Studio Policies

TEACHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

The teacher’s pledge: to teach the discipline, language, and joy of making music at the piano. The teacher will provide a safe, supportive, positive learning environment. The curriculum will be tailored to support each student’s individual learning and musical needs.

In order to provide the most effective teaching possible, the following policies have been established below.

TUITION & FEES :

Tuition covers the time spent with you/your child, as well as time spent preparing for lessons.

Students may enroll in weekly 30 or 60-minute private lessons, depending on age/level.

Tuition is charged by the school year, divided into nine (9) equal monthly installments, and is non-refundable. Each tuition payment is due on or before the 1st day of the month. Late payments will be assessed a $20 fee each. Tuition is paid on the first of every month by automatic invoicing. You will receive an invoice by email and the card on file will be charged the same day.

Alternative payment arrangements: If paying tuition on the first of the month is impractical for your situation, you may choose a different day as your payment date. This requires a written request, text or email, and you can choose any day from the 2nd of the month to the 15th of the month.

Also included in tuition are method and theory books, access to Piano Maestro (an iPad app), r, recording auditions, proof-reading compositions, rendering composition files for submission, access to compositions via cloud storage, access to competitions, instructor support on the day of competitions, motivational prizes, and more.

Not included in tuition: student requested music scores. If I can provide a score from my available libraries, in the studio or online, I will. But this is not guaranteed and you may be required to purchase additional music that is outside of the curriculum. Contest materials and fees. Some contests require specific books and all of them require fees. I will provide instructions for how to purchase. In some cases, you will be able to purchase at a local music shop or online. In the case of World of Music, you will be able to purchase the book from me as the only source is TMTA and can only be ordered by members.

PRACTICE EXPECTATIONS:

Daily practice is expected and required for progress. Parents should help their child include piano practice in their daily routine, and will receive guidance on how to support their child’s practice at home.

Parents and students are strongly encouraged to communicate via text during the week regarding questions over assignments or practice, issues at home, etc.

Students must have an instrument at home to practice on. At the very beginning, a 60+ key keyboard is adequate. This can be purchased online or on Facebook Marketplace at a low cost. However, by the time the student gets to their second or third method book, they will require a full 88 key piano.

Acoustic Pianos: If the piano is acoustic, it must be tuned at least annually (preferably biannually). Tuning is done by a piano technician and the current rates are around $230-$250. Acoustic pianos provide the best experience, especially for neurodiverse students who respond to sensory experiences. Acoustic pianos can be acquired for low to no cost via Facebook Marketplace or churches that have accepted them as donations. They can also be purchased new at a larger expense. Steinway Piano Gallery or Strait Music are the local dealers. Both companies carry a variety of brands and options. Avoid pianos with a heavy key action (keys are hard to press) and pianos with a bright/sharp/tinny sound. Avoid used pianos that have been in storage units or a smokers home.

Digital Pianos: Alternatively, a digital piano is a solid second option. They do not need to be tuned. They are responsive to touch. They have fun digital tricks. Roland is the preferred brand for digital pianos, though the one sold at Costco is to be avoided. Reach out to Capitol Music Center to purchase as they are the local dealer.

TERMINATION OF LESSONS:

It is expected that students will commit to lessons for the entire year. If for any reason the parent/student decides to terminate lessons, one (1) month’s advance notice of lesson termination is requested. Tuition is not refundable for lessons forfeited.

Regrettably, the teacher will have to dismiss a student if any of the circumstances occur: unpaid tuition, an excessive number of absences, uncooperative attitude, or if the student demonstrates the inability to practice consistently and/or continually shows up to lessons unprepared.

ATTENDANCE & MISSED LESSON POLICY:

All lessons will be paid for, regardless of attendance. No refunds, or discounts are provided for missed lessons/time. The lesson may be made up during specific dates allocated for this purpose and must be scheduled by the parent. The tuition paid reserves an exclusive weekly time for the student. Unlike certain other professions, the teacher cannot resell that time nor can the teacher create extra teaching time in which to give lessons. You are therefore requested to choose a lesson day/time which works consistently with you/your child’s schedule. Book your make-up lesson on Calendly.

Any lesson that the teacher has to cancel will be made up. Make-up lessons will be held in-person or online.

Students who are ill should not come to lessons. The teacher reserves the right to send a student home if they arrive ill and/or are contagious to others. If the student is ill/not feeling well for any reason, that student should not attend the lesson in person.

Missed lesson time may be made up in other ways beneficial to the student:

Google Meet or Zoom lesson: if a student is ill/contagious but feels well enough to play, or if inclement weather prevents students from traveling, this is a viable alternative to a missed lesson. This option is also impacted by the student's learning style and the lesson content. Not every student or lesson can be easily moved online. The primary platform is Google Meet. Every lesson has a Google Calendar event and each event has a Google Meet link on it. Should there be an issue with Google Meet, Zoom is the fallback option. If an online lesson has been approved, students should have their camera/device set up prior to the start of their scheduled lesson time.

Lesson Swap: in the occasion of an anticipated missed lesson, students may choose to swap lesson times with another student. The lesson must take place during the same week (not a different week). The teacher must be informed via email/text PRIOR TO and AFTER arranging a swap. Should 2 people arrive at once, the student whose lesson is normally at that time receives the lesson. No make-up lessons are given if any confusion arises from a swap.

Parent/Teacher conference: a parent may use the lesson time to call and discuss their child’s progress.

Designated make-up lesson dates. For the 2024-2025 school year, those dates are December 16 or 17, January 2 or 3, May 19 or 20.

STUDIO RULES:

Students should arrive with clean hands and short fingernails.
For legal and safety reasons, parents must drop off and pick up their child(ren) within 15 minutes of the lesson start and end times. Parents may also stay for the lesson. Parents are invited to participate in the lesson and ask questions, but piano time is reserved for students only. If your student is early or stays after, they are expected to be respectful of the lesson happening. They are able to quietly play or read in the waiting area or utilize the practice piano with headphones on.
Attendance is expected at periodic “jam sessions”—these are group classes that provide informal opportunities for students to perform for, and interact/socialize with, their peers. Tuition includes jam sessions for the entire academic year. They are held on the first Friday and we skip August and January due to school being on break. A Google Calendar invite will be sent to the email address(es) on file for each student.
There are two dogs on the other side of a pet gate and curtain. If a student is uncomfortable with dogs, they will never see them and the dogs are very quiet - the occasional soft sound of snoring is all that can be heard.
Bathroom facilities: there is a bathroom available. Please do your best to utilize it before or after lesson time.
Waiting area: the waiting area is supplied with a few toys, puzzles, books, magnets, and playdough. Please do not mix the playdough colors and let me know if any of it needs to be replaced. Please put things back in their place.
Candy bin: students are allowed to take one item from the candy bin after every lesson where they stay focused and engaged. The candy bin items vary, but I try to keep a few non-sugar and low-sugar options like lip balm and dark chocolate. Candy is for students only. It is not for siblings.
Fridge and Coffee Station: the fridge contains water and juice. They are available to anyone who needs something to drink. The coffee station pours out hot liquid (Keurig-type device) and should be used by adults only.

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