Email:

Parents are required to check their email frequently.  Email is the official mode of communication for the studio – that is how we send invoices, discuss students’ progress, notify you if we are sick and have to cancel a lesson, and notify you of upcoming recitals or other special events.  Please check your spam folder frequently as well, especially if you are expecting an invoice.   We are not responsible for any late fees incurred due to an invoice going to spam and not being seen.

Instruments:

For all instruments except piano, the student must have their own instrument (either rented or purchased) to begin lessons.  We sell many different types of instruments, so let us know what you need.  Piano students are not required to have an instrument to begin.  However, speed of progress is highly dependent on how much practicing happens at home – so we will be recommending that you purchase one soon.  We usually have several keyboards in stock, so you can choose the one that is best for your needs.

Tuition:

Tuition does not guarantee you a certain number of lessons; rather, it reserves your exact time slot for the length of your pre-paid session (1, 4, or 12 months) so that no one else can book it. It also covers lesson prep. If you have a group slot, others can book it, but you are guaranteeing there will be room for your child in that class, and that any others who join will be at a compatible age and level.  Tuition is non-refundable, and no make-ups will be given for any reason.  In the rare event that the teacher must cancel a lesson, students will be offered their choice of 1) a video assignment; 2) one week of unlimited video coaching; or 3) a piece of sheet music.

Invoices (for 4- and 12-month sessions only) are sent via PayPal to your email address.  Payments may be made via PayPal, cash, or check.  There is a $25 fee for bounced checks.   For those on monthly Autopay, if your card is declined you will immediately receive an email notifying you to update your payment information.  If it is not updated that day, the following day the $10 late fee will be automatically applied and the charge re-attempted.

Our enrollment tends to stay full for private lessons, and we have limited group openings.  If you choose to take a break from lessons, when you wish to return you will be added to the bottom of the waiting list.  Alternatively, you may continue to pay tuition to reserve your child’s spot for when you resume lessons.

Lessons Are Group By Default:

All time slots are considered “group lessons” by default.  If no one else has signed up for that time, your child may be alone at first, until someone of a compatible age and ability joins them.  If you are the first to sign up for a time slot, you may reserve it as a private lesson slot for an additional $20 per month.

Books:

The books that we use in lessons, and that your child will need in order to practice at home, are paid for separately from tuition.  We keep books in stock for most instruments and levels.  Contact us for an estimate of what the cost will be for your child.

Changing Your Lesson Time:

Any changes in lesson times are dependent on availability and must be done between your pre-paid sessions.

Additional Lessons:

If you want to schedule additional lessons (that are outside of your regular time slot covered by tuition), you may do so if we have any availability.  These additional lessons are $35 each for 30 minutes and $70 for an hour, and must be scheduled and paid for at least 24 hours but no more than 7 days in advance.

Holidays:

Recitals:

We offer a minimum of one performance opportunity each year.  Students must have reached a certain point in their lesson book to be eligible to perform.  Feel free to contact us to find out whether your child is eligible or what they would need to do in order to become eligible.  We highly recommend making these performance opportunities a priority for your child.  There are many benefits to participating in these events, and the students love them!

Disabilities:

Please let us know if your child has any type of disability that may affect their learning.  The more we know about how each student’s brain works, the better we can create the best learning environment for them.

Health:

As a precaution, we reserve the right to refuse to teach a lesson to a student we deem too sick. Please ensure that the student is healthy and free of communicable diseases before coming to the lesson. This includes, but is not limited to: COVID-19, gastroenteritis, flu, cold, runny nose, fever, excessive coughing, conjunctivitis, pediculosis, chicken pox, measles. Depending on the illness, we also ask that you keep your child home if a family member that they live with is sick.  There are free lessons built into tuition each year to cover lessons missed due to illness; and if you give at least 2 hours notice, you may also choose from one of the options listed above under “holidays”.

Media Release:

By checking the “yes” box on the registration form, you are agreeing that we may take photos and/or videos of your child to use in promotional materials.  This includes, but is not limited to, posting on our studio Facebook page and running ads on these posts.  Let us know if you have any questions, or if you would like to add or remove this permission for your student.  If you check “no,” please realize that your child will be asked to stand aside while we take group photos at recitals, and will also not be allowed to participate in our group finale songs – because these are always recorded.  This could potentially be embarrassing for the student (and the group songs are such a neat experience!), so we highly suggest that you check “yes” in order to allow these types of photos/videos.  If you are okay with recital photos/videos but not in-lesson ones, please check “yes” on the form and then let us know over email.

Security Cameras:

There may be security cameras in use at the studio.  By registering for and participating in lessons, you acknowledge and accept that these lessons may be recorded.

Collections:

In the unlikely event that your account becomes past due and is referred to an outside collection agency or attorney, you will be responsible for the collection costs at the rate of 40% of the balance due.

By registering for and participating in lessons, you confirm that you have read and understand the above Studio Policies, and agree to abide by the guidelines and policies listed.