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JOY IN MUSIC PIANO STUDIO POLICIES FOR ADULTS Sept 2024-June 2025
Whether you’ve always wanted to play the piano, but lacked opportunity, or you took lessons as a child and want to return, you are now at a place to move ahead at the piano with the help of a teacher. I am happy that you have chosen my studio. The following policies ensure that you receive the most effective and helpful instruction possible.
You will have the best experience with a full size weighted-key instrument. Fingernails should be kept short, no longer than the ends of the fingers.
Student Tuition and Fees: The studio operates year-round, with a total of 32 lessons from September-June, and flexible scheduling during the summer. Our schedule is organized in two terms, Sept-Jan and Feb-June. Payment is in advance, either by the term or by the month. Payment by the term, which includes a small discount, is preferred and is due at the first lesson of each term. (A monthly payment plan is available upon request. Payment by the month consists of 5 equal payments per term, to be paid by the first lesson of each month, September-June.) Summer information is distributed in the spring.
Tuition Rates: 40 minute lessons: $720/term or $154/month for 5 months
60 minute lessons: $1088/term or $223/month for 5 months
Fees: $40 yearly registration fee
Payment Options: Cash, Check, Zelle (207-210-4214) or CASH APP (available for iPhone or Android phone). Checks (written to Alice Peterson) can be mailed to 34 Garfield Street, Westbrook ME 04092 to arrive by the 10th of the month.
The registration fee of $40 is paid when you start regular lessons, and once a year thereafter. Payment in the Spring reserves a spot in the fall schedule. Lesson books and music collections are paid for separately, and can be ordered by the teacher with reimbursement, or ordered by the student. Book cost per term varies. ($35-50+/-)
Your tuition reserves a time slot for you in the studio schedule and pays for music instruction time, lesson preparation, curriculum development, event planning, studio communication and recordkeeping, studio rental, office supplies, maintenance of studio equipment, and other studio expenses. These expenses are incurred whether you attend your lesson or not. For this reason, there are no refunds for missed lessons.
Missed Lessons: When weather/storm conditions inhibit travel, lessons will move online. Lessons missed for sickness or emergency/crisis reasons can be rescheduled during flex weeks which are built into the calendar. Rescheduling for other reasons is not guaranteed but may be offered as a courtesy. The earlier you communicate, the more chance of rescheduling. In the case of planned absences of more than two consecutive weeks, please discuss options with the teacher at least a month in advance.
Teacher Absence: There is a week built into each term that your teacher may use for family/medical or other concerns. Any other teacher absences will be rescheduled.
Discontinuing lessons: Please give a month’s advance notice.
Practice: Frequent short times at the piano are most beneficial; research indicates that they may be more effective than longer intensive sessions. My goal is to help you maximize whatever daily piano time you have, whether it is 10 minutes or an hour. Learning to play the piano is not a race, it’s a journey--enjoy it!
LIMITED PART TIME OPENINGS may be available for adult students who cannot commit to weekly lessons. This works best with students who have previous piano experience. Beginners have better success with weekly lessons. One-hour lessons are recommended for part-time students. Nine lessons are scheduled each term at approximately two-week intervals. Two students share a time slot and holiday breaks may interfere with the schedule, meaning that sometimes only one week or perhaps three weeks may pass between lessons. (Other than tuition and schedule, above policies apply.)
Tuition and Fees: 60 min lessons: $643/term or $130/month (Fall 2024 Discount for Parttime students: $600/term or $120/month)
Students in part time lessonswho are "grandfathered" in 40 minute lessons should check with Alice for tuition info.)
$40 registration yearly
Payment by term is due at the first lesson in September and the first lesson in February. Monthly payments, available upon request, are due by the first lesson of each month.
Note: Some adults wish for short term or occasional lessons to accomplish a particular purpose. This can occasionally be arranged ($50 per 40 minutes/$70 per 60 minutes).
(207)210-4214 alicejpeterson@yahoo.com www.joyinmusicpianostudio.com