PROGRAM AND POLICIES

Lessons and Tuition Pricing

Tuition is a flat rate of $80 monthly, and is not based on attendance. 

30 minute lessons are held once weekly, and year-round. Refer to the current piano calendar for the teaching schedule. Please note that lessons are held on minor holidays and school vacation days unless notified otherwise. Students are allowed 2 free vacation days during the school year, plus 2 free vacation days in the summer that can be scheduled off with the teacher. Vacation days cannot be banked.

Parents, siblings, and friends do not attend lessons, however, a parent is welcome to attend the first lesson of the month for observation. 

Please be prompt to drop off and pick up at the scheduled time to avoid disrupting lessons or the teacher’s schedule outside of lessons. 


Payments

Payments are due at the first scheduled lesson of each month. Cash, check, or Venmo is accepted. There is a $10.00 late fee.

You are responsible for payment of missed lessons.  (see  Missed Lessons section) Tuition is a purchase of lesson and time slot. A missed lesson is time lost for the teaching schedule.

Prorated tuition is only offered if the teacher cancels and cannot reschedule. Any credits are calculated based on total weeks in that month.


Missed Lessons

“Regular attendance is necessary for progression in musical education.”

Tuition is enrollment-based; a student who does not attend a lesson will simply miss the benefit of that lesson. 

Please contact Mrs. Alicia to reschedule or trade a lesson day with another student.

Online lessons are convenient and available at short notice e.g. sickness, snow days, no transportation. (see Illness and Online Lessons sections) 

There are also allotted vacation days that can be used to take time off. (see Lessons and Tuition Pricing sections)


Illness

Mrs. Alicia has a weakened immune system and needs to cancel lessons occasionally. Please do not come to lessons if you are sick with a fever, congestion, cough, sore throat, vomiting, diagnosed contagious illness, etc. If you miss school due to sickness please don't come to piano, instead, plan to do an online lesson or reschedule. Short notice is acceptable. 

If a student arrives to lessons with any of the above illness, a parent will be called to come pick up. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation! 


Online Lessons

A charged mobile device or laptop with Skype, Zoom, or Facebook Messenger installed is all that is needed for online lessons. Students need their books and a pencil ready. A call will be made to you after the previous lesson is finished. 

Students must be engaged and follow directions. Background noise should be minimized to help with clear audio.


Lesson Materials and Rules

  • All required books, flashcards (if assigned)

  • A metronome/app at home to help develop internal beat, rhythm and tempo.

  • Fingernails should be kept short to enable correct hand and finger position. 

  • Students will be respectful of the teacher and surroundings.

  • No chewing gum during lessons.

  • Shoes removed inside the door.


Piano and Practicing

"The actual work of learning the piano - and the credit for success - rests with the student. Even the wisest and most competent teacher cannot master the piano for a student. Without regular practice at home, the student will end up practicing during their lessons, rather than refining their skills and learning new skills."

Students are expected to be prepared for each lesson. A regular practice time, at least 4-5 days a week for 20-30 minutes, should be set aside to establish a consistent routine that will become a daily habit. It is also very important for students to practice for results and not just a set amount of time. All assigned material must be covered at each practice session. To improve, practice is necessary. A prepared student is much more confident at their lesson. Parent encouragement is usually necessary. Rewards and incentives are used at the private lesson, but may be helpful at home as well.

A tuned piano is required at home for all practicing. An electric piano has limited abilities, but may be used for beginner practice as long as it includes a full length keyboard with weighted keys.


Discontinuing Lessons

At the discretion of the teacher, students may be asked to discontinue lessons at any time if there is unpaid tuition, zero practice, a lack of interest or refusal to cooperate during lessons. Please inform the teacher if you are planning to discontinue lessons.