Studio Policies

Purpose

The purpose of these policies is to ensure that all students have a clear understanding of what is expected of them, and of what they can expect from me. This provides a better learning environment for the students and allows me to provide a high quality of music education to you, my students.

Scheduling

Lessons are held weekly. They can be 30 minutes, 45 minutes, or one hour. I will consider one-time lessons or occasional/non-scheduled lessons on a case-by-case basis.

Payment

Invoices are issued at the first of each month and emailed. Payment is due at the first lesson of the calendar month. I accept cash, check, or PayPal. I do not take credit cards. Any bank charges incurred as a result of a returned check will be passed on to the check writer. I will not accept checks from students from whom I have received two returned checks.

Commitment and Practice

I do not expect perfection in my students' music nor do I expect them to aspire to become music majors or professional musicians. However, I do expect that students approach their music studies with enthusiasm, curiosity, and a positive attitude. Students are expected to practice six (6) days per week. One day per week without practice is provided to prevent burn-out. The day off must not be lesson day! The best time to practice on lesson day is right after the lesson.  This reinforces what was learned and reduces by about half the amount of information that will be forgotten. Unless otherwise instructed, students are expected to practice at least 30 minutes per day. While I understand that everyone experiences a lapse in practice occasionally, due to illness, travel, or special family circumstances, repeated failure to practice and/or the absence of a strong commitment to improve will not be tolerated.

Communication Between Lessons

I am available to answer your questions. I encourage you to contact me with any questions that arise, whether they are related to your lesson assignment or not.  My preferred method of communication is email or text. If you do not have email or prefer to speak to me on the phone, you are welcome to call me. I do not answer phone calls during lessons, rehearsals, or performances, so if I do not answer, please leave a voice mail and I will get back to you as soon as I get the message.

Instruments, Music and Accessories

You are responsible for purchasing, and maintaining in good working order, your own instrument, music books, and any necessary accessories (instrument cleaning supplies, music stand, notebooks, metronome, tuner, computer software/hardware, music recordings, etc.). Pianos/keyboards must be tuned at least once a year, preferably every six months. Flutes must be taken to the shop for a “Clean, Oil, and Adjust” at least every other year, preferably every year. Voices must be maintained by not participating in activities that are harmful (yelling/screaming, excessive exposure to cold temperatures or extreme humid/arid air, or singing with injured vocal chords or sore throat).

Missed Lessons

I ask that you make every effort to attend all scheduled lessons. If you miss a lesson, you will be issued a make-up credit.

If I miss or cancel a lesson, the lesson will be made up or you will be given a credit toward the next month’s tuition.

Late Arrivals

If you arrive late for your lesson, I will give you the allotted time if I have it available. If I do not, I will give you the remainder of your time slot.  You will be require to pay full price for lessons that are short of your scheduled time due to your late arrival.

Snow Days

In the event of inclement weather, I encourage you to use your own judgment about the road conditions. I assume no responsibility for accidents which may occur while traveling to a lesson in unsafe driving conditions. However, I expect that every reasonable attempt be made to attend lessons whenever possible.

I do not adhere to school closure schedules. Most school closings are due to road conditions in the early morning hours. These conditions are often quite different from those later in the day and usually do not have an impact on your music lessons. I will inform you if I am unable to make it to your lesson due to unsafe driving conditions.

Holidays

Lessons will not be given on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, or New Years Day.  I will teach all other holidays unless I specifically cancel. If you plan to miss a lesson on any other holiday, please refer to the section above on “Missed Lessons.”

Termination of Lesson

I request a 2-week notice of your intent to terminate your lessons. Likewise, I will provide a 2-week notice if for any reason I find it necessary to terminate your lessons.

Summer Lessons

I expect my students to continue to take lessons during the summer. If you do not wish to do so, you must terminate your lessons (see Termination of Lessons section above) and re-enroll in the fall if there is an opening available.

Policy Revisions

These policies are subject to revision as I deem necessary. You will receive and sign a copy of any revised policies