My studio year follows the Cascade School District Student Calendar. Piano lessons will be held weekly during the months of September through May. Each private lesson is 45 minutes in length. Each student will receive a calendar showing scheduled lesson days, holidays, and dates of recitals and piano parties.
Tuition in the amount $80.00 is charged for 9 consecutive months, beginning in September. Course materials and the occasional audition fees are necessary in addition to monthly tuition. When these expenses are incurred, I will provide you with a bill. Tuition payments and other student expenses are due by the first lesson of each month, unless other arrangements have been made. I will loan books to students when appropriate.
Music lessons are a scheduled activity just like a sport. The lesson time you have booked is yours, and of no use to anyone else as long as you hold that time; therefore, lessons missed due to a student's other activities or vacations not shared with the studio will not be made up or refunded. Due to tight scheduling, it's impossible to function under any other policy. On occasion, when a student must miss a lesson, he⁄she may exchange lesson times with another student.
As a courtesy to your instructor, please give at least 24 hours notice when the student cannot be at his⁄her regularly scheduled lesson. In the case of a sudden illness, please call as soon as possible.
Lessons missed by the instructor will be made up or credited to student’s account.
Participation in this program is not mandatory. When the occasional conflict arises, a student may arrange to "switch" lesson times with another student for that week. Parents must notify me if there will be a lesson exchange occuring. A "Lesson Exchange List" (names, lesson times and phone numbers) will be distributed in September to parents who have signed up for this program.
It's assumed that the student has ready access to a full (88 key) accoustic piano in good repair. With limited exceptions (please check with me), electronic portable keyboards are NOT acceptable as practice instruments. The piano should be tuned at least once a year by a qualified technician.
Regular practice is essential for any student's progress, no matter how naturally gifted he or she may be. Students who are going to go to the time and expense of taking lessons should plan to practice a minimum of five (5) days a week. Regular practice is essential in order to refine skills learned in the lesson.
Assignments, practice instructions and recommended practice time will be noted in the student's Assignment Book. The student is expected to read the Assignment Book and complete the assignment at each practice session.
Parents are encouraged to call me with any questions or concerns regarding a student's progress, practice time or assignments. I generally do not take phone calls when I am with a student; however, your calls are very important to me and I will respond as soon as possible when you leave a message on my answering machine.
If the student wishes to discontinue lessons, parents must give two (2) weeks' written notice. The student will then have the option of finishing out the two lessons or forfeiting them.
I reserve the right to dismiss a student. Reasons for dismissal include, but are not limited to the following: (1) Inadequate preparation; (2) Irregular attendance (including 'no shows'); (3) Any negative attitude or offensive behavior that impacts the learning environment in my studio; or (4) Nonpayment. Prior to dismissal, parent⁄guardian will be notified, and reasonable time will be given to correct any problems.