JOY IN MUSIC PIANO STUDIO POLICIES (CHILD/TEEN) Fall 2024-Spring 2025
Thank you for choosing me as your piano teacher. To ensure that you receive the most effective and creative teaching possible, I have established the following policies.
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 includes a small discount and is due in advance at the first lesson of each term. Payment by the month consists of 5 equal payments per term, paid in advance by the first lesson of each month. (Summer info is distributed in the spring).
Tuition: 40-minute lessons: $720/term or $154/month 60-minute lessons: $1088 term or $223/month
Fees: Registration fee: $40 once a year
Book deposit: $35-$50 in September and February
Payment Options: Cash, Check, Zelle (207-210-4214) or CASHAPP (available for iPhone or Android). 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 lessons, and once a year thereafter. This yearly fee is billed in the spring and reserves a spot in the fall schedule. If you do not reserve a spot in the spring, it is paid with your first tuition payment in the fall. Your book deposit cover materials purchased for the student by the teacher. Records will be kept of all purchases and any funds not used will be refunded at the end of the year. If funds are depleted mid-term, the teacher will bill you for the additional amount.
Your tuition reserves a time slot for you in the studio schedule. Your tuition pays for music instruction time, lesson preparation, curriculum development, event planning, studio communication and recordkeeping, whether you attend your lesson or not. Additional overhead includes studio rental, office supplies, business insurance, and maintenance of studio equipment. For this reason, there are no refunds for missed lessons.
Missed Lessons: When weather/storm conditions inhibit travel, lessons will move online. Please do not attend lessons when sick. Lessons missed for sickness or emergency/crisis reasons can be rescheduled during flex weeks which are built into the calendar. Rescheduled lessons for other reasons are 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 one week built into each term that your teacher may take off to deal with family or medical concerns. Any teacher absences beyond this will be rescheduled.
Discontinuing Lessons: Every student will stop taking lessons at some point. Please make this decision thoughtfully with plenty of advance discussion between the teacher, parent, and student so that lessons can end with a positive sense of closure and openness to future musical adventures.
Instrument: Students need a full size, weighted key instrument to progress.
Fingernails: Fingernails should be kept short, not extending beyond the end of the finger.
Practice Guidelines: Parental involvement is essential until the student becomes self-directed in practice. This may take years. Linking practice to another daily activity can help make piano time part of your family culture. (Just before supper, right after you get home, every time you brush your teeth…) Most important:
Events: The studio provides opportunities to share music through Piano Celebrations twice a year, as well as additional studio events like playing at retirement homes and joint activities with other studios. Events outside the studio may require an additional fee.
Thank you for your commitment to piano lessons. With the complexity of modern family life, there are many things demanding attention. I want to work with you to ensure that your child feels the joy and success of making music. Please contact me at any time with questions, suggestions or concerns.
alicejpeterson@yahoo.com (207)210-4214 www.joyinmusicpianostudio.com
Make a free website with Yola