Piano Studio Policies
Commitment and Scheduling
Students commit to lessons one semester at a time, at a mutually agreed upon time slot. The schedule may change each semester, but you may keep your time slot, if you so choose.
Three Semesters:
September - December
January - mid June
End of June - August
The schedule generally matches the Churchville-Chili School District calendar. Lessons are not scheduled on major holidays. I may offer lessons and make-ups on minor holidays, if you choose to come.
Canceling a Lesson
When students enroll, their time slot is reserved for the entire semester. You pay for your weekly time slot, whether you use it or not. Canceled lessons will NOT be refunded to your account.
Lessons canceled with less than 24 hours notice will NOT be provided a make-up lesson.
Lessons canceled with at least 24 hours notice may be provided a make-up lesson, if a slot is available at an alternate time.
If I need to cancel a lesson, I will either reschedule or refund the canceled lesson.
If you choose to take a break from lessons at any point, you will be charged a fee to hold your lesson slot. If you choose to not pay the fee, you will forfeit your slot in my schedule and your slot will be given to a student on the waiting list. When you choose to return to lessons, you will be put on the waiting list. This includes during the summer.
Practice Commitment
Students are expected to commit to practicing on a daily basis, at least 5 days per week. Should a student not be able to commit to practicing, their lessons may be discontinued following a warning conversation with the student and their parent/guardian.
Typical practice lengths (may vary based on student’s abilities):
Ages 4 - 6: 10 - 15 minutes a day
Ages 7 - 9: 20 minutes a day
Ages 10 - 12: 25 - 30 minutes a day
Ages 13 - 16: 30 - 40 minutes a day
Ages 16+: 45 minutes or more a day
Adults: flexible, based on the level of the student
Cost
30 minute lessons: $28 ($25 homeschooled students)
45 minute lessons: $40 ($35 homeschooled students)
60 minute lessons: $54 ($50 homeschooled students)
Sibling discount: 2nd child - 10% discount
3rd child and beyond - 20% discount
Group lessons: $20 (only if available)
The difference between 30 and 45 minute lessons is significant. A 45 minute lesson allows time for activities that focus on ear training, music theory and activities that reinforce concepts students are currently learning in the Lesson book. Examples of what is covered, depending on the level of the student: chords, intervals, playing by ear, rhythms, notes, composition, improvisation, music theory, etc. This extra 15 minutes is not mandatory, but highly encouraged! I have found that students who choose to do a 45 minute lesson build a more solid foundation of musicianship and are often able to progress more rapidly in their piano skills!
Payment
Payment for lessons is made on a monthly basis. I will text or email you a bill by the 1st of the month for the upcoming month. Payment for the upcoming month is due by the 1st lesson of that month. For example, I will send out the bill for the October lessons by October 1st. I need to receive your payment for the October lessons by your first lesson in October. Payment should be in the form of cash, check, or credit card.
Late Fee
On the 15th of the month, if you have not yet paid your bill for that month, there will be a late fee of $15 applied.
Lesson Procedures
Performance Opportunity
Recitals will be held once a year, usually in the spring. Every school age student will be expected to participate. It is encouraged, but not mandatory, for children to memorize their music.
Lesson Materials
All students must have a piano to practice on at home. Students may use a keyboard for the first year of lessons, but must switch to an acoustic piano or full sized electric piano (with weighted keys) after that.
I will supply lesson books to each student. Parents will need to pay me the retail cost, plus tax, for each book. I will charge you exactly what I pay for it. I will include the amount for the books on the next bill.
Students commit to lessons one semester at a time, at a mutually agreed upon time slot. The schedule may change each semester, but you may keep your time slot, if you so choose.
Three Semesters:
September - December
January - mid June
End of June - August
The schedule generally matches the Churchville-Chili School District calendar. Lessons are not scheduled on major holidays. I may offer lessons and make-ups on minor holidays, if you choose to come.
