20111-2012 Student Policy
Tuition
Tuition is as follows:
PRIVATE INSTRUCTION: $13 per lesson (approximately $52.00 per month)
PRIVATE INSTRUCTION WITH MUSIC THEORY: $15 per lesson (approximately $60.00 per month)
Tuition is due and payable on the last lesson of each month. Tuition will be considered delinquent if not paid by the 8th day of the month, and a late fee of $15 will automatically be assessed. Tuition can be paid by cash or personal check. You will be receiving an invoice on the last lesson of each month as a record of lessons attended for that month and a balance of tuition owed. If you would like to receive a statement of your account each month, please let me know. I will gladly prepare a record for your convenience.
Additional Fees
Additional fees for private instruction may include the cost of new and supplementary books, which you will be responsible for purchasing.
Absences
Make-up lessons will not be made available for missed lessons, however tuition may still apply for any unexcused absence due to improper notification. In the event that your child must miss a lesson, please contact me as soon as possible so as to avoid being charged for an unattended lesson.
Punctuality
Please arrive to your lesson on time. Since your lesson is your reserved learning period, arriving on time will ensure that the maximum amount of time will be spent in this learning exchange. Arrival should be no more than five minutes prior to the starting time of your lesson. Students should use this time to prepare mentally and physically. Hands can and may be washed during this time, also. In the event that you arrive before the completion of a previous lesson, you are welcome to wait inside quietly. Should you arrive late to your lesson, any time missed will be forfeited and cannot be made up.
Materials and Preparation
Please be sure to bring all books, music, and additional materials to every lesson, unless otherwise noted. Additional materials include a sharpened pencil with eraser, and may also include flash cards, manuscript paper, and/or staff board. Some of these materials will be provided, while others will be purchased for your convenience and be added to your invoice at the end of the month. Books and music should be well maintained, and any loose leaf worksheets should be kept neat and tidy in a folder for easy reference. Arriving prepared optimizes the learning environment and will provide for a more enriching musical experience.
Safety Policies
Please do not drop-off your child for their lesson early to make another engagement, and please do not leave without first verifying that the teacher is present. The classroom functions as a public area, so please arrive on time for your lesson or class. Arriving too early may result in the classroom or teacher not being sufficiently ready to teach. Students arriving more than five minutes early for their lesson must be accompanied by an adult. Also, be advised that I will not allow a student to leave the classroom unaccompanied by a parent of specified caregiver. If you plan to have an unrecognizable person pick-up your child, please let me know in advance. A signed note is insufficient in this circumstance, and will not be accepted. Families who choose to wait in the classroom while a student has a lesson must be respectful of the classroom and of the student having the lesson. Please keep a watchful eye on children as the area is not designed to be childproof. Your child’s safety and well-being is very important to me, and I will do everything possible to make sure that their safety needs are met while in my presence.
Parental Attendance
Parents are not required to attend lessons. You are, however, always welcome to stay, sit, watch and listen. This often helps with home practice, as you will better understand the week’s assignments and be able to provide more assistance if needed. Occasionally, I will ask that a parent attend a lesson, to demonstrate specific problem areas and provide possible solutions, or to congratulate your child on a well achieved success. Attending your child’s lesson will also help you monitor your child’s musical progress.
Recitals
Each student will be expected to perform in at least two annual recitals (dates TBA). Private instruction students will prepare and perform (2) pieces each, which will be chosen by myself according to age and skill level. Recital pieces should be well learned and memorized when possible.
Practice
Practice is a daily and repetitious effort that must be carried out by both student and parent in order to achieve a successful musical experience. Assignments should be completed according to instructions given during lessons, and must be verified by a parent upon daily completion. Six out of seven days of practice weekly is necessary for optimal retention, lasting a minimum of twenty minutes each day for beginning students, and 30-40 minutes for advanced students. Practice time may vary each week, however, according to assignments and instructions. Occasionally, special arrangements may be made in regards to practice schedules, due to circumstance. In this event, please contact me as soon as possible to make arrangements or to express concerns regarding your child’s practice schedule or habits.
Parent/Teacher Communication
Every effort will be made to communicate each student’s needs and successes with you, the parent. Likewise, you are welcome to contact me with questions or concerns regarding your child. Please, do not use reserved lesson time for discussion, however; inform me of your concerns and I will arrange a separate time to discuss your concerns at the earliest convenience.
