Welcome to piano lessons! Please read the following policy carefully. 

Parents can observe the lesson once every 12 weeks, however it is not a requirement. I know that my students’ parents care about the progress of their child, but children need some independence as they study and have few distractions while they learn. Cell phones must be tuned off or silent when you are observing the lesson. Please drop off your child 5 minutes before the scheduled lesson time.

Instrument

Students must have a piano at home. An acoustic (non-electronic) piano is the best choice. If you have an electronic or digital piano, it must have 88 full-sized, touch sensitive keys and at least two pedals. Keyboards that do not meet the requirements are not acceptable.

Practice

In order to progress, students should practice at least 6 days per week. Suggested practice times are as follows:

*Beginners: minimum of 30 minutes daily

*Intermediate: minimum of 45 minutes daily

*Advanced: minimum of 60 minutes daily

Younger students or students with limited attention span may wish to break their practice into 10 or 15 minute sessions.

Performances

School-aged students are required to perform in our annual recital. This recital will normally take place towards the end of the school year in the middle of May, unless I am unable to reserve a venue. I will keep you informed as we get closer to that date each year.

Tuition Payment

Tuition is a flat rate per month as follows: $180 for weekly 30-minute lessons and $270 for 45-minute lessons. In some situations, Tuition credits will not be issued for missed lessons. For example, if you must miss a lesson, I will not deduct the amount from the current month or next month’s tuition. Instead, I will offer a make-up lesson time so you will be able to have all the lessons for which you pay.

Make-up lessons will be available for students regardless of the reason for canceling as long as proper absence notification is given and a student is up-to-date with monthly tuition payments.

You may make up a missed lesson at any available time during the year. There will be no adjustments to this tuition amount for holidays, as these have already been figured in to this tuition plan.

Tuition is due for the entire month at the first lesson of each month. Please pay by Venmo, check or cash. A $10.00 late fee will be charged for accounts that are 8 days past due.

Benefits of Flat Rate Tuition

By paying a flat rate, you will see the following benefits:

1. Your tuition payment will be predictable, regardless of the number of weeks in a month.

2. You are paying for 40 lessons per year. There are three to four weeks of vacation available during the teaching year (August through May).

3. You will always have the opportunity to make up missed lessons as long as proper absence notification is given. There will be ample opportunities for make-up lessons. These lessons may be taken any time during the year.

Proper Absence Notification

If you must miss a lesson, please let me know at least 24 hours in advance. I prefer that you call me as soon as possible on my cell phone. You may also cancel via email or text; however, email/text cancellations will only be accepted more than 48 hours in advance of the cancelled lesson. I will strictly adhere to the cancellation policy down to the minute. Last moment cancellations, “no-shows,” and tardiness do not qualify a student for a make-up lesson.

I understand that sometimes same-day illness or emergencies occur. If this happens, please call me as soon as possible. I cannot accept same day cancellations via email.

Teacher Absence

Four calendar weeks of teacher vacation are built in to this schedule. If I must miss additional lessons, either planned in advance or a same-day emergency, you will be able to sign up for a make-up lesson.

National Holidays

I do not follow the public school calendar. The only holidays that we will not have lessons are Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. There will be a Christmas break that will be announced in November.

Summer Lessons

There will be no formal lessons during the months of June and July. However, I will give students material to practice on during the summer so that progress is not lost.

Make-Up Lesson Sign-Up Sheet

If you need to schedule a make-up lesson, please ask me for a sheet with my free times and I will let you sign up for the lesson. I will have several times available, but they might vary from week to week. It will be your responsibility to keep track of make-ups and sign up for them. Please do not call or email me to request a make-up time. I will look at the sheet to see who is coming, but will not call or send email confirmations. If you must cancel a make-up lesson, the same “proper Absence Notification” policy applies.

Materials

Expect to purchase piano lesson books at the first lesson and periodically afterwards when a level is completed. I will often recommend extra pieces in the form of sheet music or in books for certain occasions. All students need to have a spiral notebook. Siblings should not share notebooks. Please make sure each student has their own.

Termination of Lessons

Please notify me at least two weeks in advance if you wish to stop taking lessons. No refunds will be given for students who quit after they have paid tuition. I reserve the right to dismiss a student for not following my policies or for any negative behavior.

Rewards

Please indicate if your child has allergies. The only food item I may give your child occasionally are fruit flavored candies. Besides that, your child will receive plenty of stickers, treasure box rewards in the summer for those continuing to study and practice, and a piano lesson completion certificate at each year’s recital.

Miscellaneous

*Food, gum, and drinks are not allowed in my home or the studio.

*Cell phones, watch alarms, and other noise-making devices must be turned off during lesson time.

*Fingernails must be short.

*Dangling bracelets and loose rings should be left at home.

*Please enter my home and/or the studio with clean hands.

*Try to go to the bathroom before coming to your lesson.

*No toys before the lesson.