Welcome!
Whether you or your child are taking their first steps on the path of making music at the piano, or are returning after some time away, I’m delighted you’ve chosen to work with me! To help facilitate a beneficial and productive working partnership, I’ve put together this Studio Policy. This document establishes my standards and expectations for all of my students. To ensure each is able to learn in a professional and organized manner, I ask students and parents to review this policy document so that everyone is in agreement about our expectations for each other. While I can make exceptions for the unexpected, this Studio Policy will be the guide for my students. Please let me know if you have any questions!
Payment Information
Lessons are paid for in advance, one month at a time. Monthly payments are due by the first day of the month; no lessons will be provided during the month unless the entire monthly payment has been made prior to the start of the month. The initial month of lessons may be pro-rated to account for a new student starting mid-month.
Payment may be made by check, Zelle, or Venmo. If a check is returned due to insufficient funds or for some other reason, I will ask that you reissue the check and include any fee assessed by the bank at your earliest convenience.
Attendance and Scheduling
Student Absences and Make-Up Lessons
I understand that students will miss lessons due to illness, family emergencies, or other issues that may arise (note: not having practiced is not one of these issues!). If you know that the student will miss a lesson, please contact me at your earliest convenience. If greater than 24 hours notice is given, I will schedule a make-up lesson at a time that works for both of us or, failing that, apply a credit to the following month’s tuition.
Teacher Absences
Illness or other emergencies may arise which prevent me from offering a normally scheduled lesson. As with student absences, if I am unable to provide a scheduled lesson due to illness or other reasons, I will schedule a make-up lesson at a time that works for both teacher and student or, failing that, apply a credit to the following month’s tuition.
Punctuality
I expect students to be ready to begin their lesson at the scheduled time. Lessons delayed by students’ tardiness will still end at the scheduled time. By the same token, I will make every effort to arrive and begin lessons as scheduled. In the event of a late arrival, I will deliver a full-length lesson if the student has time to extend past our scheduled end. In the event of a delayed start of ten minutes or more, I will offer the option of a make-up lesson.
Instructional Materials
I will provide the initial lesson books as part of the first full lesson, and will bill for these as part of the first payment for lessons. As students progress into additional books I will notify the parent and or adult student; pending parent/student approval, these may be acquired directly by the parent/student, or I will order them and charge for reimbursement.
Practice
Piano is all about practice! Expectations will vary by age and student experience level. They key point is that students and parents must work together to establish a routine of practice; an ad hoc practice schedule is a decision to not practice. Parents should try to provide a practice area that can be quiet and free from other distractions. I encourage parents to monitor practices and ensure that all of the assignments given to the student are completed; this is especially critical for young students and beginners.
Termination of Lessons
If a student decides for any reason to stop taking lessons, I request at least two weeks’ advance notice. If sufficient notice is given, and depending upon the reason for termination, I may refund pre-paid lessons at my discretion.
I reserve the right to terminate this agreement with the student/parent if the student has excessive absences or if I determine that the student is not cooperating or progressing in their studies. Prior to any decision to terminate, I will meet with parents to discuss the situation. Refunds for pre-paid lessons will be provided at my discretion.
Parent Attendance
Parents are welcome to sit in on our lessons and quietly observe. It’s a great way to prepare to be an active participant in your child’s practice! That said, parents are not required to be in the lesson. I do require that there be at least one parent or guardian present on the premises during lessons with minors.