Piano Studio Policies
It is important for you to be informed about my studio policies, whether students are beginners or more advanced. It is essential that parents are aware and onboard completely. I send home a notebook with notes and information about what is expected in the upcoming lesson. This is for students and parents to keep up with upcoming assignments. Older students are expected to take their own notes.
TUITION is due the first lesson of each month, late fees will be charged by the 15th of the month.The school year is a monthly fee and summer lessons are weekly fee.I teach 30 min. lessons for students level 2 and under which cost $60.00/ Month. I teach 45 min. lessons for level 3 and above which will be $80.00/month. September to June will be our two semester schedule. During the school year I take off major holidays on the school calendar. This will be on my calendar on the website. Summer I charge by the week and we set up schedules according to when I will be in town and you as well. I strongly encourage at least 5 summer lessons for continuity of practice and progress.We go a little lighter and different in the Summer.
ATTENDANCE. Regular attendance is of course important for piano lessons.If your student will need to miss a lesson I need to know 24 hrs in advance. I understand sickness or emergencies come up. If I need to cancel a lesson I will make it up with in the semester. I reserve the right to cancel lessons for a student who misses lessons consistently or has an attitude not conducive to learning. I also believe reasonable progress should be expected when students practice on a regular basis. I ask that students practice for at least 5 days/week. I understand not all weeks are created equally. I will communicate with parents if I feel there is a problem in these areas. Please feel free to communicate with me if there are questions or concerns.
OMTA EVENTS I believe performing and preparing for performance is an important part of improving musical skills. I am also aware not every student loves performing. Because I am a member of OMTA we offer several opportunities to perform and sometimes be adjudicated. In the Fall around Veterans Day we have an Ensemble Festival when students play duets with other for an audience of families. They are adjudicated and 5 duet pairs from each music level are chosen to play at the State Ensemble Festival. They receive a medal and 2 points toward a 10 point trophy. In January or February we offer a Baroque Festival for adjudication. Again points are awarded for performance and state winners. In April we have an annual recital for all students to perform in Classical, Romantic, or Contemporary music.This one is not judged, however points are still awarded for participation. I ask all my students to perform in this. In May we offer a Syllabus program. It has 10 progressive levels and is an excellent way to improve technique, vocabulary, theory, ear training and repertoire experience from 3 different musical eras each level. My students who chose to participate always come away better than they started and happy they did it. It takes preparation and effort that is well worth it! Those who pass the evaluation also play in an honors recital. Again points are awarded for participation and honors performances.
I believe one of the most important concepts of piano study is the DESIRE on the student‘s part to put in consistent practice and effort. Parental support and involvement is essential for this to succeed. Practice is a matter of week after week and month after month time and effort to learn a musical instrument like the piano. Of course, we have fun! We laugh, we play games, we learn music history and theory skills, we have group lessons; but most importantly, we learn the the skills and the JOY of music!
When words fail music speaks
William Shakespeare