Practice

Quality practice outside of the lesson is essential to the student’s progress. Students are given specific assignments each week. Students will keep a practice record and work toward musical goals as well as count minutes. Parents must sign the practice record at the end of each week and return it to the teacher at the next lesson.  Please be sure that your student is actually practicing before signing the practice record.  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. Before lessons are terminated, a meeting will be held between the teacher, student, and responsible parent/guardian.  At that time, the student will be placed on a one month probation period.  Lessons will continue during this time and if the student improves, after one month, they will be taken off probation.  However, if they do not improve, the student’s lessons will be terminated and their slot given to a student who is willing to practice.  The teacher also reserves the right to terminate lessons if a student 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. The teacher has set this time aside, in her work day, for your student’s lesson and that time must be paid for.  Remember, this is a commitment you are making along with your student.

Payment is 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. These are not acceptable reasons to cancel at the last minute.  In some instances, where substantial advance notice was given, a student may be offered the opportunity to make-up a lesson (i.e. a lesson is missed due to illness, family vacation with more than two weeks advance notice).

In addition, if more than 6 lessons are canceled early in a semester, the teacher may choose to meet with the family and talk about the priority of lessons.  If a family can not make lessons a priority in their schedules, and plan to keep their appointment on a regular, weekly basis, lessons may be terminated and given to a student who is willing to make the commitment.

A minimum of 24 hours notice is required for missed lessons.  Normal charges will apply and no make-up option will be offered if less than 24 hour notice is given.

Emergency Cancellations: The only exception to the above policy is an emergency cancellation.  The decision as to whether a late cancellation will be deemed emergency is solely up to the teacher.  Emergency cancellations may include illness and family emergencies.  However, if the teacher feels this exception is being abused, she reserves the right to investigate and require payment for missed lessons or, if necessary, terminate lessons.

Illness: It is unacceptable to send a student who is ill to their lesson.  It is too easy to pass that illness on to the teacher and students who share that lesson space.  Any student who comes to their lesson ill will be sent home immediately, without a lesson, and will be charged for half the lesson, no exceptions.  Illness includes, but is not limited to: flu, sore throat, fever, and cold which includes runny noses and sneezing caused by cold.  Even if most symptoms are gone, runny noses and sneezing are not acceptable.  Obviously, allergies can not be avoided but the teacher will make every effort to require proper hygiene within the lesson space.

Siblings: The above policy also relates to siblings or others attending the lesson.  If they are sick, do not bring them.  However, if more than one sibling is a student and one is well, the well child may be dropped off and picked up after their lesson, thus avoiding missing their own lesson.  In addition, siblings who are not students, but waiting during the lesson, must be controlled and kept quiet by the parent so as not to disrupt the lesson.

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 due at the beginning of the month.  Invoices will be sent, via email, before the first lesson of every month and payment will be expected at that lesson.  A detailed receipt will be given at the end of every month and will indicate all payments made, credited, 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.  The teacher will then send you an email thru PayPal for each transaction.  $3 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.  Do not leave if you can not be back to pick up your child on time.