Studio Policy

I am sure that you will appreciate the need for me to conduct the business side of my teaching practice in an organized and professional manner. These conditions are subject to occasional review and you will be given one months notice should any changes be necessary. Please contact me if you would like further information.

Policies and procedures have been implemented to reflect the same standards adopted by other established music schools in the St. Louis area.

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General Information:

Weekly private lessons are offered in 30, 45, or 60-minute sessions, depending on the student’s age/level. Lessons are year round. With the exception of the vacation time set by the teacher, described below, students are expected to continue lessons throughout the year. Lessons continue during summer. The student is expected to attend lessons even if they have not practiced. There are always plenty of things to work on in the lesson including theory, aural, sight reading, general musicianship skills and computer lab activities.

At The Studio:

Students are expected to arrive for lessons in a timely manner, with all required materials and music. No lesson will be extended for a student who is not ready on time. Parents and siblings may sit in on the lesson, wait in their vehicle in the driveway, or run errands so long as they return to pick up their student in a timely fashion. To discuss student progress, parents are welcome to talk with the teacher during the first five minutes of the student's lesson -- but not afterwards, in order to respect the next student's time slot.

Practice and Instrument:

Private students are expected to practice daily on a well-maintained piano. Acoustic pianos should be tuned twice a year.

Materials:

Students are recommended to use a canvas tote bag to carry books to and from lessons. The teacher will obtain all needed books and materials for the student. The student/parent is expected to cover the costs of any required books and materials.

Calendar and Schedule:

The tuition rates are determined based on a calendar of 46 weekly private lessons. Vacation times are usually timed to coincide with school breaks however this cannot be guaranteed.

1 Week at Thanksgiving
2 Weeks at Christmas
1 Week at Spring Break
2 Weeks during the Summer Vacation

Tuition and Payment:

The annual tuition fee is split into 12 equal monthly payments or two semesterly payments. This means that the payment will be the same every month regardless of how many lessons are taken during the month.

Students have the option of paying tuition in one of the two following methods. The tuition rates are shown in the table below.

(1) In equal monthly installments. Payments are due on the 1st of each month and no invoice will be provided unless additional materials have been provided by the teacher.
(2) Or, in two large, equal installments. Payments are due August 1st and April 1st.

Payments may be mailed (postmarked by the 1st) or given to the teacher at a lesson. Payment may also be made online using any credit or debit card. Late payments will incur a late fee of $1 for each day late. There is a $25 fee for returned checks or declined electronic payments. The teacher reserves the right to raise fees at the beginning of each new academic year.

Lesson Length:

Parents may choose to take a 30, 45 or 60 minute lesson for any student; however parents are advised that it is not possible to fully cover all the important areas of musical education required by older or more advanced students in one 30 minute lesson per week. These activities include, instruction on the core piano repertoire, technical work, theory, aural skills, general musicianship skills, sight reading, scales, computer lab assistance, and extended areas of music such as arranging, composition and improvising. 30 minute lessons are designed for students in their first few years of study and are not enough for advanced students. Parents should understand that in order to complete the wide range of musical activities required to ensure a student is making the most of their potential, longer lessons are often necessary for older or more advanced students.

Most students over the age of 8 would benefit from a 45 minute lesson and students over 10 find a 60 minute lesson is required to optimize their progress.

Most students that have studied for more than 4 years are advised to take a 60 minute lesson. Students taking longer lessons make faster progress. Advanced students considering pursuing music at university usually require additional time for theory studies alongside their regular 60 minute lesson.

Click here to read more about recommended piano lesson times.

Makeup Lessons:

Missed lessons cannot be deducted from the bill. If a student needs to miss a lesson 48 hours notice must be given in order to reschedule a make-up lesson. Lessons missed with less than 48 hours notice will be forfeited. Make-up lessons are normally scheduled during a time when another student is absent and therefore specific times for make-up lessons cannot be guaranteed.

There can be a maximum of 4 make up lessons scheduled per year during term time in addition to Summer make up lessons, described below. Lesson missed during term time in excess of 4 weeks per year (excluding Summer) will be forfeited.

If a scheduled make-up lesson is missed a second one cannot be scheduled.

Parents that have two or more children attending lessons may extend the lesson time of one child when a second child is not available for a lesson.

Should the teacher need to cancel a scheduled lesson for any reason a make-up lesson will always be arranged. Lessons missed by the teacher cannot be deducted from the bill. Lessons missed by the teacher will not count against your annual allowance of 4 make-up lessons per year. Every effort will be made to reschedule this lesson during the same week, however, if this is not possible the lesson may be taken at another time during the year.

Please be courteous to the teacher and fellow students by notifying the teacher at least 24 hours in advance regarding any known upcoming absences.

Bad Weather/Sickness:

If the roads are impassible due to weather or a student is contagiously ill but feels well enough to play having a lesson via Skype is a viable option for that week. Make-up lessons will be scheduled for lessons missed due to bad weather only when the Rockwood School District is closed for the day. Make-up lessons from Bad Weather will count against the 4 allowable make-up lessons per year during term time.

