Studio Policy 2017-2018
Tuition and Fees
30 min.--$140/month
45 min--$205/month
60 min--$270/month
70 min--$285/month
Adult student lessons--One hour only. $70/hr. Summer lessons are available and highly encouraged!
Additionally, the studio will be offering eight group classes throughout the year, at no additional cost. The class offerings will include theory games, ear training, music appreciation, performances or a master class.
Yearly Registration/Supplies fee: $35 per student, $65 for a family of two children.
This tuition rate is calculated based on 40 lessons between September and June. The first day of the school year is September 5th, 2017.
Prompt payment (cash/check/automatic bank payment) is expected (and appreciated!) by the first lesson of the month. Payment is due in full BY THE FIRST LESSON IN THAT MONTH and subject to a $10 late fee. Nonpayment is grounds for dismissal. Bounced checks will incur a $25 check fee plus the $10 late fee in addition to tuition, payable in cash.
Tuition paid is non-refundable. Upon client-initiated termination of lessons, tuition will be calculated with a 30-day notice based on lessons that were offered, not necessarily attended. Please talk to me immediately should you think of stopping the lessons!
Missed Lessons --
No refunds for missed lessons. Lessons missed by the teacher (besides the abovementioned vacation weeks) will be made up or credited for next month.
I will offer TWO MAKEUP lessons in a school year, missed for any reason. Any makeups beyond two will be approached individually (like in case of extreme emergency), but never guaranteed. Makeup lessons should be done within the same month as an originally scheduled lesson or as soon as it is possible. Alternatively, you can swap a lesson with some other student.
Instrument and Practice Expectations
An acoustic piano is required for a successful progress. It can be an upright or a grand, aesthetically pleasing for the student--(not old, good keys, beautiful tone, etc.) Please tune your instrument once or twice a year for the best tone. Your instructor is HAPPY to assist in your piano search!
Digital pianos are discouraged, for many reasons. First, they lack an 'escape' mechanism, which is responsible for that special key 'action', sound isrecorded, not live. Pedal is often-times not very supportive of what we are trying to accomplish. Remember, all electronics become obsolete quickly and very expensive to fix!
Student is expected to practice regularly (5-7 days a week), starting with 20 min. a day for a young beginner, and gradually increasing to 30 min in first year, 45 min to an hour in the second and third years. Time in itself is not a goal; rather, the duration of each session should be guided in a way so that the student be well-prepared for each lesson, carefully following an assignment in their manuscript notebook. Not practicing is not an excuse for missing a lesson! Parents are encouraged to attend the lessons and videotape them with the purpose of assisting their student at home. PARENTAL HELP is an essential part of student success at home! Goals for a week will be set at each lesson.
What does my tuition include?
Definitely more than a lesson itself!
-Your teacher’s higher education and expertise in piano performance and pedagogy.
-Individualized program of study created for each student.
-Preparation for EACH lesson.
-Time spent searching for appropriate materials, new music, concert/performance venues, and preparation for recitals, competitions and festivals.
-Time spent communicating with student/parent, emailing, enrolling students in various events, which is usually hours of computer and paperwork.
-Continuing education -- going to seminars, workshops, numerous student performances and teacher meetings, lessons with professors.
-Memberships to professional organizations, which makes it possible for STUDENTS to be a part of various performing and educational opportunities.
-Two studio recitals AND holiday/thematic piano parties/performances.
-And much more!
Please contact us for the full description of our studio procedures and policies! Alternatively, should you attend your complimentary intro lesson, the additional information will be shared in full at that time.