STUDIO POLICIES 2024-25

Thank you for your interest in piano lessons. I strive to provide a highly positive, self-affirming music education experience for all of my students. I tailor the instruction to each student's unique developmental needs and help them grow as both musicians and individuals. Set forth here are the standards and expectations for each student in my studio. In order to create a nurturing, organized, and professional learning environment for all my students, the rules stated here are non-negotiable.

Attendance

Commitment and consistency are important for learning piano. Regular attendance by both student and parent/guardian (for students younger than 15) is required.

Please be sure students have had a chance to use the restroom prior to arrival.
Students must have trimmed nails.
Students are expected to arrive promptly and no more than five minutes early in order to facilitate starting on time.
Extra time cannot be allotted for late arrivals.
The lesson is considered a no-show if the student is more than 15 minutes late, and the remaining time forfeited.
All students will wash their hands upon entrance to the studio.
Younger siblings/guests may not attend during the lesson, except at my discretion. Appropriate requests and arrangements should be made in advance.
Please, no food, drink, or gum in the studio.

These policies are in place to promote regular and reliable attendance from each student.

Student Absence Policy

Your tuition reserves your weekly time slot and spot in my studio. It is not based on attendance and will not be refunded for any reason. As commitment and consistency are important for learning piano, students are responsible for attending all lessons during their scheduled lesson time. Lessons canceled or missed by the student for any reason will not be rescheduled and are not eligible for make-ups, refunds, or credits.
If you must miss a lesson, please provide notification by email as a courtesy.
In the case of illness of student/parent, please do NOT attend the lesson in person. Instead, if the student is able, they may attend their lesson online (Zoom).
If you have a conflict coming up, you may submit a video recording of your assignments (must be received prior to your regularly scheduled lesson time) and I will use your lesson time to view and provide feedback and assignments for the next week.
If conditions prevent the lesson from safely being held in-person, the format will be changed to online (Zoom). In cases where a wide-spread power outage has occurred, these lessons will be made up at a later time and will be in small-group format.

Teacher Cancellation/Absence

Cancellations are uncommon. If conditions prevent the lesson from safely being held in-person, the format will be changed to online (Zoom). In the event that I must cancel a lesson, students will receive an email notification and a credit will be given the following month.

Schedule Change Requests

Requests for permanent schedule changes will be honored one time per school year free of charge, subject to availability, with a minimum of 14 days’ notice. $25 per request, if the request can be accommodated, thereafter.

Emergency/Weather-Related Closings

Cancellations are uncommon. If conditions prevent the lesson from safely being held in-person, the format will be changed to online. In cases where a wide-spread power outage has occurred, these lessons will be made up at a later time and will be in small-group format. Parents are responsible for checking their email for updates early and often. Please email in advance with any questions or concerns.

Tuition

Tuition is billed at a monthly flat rate and reserves your weekly time slot in my teaching schedule. It is not based on attendance. It includes 40 lessons and one sharing opportunity over the course of each year, taking into account all studio/holiday closures. Each month's tuition is due by the 1st of the month. Payment received after the 5th will be subject to a $20 late fee.

Payment Methods

Payment is accepted by Zelle, Check, or Cash and will not be refunded for any reason. Bills will not be sent.

Studio/Holiday Closures

The studio will be closed on certain holidays. These dates are published on the Studio Calendar in advance of the start of each school year. The monthly fee remains the same.

Studio Calendar 2024 - 2025

Lessons begin:

Sept 3

No Lessons:

Nov. 26 – 29 Thanksgiving Week
Dec. 23 – Jan 3 Winter Vacation
Feb. 17 – 21 February Break
Apr. 21 – 25 Spring Vacation

May 26 Memorial Day
June 9 – 20 Summer Break

Note: Lessons are held on all Student Holidays and Teacher Workdays – unless they coincide with dates listed above.

Summer Session

June 23 - August 24

Contact

Please email me at squademusic@ gmail.com with any questions or concerns. I will respond as soon as I can.

Preparation/Responsibilities

Students will learn what constitutes good preparation for their lessons. For younger students, it is the responsibility of the parent to encourage and guide these skills and habits at home. Teenagers and adult students will have to evaluate their own practice habits and adjust their schedules to accommodate the need for consistent practice. There will be consistent discussion about practice and evaluations of how it is proceeding at home. It is expected that each student is putting in the necessary practice each week for consistent progress.

Responsibilities are further defined as below:

Students are expected to be "Willing Participants" who commit to an age-appropriate routine of thoughtful at-home preparation - just 10 to 15 minutes most days per week is all it takes to see meaningful results!
Acting as a “Life Coach”, parents commit to providing students with the required materials, guidance to set aside time for practice, and whatever level of supervision is necessary for the student to progress.
The teacher's role as "Method Coach" is to deliver the instruction in a manner and at a pace that suits the developmental needs of the student.

Music

Method books and other music will be purchased through a 3rd party seller. The average cost of method books per year is $50. Occasional supplemental purchases may be recommended.

Equipment

Student success hinges on the ability to practice between lessons. Your home instrument is an incredibly important part of your student's musical journey, and having a quality instrument to practice on will greatly enhance their multi-sensory experience and skill.

I generally recommend a high-quality digital piano over an acoustic, mostly for practical reasons. Digital instruments are usually less expensive, do not require tuning, and are easier to move around. That said, a well-maintained acoustic piano is one of the most inspiring home instruments you can have.

Your instrument must have:

-88 weighted keys

-At least 1 pedal

-A music stand

-A bench to promote proper posture

Please invest in the best instrument you can afford, or plan to upgrade within a year of beginning instruction. When shopping for digital pianos, you should expect to spend anywhere from $900-$2000 for a high-quality instrument. Most models in this price range will come with the basic features above, but the price will be higher for models that have more voices and/or better speakers. While having more voices is a personal choice, it’s very worthwhile to have the highest quality speakers. The Yamaha Clavinova series is excellent. Roland and Casio also make fabulous digital instruments. We recommend any of these brands.

You may find good deals around the holidays! Used digital pianos can also be a good way to start, so check NextDoor, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace.

Appropriate internet service and internet-ready devices are also necessary in order to properly use the listening resources and reminder videos.

Sharing Opportunities

One sharing opportunity ("Piano Party") will be offered per year. It may be in virtual, small, or large group format. This will be a fun, informal opportunity for students to share their music with other students, family, and/or friends.

Discontinuing Lessons

Students may discontinue lessons with 30 days' notice. I reserve the right to discontinue lessons for any reason, including: persistent absences or excessive tardiness, consistent lack of practice or interest, uncooperative attitude, or failure to pay lesson tuition on time.