Summer Months:

Students are required to continue weekly lessons (10 in total) as normal. Students that need to take time off during Summer can make up the missed lesson times for a maximum of 4 lessons during the Summer vacation period in addition to the 4 make-up lessons offered during term time. Make-up lessons for time taken off during the Summer vacation may be taken during Summer or at another time throughout the rest of the year. This time may also be made up by extending the time of several regular lessons.

Not only does the teacher feel strongly about continuing the student's musical education throughout the summer months, but the teacher's livelihood depends upon a regular income throughout the summer months because the tuition rate has been determined based on a 12-month calendar. For these reasons, if a student fails to observe this policy by refusing to continue through the summer, the student unfortunately cannot be guaranteed a spot in the studio in the fall.

Discontinuing Lessons:

Every student stops taking lessons at some point. Ideally, this decision is made thoughtfully with plenty of discussion between the teacher, parent, and student so that lessons can cease with a positive sense of closure. For this reason, the teacher asks for one month’s notice in writing prior to discontinuing lessons. However, the teacher respects the student’s right to end lessons at any time. Note: At the discretion of the teacher, students may be asked to discontinue lessons at any time if they have unpaid tuition, an excess amount of absences/unprepared lessons, or if they show a lack of interest.

Studio Events:

Each year, the studio schedules a number of events for private students and their parents.

• Studio Recitals: Performing in a formal recital setting is an exciting opportunity for students to showcase their hard work and improvement over the year in the presence of their family and friends. The recital is held during the spring (usually in March or April) each year.
• Examinations: Students are welcome to participate in ABRSM piano and theory examinations. These opportunities require additional entry fees. Please contact the instructor for more information.

Communication:

There are many great ways to stay informed regarding studio news and events!

• Monthly Studio Newsletters: Please watch for monthly studio newsletters and other occasional emails, which will arrive in your email inbox. Newsletters feature practice tips, recognize student achievements, and announce the dates of studio events.
• Studio Website: Visit www.stlouispiano.com to find teacher contact information, current studio policies and procedures, the studio calendar, archives of previous monthly studio newsletters, and much more.

The best way to contact the teacher is via email, which will be promptly returned with an email reply or phone call. Phone calls are also welcome, especially on weekdays between 10am and 1pm. The teacher does not answer the phone when teaching. The teacher always welcomes emails or text messages from students during the week if they have questions regarding their repertoire or other matters.

Practice Time:

Students are advised to have a regularly–scheduled, non–interrupted, daily, practice time away from distractions (i.e. television, siblings, pets, etc.). Only consistent practice will create expected results as well as increase the enjoyment of playing the piano. Please call me if your child does not know how or what to practice. I always keep a copy of the student’s assignment and can provide you with suggestions. I can also plan to coach the student on good practice techniques at the next lesson.

Recommended practice time:

• Kindergarten and 1st Grade: 2 Hours per Week
• 2nd Grade through 4th Grade: 3 Hours per Week
• 5th Grade through 8th Grade: 4 Hours per Week
• 9th through 12th Grades and Adults: 5 Hours per Week

Behavior:

It is very important that each student come to his/her lesson ready for concentrated effort and learning. Students should not be overly tired or anxious about any activity that has preceded or immediately follows the lesson or class time. The time we will spend together each week is an important time for introducing new concepts and checking on progress made during the week’s practice time.

Visitors:

Parents of kindergarten as well as first grade and some second grade students may find it necessary to attend occasional lessons in order to assist the student at home through the week. I encourage all parents to sit in the lesson whenever possible to observe the student/teacher relationship and to indicate to the student your interest in the process of learning to play the piano. I do not encourage other visitors in the weekly lesson or class. My time with the student is very short and we must both totally concentrate on the lesson. Siblings are not allowed to sit in on lessons unless they are supervised by an adult and can remain quiet.

Teacher’s Commitment:

Given your commitment to these policies, I will take responsibility for the guidance in the musical education of this student. I will provide a complete program that includes many styles of music, plus theory, music history, and technique. My goal is to provide a friendly yet structured environment where the student will learn to enjoy music and learn to perform piano music at his/her attained level.

Whilst the teacher will make every reasonable effort to improve the knowledge and ability of the student, students cannot expect to improve unless they fully co–operate with the teacher and in particular adhere to the practice sessions advised by the teacher.

Parent’s Commitment:

I have read and understood these Studio Policies. I commit to upholding these policies and I will explain these policies to my child. I will assist my child in scheduling daily practice times and I will supervise practice time. I will ensure that my child follows up on all assignments and then sign the practice record. I will provide an encouraging environment for my child in his/her study of music. I will arrange the family calendar to fit the lesson schedule.

Parents may help in the learning process by:

• Communicating regularly with the teacher in person, via phone, or via email
• Helping the student find a regular practice time, keeping the student accountable to actually practice at that time, and keeping the student free of other responsibilities at that time
• Keeping distractions (siblings, pets, TV, etc.) away from the student during practice
• Providing quality listening opportunities through radio, recordings, and live performances
• Praising and encouraging their children in their musical accomplishments!

Mission Statement:

It is my goal to prepare students to understand music and to skillfully play the piano so they can enjoy music for the rest of their lives. I want my students to become proficient so they can continue to grow in their musical understanding through adulthood.