studio policies

TEACHING ETHOS:

Working with a private music teacher is an important community exchange. All students I teach (and their families) are treated with consideration and respect. I aim to communicate a spirit of comfort, creative freedom, humor, and ambition in every lesson.

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS:

Students are expected to 1) practice regularly, 2) follow the teacher’s rules and procedures during lessons, 3) be present and focused in each lesson, and 4) respect the lesson cancellation policy. Students are also required to maintain their music binder and bring it to their lessons along with any other books/materials we are using. In the rare event that a student repeatedly displays poor preparation, disrespect, and misuse of time, the teacher reserves the right to terminate further lessons and refund any remaining lesson credits.

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

After their first lesson, students need a 3-ring binder for their lesson handouts and practice logs. Having a 3-hole puncher is very helpful, as are dividers for the binder, labeled for its 3 sections: Practice Logs, Handouts, and Sheet Music.

Each student must have access to a piano or 88-key weighted action keyboard with sustain pedal for home practice. Students should also have access to a metronome to use for practice - whether in physical or app form.

PAYMENT, SCHEDULING, AND CANCELLATIONS:

After 3 initial drop-in lessons, students who wish to proceed ahead will purchase series lessons in advance. These come in ten-lesson sets, which are scheduled at the time of payment. This long-term lesson plan provides a stable teacher-student framework of commitment for musical growth and personalized curricula.

Pre-payment for lesson sets reserves a regular, weekly lesson time for the student. To continue holding this spot, payment for the next set is due at the final lesson of the current one. Payment can be made by check, cash, PayPal, or Venmo.

If a student is unable to make it to one of their regular lesson times, make-up lessons are available. Online lessons can also replace in-studio lessons when the student is unable to arrive in person. To be eligible for a make-up lesson, all cancellations require 48-hours notice, except for those made because of emergencies (including sudden illness/injury). For no-shows and cancellations made within 48 hours of lesson time, students incur full lesson fee without make-up.

If a week must be missed, and proper notice is given, that week’s lesson credit is carried over to the following week. Repeat cancellations may affect the student’s reservation in the schedule.

The teacher reserves the right to occasionally cancel or reschedule normal lesson times due to professional reasons or unforeseen circumstances. Lesson credits for such cancellations are then applied to the next actual lesson.

All registration sales are final and refunds are not available except if further lessons are terminated by the teacher, in which case any unused lesson credit would be refunded.

Lesson credits expire without refund if unused for 90 days, unless arrangements have been made in advance for a break and scheduled return.

All registration sales are final and refunds are not available except if further lessons are terminated by the teacher, in which case any unused lesson credit would be refunded.