This list of policies and rates gives guidelines for this studio which will be for all of our benefit. I attempted to make the information as clear as possible to avoid misunderstandings. If you have any questions be sure to ask them! Thank you for reading the Policies and Rates and doing your part to help our studio run smoothly!
CALENDAR
LESSONS: Our studio gives weekly 30, 45 or 60-minute lessons. Out of consideration for the privacy of the student before you, please do not come in more than one minute before your time slot. Your cell phone should have the exact time. Parents are highly encouraged to attend lessons (especially if the student is under 10 years old) so that they can help their child practice efficiently.
SCHOLARSHIP PRACTICE REQUIREMENT: The scholarship rate reduces lesson prices by $30 a month. (See Regular Rates* and Scholarship Rates** at the bottom of the page) The parents are responsible to make sure their child is fulfilling their home practice requirement.*** Qualification for the scholarship is monthly. The practice requirement must be fulfilled every week of the month for the student to qualify for the next month’s scholarship. Exceptions can be made to the requirement, but will be determined by the teacher on a case by case basis. Practice requirements are cut in half for the summer. (See “Practice Requirements” chart below).
HOLIDAYS & VACATIONS: Our studio will take off four scheduled weeks through the year: one at Thanksgiving, two at Christmas, and one during the summer (at the discretion of the teacher). Students are allowed to take additional weeks off at any time, provided that they let me know a minimum of 24 hours ahead of time. (See “Missed Lessons”).
SUMMER LESSONS: Summer lessons are available and highly recommended (but not required). We utilize this time to broaden a student’s musical experience by doing fun things like duets, composition, and hymn playing. All practice requirements are cut in half and students are allowed up to three weeks of vacation without charge or reschedule to help the student enjoy their summer while not losing ground. If the student decides to completely take the summer off, the studio cannot hold their time slot. However, we will give returning students first priority when openings occur in the fall (primarily on a first-come, first-served basis).
MISSED LESSONS: There is a 24 hour minimum notice for missed lessons. (As much forewarning as possible is appreciated.) Emergencies are handled on a case-by-case basis. Missed lessons are not refunded, but “make up” time slots are provided primarily on a first-come, first-served basis. If a missed lesson has not been made up within three months, it will be “let go”. Students may miss and reschedule a maximum of 7 lessons during the school year (Sept-May). Forgotten lessons will not be rescheduled. There is no maximum for the summer, but all missed lessons must be rescheduled by Labor Day or they will be “let go”. If the teacher misses any lessons, a makeup will be provided asap, but refunds are not given.
SICKNESS: Students must cancel lessons if they are sick, especially if it’s contagious (cold, flu, fever, etc.). Family members who are sick may come to lessons, but must stay in the car. Thank you for helping us all stay healthy.
TERMINATING LESSONS: Lessons may be terminated at any time and for any reason by the parents, adult students, or the teacher. Please do not terminate lessons in the middle of the school year if possible. A 4-week notice is required for terminations.
FEES
TUITION: The studio charges a monthly flat rate (see chart below) to be paid on the first week of the month. The fee will not change for months with more or less than four weeks. (The studio takes four vacations yearly and four months of the year have five weeks so this usually works out perfectly. See “Holidays & Vacations” above.) If the payment is not received by the second week, a $10 late fee will be automatically charged the following month.
MATERIALS: The studio will usually order all of the core materials needed and charge it to your next month’s fee. Material startup costs for new students are usually $15-$25.
FESTIVALS, COMPETITIONS, AND OTHER EVENTS: The studio does not charge extra for recitals. Competitions, adjudications, etc, do have additional fees. Students are required to participate in our spring recital; all other events are optional but highly encouraged. A couple of the events, such as Music Olympics and Music Artistry Program, will replace the lesson for either that week or a different week, as the teacher attends those events for maximum benefit to the student.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Events may be photographed or recorded by the studio, so being part of the studio means that you are granting indefinite permission for the studio to use photographs etc. of you or your family for any —but only— studio purposes without any financial compensation.
*Monthly Regular Lesson Rates
$150 for weekly 30 minute lessons
$210 for weekly 45 minute lessons
$270 for weekly 60 minute lessons
**Monthly Scholarship Rates
$120 for weekly 30 minute lessons
$180 for weekly 45 minute lessons
$240 for weekly 60 minute lessons
***Scholarship Weekly Practice Requirements
Level A-Level 2B (Elementary): minimum home practice time of 90 minutes a week
Level 3A-Level 4 (Lower Intermediate): minimum practice time of 2 hours a week
Level 5 and above (Intermediate and above): minumum practice time of 3 hours a week
Rev.6/3/2024