In order to make your time as a student and my time as your teacher the most productive, the following policies have been established:
- Lesson Scheduling:
Lesson times are scheduled at the mutual agreement of teacher and client, subject to the availability of open lesson times.
- Tuition:
Private Lesson Fees:
30 minute lesson.............................................. $25
45 minute lesson............................................. $35
Includes 25 minutes weekly use of computer lab and access to studio library music, books, DVDs, and recordings
Additional Fees:
Annual Enrollment Fee..................................... $50
Ø Reserves time slot for the entire academic year (Sept-May)
Ø Covers cost of recitals
Ø For new students enrolling in the academic year after September, $5 will be subtracted for each month between September and the student's first month of lessons
Annual Materials Fee........................................ $50
This fee allows the teacher to provide all materials for the entire year
Group Classes.................................................. $10
Approximately 4-6 group classes will be scheduled per academic year. Each student is expected to attend a minimum of 3 classes per year.
Optional Fees:
Achievement Testing/Festivals/Competition.............. FEES VARY
Various opportunities for students to participate in festivals or competitions will be presented throughout the year. Such opportunities will be encouraged, but optional.
Annual Bach Bucks Reward Program Fee.................. $40
This program gives the student weekly opportunities to earn Bach Bucks which can be used to purchase items at the Studio Store at the end of each month. This program is optional and is appropriate for students ages 4-16.
- Tuition Discounts:
Referral Bonus:
When a student you have referred enrolls in my piano studio, your account will be credited with a $75 referral bonus.
Homeschool Discount:
Homeschool students who take lessons during the school day will receive a 20% tuition reduction for the first year of lessons.
- Payment Procedures:
Tuition fees are due at the first lesson of each month in the form of cash or check made payable to Jessica Schatz. A late fee of $15 will be assessed for payments made after the 15th of each month. A fee of $25 will be assessed for returned checks. The Enrollment Fee and Materials Fee must be included with the enrollment form at the beginning of the year. Group classes and optional participation fees will be charged at the beginning of each month as appropriate.
- Summer Lessons:
At the end of the academic year, a sign-up sheet for summer lessons will be made available to you. Summer lesson scheduling is more flexible than academic year scheduling. However, summer lessons will not be made up. A minimum of 4 lessons is required to hold a place for you in the following academic year. Students choosing not to enroll in summer lessons will be put on the academy's waiting list for the upcoming academic year. There is no additional enrollment or material fees for the summer semester.
- Holiday Breaks:
The entire academic year will consist of 31 lessons not including breaks for holidays. A 2-week break will be given for both Christmas and Easter and a 1-week break will be given for Thanksgiving week.
- Missed Lessons:
Make up Lessons
Your lesson time is reserved exclusively for your student. Missed lessons are not made up during the regular academic year, nor are fees adjusted. Lessons cancelled due to teacher illness or inclement weather will be credited to your account. You will always be notified of a cancelled lesson at least 4 hours before your scheduled lesson time.
Swap List
Once your scheduled lesson time is in place, it is expected that music study will have priority. If an occasional schedule conflict should arise, you may use the Swap List to trade lessons with another student and then inform me of the change.
Summer Lesson Vouchers
For those students who choose not to participate in the Swap List, or who cannot find a suitable exchange time for a lesson that will be missed, the following guidelines will be in effect:
Ø A voucher for an extra lesson, during the summer semester, will be issued for a maximum of 2 missed lessons during the academic year.
Ø The only lessons that will be eligible to receive a voucher are those that are cancelled in advance - at least 24 hours before the scheduled lesson - or in the event of an emergency, at least 4 hours before the scheduled lesson.
- Studio Protocol and Conduct:
Parking
You may park in the lower half of the driveway or on the side of the road. Please do not park in front of the mailbox or the fire hydrant.
Punctuality
Late time is lost time. Your lesson will not be extended due to late arrival.
Bathroom
Please use your own facilities before arriving for your lesson.
Student Preparation
Please be sure the student's hands are clean and fingernails are trimmed before the lesson. Please be sure the student brings ALL materials to the lesson.
In-Studio Courtesy
Please remove your shoes at the door before entering the studio. The front door will be unlocked. Do not ring the bell or knock. Please come right in and wait quietly for your lesson. Please do not bring food or drink (except a water bottle) into the studio. Please be courteous of other students finishing or beginning a lesson while you are entering or leaving the studio.
- Computer Lab:
Each student is expected to arrive 25 minutes before or stay 25 minutes after the lesson time to interact with the various computer programs in the computer lab.
- Practice Expectations:
Learning to play the piano is an on-going endeavor, which requires dedication and discipline on the part of the student. Piano study is a partnership between student, parents, and teacher. The lesson is a very small part of the week. It is the responsibility of the student and the parent to see that the remainder of the week is productive.
1. A minimum of six practice days per week is expected. Although the quality of the time is most important, the student will be expected to practice a certain number of minutes per day. These guidelines will be determined based on age and level of study and will change as the student progresses.
2. Each student is responsible for setting a regular practice time (one longer time, or several shorter times per day). This time should become a habit that is an important part of each day - as important as mealtimes or school homework.
3. Each student will be expected to fill out a practice record each week. This record is to be monitored and initialed by a parent.
4. Aside from regular practicing, each student will be expected to complete various other activities throughout the week such as theory or listening assignments. Please see Explanation of Instructional Material for further information.
- Recitals:
Several recitals will be scheduled per year. Students are expected to at least attend recitals and are encouraged to participate.
- Home Equipment:
A piano or a digital keyboard with 88 weighted keys and a damper pedal is required to make progress. Each family is encouraged to purchase a piano if possible, as nothing can take the place of its touch and sound. Please try to have your piano tuned twice a year (the best times are spring and fall). A metronome is also necessary for all students.
- Parent Communication:
Please talk to me about any questions you or your child may have. Communication is important to a good learning relationship! Parents are welcome to attend any lesson and are encouraged to attend at least one lesson per month. Parent-Teacher Conferences are available upon request. Please do not attempt to engage the teacher in conference about your student during another student's lesson time.
- Lesson Termination:
Lessons Terminated by the Student
Students who plan to discontinue taking lessons during the academic year must give one month's advance notice or pay an additional month's tuition fee.
Lessons Terminated by the Teacher
Conditions under which the teacher may cease giving lessons to a student include the following:
1. Consistent failure to pay tuition on time
2. Persistent absences
3. Uncooperative attitude by students or parents
4. Inability to abide by studio policy rules
5. Lack of progress due to insufficient practice or unfulfilled requirements
- Note:
Please note that these policies are in accord with recommended professional policies of the Music Teachers' National Association and the Michigan Music Teachers' Association. Tuition fees take into consideration that I must provide all of my insurance, retirement, social security, and continuing education costs, as well as bear the expense of equipping and maintaining my studio, instruments, libraries, and other equipment and supplies. They also take into consideration that I spend even more hours in planning, study, scheduling, phone calls, e-mails, bookkeeping, and organizing other studio related responsibilities, than I do in actual lesson time. Teaching is my profession, my business, and my art. I wish to present and live up to policies that give me the time and financial security to devote most of my energy to the creative act of sharing music with people. I acknowledge my students' and their parents' place in a three-way relationship, and pledge to do my best to make music study a rich, growing experience for my students.