TUITION
For young students of the age of 6y.o. I recommend 30 min. lessons. 45 min. lessons are recommended for children of the age of 7 + and beginners - this is the most recommended lesson. For teenagers and intermediate / early advanced students 60 min. lessons are preferred. I strongly recommend a 60 minute lesson for adults of any level. Please refer to the FLPM Tuition in the side menu for variety of lesson plans.
When students enroll in the program, they or their parents pay for the spot in the teacher's schedule. Students or their parents pay every month whether they attend lessons or not. Tuition is calculated by the number of lesson days in a given month.
At the end of the month, a reminder email for forthcoming tuition will be sent to each student. A late payment fee of $ 10.00 may occur if the tuition was paid after the 10th of a given month.
There won't be any lessons on Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, any lessons that happened to be scheduled at those times will be made up in the usual manner.
MISSED LESSONS:
I allow three validly missed lessons during the course of an academic year starting September 1st. The only valid reason for cancellation is an illness. Any cancellation for reasons other than illness like school activities, and particularly, any last minute cancellations will be charged in full with no further make up lessons. Lessons are made up only in case of student's illness or "the Federal holidays". It is proven to be most effective to make up a missed lesson by having a number of extended lessons which depends on a lesson duration. For instance, if a student has 45 min. lesson, then he/ she will have three 60 min. extended lessons afterward, or if a child has a 60 min. lesson, he or she will have four 75 min. lessons, if an adult has a 60 min. lesson, then he/she will have two 90 min. extended lessons. For those who prefer to reschedule a missed lesson, a missed lesson may be made up on the following Saturday/Sunday from 2 pm until 6 pm, or on the following week days if the teacher's schedule allows. Parents or students must notify Dr. Hennings at least 48 hours ahead.
There would be no further rescheduling of a missed make - up lesson, (for some established students in good standing, there could be some flexibility in making up or rescheduling lessons in cases of sport or family events - please arrange it with Dr. Hennings ahead of time.)
For young students of the ages of 6-8 y.o. or adults who have difficulties with extended make up lessons or extra lessons, a flat four -lessons monthly tuition with no make ups could be offered at the teacher's discretion. In such case, that extra lesson in the five week month is the make up for any missed lessons including aforementioned holidays. Such months are about five times a year. Lessons missed due the teacher's persona reason will be made up the following week.
The Studio does not do refunds. If a student/parent decides to terminate his/her lessons after the tuition has been paid there won't be any refund. Making up lessons is available on request if the schedule allows.
Once enrolled in the program, students will continue their lessons year around. In case of upcoming vacation, please notify the teacher ahead of time. Lessons that missed during vacation will be made up with extended lessons, On enrollment, all the students will benefit from locking into their lesson rates, a break for more than four (4) weeks will dismiss a student from the program and it's locked rate. Dr. Hennings might consider more flexibility with the students in good standing as an exception.
STUDENT'S RESPONSIBILITY:
1. Each student/parent is responsible for acquisition of music books or sheet music. Students/parents also have an option to purchase books at the studio, the price of the books is the same at which they were purchased by the studio - this is a courtesy to our students, the studio doesn't profit from purchasing the books.
2. All students must have an access to a piano. An acoustic piano is most encouraged as a superior instrument compared to any electric piano or keyboard. Under limited circumstances an electric piano or keyboard could be used as a temporary solution.
3. Regular and quality practice is required for all students - 30 minutes per day is a minimum time for beginners only, for the rest of students - 45-60 minutes per day at least five days a week is an average time. A sufficient practice will guarantee a smooth and pleasant learning process. Parental support/ encouragement in student's practicing is very much beneficial for a student!
HOLIDAYS:
The studio will be closed on the two major holidays: Thanksgiving Day and Christmas, on other Federal holidays the Studio will be open. The Studio schedule is different from the New York school calendar. During the fall, winter, spring and summer breaks the lessons will continue.
Students should come always on time - not too early and let me know if there will be a delay.
Dr. Natalya Hennings reserves the right to change/ update her policy at any time without notice.