STUDIO POLICIES
TUITION AND FEES
2018-2019 Lesson Tuition is based on 34 lessons in the school year (8 of which are group lessons) and 2 summer lessons. The academic lesson year encompasses 36 weeks total (not including scheduled school breaks). Two weeks are designated for the instructor’s use for professional development or personal leave days. These weeks are not included in tuition. The total lesson fees for the year are broken into 11 equal payments, due August through June for returning students, new students will be given an individualized payment schedule. Tuition is due on the 1st of the month, and families paying on or before the 1st receive a discounted tuition rate.
A non-refundable Registration Fee of $30 ($50 for Quilcene students) must accompany each student's registration form. This fee includes a library fee for all materials loaned to the student during the year as well as all printed handouts and worksheets. In addition, the registration fee helps cover administrative costs (printing, postage, supplies, awards); reserves the student's place in the studio; and recognizes our mutual commitment to a year of study.
There is a yearly $20 Piano Maestro fee for each piano student, as well as a $20 Musicnotes fee for voice students. Piano Maestro is a sightreading app that will be used monthly during lessons, and may be accessed on ipads at home as well, using my studio information. Musicnotes.com is a website I use to find and print music for voice students, so this fee covers their music costs for the year.
MISSED LESSONS AND LESSON EXCHANGE
Students are expected to make their scheduled private and group lessons a high priority. To aid in this effort, the studio calendar of lesson and recital dates is issued at the beginning of the school year. Parents are asked to mark those dates on your own calendars to avoid schedule conflicts. I recognize that even with the best of intentions, legitimate conflicts do arise, as well as illness and other emergencies, but I simply cannot reschedule lessons during the week. In order to accommodate these occasional but unavoidable conflicts, a Lesson Exchange list containing names of all students, with their lesson times and phone numbers, is provided at the beginning of the year so that students may arrange their own trades as needed. If you would like to be excluded from this list, please let me know before August, when I will send it out to all studio families.
Private Lessons: If a student must miss a private lesson, for any reason, try to arrange a trade with another student. If that isn't possible and you must cancel, please call as early as possible to let me know. No makeup lesson will be given. In cases of mild illness, you may request a skype/phone lesson during your normal lesson time to save us both from spreading germs. Another option is to record whatever music you are studying and send it to me, and I will evaluate it during your lesson time and respond with suggestions/comments.
Group Lessons: Because the group curriculum is different for each group, it is very important that students attend their own group lessons, in order to maintain continuity of study. If a student must miss a group lesson for any reason, check with me about possibly attending another group's lesson. Missing groups with no advanced noticed is a large inconvenience for me, as it affects my planning (less students performing and participating makes activities take less time, leaving me with time to fill on the spot). It is also unfair to the other students in the group. Please be considerate. No private makeup lesson will be given for missed groups.
Except for allotted leave days, any lesson canceled by the teacher will be made up or credited. In the event of a Snow Day, please text to see if lessons are scheduled. Snow days with power can still be done via skype or phone.
Lesson Exchange: My hope in providing a Lesson Exchange List is that it will prevent students having to miss lessons. I would ask that students and parents be as flexible and cooperative as possible when you are contacted for a trade. Monday students should be open to trading with Thursday students even if it means having 2 lessons close together. We can always make good use of the time, and I will adjust assignments to suit that schedule as needed. It is the responsibility of the parent of the student initiating the trade to notify me of the change.
RECITALS AND PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
We have at least 2 formal studio recitals each year (the dates are on the studio calendar). All students are encouraged to participate in these programs. (Proper recital etiquette will be observed, both as performers and as audience members.) Recitals are major events in our course of music study. They provide a wonderful opportunity for developing poise and confidence, as well as being an important goal for polishing repertoire to high quality. They also serve as a valuable musical experience, listening to other pianists/vocalists at various levels of study. Recitals are considered performance classes, for which there is no additional tuition charged. (These are "bonus" lessons!) Dates will be provided at the beginning of the year. Plan to arrive 10 minutes early, and to stay for the entire program.
In addition to recitals, WSMTA and KMTA sponsor annual Music Artistry Program (formerly Adjudications), Master Classes, Music Carnival/Music Literacy Program, and the Kitsap Young Musicians Festival. Students who are adequately prepared are eligible to participate in these optional activities. If you are interested in participating in any of these events, please mention that to me early on in the year.
MATERIALS
Students will purchase their own books as specified by the teacher. In addition to the music books, students will need the following items:
*lesson assignment notebook (3-ring binder, 2" wide, with 5 dividers)
*metronome (3rd year piano students and above--call me for more information)
*ipod, phone, ipad or some other device for recording
The Studio will provide supplementary materials and printed handouts for the student's use.
THE STUDENT'S RESPONSIBILITIES
Homework comes first! But lesson assignments, practice and participation in studio activities should have the same or higher priority as sports and other activities the student is involved in. In order to make the best progress in music study, regular, consistent practice is essential. Length of practice sessions and practice habits will be discussed with each student and with parents. At the beginning of the year, students will complete a practice agreement. This should not be considered the goal to shoot for, but rather the minimum acceptable. The student is responsible for filling in practice charts and completing all assignments. If the student runs into difficulties with part of the assignment, he/she is encouraged to text or email me that day. Very often questions can be cleared up, or if necessary a change can be made in the assignment until the following lesson, hopefully alleviating any anxiety or frustration. The student should arrive at lessons on time, with all necessary books and materials.
THE PARENTS' RESPONSIBILITIES
Parental support is essential for the child's musical growth. Show interest and enthusiasm for his/her musical accomplishments. Attend their recital programs and help to make them a "special" event for your child. For piano students, make sure the student has a good instrument that is kept in tune (pianos should be tuned at least once a year). Provide good lighting; good seating (with a box for their feet if they cannot touch the floor); uninterrupted practice time; and help, interest and support for their efforts. Young students, especially, need help with their practice. It is the responsibility of the parent to see that home practice and written assignments are carried out. I expect each student to keep practice records regularly, and request that parents read and sign the assignment book each week. Especially make a point to check the "Special Notes" at the bottom of the assignment sheet each week, because this is one of my only regular means of communication with you. See that the student arrives on time for lessons, with all their materials, and that they are picked up promptly. I am not responsible for supervising students beyond their lesson time. (If you must be late picking your child up, instruct them to wait in the studio for you; if you will be more than 5 minutes late, check with me first.) Please avoid having your child leave early from group lessons. Group lesson plans fill the entire session time, and having students arriving late or leaving early is disruptive. Parents are welcome and encouraged to visit the Studio during your child's lesson. Parent Conferences are scheduled near the end of the year during lesson times. Their purpose is to evaluate the student's progress and lesson situation. In addition to these specific appointments, should questions or problems arise, I am always available either to meet with you or talk by phone. Regular communication with parents helps to ensure the student's success. It not only demonstrates your interest, but it also helps us to deal with problems in their early stages before they have a chance to develop into a stumbling block for the student.
TERMINATION OF LESSONS
Each student who registers for lessons in the fall makes a commitment for the entire year. If for some reason lessons must be stopped before the year is completed, a month's notice is required.