Piano Teacher
STUDIO POLICIES 2024-25
GOALS
My overriding goal is to contribute to the creation of a culture where people of all ages easily and readily acquire and maintain music as a life-long companion. Inside of this goal, there are specific goals that I focus on achieving for students:
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Providing students 4 - 6 with rich and enjoyable musical experiences through movement, singing, imitating, improvising, and learning the fundamentals of rhythmic notation and pre-staff reading
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Providing students 6 and up with the ability to play a huge repertoire covering classical, popular, blues, jazz and accompaniments
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Experiencing playing as a natural self-expression
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Having a highly positive, self-affirming experience with music learning
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Developing the ability to self-generate and progress independently - this includes developing a strong foundation in music reading and theory
While the policies below cover the business basics of how I operate, my primary interest is in the development and growth of each individual student.
STUDIO ETIQUETTE
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Please be sure students have had a chance to use the restroom prior to arrival and have clean hands and trimmed nails.
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Arrive early but no more than 5 minutes prior to your lesson time in order to facilitate starting on time.
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Extra time cannot be allotted for late arrivals.
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Regular attendance by both student and parent (for students younger than 15) is required. Younger siblings/guests may not attend during the lesson, except at my discretion. Appropriate requests and arrangements should be made in advance.
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Please, no food, drink, or gum in the studio.
KEEPING THE STUDIO HEALTHY
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If the student or parent is ill or has lingering symptoms from a recent illness (coughing, sneezing, fever, etc.), please do NOT attend the lesson in-person. A virtual lesson can be held at the usual time if the student feels up to it.
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At this time, masks are optional.
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All students must wash their hands upon entrance to the studio.
TUITION
TUITION is a year round model based on twelve equal monthly payments due the 1st of each month September through August, regardless of the number of lessons in a month.  40 lessons and one sharing opportunity will be offered over the course of the year.
LESSON DURATION
Private lessons are 25 - 30 minutes.
FORMAT
Lessons are offered in-person or online (with Zoom). In-person lessons may be held online in the event of inclement weather, illness, or distance.
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RESPONSIBILITIES
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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!
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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.
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The teacher's role as "Method Coach" is to unfold the program in a manner and at a pace that suits the developmental needs of the student.
EQUIPMENT
Students must own a suitable instrument for at-home preparation.  An acoustic piano is preferred and should be tuned and serviced about once a year.  A full-size digital piano (61 keys minimum) with touch sensitive and weighted keys and sustain pedal (not button) is acceptable.  Appropriate internet service and internet-ready devices are necessary in order to properly use the Student Home Materials.
MATERIALS
New students will receive information on how to purchase materials after the first lesson.
STUDENT ABSENCES
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Your tuition reserves a spot just for you, and is not based on attendance to lessons. Students are responsible for attending all lessons during their scheduled lesson time (in-person or remotely). Lessons canceled or missed by the student for any reason are not eligible for make-ups, refunds, or credits.
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If you must miss a lesson, please provide notification by email. While I am unable to provide make-up lessons for student absences, I can arrange a remote option for you instead if you are interested.
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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.
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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.
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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 over the summer and may be in small-group format.
TEACHER ABSENCES
In the event that I must cancel a lesson, students will receive an email notification and the lesson will be rescheduled or a credit will be given the following month. If conditions prevent the lesson from safely being held in-person, the format will be changed to online.
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EMERGENCY CLOSINGS/INCLEMENT WEATHER
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 over the summer and may be in small-group format.
IMPORTANT DATES
Sept. 3 Lessons begin
Nov. 26 – 29 Thanksgiving Week No lessons
Dec. 23 – Jan 3 Winter Vacation No lessons
Feb. 17 – 21 February Break No lessons
Apr. 21 – 25 Spring Vacation No lessons
May 26 Memorial Day No lessons
June 9 – 20 Summer Break No lessons
June 23 - August 24 Summer Session
SUMMER SESSION
Students may schedule up to 6 lessons around their vacation time during Summer Session. The monthly fee remains the same. Some blackout dates will apply, TBD.
LESSON TERMINATION
Students may terminate lessons with 30 days’ notice.
SHARING OPPORTUNITIES
One sharing opportunity 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.