Teacher Responsibilities
To provide a safe, engaging, and motivating learning environment
To create a curriculum tailored to each student’s diverse learning needs
To provide evidence-based instruction and healthy technique training
To prescribe appropriate and efficient practice techniques
To regularly communicate student progress to parents or guardians
To organize performance and group learning opportunities
Student and Family Responsibilities
To provide an appropriate lesson and practice space free of distractions
To provide a well-maintained instrument
To practice consistently each week according to the teacher’s suggestions
To supervise practice sessions and provide encouragement during practice
To demonstrate regular attendance and punctuality at lessons
To take advantage of performance and group learning opportunities
To provide punctual payment of tuition and fees
Lesson Schedule
Calendar
Students are guaranteed 42 lessons per year. The calendar is divided into three terms: Fall, Spring, and Summer. Fall and Spring terms each include 17 lessons.
Summer Term
The Summer Term includes eight lesson weeks. Scheduling over summer break is flexible, and multiple make-up lessons are offered if students travel for vacation, attend summer camps, etc. Tuition payments are ongoing during the summer.
Flex Weeks
Although students are guaranteed 42 lessons per year from Fall to Summer, 45 possible lesson weeks are listed on the studio calendar. This builds in time off for the teacher in the case of illness, emergency, or unavoidable schedule conflicts. If the teacher does not use all of the Flex Weeks, students benefit by receiving those lessons at no cost.
Scheduling
Lesson times are secured at the beginning of the school year and roll over from fall to spring. Should a student need to change their lesson time mid-term, the teacher will try to accommodate the change but a slot cannot be guaranteed.
Tuition and Materials
Tuition
A flat-rate system is used for tuition. Monthly installments are structured so that regardless of the number of lesson weeks in each month, the tuition remains a flat, predictable amount. Pre-planned absences and holiday breaks have also been factored into the rate.
Tuition can be paid in one, two (August and February), or twelve (monthly) installments due by the 8th of each month. Invoices will be sent on the 1st of each month.
Tuition reflects all teaching weeks for the entire school year, including summer weeks.
Additionally, tuition covers registration and fees for National Federated Music Club festivals, access to the My Music Staff portal, a piano binder, and various learning aids for students to take home and keep in their piano binder.
Rate Increases
Tuition is subject to small increases at the beginning of each academic year. Prior notice of rate increases will be given at least one term in advance.
Lesson Materials
Students typically use between two and four books costing $10-20. The teacher will provide links for easy and accurate online ordering.
Instrument and Supplies
Students are required to have a well-maintained acoustic piano or a weighted, full-size keyboard (88 keys with a sustain pedal) at home prior to beginning lessons. Younger students will need a way to boost their piano bench to the appropriate height and a footstool that allows their feet to be firmly planted.
Home Studio
Travel Policy
Home Studio
Parents are not required to be present for lessons held in the teacher’s home studio. However, it is important to drop off and pick up students in a timely manner. Keep this in mind if you plan to run errands during your child’s lesson. The teacher cannot be responsible for students after their lesson ends.
travel policy
Lessons through this studio are unique because the teacher travels to the student. Certain procedures apply to in-home lessons.
Lesson Start/End Times
If no one is home at the beginning of the lesson, the teacher will wait for ten minutes. If no one has arrived by then, the lesson is considered cancelled; no make-up lesson will be offered except under extenuating circumstances. A lesson that starts late on the student's behalf will still end on time.
Supervision
An adult (parent, guardian, babysitter, etc.) is required to be home throughout the duration of the student's lesson.
Observing Lessons
The teacher asks that parents or guardians of students ages 4-6 observe lessons. This aids at-home practice. If parents cannot observe the lesson, video recordings of each lesson can be shared via Google Drive. Although not required, parents of older students are welcome to observe lessons at any point.
Cancelation and make-up lessons
Student Absences
Tuition is not reduced for student absences.
Students are guaranteed two make-up lessons per school year. Make-up lessons occur either during an available time slot in the teacher’s schedule or during the make-up week at the end of the term.
Make-up lessons are offered in the event of student or family illness, an emergency, religious observance, or if the student is traveling on a school holiday on which the studio still operates (e.g. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day). Make-up lessons are not offered for lessons canceled due to conflicting activities (e.g., sports, dance).
Twenty-four hours’ notice of absences is greatly appreciated.
Teacher Absences
In the event that the teacher must cancel a lesson, a make-up lesson will always be offered. If a make-up lesson is not possible due to schedule conflicts, a lesson credit will be applied to the next tuition payment.
Withdrawal Policy
Should a student choose to withdraw from lessons, please give notice 30 days prior. Any materials borrowed from the studio must be returned at the last lesson.
Withdrawing from lessons permanently forfeits the student’s time slot—the student is not guaranteed a lesson slot if he or she chooses to resume lessons at a later date. Unused lessons will be refunded.
Termination Policy
After two warnings, the teacher reserves the right to terminate a student’s lessons at any time due to behaviors such as the following:
Chronic disrespect toward the teacher or other students
Chronic absences not due to extenuating circumstances or illness
Mistreatment of facilities, instruments, and materials
Repeated failure to practice; repeatedly coming to lessons unprepared
Recitals and Performances
A studio recital will be held at the end of each fall and spring semester. Recital pieces are chosen approximately eight weeks before the recital date and are subject to a hearing two weeks before the recital date to ensure that students are prepared to have a positive performance experience.
Communication
The easiest and preferred method of communication between student/parent/guardian and teacher is text message or email.
Video and Photo Release
Performances may be photographed and videoed. Occasionally, lessons may be photographed for promotional purposes. At the first lesson, parents or guardians will indicate their preferences regarding videos and photos.