Canceling a Lesson
When students enroll, their time slot is reserved for the entire semester. You pay for your weekly time slot, whether you use it or not. Canceled lessons will NOT be refunded to your account.
Lessons canceled with less than 24 hours notice will NOT be provided a make-up lesson.
Lessons canceled with at least 24 hours notice may be provided a make-up lesson, if a slot is available at an alternate time.
If I need to cancel a lesson, I will either reschedule or refund the canceled lesson.
If you choose to take a break from lessons at any point, you will be charged a fee to hold your lesson slot. If you choose to not pay the fee, you will forfeit your slot in my schedule and your slot will be given to a student on the waiting list. When you choose to return to lessons, you will be put on the waiting list. This includes during the summer.
Practice Commitment
Students are expected to commit to practicing on a daily basis, at least 5 days per week. Should a student not be able to commit to practicing, their lessons may be discontinued following a warning conversation with the student and their parent/guardian.
Typical practice lengths (may vary based on student’s abilities):
Ages 4 - 6: 10 - 15 minutes a day
Ages 7 - 9: 20 minutes a day
Ages 10 - 12: 25 - 30 minutes a day
Ages 13 - 16: 30 - 40 minutes a day
Ages 16+: 45 minutes or more a day
Adults: flexible, based on the level of the student
Cost
30 minute lessons: $28 ($25 homeschooled students)
45 minute lessons: $40 ($35 homeschooled students)
60 minute lessons: $54 ($50 homeschooled students)
Sibling discount: 2nd child - 10% discount
3rd child and beyond - 20% discount
Group lessons: $20 (only if available)
The difference between 30 and 45 minute lessons is significant. A 45 minute lesson allows time for activities that focus on ear training, music theory and activities that reinforce concepts students are currently learning in the Lesson book. Examples of what is covered, depending on the level of the student: chords, intervals, playing by ear, rhythms, notes, composition, improvisation, music theory, etc. This extra 15 minutes is not mandatory, but highly encouraged! I have found that students who choose to do a 45 minute lesson build a more solid foundation of musicianship and are often able to progress more rapidly in their piano skills!
Payment
Payment for lessons is made on a monthly basis. I will text or email you a bill by the 1st of the month for the upcoming month. Payment for the upcoming month is due by the 1st lesson of that month. For example, I will send out the bill for the October lessons by October 1st. I need to receive your payment for the October lessons by your first lesson in October. Payment should be in the form of cash, check, or credit card.
Late Fee
On the 15th of the month, if you have not yet paid your bill for that month, there will be a late fee of $15 applied.
Lesson Procedures
- You may enter the front door for your lesson without knocking or ringing the doorbell.
- Please remove your shoes at the door to avoid tracking mud and snow through the house. Coats may be hung on the coat rack by the studio doors.
- *Students, please wash your hands with soap in the bathroom before your lesson. This will help to keep the spread of germs to a minimum!*
- Please wait in the entryway until the preceding student is completed. I will come out of the studio to get the next student.
- Parents are welcome to sit in the lesson, wait in the entryway, or wait in the car, whichever is most comfortable for you and your child. I encourage parents to observe the lesson, in order to know how to best guide and encourage your child's practice sessions at home.
- I have a no fragrance policy. This means students and parents may not wear perfume, cologne, scented lotions or other fragrances to the lessons. I am highly allergic, so I greatly appreciate your kindness here!
Performance Opportunity
Recitals will be held once a year, usually in the spring. Every school age student will be expected to participate. It is encouraged, but not mandatory, for children to memorize their music.
Lesson Materials
All students must have a piano to practice on at home. Students may use a keyboard for the first year of lessons, but must switch to an acoustic piano or full sized electric piano (with weighted keys) after that.
I will supply lesson books to each student. Parents will need to pay me the retail cost, plus tax, for each book. I will charge you exactly what I pay for it. I will include the amount for the books on the next bill.