Studio Policies
Thank you for allowing me the privilege of being your child’s piano teacher! In order to ensure that your child receives lessons uniquely tailored to his or her needs and receives the most effective teaching possible, I have established the following policies.
Attendance
School Year Term – August 14, 2023 – May 16, 2024
Tuition reserves a particular time slot in the studio schedule. If a student is unable to attend, I regret that I cannot give a private makeup lesson. If there is a cancellation during the same week as a missed lesson, I may be able to switch to that cancelled time. There are no guarantees for this, however. If the schedule allows, we may have some additional performance and/or theory classes. These will have an additional fee but may be used free of charge for a makeup if needed.
If I have to personally cancel a lesson, I will make every effort to reschedule a private lesson. There are two weeks put into the studio calendar as “floating weeks” which may be used if I am unavailable during a regular teaching week.
All lessons are in person, but students may switch to an online lesson if needed due to illness or emergency. These must be requested in advance, no later than noon the day of the lesson. I also reserve the right to switch to an online lesson in the event I have a mild illness or unexpected conflict.
There is also an additional option of having a “video lesson” in the place of a regular lesson. This will involve a student making a video playing their assigned music. Videos will be watched during the normal lesson time and a return video made with comments and additional assignments. The video option is great if a student is planning to be out of town or has a conflicting event which has been scheduled in advance. Lesson videos must be submitted at least two days prior to the schedule lesson.
Summer Term
Details for activities during the summer of 2024 will be given out in May.
Inclement Weather Policy
If the Cobb County School District dismisses school for the day due to weather, students have the option of having lessons via Skype or by video during the regular lesson time. Makeups will not be given for these dates.
Studio Calendar
Each family will be given a copy of the studio calendar. In summary, these are the weeks we do not have lessons:
September 25 – 28, 2023
November 20 – 23, 2023
December 18, 2023 – January 4, 2024
February 19 – 22, 2024
April 1 – 4, 2024
The floating weeks are January 8 - 11, 2024, and May 20 - 23, 2024
These weeks will be off unless I use them at another time.
Safety Protocols for In-Person Lessons
Student Responsibilities
Students are expected to complete at least the minimum practice goals each week and either record the time in the student portal or in the student assignment notebook. Practice time should only be counted for the assigned repertoire. This doesn’t mean that I don’t encourage playing other music on the piano! The assignments given will require the minimum practice time in order to make substantial progress. But, by all means, students should play whatever they enjoy when time allows.
Theory assignments are very important – they are the building blocks of learning to play the piano. Students receive additional credit for completing theory assignments, so time spent doing them should not be counted as practice time. Theory assignments not fulfilled at home will be completed during the lesson.
Parental Involvement
Children need parents to help them set aside a specific time for practice and supervise their progress. Students who practice at least five days a week progress much more rapidly than those who try to get it all completed within a day or two. Students will log their practice time in their binder.
The studio portal using www.mymusicstaff.com gives families access to studio information, including lesson assignments, demo recordings of music as needed, billing and payment accounts, and other materials.
Please be prompt for lessons. I cannot adjust time slots for students arriving late to their lessons. Please be courteous to the other students by not arriving early or picking up your child late. By maintaining an accurate schedule, I will make every attempt to be courteous to you as well. If you need to talk to me about your child’s lessons, please do so at the beginning of their lesson time. You may also leave me a voicemail, text, or email.
Recitals
The goal is to have two studio recitals for all students. These will include one at Christmas, which is a “students only” party, and another in the spring.
Instrument Care
Prior to beginning lessons, students must have an instrument to practice on. It is preferred that an acoustic piano is used. The better the quality of piano, the more successful the student will be. An acoustic piano should be serviced at least once a year to keep it in tune and in good repair. If space or budget requirements do not allow for an acoustic piano, a fully weighted 88-key digital piano may be used. Smaller keyboards are not acceptable for piano practice. More advanced students will not be able to progress as well on a digital instrument, however.
Cobb County Music Teachers Association
All students have the opportunity through the Cobb County Music Teachers Association to participate in both local and statewide events. A detailed calendar of events for our local association will be published at the beginning of each school year. Students are encouraged to participate in as many of these events as possible.
My Responsibilities to the Student
It is my desire to provide a positive learning atmosphere and a well-balanced music education for each student. Through my membership in professional organizations, attending workshops, and continuing association with colleagues, I endeavor to enhance my own personal teaching skills.
Termination of Lessons
If for any reason you must stop lessons prior to the end of the policy year, a notice of 30 days is required. If tuition has been paid in full for the semester, I will pro-rate the tuition for your final month to reflect the number of lessons that you have received based on the final lesson date. Tuition paid by the month will be due for the final month, even if the student decides to stop lessons before the 30 days are completed.
Regrettably, I will have to dismiss a student if any of these circumstances occur: