that rescheduling a lesson affects the multiple schedules of the day. Otherwise the lesson will not be made up.
Cancellation of lessons: It is required to give a 1 month of courtesy notice if you decide to discontinue lessons.
To insure optimal progress, sufficient time must be spent on practice. While some students are self-motivated and disciplined, others require some encouragement and help from parents, especially, beginners of young age. To assist your child’s preparation for the lesson, help to establish a specific time daily for practice.
For each lesson a student needs to bring a notebook for weekly assignments and the appropriate music books. Occasionally, the student will need a three-ring binder for provided handouts. Some music books will be purchased and some will be provided from the studio lending library. All materials lent by the studio should be returned after use.
In addition to music method and classical repertoire collection books, students will have books with music theory, compositions and history assignments.
All books may be purchased at the sheet music store:
Portland Music Co. (10075 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy Beaverton OR 97005). Phone number: 503-641-5691
A well-tuned piano is an essential element to a student’s musical progress. Having your piano tuned once a year is usually sufficient. If you need to find a piano technician, I would recommend Eric Leatha. You can reach him at 503-997-1725.
Nails should be trimmed short and kept in such condition all the time. This is a necessary preparation for every lesson.