Students and parents must agree to all studio policies to be a part of the studio. Please come back to this tab as a reference.
Tuition: Tuition (for 30-minute lessons) is $936, divided into 9 monthly payments of $104 or 3 payments of $312. There is a free lesson built into the calendar to cover a cancellation, if it is not used, you get a free lesson! Invoices are sent before payment is due via My Music Staff email/text, & are due at the first lesson of the month (or quarter). I accept Zelle, Paypal, cash, or check. There is an annual fee of $15 for use of the lending library & purchasing/printing of studio-licensed music throughout the year.
Missed Lessons: There are no refunds or makeups given unless I am unable to teach the promised number of lessons. Alternatives to help you avoid missing lessons include a swap list, checking for a cancellation opening on the studio app’s calendar (see below), arranging a Zoom lesson if you’re ill but feel well enough to have a lesson, or sending me a recording for me to comment on any time that week. For unexpected sickness or emergencies, please text me.
- When using the MyMusicStaff calendar: At least 3 days before the original lesson time, cancel a lesson (MMS will notify me), which creates a “lesson credit” you can then use for any available lesson slot on the calendar. Lesson credits created by this process expire within 30 days. Do not use this for changes less than three days ahead of time.
- If you use the Swap List (on MMS) to trade with someone, notify me via text of the swap (2 days notice ahead of time appreciated so I can prepare).
Summer Lessons: Students take at least 4 lessons during the summer to guarantee a lesson time in the fall. I will release a summer schedule separately, and make-ups can be made directly through me.
Discontinuation of Lessons: Please give me a month’s notice if you are discontinuing lessons.
Calendar: I teach on school holidays. There are no lessons Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, & Spring Break. Halloween is optional. Please check the My Music Staff calendar if you’re unsure of the schedule.
Piano Studio Tidbits:
- Students will need to have a 1 or 1.5” binder with five tab dividers. Students are responsible for purchasing piano books unless provided by the teacher.
- Please go ahead and enter quietly in case another lesson is in progress (no need to ring doorbell) and leave shoes on the rug. Please arrive not more than five minutes early and pick up your student promptly. It is preferred that family members stay outside of the studio during the lesson so that there are no distractions.
- I have a lending library where students can use supplementary books without having to purchase them. They will have my name on them. Please do not write in these books & return when requested. Studio-licensed music is printed sheets and is yours to keep.
- Please do not have your student come to a lesson if he/she was home sick that day, even if he/she is feeling better by lesson time. Better to reschedule or do a Zoom lesson.
- Practice is essential! Help your student find a time to practice each day and give them a well-lit area to practice. I encourage students to focus on making an improvement in a piece rather than watch a clock, but as a guideline this will take 10-15 mins. for beginners, 15-30 for elementary levels, 30 mins. for intermediate, & 60 mins. for advanced students.
- If you need a piano tuner, the piano tuner I use is David Lukitsch, (312) 659-2153. Please tune your piano 1-2 times a year, your student will benefit as well as your instrument! I tune mine after regularly turning on the A/C in the summer & the heater in the winter.
- Yes, we will have recitals! Please plan on staying for the whole recital so your student can benefit from hearing others play and everyone can play for a “full house.” Students may also participate in MTNA’s annual festival.