Studio Policy

Attendance

Please arrive on-time, but no more than five minutes prior to your scheduled lesson to allow the student before you to have their full lesson without distractions. Please also be picked up on time so students after you also receive the same courtesy. Lessons will not be extended for a student who arrives late. When you arrive and leave lessons, please stay on the pavement from the door to the road, stay on our property and respect all property outside and inside the studio.

Please be courteous to the people who are finishing up their lesson prior to yours. Come in and wait quietly by the stairs for your lesson to begin. Students are only allowed in the studio area and not in other areas of my home. Students are requested to come to lessons with their hands washed and their nails trimmed. Food, gum, candy, cell phones, or iPods are not allowed in lessons.

60-minute private, partner, or group lessons are provided on a weekly basis.  Lessons are conducted on a specific day and time, reserved for each student.  The time scheduled for each student’s lesson is reserved for his or her exclusive use. Monthly tuition is based on enrollment, not attendance. The costs associated with your tuition are expended whether the student attends lessons or not. Your tuition purchases a reserved lesson time for you and related expenses. You should plan activities carefully, as no make-up lessons are available.  There are no credits for missed lessons.  If you are unable to attend lessons, please call or e-mail me as soon as possible.

Weather Related / School Closings: I am open for those that want to travel, however, I understand if you decide not to. Please call if you decide not to come to lessons. In this case, will try to re-schedule a lesson but makeup lessons are not a guarantee and if a reschedule is available, it will be completed within the same week.  Any lessons canceled due to teacher absence will always be made up.

Performances

Performance is a valuable part of music education. There are several informal and formal opportunities for performance during the year. All students are expected to perform in at least two. Out of courtesy to other performers, plan to stay for the entire recital. This teaches respect toward the efforts of all performers to listen to the achievements of others and to expand and broaden their knowledge of the repertoire. Recitals will not exceed one hour in duration unless noted.

Appropriate dress is required for all events. (i.e. dress clothes, no jeans, no tennis shoes). Students must be prepared for a recital or event at least 2 weeks prior to the event. If a student is still not recital ready at their lesson 1 week prior to the event or recital, students will not be allowed to participate.

Participation in MMTA events is not required but recommended.  Several events including theory exams and competitions are available.   Please see the Minnesota Music Teachers Association website for additional details.  We will start preparing for these this summer.  Please see the KTI summer schedule for specific MMTA theory classes.

Summer Lessons

A six-week group summer program (2+ hours each week or a one-week camp) will be required for all students. A schedule will be put together in the spring. If you are unable to attend summer lessons but wish to hold your spot, you can continue to pay the monthly tuition during that time.

Parents Will:

  • Provide an acoustic or digital piano in the best possible condition (many keyboards and organs are not appropriate).
  • Be financially responsible and pay tuition on time.
  • Set aside a regular time for practice each day in a place allowing quiet and uninterrupted practice (this can be done all at once or divided into two or more daily practice sessions) to help develop self-discipline and good practice habits. Younger children may need help with their practicing.
  • Encourage progress! Many small steps throughout the year yield great results!
  • Check your child’s notebook weekly for pertinent information.
  • Be helpful, interested, and supportive!

Students Will:

  • Arrive at each lesson punctually, well-prepared, and with all necessary materials.
  • Practice – In order to progress satisfactorily, daily quality practice is necessary and required.  Depending on a student’s level, students will be required to practice 5 days per week, 20-30 minutes per day on assigned music and related assignments (such as theory) or more when necessary, until goals are met each week.
  • Participate in at least two studio performances/competitions/exams.

Tuition and Supplies

Whether taking lessons live online (via Zoom) or in person, when students enroll, they are reserving their placement in the studio for the summer (12 hours of instruction offered in groups) and the entire school year (33 private lessons and Sept – May). The enrollment agreement is a firm commitment and guarantees your place in the studio. Tuition is charged by the term and is for the student’s whole year of music study, payable in advance in monthly installments.  You are responsible for tuition through May 2023.

While the actual number of lessons in each month varies, the tuition is calculated on the total lessons offered and divided into 12 equal monthly installments, taking into consideration holidays, breaks or teacher vacations, and additional activities.  A current, continually updated schedule can be found on the studio website.

Private lessons are $165 per month.  Tuition is payable using the online link on your invoice, e-mailed to you each month.  Tuition is payable in advance on the 1st of each month using the link on your invoice. If any payment is not received by the 5th of the month, a $20 late fee will be assessed per month the tuition is past due.  Please automatically add the late fee if you pay late.  These charges do remain on your account even if you do not add in the late fee. Checks returned for non-sufficient funds will incur a $35 fee.  Tuition fees are subject to an annual 5% increase upon 30 days’ written notice to the student.  Any tuition not paid within 30 days of the due date will result in immediate termination of lessons.

Throughout the year, I will purchase music for you and you will be charged accordingly. For loaned music, you will be charged replacement value for any items not returned or returned in poor condition.   Photocopied music, unless a studio license or reproducible, is illegal and will not be used unless a book is no longer available; purchased downloadable music is acceptable.

Additional benefits included in your tuition:

PianoMaestro access (unlimited)

Recitals

Special Projects and Recordings

Digital ensemble music & other reproducible music and worksheets

A $45 enrollment/materials fee is due upon registration each year and covers your assignment book and motivation program for the year and contributes to the cost of the lending library, studio license music, and printing of studio license music.  This materials fee does not include lesson books or non-studio license supplementary materials.

The teacher may terminate lessons due to negative behavior, failure to practice, or failure to comply with studio etiquette.

Dismissal Policy

Students may be dismissed for any reason including, but not limited to the following: repeated failure to practice or prepare for lessons, inappropriate or disrespectful behavior, equipment damage, destruction of property or theft, failure to make payments promptly.

PARENT HEREBY WAIVES, RELEASES, DISCHARGES, AND COVENANTS NOT TO SUE THE ORGANIZATION, ITS OWNERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, OR REPRESENTATIVES FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY, CLAIMS, DEMANDS, LOSSES OR DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF, OR RELATED TO, PARENT’S OR CHILD’S PARTICIPATION IN THE EVENT/ACTIVITY/PROGRAM, WHETHER BASED IN CONTRACT OR TORT, INCLUDING ACTUAL, COMPENSATORY, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES. IF, DESPITE THE WAVER, ANYONE MAKES A CLAIM AGAINST THE ORGANIZATION, THE PARENT AGREES TO INDEMNIFY, DEFEND, AND HOLD HARMLESS THE ORGANIZATION FROM ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, DEMANDS, LOSSES, ATTORNEY’S FEES, COSTS, LIABILITIES, OR DAMAGES AGAINST THE ORGANIZATION ARISING OUT OF PARENT’S OR CHILD’S PARTICIPATION IN EVENT/ACTIVITY/PROGRAM.

Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this contract, or the breach thereof, shall be settled by arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association under its Commercial Arbitration Rules, and judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator(s) may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.

This Studio Policy is a legal contract made between Studio and Student on this date, for the provision of group or private music instruction services by Studio to Student. The student has received and read the Studio Policy and agrees to abide by its provisions, as a condition to the Teacher providing music lessons to the Student. The undersigned has read this Studio Policy, and fully understands its terms, conditions, and provisions. The undersigned agrees that if any portion of the Studio Policy is held to be invalid, then the remaining portions shall continue in full force and effect.