Studio Policy

•  Tuition and Fees:

Tuition: Tuition is charged by the school year, not by number of lessons held each individual month,  and is payable through a variety of payment plans including equal monthly installments, semester pay, and yearly pay. Tuition reflects 40 lessons per school year, August through May. This studio follows the same calendar as the Scottsdale Unified School District. Unless noted on the monthly calendar, lessons will be held on school closure for professional development days.  Lessons are not held during Fall, Winter or Spring Break. 

Monthly tuition is due no later than the 10th of each month and will be assessed a $10 fee when overdue.

 
Other Fees: 
    Keyboard Gymnastics:  New this fall, I will  offer the Keyboard Gymnastics program to students.  This will require purchase of a theory book and enrollment fee for events throughout the year.  Total cost is $45.00for full participation.  Students who do not wish to enter all events will be charged per event.  *All students will purchase a theory book.

     Lesson Books: Students are required to purchase their own method books and supplementary literature, such as hard copies of the students' recital or competition music. They may choose to order the books themselves or reimburse the teacher upon receipt.

    Festivals/Ensemble Events:  Students who participate in Festivals or the PMTA Ensemble event will be required to pay a fee for participation.
 

Lessons and Attendance

Missed Lessons:   Attendance is extremely important.  Please keep your lesson times free of any appointments or conflicts.  Payment of tuition reserves a time slot for your student that remains reserved whether or not the student is at lessons.  For emergencies or illness please call.  I will work with you as my schedule allows.

Summer Lessons: The months of June and July are considered the summer session. Summer lessons are very important to the progress and continuous learning of each student. A sign up for summer piano lessons will be available at the spring recital.  Summer session will be five weeks between June and July and one payment of $100.

Withdrawal: In consideration of the time that a music teacher spends planning for her students' lessons, please give no less than a months' notice when terminating lessons; or in lieu of a notice, payment of the monthly fee for an additional month.  No refunds will be given for students who withdraw mid-month or mid-year if paid in full. Before withdrawing from the studio, please discuss other options with the teacher (see "Parental Responsibilities").

Recitals: Recitals present an opportunity for listening as well as performing.  Students are expected to attend recitals as an attentive, responsible audience member as well as a participant.  All students should plan on attending recitals for their entire length, which is usually 30 minutes to 1 hour.  Noting recital dates on your family calendar will be helpful in creating a performing environment free from unnecessary distraction.   Parents, other family members, teachers, and friends are invited to these recitals.

Appropriate performance attire:
Boys-long pants, dress shirt and tie, sport shirt, sweater, or suit jacket
Girls- dress, skirt and blouse, dress pants and blouse (remember that dresses/skirts should be knee length since the performer will be sitting down)  NO JEANS!
 

• Parental Responsibilities

Parental support is extremely important whenever a child is developing a talent. Encourage your children to practice and praise their efforts regularly. Parents and students enrolling in the studio are expected to commit to attending lessons for the period of at least one year.

At some point, your child may say he/she is bored, doesn't want to practice, or wants to quit. 99% of all piano students say this at one or more points in their study! Do not allow giving up or quitting to be an option, any more than you would allow your child to quit math or reading because they find it difficult, boring, or do not want to do their homework. Interest, enjoyment, and dedication will naturally go through peaks and valleys when any new skill is being developed.  Do not give up if your child appears to lose interest for a time. Instead, discuss this change with the teacher so that steps may be taken to remedy the situation.  Students who persevere through difficult times often become the most successful musicians.

Please be sure to drop your child off and pick your child up on time.  This studio observes a 5 minute drop off/pick up window.  Please be certain that your child is safely inside my house before leaving.  Remember, your child is your responsibility at all times, both before and after as well as during the lesson. Overall, be involved and be supportive!

Practice and Home Support: Quality practice outside of the lesson is essential to the student’s progress.  Please encourage your child to develop consistent practice habits and provide a practice environment free of distractions.  Encourage your child to practice daily by 1) helping the student find the time(s) that will consistently be used only for practice, 2) keeping the student free of other responsibilities during that time, and 3) keeping siblings and/or television, radio, etc. from interfering with and distracting the student during that time.  Practicing is the joint responsibility of the student AND the parent. Students should strive to complete practice assignments on their own, but parents must be active in reminding the student to complete daily practice assignments should a student forget.

The study of music is rewarding and enjoyable, but it also takes diligence and hard work, on the part of the student as well as the parent!