Practice

Quality practice outside of the lesson is essential to the student’s progress. Students are given specific assignments each week. Students are encouraged to keep a practice record and to work toward musical goals as well as to count minutes. The study of music is rewarding and enjoyable, but it also takes diligence and hard work!

Please provide a practice environment free of distractions and be sure that the home piano is tuned twice a year. Encourage your child to practice daily by 1) helping the student find the time(s) that will consistently be used only for practice, 2) keeping the student free of other responsibilities during that time, and 3) keeping siblings and/or television, radio, etc. from interfering with and distracting the student during that time. Failure to practice regularly may result in termination of lessons. The teacher also reserves the right to terminate lessons if child has difficulty improving; however, in this case, a meeting will be held with the parents to discuss this difficulty and try to find a solution as termination will be the last resort.

Absences

Attendance is extremely important.

Please plan your calendars in advance and keep your lesson times free of any appointments and other conflicts. A student’s lesson time is a reserved spot for them only and it is not the fault of the teacher for unexpected absences.

Payment is still expected for missed lessons. There will be no refunds or rate adjustments for missed lessons for any reason.

Students who miss lessons due to busy schedules, lack of preparation, conflicting appointments, athletic events, or homework are not eligible for a make-up lesson. In some instances where substantial advance notice was given, a student may be offered the opportunity to make-up a lesson (if lesson was missed due to illness, family vacation with more than two weeks advance notice, etc.).

A minimum of 24 hours notice is required for missed lessons.  Less time than that, payment for the missed lesson will still be expected at the next meeting.  Each student will be allotted 2 free late cancelations per year.  These can be used for unexpected illness or conflicts, etc.  Please keep track of these uses along with the teacher.  Once both have been used, all late cancelations will be charged.

If for some reason I must cancel a lesson, I will give as much advance notice as possible. Make-up lesson times will be made available for teacher absences.

Payment

Payment is expected either weekly, or at the beginning of the month.  Receipts will be given at the end of every month and will indicate all payments made and owed.  If a receipt shows amount owed, please check records and pay amount at the next lesson or discuss any discrepancy with the teacher.

Payments may also be made by credit card thru PayPal.  Please indicate to the teacher if you would like to pay this way and how often you would like to be charged.  The teacher will then send you an email thru PayPal for each transaction.  $1 will be added to each transaction to cover charges.

Withdrawls

In consideration of the time, planning and money that a music teacher spends for her students' lessons, please give no less than a month's notice when terminating lessons; or in lieu of a notice, payment of a month’s worth of lessons for an additional month. Students who withdraw mid-month will be required to pay for remaining weeks as well as the following month.

Exceptions may be made in the case of prolonged illness, relocation, or other such issues.

Recitals

Recitals present an opportunity for listening as well as performing. Students are encouraged to attend recitals as an attentive, responsible audience member as well as a participant. All students should plan on attending recitals for their entire length. Noting recital dates on your family calendar will be helpful in creating a performing environment free from unnecessary distraction. Families are asked to help with the refreshments for recitals. Parents, other family members, teachers, and friends are invited to these recitals. Extra invitations may be obtained from the teacher.
Appropriate recital attire includes:
Boys- long pants, dress shirt and tie, sport shirt, sweater, or suit jacket
Girls- dress, skirt and blouse, dress pants and blouse (remember that dresses should be knee length since the performer may be sitting down)

Parents

Parental support is extremely important whenever a child is developing a new talent. Please encourage your child to develop consistent practice habits and make times available for your child to practice uninterrupted. Please be sure to drop your child off and pick your child up on time. Students arriving late for their lessons will not be given extra lesson time.  Also, being late to pick up your child is unacceptable.  It is a safety issue as well as a distraction to the child and teacher in the next lesson.

When dropping your child off, be certain that they are safely inside my house before leaving. Remember, your child is your responsibility at all times, both before and after as well as during the lesson.