STUDIO INFORMATION & POLICIES

Lesson Fees

• $25 per half-hour voice lesson

Payments

• Payments are now calculated by semester. Tuition is paid in equal monthly payments for the semester regardless of how many individual lessons are in a particular month.

• FOR FALL 2024: Fall 2024 will be calculated on a 12-week semester. Payments are equally divided into FOUR payments due on September 3, October 1, November 1, and December 1 regardless of your first lesson of the month. Commitment is for a semester from the time the student is enrolled through May. If tuition is not received by the first lesson of the month a $25 late fee will be applied.

• Payment is accepted by cash, check to Ginger Birch, or Venmo. If using Venmo please use the friends & family option, Venmo handle will be provided once lessons are scheduled for the semester. Cash and check payment options can be dropped at the lesson location by individual arrangement.

• An invoice via Venmo or text reminders will be sent a few days prior to it being due on the first of the month.

Missed Lessons & Cancellations

• Students are expected to attend each scheduled week. Once registered for lessons, your time slot is reserved for you. No refunds will be given for missed lessons. Tuition is non-refundable and makeup lessons are only scheduled within a week’s time, at the convenience of the teacher. If your student needs to miss a lesson, please contact the studio with as much advance notice as possible. If there is an emergency or extreme situation, I will consider a makeup at a later time.

• There are flex weeks factored into the monthly tuition for the semester. The flex weeks cover if the teacher needs to cancel a lesson for any reason like sickness, emergencies, vacations, or prior responsibilities. Lessons will not be made up nor credited unless the flex weeks have already been used. If the flex weeks have been used, at the teacher's discretion, either a makeup lesson will be scheduled or a credit will be made on the next month's tuition as a last resort. If the flex weeks are not used by the end of November, they will be taken in December at the end of the semester.

• Students should plan to commit to lessons for the full semester. If unforeseen circumstances require a student to terminate lessons mid-semester,, a written notice by email should be given as soon as possible. No refunds will be given for tuition already paid. The student is welcome and encouraged to finish up any lessons already paid for.

Curriculum Needs

Some students will be asked to purchase specific books and/or curriculum based on their needs. Links for purchase will be provided or instructors will purchase materials and students providing reimbursement, which ever is easiest. If the teacher purchases individual sheet music at times, you may be asked the to pay half. 

Studio Safety Measures

• Medical grade air purifier will run during lessons.

• Hand sanitizer available upon entry/leaving.

• Cleaning/sanitizing between students.

Sickness Protocol

• Please DO NOT attend a lesson if you are sick or if anyone in your household has been sick with something contagious. We need to minimize cross contamination as much as possible. 

• If you’ve been directly exposed to COVID, please inform me as soon as possible. Exceptions to the absence/loss of lesson fee will be considered. 

• Virtual lessons will only be used in an extreme circumstance if a student is relatively healthy, but has been exposed to sickness or someone in their home is sick or if a student has a minor cold/sickness but feels they can still do a lesson instead of canceling. I will only institute virtual lessons across the board if I am sick, but can still teach or we have another lock down situation. 

Preparation & Expectations

• Students should bring a water bottle with them to every lesson. I have small water bottles available if needed, but they are not provided on a daily basis for every student to use.

• Students are expected to bring ALL materials with them to their lesson time. It is difficult to teach effectively when students arrive without their music. If students consistently arrive for lessons without materials it is up to the discretion of the teacher to cancel the lessons that week upon arrival or if the student should consider taking a break from lessons until adequate preparation can be expected.

•  Likewise, exercises or assignments given are expected to be rehearsed and completed before the next lesson. 

Entrance

• Students should arrive at their exact lesson time, not earlier. At this time, I don't have space for students to wait if they arrive early.

• Each student may knock if they wish at their lesson time and immediately enter my home. I will not answer the door for each lesson. The door will be closed during colder months, as it warms, I’ll leave it ajar. So come on in, even if I’m finishing up with another student! At times, I lose track of the time and having students enter at their lesson time helps me keep on track!

• PLEASE NOTE: If it’s rainy or snowy, students are expected to remove their shoes and leave on the rug by the door (less mopping I have to do!) 

Parent Info

• Parents should drop off their students and come back or you are more than welcome to wait in your car in the driveway or on the street. I apologize, I do not have space for parents and family to wait indoors. I find the best instruction is between student and teacher. However, I will allow a parent to sit in on one lesson once per term (spring, summer, fall) if you would like to do so. 

Studio Recitals/Workshops

• Fall Workshops: Specific groups of students around the same age will gather at a determined location to share songs together. They will receive & give feedback and gain experience singing/playing in front of others.

• Spring Recitals: Recitals will be scheduled in late spring/early summer for students to perform works they’ve prepared. Students can invite family and friends to attend. Recitals groups and dates will be determined in mid 2025.