Lessons

The piano studio year begins in September and continues through mid June. A separate schedule will be sent out for the summer.

Once a student is enrolled in the studio, the student is expected to commit through the entire piano studio year. However, if circumstances arise, please allow a one month notification for any cancellations. All lessons missed due to inclement weather or missed by the instructor will be made up in a timely manner.

Lessons begin and end on time and students are scheduled back to back. Please make every effort to arrive and enter the studio a few minutes early and have your books ready.

Tuition

The monthly tuition price is a yearly payment divided out into equal payments. While the number of lessons changes per month, the amount per month is always the same from September to May. June tuition will be half the monthly payment. Tuition can be sent through Zelle, Venmo, and Paypal. Please make checks payable to Pin Pin Jong.

Payments are past due on the 10th of the month.

Monthly Tuition payment is as follows:

$235 per month - 45 minutes weekly private piano lessons (September to mid June)

$310 per month - 60 minutes weekly private piano lessons (September to mid June)

$160 per month- 30 minutes weekly private piano lessons (For young beginners only)

Where does my tuition go? Time spent with the student, time spent outside of lessons choosing repertoire, planning, strategizing for each student’s musical needs and growth, bookkeeping, communications, festival and recital preparations, continuing education and professional growth etc. 

Other Fees

• Yearly Registration Fee - a non-refundable $40.00 fee per student which reserves the student’s place in the studio and also goes towards teacher’s association fees, studio upkeep such as piano tuning/voicing, and recital hall rental

• Late Fee - a $15.00 fee will be charged for tuition payments not received by the 10th of each month.

• Returned Check Fee - $25.00 plus bank fees will be charged for returned checks.

Missed Lessons

There will be no credits given for missed lessons.  Two options are available for lesson make-ups.

1. Use the studio schedule with names and phone numbers to switch lesson times when necessary with each other.  

2. Notify me 24 hours in advance of missing a lesson and I will let you know if there is a time slot available for make-up.  If there is not, I will let you know if another lesson time becomes available for the next 2 weeks.  Beyond that time frame, make-up lessons will not be given.

[Students can request online lessons to replace in-person lessons for situations such as mild sickness, quarantine, or similar cases.] 

Practicing

Successful musical growth requires daily practice. The study of music is rewarding and enjoyable, but it requires work! Each student can only advance as quickly as the assigned material is mastered. Anyone can have bad days or even weeks of practice, but I will become concerned if these “off” times continue for several weeks. If this occurs, I will contact the parents in order to find a solution.

Minimum practice suggestion: K-5th grade 30 minutes daily practice

6 -8th grade         45 minutes daily practice

9 -12th grade 60 minutes daily practice

Keep in mind also that a well-maintained piano encourages better practicing. Students should own and practice on an acoustic piano. Keep your piano in good shape by having it tuned regularly and repaired when necessary.  Encourage your child to wash his or her hands before practicing.

I expect students to commit to do their best.

Miscellaneous Information

• All students must wash their hands and have a bathroom break before coming to their lesson each week.

• All students must have short fingernails, cut flush with the end of the finger. Anyone insisting on long fingernails must reconsider his/her commitment to piano lessons.

• Absolutely no drinks, candy, chewing gum, or other food allowed in the studio at any time.

• Students will be held accountable for music books and materials loaned to them from the studio. Replacement costs will be charged for damaged or lost music.

• Parents should be certain the student is inside the studio before driving away. Please be prompt in returning at the end of lesson time, unless arrangements have been made with the teacher.  (Some evenings I must leave immediately following the last lesson.)  Parents are welcome to observe lessons.

• I am unable to answer the telephone during lessons. Voicemail and texts will be checked frequently and I will return calls and texts as soon as possible. When school is closed due to inclement weather, please use your good judgment in deciding whether to come to a lesson. A virtual lesson will be scheduled if you are not comfortable traveling to the studio. 

Successful piano lessons depend on three important parts - the student, the parent, and the teacher.  In education circles this is known as the “Magic Triangle.”

The student should possess a positive attitude, as well as curiosity and enthusiasm for music.  It is the student’s responsibility to bring their music and assignment book to each lesson and to come with the music well prepared.

The parent should possess a genuine interest in the musical accomplishments of their child.  It is the parents’ responsibility to provide a good instrument.  The practice area should be inviting, comfortable and well lit.  The parents must also allow the student uninterrupted practice time each day.

The teacher needs to possess the knowledge of music and music history, and be well rounded in the area of performance.  Also the teacher must stay informed of current ideas and music by attending workshops and conventions and reading periodicals and music literature.