Studio Policy

I consider it a privilege to be entrusted with your child’s musical education. I am excited to help students reach their individual potential and strive to make their experience enjoyable and successful!
 
Student & Parent Responsibilities
Students are to arrive at each lesson on time, prepared, and with their music. Parents are encouraged to attend lessons, especially of younger students, and assist the students in organizing their practices and creating good practice habits at home. Students must have either an acoustic piano or a full-sized (88 keys) keyboard with weighted, touch sensitive keys and pedals. Acoustic pianos need to be tuned on a regular basis. Students are also asked to have a metronome (physical or an app) available at home.
 
Students are expected to come prepared for their lessons with pieces practiced and written work completed. However, if they have had less practice time than desirable, it is still very important that they come. If the issue is a continual feeling that too much is being assigned, please discuss this with me.
 
Practice Time
To make good progress, daily quality practice is necessary. The amount of practice time needed depends upon the student's level and goals. I recommend that students practice a minimum of 5 days a week (that doesn't include the lesson). Parents need to remember that children are rarely self-motivated and lack the maturity, self-discipline, and long-term perspective to put in that all-important practice session. Please set up a practice time for your child that is part of the daily routine.
 
Punctuality 
You may expect your lesson to begin on time. You have paid for a certain amount of my time, and you are fully entitled to it. If a student arrives late, they will finish only their remaining lesson time. Parents and siblings are welcome to attend the lessons in my home as long as they are quiet and respectful. I also have children of my own (one of whom has special needs) who may enter the room from time to time while I am teaching. I strive to keep them contained and quiet when I am able, and welcome your patience when I am not. 
 
Canceled lessons
Be sure to choose a lesson time that you are confident you can attend regularly. I understand it can be difficult to commit to a lesson time for an entire school year, but please treat your lesson time as a permanent appointment unless absolutely impossible to keep. Keep in mind that it may not be possible to do many extra-curricular activities at once. You will not be charged for a canceled lesson in the event of an illness or family emergency. I will make up the lesson if I am able. Please give us notice as soon as you can. If you choose not to come to your lesson for any reason other than those listed above, or if you choose to participate in an extra-curricular activity (soccer, track, dance, school play, etc.) that conflicts with your lesson time, you are responsible to pay for any lessons canceled. To allow for out of town travel, you may cancel up to two lessons per calendar year at no charge. Lessons (including any lessons scheduled that are not at your regular time) that are missed because of forgetfulness to attend on the part of either parent or child will be charged for and will not be made up.
 
The studio is generally closed for a portion of Thanksgiving week, Christmas holidays, and a week or two in the summer, dates TBD. These lessons will not be charged for. When I cancel lessons because of illness or travel, you will not be charged, and I will try to reschedule these lessons. 
 
Termination of lessons
This agreement commits you and me to weekly lessons year-round. In the case of termination, 30 days written notice is required. Payment for the final 30-day period is due when the notice is received. You may choose whether or not to attend lessons during that 30 day period.
 
Payment
Invoices will be emailed during the last week of the month for the upcoming month. Payment is due monthly at the first lesson of each month unless other arrangements have been made with me.  It is late after the 15th of the month. I prefer payment by check, but PayPal is offered as a convenience to you. I reserve the right to terminate lessons if payments are continually late.
 
Performance Activities
Students perform at a studio recital usually held the first Friday evening in May. This recital is not optional. Your child is expected to participate as long as he or she is not ill or away on a family vacation or emergency. Regardless of attendance, a $25 recital fee per family will be charged to help offset the cost of the event. The only exception to this policy is for adult students, who are encouraged, though not required, to perform. Students also have the opportunity to participate in several adjudicated festivals throughout the school year. These are optional, but encouraged in order to develop as a musician.