I have established the following policies to keep my studio running smoothly and effectively while ensuring that all students receive the education and guidance they deserve.
When you register for lessons you are agreeing to these studio policies, including continuous enrollment and the billing terms outlined below:
My studio operates during the school year calendar, from August to May. Attendance for lessons and/or studio camps in June and July are encouraged, but ultimately optional.
A non-refundable $75 registration & materials fee is due in August, with the first payment of the studio year. This fee goes towards the cost of supplementary resources and materials for the school year, studio recitals, and reserves your spot in my schedule.
Annual tuition for 30-minute weekly lessons is $1,500, divided into 10 monthly payments of $150.
Annual tuition for 45-minute weekly lessons is $2,000, divided into 10 monthly payments of $200.
The tuition fee is the same whether there are 2 or 5 scheduled lessons in a given month.
Payment is due in advance, by the 1st of every month. A Venmo or Zelle invoice with a link to pay will be sent at the end of each month, to be completed by the 1st of the following month. A 10% late fee is assessed for payments received after the 5th of the month.
Families should expect a yearly increase in tuition appropriate to cost of living increases and services offered.
To give everyone as productive and uninterrupted of a lesson as possible, it is very important that you observe the following:
Please enter through the front door when it is exactly your lesson time. There is no need to ring the doorbell.
My break times are designed to help me re-group, organize, breathe, and do other necessary things to assist me in teaching your students most efficiently. Because of this, I ask that you not arrive early or stay later than your lesson time.
Parents are required to be available during lessons (either waiting in the driveway/cul-de-sac or via cell phone). In the event of an emergency, if a parent cannot be reached, you agree that I will be permitted to exercise my discretion in providing care and treatment for your student. Parents agree not to hold me liable for any such care and treatment decisions.
Lessons are scheduled at a mutually agreed time when the student begins lessons, and at the start of each semester thereafter. If a student/parent wishes to change their lesson time mid-semester this can be discussed on a case-by-case basis, however, this is subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed.
Lessons begin and end at the scheduled time. If you are late for a lesson, that is time that you will forfeit. This time will not be rescheduled, and no refund will be given.
Because of my full-time work, my availability is subject to change. If I need to change a lesson time, you will be given a minimum of 48 hours notice, with flexible options for rescheduling. There are no refunds or discounts given unless I am unable to teach the promised number of lessons (34) within the studio year.
My studio offers one make-up lesson per “semester” (August-December, January-May) due to illness or a schedule conflict, and is rescheduled exclusively on a Studio Flex Day. The make-up lesson must be scheduled and completed within the same semester, and is not transferable to another semester.
After completing your Flex Day make-ups...
Because lesson times are standing appointments reserved for the student each week, a student who cancels or cannot attend a lesson will simply miss the benefit of that lesson. However, I have policies in place so we can do our best to keep your student’s consistency and motivation on track.
If a student will be missing their lesson for any reason, please inform me by text or email with as much notice as possible so that I can plan the online lesson or organize a recorded video lesson. In cases where we cannot have an online lesson, I will use the regular lesson time to record a video lesson for the student to watch and complete before their next lesson.
Cancellations in cases of emergency should be communicated immediately. A reschedule can be honored, depending on the circumstances, with flexible options for rescheduling.
In the case of mild sickness or inclement weather, lessons will be done online via Google Meet. You’ll need to use a computer/laptop or tablet with a camera that can be placed so that I can see your face, hands, and instrument. (Please only use your cell phone if no other device is available.)
A parent should give written notice by email if a future lesson is going to be missed. If a minimum notice of 2 weeks is given, a reschedule may be honored. Please contact me in advance to discuss options.
I occasionally take photographs or videos of students during lessons and performances for use in the studio scrapbook, advertising materials, lesson demonstration, and my website. Please let me know your permission preferences when you register for lessons.
All students stop taking lessons at some point. Ideally, this decision is made thoughtfully with plenty of discussion between the teacher, parent, and student so we can complete our lessons with a positive sense of closure. If there is a problem at any time, please communicate to me so that I can help make necessary changes.
If a situation arises in which a student must discontinue lessons immediately, I require written notice from the parent at least 30 days prior to the next billing cycle. At that time, I will prorate the tuition for your final month to reflect the number of lessons that you have received based on the last lesson date. You will be required to pay this balance.
Regrettably, I will have to dismiss a student if any of these circumstances occur, with no reimbursement for pre-paid lessons:
Persistent absences, tardiness, or reschedules
Uncooperative attitude during lesson time
Lack of progress due to insufficient practice or interest
Failure to pay tuition on time
Email/Text Message - This is the best way to contact me, but please be mindful of when you choose to send your message. My office hours are Monday through Friday from 11:00am-3:00pm. If I receive a message early in the morning, late at night or on weekends, I will get back to you during office hours. That being said- if it is an emergency, please do not hesitate to reach out. I will get back to you as soon as possible!
Phone - If you need to speak with me, I would be happy to schedule a phone call with you.
I send out studio information from time to time via email. Please make sure that I have a current email address that you check regularly.